Blood Sisters(85)

The scary man was looking round the court. ‘It’s the truth.’

No. A very important fact was missing. Kitty knew it. What the fuck was it?

‘And is it true that you raped Alison as a teenager?’

‘I didn’t see it as rape. I could tell she fancied me.’ He ran a finger over the scars on his face. ‘Everyone did. I looked different in those days.’

‘Did you rape Alison or not?’

‘No. I didn’t.’

Something horrible was happening inside her now. Something Kitty couldn’t describe. ‘I don’t feel well,’ she babbled. But no one was listening. Everyone was shouting in the court. A woman in a wig – just like one of the judges on telly! – was calling for silence and Lily was now talking.

‘The relationship between sisters can be a very complex one. It can be fraught with jealousy and love at the same time.’

Many of the women in front of her were nodding. Kitty looked up at Half a Sister in the glass box. She had her face in her hands. The Monster gave a huge lurch inside. Suddenly all Kitty wanted to do was get up there and hold Ali in her arms. Cuddle her. Tell her that she was her friend. Tell her that someone here hadn’t been telling the truth. She knew that. But she just couldn’t remember who. Or even what the lie was.

The Monster dealt her stomach another huge blow, as if it was just as frustrated as she was. Then something really weird seemed to happen down below.

‘Dear Lord,’ screamed Friday Mum suddenly, looking down at the pool of water on the ground. ‘Can someone help us? Now!’





62


September 2017


Alison


My side and Crispin’s are making their individual summing-ups now. When they’re finished, the jury will retire to decide my future. ‘Would you like me to sit with you?’ Robin had asked.

‘No thanks.’

I couldn’t look him in the eye.

So, now I’m on my own in a locked side room, where I sit and think about what’s just happened.

When Clive revealed what I’d told him about Crispin not being the driver, there was a gasp like a giant wave going round the court.

I knew from the jury’s faces that any sympathy about my rape had been outweighed by my lies about who was driving. Why would they believe my story about being abused if I would lie about something like who had run down my sister? Mind you, I’d always wondered why Crispin had gone along with my claim that he was driving. Part of me is touched that he took the blame for his mother’s memory.

Now I spend some time washing my hands. When I glance in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. My hair is messy from having run my hands through it – something I always do when stressed. Lead Man used to tease me about it.

‘Do you have a pain?’ asks the officer as I bend over.

I shake my head, not wanting to tell her that yes, I do have a pain. A crippling pain of betrayal in my chest.

After what seems like hours but the clock tells me is thirty-seven minutes, Lily opens the door. ‘The jury has reached its verdict,’ she says.

So soon? The barrister’s mouth is set as we walk back into the court. Robin touches my arm. ‘This could be good,’ he says reassuringly.

I know he’s just trying to make me feel better. The jury might have instantly decided I am guilty.

In the courtroom I search for Crispin. He isn’t there. Nor is Lead Man. Maybe it’s just that I can’t see them. The court is packed. Dear Lord, there are Vanessa’s parents! Despite the passing of the years I recognize the mother all right, with her high model’s cheekbones. She is staring right at me. Hatred is written all over her face.

I try to concentrate on the words that are ringing round the court but my ears are humming. It’s as though I am under water. For a minute, I am back in the past, swimming in the bay with Robin. We are taking turns to see who can stay under the water for longer. Once – I’d forgotten this until now – I’d stayed under for so long that he had dived down and brought me up again, spluttering. I was laughing. He was cross. ‘I thought something had happened to you.’

The forewoman of the jury is standing up. She is very small. Petite, like a hummingbird in a bright red dress. The Court Clerk is speaking. Once more, my ears are buzzing so much that I cannot hear the exact words.

But I do hear the next one.

‘Guilty on all counts.’

There is a roar around me. People are standing up. ‘Send the bitch to prison!’ screams someone. It comes from the direction of Vanessa’s parents. Robin looks as though someone has hit him with a mallet. Lily appears disappointed.

But me?

I am relieved. It is exactly what I deserve.





63


September 2017


Kitty


Loads of memories are returning now. Every time The Monster kicks, another one comes back.

How she used to love the sea! Until that time when the freak wave had nearly got her. If it hadn’t been for Half a Sister Ali, she might have drowned. Her sister had rushed in and dragged her out of the water. She’d been small then. In fact, she could distinctly remember being cross because she hadn’t been able to get out on her own and had to rely on Ali saving her.

Bloody hell. Where had that come from?