Shattered Perfection

Forty Four

The court case ran until 5pm when the judge called a halt for the day. There was a little more evidence from the police to hear in the morning then the jury would start their deliberations. Vivian and Autumn had to help Siobhan stand. She was unsteady on her feet, pale and wobbly.

'Come on my love, let's get you home.' Vivian said softly. As they made their way out of the court, Siobhan kept her eyes on her feet. As they shuffled out I the crowd she suddenly noticed a pair of mens shiny shoes, expensive ones. Roger. Somehow, they were now face to face in the crowd. Vivian stiffened.

'Hello, Siobhan,' He said quietly. Siobhan's eyes snapped to his face. 'When they let me out, and they will let me out, I will find you no matter where you are. There is nowhere in this world that is safe. We will finish the 'chat' we were having in the cellar.' This was all said quietly, without fuss. Any outside observer wouldn't necessarily see anything wrong with it. Vivian had heard though. Loudly she said, 'Officer!' to the nearby court officer who should have been escorting Roger back to the cells. He'd been side tracked by Roger's lawyer in a deliberate ploy to leave Roger able to reach Siobhan. Roger smiled at Vivian.

'Vivian, we will chat too and your son, Jamie. Muttonchops.' He winked at Autumn who rolled her eyes, as the officer reached him and escorted him from the room. A cold wave went through Vivian, any mention of her son made her want to grab him and run. She turned to Siobhan who hadn't moved.

'You ok Vivian?' Autumn said.

'Yeah,' said Viv shaking her head to clear her thoughts. 'Siobhan, Bon, bon bon,' she tried getting through to Siobhan who had shut down. Terror washed through her. She'd never be free, he'd always find her. He'd always be there, waiting for the right moment to snuff out her life. What's more, he threatened Jamie and Vivian. She wouldn't want to stay with her now she knew he'd come for her son. Siobhan would be left alone. Unloved. Pathetic. As Vivian tried to get through to her, her thought's spiralled. Autumn moved Viv out of the way and grasped her shoulders. Siobhan's eyes were staring, unseeing but Autumn glared into them anyway.

'Siobhan Serpent, you will not listen to that pathetic excuse for human.' Autumn said firmly giving Siobhan a slight shake. She picked up Siobhan's hand and placed it on her heart. 'Feel my heart beating Siobhan, he does not scare me. He used to but I won't let him have that power anymore.' Siobhan felt the steady beat under her palm, felt the warm skin under her fingers. Her eyes blinked and she made eye contact with Autumn. 'Match my breathing,' Autumn instructed firmly, 'His threats are empty, he's finished. His legitimate business partners are falling away, he has no power anymore, only the power you give him.' Autumn continued in a calm voice. The others in the group had formed a protective ring around Viv, Autumn and Siobhan protecting her from prying eyes of the rest of the court until she can gather herself. Siobhan started breathing slowly in time with Autumn. Tears formed in her eyes.

'Thank you Autumn.' She said quietly. They stayed as they were for a few more minutes until Siobhan felt steady enough to walk from the room. The group unconsciously continued the protective ring around her as they left the building. Viv had her arm around her, something that had always made her feel safe. Vivian thanked Autumn as they reached the car. They all wished them well and they made their way home.

Siobhan didn't say anything as they travelled. 'I'll go and grab Jamie,' Vivian said quietly as she pulled up to the nursery. Siobhan nodded. 'I'll be two minutes.' She ran into the building. Siobhan sat unmoving in the car. She was so tired, her body felt battered and bruised, a feeling that the court case had brought back. She still felt his hands on her, she shivered. She should leave Viv, she thought, her heart breaking. To protect her and Jamie, Siobhan should be as far away from them as possible. She couldn't stay and put them both in such danger. Roger will find a way of hurting them. Viv got back to the car and strapped Jamie into the car seat in the back. He chattered all the way home about what he had done that day. His chirpy voice stabbed into Siobhan's heart like daggers. She loved him like he was her own son and that's why she had to leave. Vivian glanced at her on the short drive home. She was worried. Siobhan's face was almost translucent it was so pale. Dark rings were round her eyes and her cheeks had a sunken look again. Being near Roger had this effect on her. Once he was away for good then she would bounce back. Viv hoped.

