Shattered Perfection

Forty Two

Siobhan managed to talk about how she came to meet Roger, their initial romance which quickly turned controlling. Thankfully, the barrier which had been erected in the court room stopped Siobhan from seeing both Roger and Janice as well as their lawyers sat at the table. She could see Reece, Autumn, Mia and most importantly Vivian who kept her gaze firmly fixed on Siobhan's face.

Her lawyer moved on to her medical records, asking how she received her injuries. She stumbled when discussing her swollen throat from Roger's violations. From where they were sat, they could see Roger's reactions. The back of his neck was becoming redder as he listened to what Siobhan had to say. Mia smirked and whispered into Vivian's ear. 'He's starting to lose it, look at his hands.' She nodded to his hands which they could see were in fists with white knuckles. His lawyer leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Roger took a deep breath and tried to calm his temper.

'I just hope he doesn't do anything to trigger Siobhan.' Vivian whispered back. Janice was sat with a faint smile on her face, her cool, calm exterior was worrying. What had she got up her sleeve?

Siobhan took a sip of the water provided, her hand trembling slightly. She was determined not to mess this up but the pressure of that wasn't helping. She spoke of the tracking of her movements and the constant texting and ringing. The lawyer had records of every text Roger had sent. The stack of papers told their own story. She spoke about moving in with him, selling her house and the money going into the 'joint' account that she couldn't access. Her pay went into this too. Roger bought her the clothes he wanted her to wear and the jewellery he expected her to put on. Nothing was her own choice.

Then it came to the night he hurt her wrist and the following night where he burnt her with the candle. The lawyer asked her to confirm the medical report which detailed numerous bruises, cuts and burns which couldn't have been caused by anything other than domestic abuse. The different ages of the bruising demonstrated how long it had been going on for. Siobhan couldn't look at the jury while they examined pictures of her. It was too humiliating.

The lawyer finally discussed her running from Roger, hiding at Autumn's house and being taken by the man hired by Roger. Siobhan spoke of waking up in the cellar. Of Janice coming in and abusing her verbally and physically. Refusing to let her leave. Then Roger entering, rolling up his sleeves and starting to physically assault her. At this point, Roger stood up so she could see him above the barrier. He pointed an accusing finger at her and bellowed. 'This is all lies, Siobhan Serpent! You know it is. All I did was care for you, gave you everything you could have possibly wished for!' His face was red and he was breathing hard. The judge banged her gavel hard and called for order. Roger's lawyer had stood up too and was trying to make Roger sit down.

At the loud shouting, Siobhan had started to shake, her hands clasped on her knees. Her face was pale and her breathing was quick. Her eyes skittered away from Roger in terror. But they fell on Vivian. Viv had placed her palm on her chest and was breathing slowly, trying to get Siobhan to copy her. Vivian's eyes didn't leave Siobhan's face. Siobhan copied her, placing her own hand on her chest, her fingertips just brushing the pearls around her neck. She gave a slight nod to Vivian and took a deep calming breath.

The judge turned to Siobhan after frowning at Roger and his lawyer. 'Are you well enough to continue Miss Serpent?' She asked. Siobhan nodded and she had another sip of the water, her hands still trembling.

Her lawyer continued, speaking about the effects of the domestic violence, the imprisonment in the basement, the threats to kill. He spoke about her diagnosis of PTSD and her recent hospital admission. Vivian could see the effect all this information was having on the jury. Some of the men looked at Roger in disgust and some of the women watched Siobhan with sympathy and admiration for her giving evidence.

Then it was the turn of Roger and Janice's lawyers. Their cross examining was brutal. They asked question after question. Suggesting that the repeated violations were consensual, they had enjoyed rough sex hadn't they? She had agreed to combine their finances when she moved in, that's what couple's do surely? Janice's lawyer asked whether her and Janice had gotten on, whether this story was made up purely for revenge as Siobhan could see Roger and Janice becoming closer. She was scared of losing her man. Siobhan answered each question steadily, she would not allow them to upset her. She raised her chin and thought of the core of steel, Vivian could see in her. She looked at Vivian, Mia, Autumn and Reece. She drew strength from their support and friendship. Autumn gave her a small nod and Reece smiled at her. She could see the love pouring out of Vivian's face into her own. It felt like she was sat in sunbeam as warmth flooded her. Finally, Roger's lawyer asked about Vivian. Siobhan was taken aback. What had Viv got to do with this?

'Miss Serpent, where are you currently living?' he asked.

'Objection, relevance.' Her lawyer said immediately.

'Is it correct to say that you are currently living with a woman?' he asked.

Siobhan paused and said, 'I am living with my friend, she offered me somewhere to stay as I was homeless and penniless thanks to Roger.'

'Well that's not true is it?' The smarmy lawyer said. 'You had a beautiful home with Roger, a mansion and access to millions of pounds but you've decided to leave all that for a woman in a two bed semi.'

'Objection!' shouted her lawyer.

'I put it to the jury that Miss Serpent had realised her relationship with Roger was over and she is saying all this because she want's revenge. That's all.'

'My relationship with Roger was over the moment he started trying to control my life and sealed it with the first time he hurt me physically.' Retorted Siobhan, two red patches appearing on her cheeks as she became angry.

'But you agreed to marry him?' the lawyer responded.

'He didn't ask, I was told.' Siobhan said.

'Yet you wore the ring? You didn't tell anyone about not wanting to marry him?'

'I couldn't,' she responded. The lawyer turned to the jury.

'We're meant to believe that you suffered all these injuries but never mentioned it to anyone.' He scoffed.

'Vivian knew.' She replied.

'Vivian, right.' The lawyer replied sceptically.

Janice's lawyer had no further questions so Siobhan was excused from the stand. She stood on wobbly legs, her lawyer offering her a hand to step out of the room. Siobhan kept her eyes on the floor as she left the room. Vivian had left the public gallery and met Siobhan outside the door to the court. She enveloped her in a hug and whispered, 'Bon bon you were spectacular. I am so so proud of you.' Siobhan leant heavily on Vivian with exhaustion. She helped her into a side room sitting her down in the nearest chair. Viv knelt in front of her as Siobhan covered her face with her hands, elbows resting on her knees.

'Bon bon, take a breath for a moment. You managed so well.' She said softly. Viv stood up and got her a cup of water, returning to her knees in front of her. She pulled one of Siobhan's hands away from her face. Silent tears were streaming down Siobhan's face.

'Hey, hey my love. Why all the tears? You did it.' Viv said kindly.

Siobhan took in a shuddering breath. 'Sorry,' she began.

'No apologies.' Viv said.

'It's just all too much.' Siobhan finished. She clasped the cup of water but her hands were shaking too much to bring it to her lips. Vivian placed her hands around Siobhan's to steady her, allowing her to take a sip. Siobhan leaned back with a hand over her eyes. She took in a shaky breath.

The door creaked open slightly and Autumn put her head around it. 'The judge has dismissed everyone for today, we come back tomorrow for 9am.' She said softly. She looked at Siobhan who had dropped her hand from her face. 'Well done Siobhan, knowing everything you had endured, that was really impressive.'

Siobhan nodded, 'thank you.' She replied. 'and thank the others for their support too.' Autumn nodded before closing the door behind her. Vivian stood up and held out her hand.

'Come on Bon bon, let's go and get our boy and go home.'