She nodded. “We can, but it could be a long time. Overnight, even.”
“Just for now, then. If they’re no closer in an hour or two, I’ll leave.”
David and Jenna went on a coffee run to Costa, and we all waited in the court… in silence. No one was particularly chatty.
I could tell their thoughts kept going back to what’d been found.
Jasper sat scowling, jiggling his foot the way Mum did when she was stressed.
Cole held my hand, running his thumb over mine. It was doing what he intended, I was as calm as I could be.
Our table was littered with takeaway coffee cups and wrappers from snacks. I was too anxious to eat, but I’d drank two hot chocolates and a bottle of water. Thankfully there was a bathroom nearby.
I checked the time on my phone again.
“You know what they say about a watched clock?” Cole said, lifting a brow.
“How long have we been waiting?”
“Nearly three hours. Do you want to go?”
“No, but you can. I wouldn’t mind.”
He tilted his head, looking at me like I was simple. “On what planet do you think I’d be doing that?”
“All right,” I replied, bumping his arm. “I was being polite.”
He was fiercely protective and would never leave me here.
“Linda said the jury were close, what, an hour ago?”
“Yeah, babe, but I think there’s paperwork. Try not to stress.”
It wasn’t just a case of ticking a guilty box, I understood that. Though, it should be. The waiting was excruciating.
“She’s here,” Cole said, tipping his chin in the direction of Linda.
She walked towards us with long strides. “The jury has reached their decision,” she said.
Mum jumped to her feet. “Already?”
Linda nodded once. “If you all want to make your way back.”
I stood up and was about to follow Linda when Mum pulled me into a hug. “It’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, it will,” I replied.
For the first time, I truly believed it would be.
Stepping into the public gallery, I found seats with my family, sitting between Mum and Jasper. Cole the other side of my brother.
“Have the ladies and gentlemen of the jury reached their decision?” the judge asked, her voice all business.
A tall lady with long grey hair and bright red lipstick stood up. “Yes, we have, Your Honour.”
I wiped my palms on my thighs.
Please.
