Burning Bright

Chapter 5

There was the longest silence where everyone was turning to their neighbour to discuss the bail conditions . .  . and then that feeling of responsibility kicked in again. Realising that, in all likelihood, this was a sackable offence, but with the Colonel away it was a risk I was prepared to take. I stood.

‘He can stay with me, sir.’ The entire court room turned to focus uncomfortably on me, but the look of grateful surprise on Eoin’s face was the only one that registered.

‘Ah. Thank you,’ the magistrate said. ‘Yes, I know who you are.’

He nodded his approval and instructed one of the clerks to take my details before he continued. ‘Mr Macken, I’m sure you are relieved that there has been no objection to your bail. I am trusting you, and your guardian angel, to ensure that your bail conditions are adhered to fully. Bail is set at five hundred thousand rupees,’ and the proceedings were concluded.

Although it sounded a massive amount, and, to be fair, it was for most Indians, it was about five grand and I could just about stretch to that amount on my credit card, providing Eoin, or someone,  anyone, I didn’t care who, paid me back fairly quickly if I was required to pay it.

I was summoned by the court official into the chambers behind the courtroom. The magistrate himself came to speak to me.

‘Miss Curran, I am trusting you to make sure Mr Macken adheres to the terms of his bail conditions.’

‘Yes, sir, I understand.’

‘I was very tempted not to grant it given that you are a young woman and he is a young man. But given your job . . . I understand you have secure accommodation?’

‘Yes, sir, I live in the Vimla Hills Compound.’

‘Very well. As long as he stays in your secure accommodation, then I am content. But if I hear of any inappropriate behaviour from either of you, then he will be back in prison, and you will be in the Ladies’ Prison for contempt of court. Understood?’

‘Yes, sir. Your honour, could I request that he be allowed out of the compound if I accompany him?’

He looked at me as though he knew I was pushing my luck, but the trial could be weeks away.

‘Only if you accompany him, Miss Curran. If I see anything in the media that may impact on this case, then he will be straight back to Vimla Prison. Understood?’

‘Perfectly, Your Honour. And thank you.’

Manish and Eoin were already waiting outside for me in the secure area after I’d completed the paperwork. I was greeted with a massive hug from Eoin, one which I’d rather have avoided until he’d had a shower. We knew the press would be waiting outside, but needed to get from the court to my secure compound. In the end Manish agreed to drive him to his own place first, and then to mine once the press had got bored. It would also give me the chance to make up the spare bed, find some towels, and tidy up.

But first I had to text Eoin’s Mum and Kate to tell them the semi-good news. “Skype later when Eoin’s here?” I suggested to Moira.

It was over two hours later before he arrived. He had showered and changed clothes at Manish’s and looked, well, pretty amazing actually. I got the hug that I preferred.

‘Sorry about the last one,’ he said. ‘Me coming here and that hug were probably the last things you needed. You sure it’s OK for me to stay here?’

‘Of course it is.’ How could I possibly have said anything else? ‘Anyway, you could cost me half a million rupees so I need you where I can keep an eye on you.’