"i'm crazy but you like that" - skins

(2) Episode 3.2

I rounded the corner to the courthouse and then jogged towards the door, shoving it open once I'd reached it and walking into an open, echoey reception area.

Near the door stood a red-headed woman in a tight skirt, a red-striped blouse and expensive-looking sunglasses, who laughed loudly as she unsubtly flirted with two male police officers who seemed particularly interested by her.

I rolled my eyes, deciding that they weren't the best professionals to ask, and walked around them to the security woman, who was there to check people before they entered the courtrooms.

"Hi," I greeted.
"Hi," she returned. She ran her hands through her buzz-cut blonde hair and asked, "are you going in?"
"Uh, no," I shook my head, "I'm looking for James Cook."

She stared at me blankly momentarily so I elaborated. "He's been in court this morning. I don't know if he's still here or if he's already done and gone. About five-foot-eight, bright blue eyes... bit of a pain in the ass."

She grinned, an amused look on her face. "Yeah, I know who you're talking about. He's the boy that's just plead not guilty despite having a house full of witnesses. He doesn't seem so bright."

"Yeah. That'll be him," I nodded along, sighing. How had I known that he'd be trying to stubbornly navigate his way out of a dead-ended problem that he'd caused? "Can you tell me where he is or what?"

"He's not gone yet," she told me before adding, "they're just clarifying his bail conditions. He'll be out in a minute."
I nodded. "Okay. Thanks."

I turned my back on the woman and strolled back towards the entrance, hovering aimlessly by the door, feeling nervous to see Cook after weeks.

As I looked out the large, dirty windows at the entrance, I heard a voice behind me.
"Did you say you're here for James Cook?"

I spun around to see the red-headed woman that I'd observed flirting with the police officers standing only a foot away from me, looking at me up and down with intrigue.
"Yeah. And what's it to you?" I asked, my tone harsh.

She grinned, and I felt confused. "Blimey. Who knew my boy could get a girl as out of his league as you? You're actually -"

"Your boy?" I questioned. Could this be...

"I'm his mum," she smiled, proudly.

Cook and I had spoke very little about his mum.
I had obviously had the unfortunate experience of encountering his useless father, but his mother was not a topic of conversation that Cook liked to focus on often. All I knew is that she was a heavy drinker during his childhood, was prone to angry outbursts, and that Cook had moved out and began sofa-surfing as young as he could before he'd moved into the college dorm, and that any communication between them nowadays was a rarity.

"His mum?" I was surprised.
"Yes. I bet he's told you dreadful things about me, right?"
"Uh, not really," I shrugged, and she looked offended without me even having to say anything. It was like she could guess what sort of stuff he would say about her.

Her demeanour quickly shifted back and she grinned again. "So you are his girlfriend, right?"
"Uh, yeah, we're -"

And then the doors burst open behind me.

I spun quickly as I watched two police officers lead Cook out through the double doors.

His expression was difficult to read.
He looked at me first, and it seemed as though a million emotions flashed in his eyes. I recognised sadness and guilt and betrayal... and then he looked at his mum, and he let out a subtle groan.