You Should Know (a Joe Sugg Fan Fiction)

Chapter Twenty Three // The Courts

Months passed and things didn't change much. Joe was still having nightmares and I found it really hard to sleep. Zoe was still in our spare room. She was planning to sell her house and move back to Wiltshire near her parents, but today was the day, we'd finally hope things would start to be put to bed.

Joe finished putting on his suit jacket as I finished straightening my hair. We both stood in the mirror and sighed. I've been dreading this day.

Joe put a hand on the small of my back and kissed my forehead. "Everything will be fine." I nodded, still not totally convinced. "You ready?"

"Yeah," I said in a small voice, "ready as I'll ever be." I grabbed my jacket and headed downstairs behind Joe. Zoe was waiting at the door for us.

"We're going to be late." She said looking at her watch.

"Sorry." I took a deep breath as Joe took my hand and lead me out to his car.

Zoe got in the back whiles I sat in the passenger side beside Joe as we made our way to the courts.

The drive was silent. Joe now and then reassuringly holding my hand. Both me and Zoe were giving evidence today and Joe tomorrow. We all knew the trial would go on for days because of the severity of it, but I just wanted it to be over.

We pulled up in the car park and sat there for a minute gathering thoughts and processing the day ahead.

"I can't do this." Zoe blurted out.

I turned to her. "Zoe, you have too." She had tears streaming down her face. "You weren't even at home when all of this was going on and that's all you have to say. You were at Louise's and you have proof you were there."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Plus we can go to pizza express after if you want?" Joe added with a little smirk. Zoe and I couldn't help but laugh.

We got out of the car and headed to the main entrance. It was full of family and friends of Oli, Marcus and Alfie's. I could feel panic rising in my chest until we saw Caspar's and Gabbie's families in the corner.

~

I stepped onto the witness platform in the court room. I searched the public gallery for Joe. I locked eyes with him and he gave me a reassuring smile. To my left sat Oli, Alfie and Marcus.

I bought back to the judge. "Could you give us your full name?" The he asked me.

"Hannah May Jones." I replied. 

"Okay Miss Jones, could you please give your account of what happened on the night of 2nd July, 2014."

I started my story, never losing eye contact with Joe. The pain from that evening shot though me again and again. Losing Gabbie, losing myself, losing Joe. The words just tumbled out of my mouth like they had done many times before in interview rooms and to friends. I didn't break though. No one deserved to see me break. They soon asked me about me being kidnapped. I think this was the hardest, not only me, but for Joe. After being cross examined, we finally breached the subject of Caspar.

"Yes or no Miss Jones. Do you know Caspar Lee?"

"Yes." I said my voice breaking slightly. I still hadn't come to terms with the fact he was gone. I'd still expect him to waltz into a room with his cheeky grin, but it never happened.

"Where were you at the time of his death?"

"In Alfie and Zoe's house." I looked down. "But I didn't know. I was told they weren't going to hurt him." My eyes welling up.

"How did you escape? Why couldn't Caspar?" He asked.

"Because Oliver White helped me. We had a deal, but it turned out to be false in more ways than one." I looked at Joe who looked more than confused.

"Can you liberate on that Miss Jones?" He asked.

"Oli said he could get me out. He said Caspar would be okay and Joe would be free if I agreed." I swallowed. This was the first time Joe had heard this and it was going to kill him. "Oli said he wanted me to be his girlfriend in exchange for mine, Joe's and Casper's lives." I shot a look at Joe who was glaring at Oli who was looking at his feet.

"Where was Caspar at this time, Miss Jones?"

"Somewhere else in the house I was told. Oli said Marcus had taken him somewhere. He said if I agreed, Caspar wouldn't be hurt. So I agreed."

"Wasn't it Mr White who called the police?"

"Yes." I nodded and looked down. "He got me out of that house. When we were in the car, he told me it was all a cover up to get me out." I looked up at Joe who was just staring at me. "He told me Caspar would be okay, they wouldn't hurt him." Staring at Joe as I said those words. "I wanted to get Caspar but he said no." Tears escaped from my eyes. 

"What I don't understand is why he blackmailed you when no one else was there to hear him." The judge said.

"I don't know either sir." I stated. Joe's eyes had softened as he got up and walked out of the room. My eyes followed him.

"Anymore questions for Miss Jones?" He asked the courtroom. No one replied as I was free to leave. I took one look at the three boys as I left the witness stand.

My only concern was finding Joe. What if he hated me for not telling him what happened? I'd hate me too if I was him, but I did it for his own good.