Yesterday - Now Complete

Part 7

Annie was frantic.

"Dad, please, you've got to take me to the police! I need to tell them they've got it wrong!!" 

Her father caught her arms and held them gently. "Calm down Annie love!" he soothed, "The police know what evidence they have. They wouldn't have charged him without it!"

"But dad, they never asked me what happened! There was only me and Paul there! I don't understand!"

Her mother lead her to the sofa and sat her down. "You're dad's right love. The police know what they are doing. Come on love, calm down! You've been through so much, all this stress isn't good for you!"

Annie shook herself free from her mother. "NO! She stood up and began pacing up and down. "Paul didn't push me! They've got it wrong! I need to do something. Paul has many faults but he doesn't deserve this...not when it's not true!"

Her parents watched helplessly as Annie continued to pace up and down. Her distress was very apparent and her mother was concerned she was making herself ill. 

"JOHN!" 

Her parents looked up at her, totally confused. "Annie?"

By now Annie had picked up the phone and was dialing a number. "Hello? Cynthia, it's Annie.... Yes I'm fine. Is John  there please? Yes, please, it's urgent!"

She waited for john to take the call.

"Annie?" She heard John's puzzled voice. "Why are you calling me?"

"John, where's Paul?"

"Why do you want to know? Look, don't you think you should leave all that alone? I mean..."

"John, please," she pleased, "Just tell me if it's true...has Paul been charged with pushing me down the stairs and causing my injuries?"

"Annie look, I don't..."

"Please John, just tell me!"

"Why?"

"John, he didn't push me! We'd rowed yes, but I was scared so I tried to run from him. I fell, he didn't push me!" Her words tumbled out in a rush.

"You're sure? You are certain you fell?" he asked her slowly.

"Definitely! John, no one has asked me about what happened that night...not properly. I don't know where the idea came from that I was pushed!"

There was a few moments silence.

"John? Are you still there?" Annie asked quietly.

"Yes I am." He paused, "Annie, even after everything that has happened, would you be willing to talk to the police about what happened that night at Cavendish Ave?"

"YES!!! That's why I called! I need them to know but I don't know who to talk to."

"Annie love, I'm going to ring off then give Bri a call. He'll know what to do."

"OK. So shall I just wait to hear from you?"

"Yeah.Ok, bye."

"John wait!"

"What?"

"My new number. You'll need it!" 

She gave him her number then hung up. Her parents were still watching her. She smiled nervously at them. 

"I have to wait for a call from John or Brian now." She shrugged, blinking back tears. "Oh mum, I hope the Police believe me!" She burst into tears.

Two days later Annie, Brian and the lawyer who had handled Paul's case, entered Marlyborne Police Station at an agreed time. She was to give her statement to the police.They were taken in to an interview room and asked to sit down.Annie and the lawyer sat at the table, facing two officers whilst Brian sat behind her.