Joseph met Lucy and her future husband, Oliver, when they all began studying drama together at LAMDA. They were the best of friends and an unbreakable trio from day one. Joseph has never told his best friend however that he's been in love with his w...
Today was the first day of the court case against the man who killed Oliver. Nikki and Camille helped me dress myself. My balance was completely shot and I couldn't bend to put shoes on. It had taken me three days to find an outfit that I felt comfortable in.
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I had no idea how to dress a pregnant belly but my girls helped me. I was sitting at the kitchen table with Joe, waiting for Richard to pick us up to take us to the court house. I wore Ollie's wedding ring on a chain around my neck which I kept rubbing for good luck.
The police were confident that the process would be quick and we'd get the result we wanted. The man who hit Ollie after running that red light had previous convictions and was well known to the police. He'd been completely and utterly pissed behind the wheel at the time of the accident so the police assured me there was no way he'd be found not guilty or receive a light sentence.
It seemed so cruel. This man with still had his life. He wasn't leaving behind a young pregnant wife and unborn child. He'd cruelly taken my husband from me and I wanted him to pay.
I'd since learned the man's name was Thomas O'Brien. He was 53 years old with a rap sheet as long as my arm. His defence council were arguing that Ollie should have seen the car coming and stopped. But Ollie had eight of way and Thomas didn't. The police liaison officer assigned to us repeatedly assured me not to worry. But made me aware that some things might be said during the trial particularly about Oliver that I may find upsetting.
Richard and my dad continually asked me to stay home from the courthouse and they would keep me updated during the day. But there was no way I was letting that man drag my husbands name through the mud without looking me in the eye and seeing my baby bump first. I wanted him to pay.
The front door open and Richard entered wearing a suit and holding his car keys. "You ready darling?" "I'm ready. Let's do this" Joe hauled me to my feet. I was 8 months pregnant by now and having a lot more trouble getting around.
When we arrived at the courthouse it was as we expected. A media circus. I was surrounded by my dad, Richard, David and Ben as Joe held an arm tight around my waist pushing a path through the throng of journalists and photographers as they shouted questions. Joe leant down and whispered in my ear "I've got you Luce. I'm not going to let go." His arm tightened around my waist as more cameras were shoved in my face and he pushed them back with his free arm.
"Get away from her and show some respect!" He shoved his way through still holding me tight against his side and then we were through and inside the foyer of the courthouse. I needed to be sick. I looked up and saw Sarah, Nikki and my mum standing next to what looked like the ladies bathroom. I shoved past them and fell to my knees in front of the toilet and dry heaved for several moments before I heard the door swing open behind me and Joe came in.
"Joe this is the ladies!" "Don't give a fuck Luce. I said I wouldn't let go and I won't." He crouched next to me and rubbed my back before helping me to my feet again. "You ok? Can I get you anything?" I looked up to see the police liaison officer. "Maybe some water." Joe led me out of the bathroom to sit down in a chair in the hallway, before squatting in front of me, everyone else making a protective huddle around me.