They got in the house, Viv giving Jamie a bath and putting him in his pjs. Siobhan had made her way upstairs and sat on the edge of their bed. She was deep in thought and was chewing her lip.

Vivian finished putting Jamie to bed and found Siobhan still sat on the bed. 'How you doing Bon Bon?' she asked softly sitting down next to her. She reached to try and hold Siobhan's hand but Siobhan moved it away. 'What's going on?' Viv asked.

'I'm going to move out,' Siobhan said calmly, inside she was a mess.

'What?!' exclaimed Viv, 'What on earth are you talking about?' Siobhan flinched slightly at the outburst. Viv took a deep breath to try and calm herself.

'Yes, I'll collect my things and leave, I think it's for the best.' She said standing up. Viv stood in front of her.

'For the best?' Viv said confused, 'I don't understand.'

'I need my own place.' Siobhan refused to look at Vivian, 'Now I'm being paid properly, I'm going to rent a flat. I'll leave tonight and stay in a hotel.' She moved to get her things.

'Bon bon where's this come from?' Vivian tried to touch her arm but didn't want to trigger her.

'I think it's for the best.' Repeated Siobhan shoving things into a bag.

'Best for who?' Viv exclaimed.

'I need space.' Siobhan replied.

'Ok, if you need space, I'll back off but I don't believe you!' Vivian responded.

'You'll forget me and move on.' Siobhan continued, 'You and Ja-Jamie,' she struggled over Jamie's name her heart clenching. She felt like screaming. Her heart was breaking and it was her own fault.

'But I don't want you to go, I love you,' Vivian cried. Siobhan shut her eyes, pain stabbing her heart. 'Why are you doing this?'

'I need to,' began Siobhan, 'I need to stand on my own two feet. I want to go.' Vivian had tears rolling down her face. She was confused and upset. Siobhan then said almost under her breath, 'I need you to be safe.' Sudden realisation hit Viv, what Roger had said earlier. Threatening Siobhan to find her no matter what, to hurt the ones she loved.

'Bon Bon, we are safe, he cannot get to you here.' She went and stood behind Siobhan, resting her hands gently on her shoulders, running her hands down her arms. 'I love you and I know you love me. We're a team. Don't let him win.' She whispered resting her forehead against her. Siobhan's head dropped as tears ran down her face, dripping onto her top.

'I can't let you get hurt, I couldn't stand it.' She whispered.

'I can't promise that nothing will happen in the future, you know that. But with regard to Roger and his threats, I promise that nothing will happen.' Vivian turned Siobhan slowly around. Siobhan kept her head lowered. She felt ashamed. Viv touched her chin, lifting her eyes to meet her own. 'My darling, I love you with all my heart, Jamie loves you. You're his mummy. If you leave you will break his heart.' Siobhan stifled a sob, she could see how upset Vivian was at the thought of losing her. 'I know you're scared but we will get through it.' Vivian said sliding her arms around Siobhan's waist pulling her towards her chest. Siobhan lay her head on Viv's shoulder.

'I'm sorry,' she whimpered.

'It's ok Bon bon, I've got you. I'll always be here when you need me. Please don't push me away.' Vivian whispered. Siobhan's arm slid around Vivian and she clung on tightly.

'I don't really want to go,' Siobhan said softly, tears still pouring down her cheeks, 'I'm just so scared.'

'I know,' Vivian said soothingly stroking her hair. 'But running wouldn't solve anything.'

'I've never had anyone that could get hurt before,' Siobhan whispered, 'It's always just been me.'

Vivian's heart broke again for this lonely woman. She couldn't bear to think about how isolated she'd been.

'Bon bon, you have a whole family with you now.' Vivian said, Siobhan looked confused.

'Marjorie, Reece, Autumn, Winter, Mia, Charlotte, not to mention the others at the nursery.' She listed. Realisation hit Siobhan. 'Do you think they'd let you get hurt? They risked everything to find you the last time. They would do it again.' Vivian cupped Siobhan's cheek. 'And so would I.' she said before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.