Written in the Rockstars (Completed)

Chapter 8- Justice

We told mum everything.  Well- I did most of the talking.  As mum was listening,  she spent the whole time eyeing Jack suspiciously. At first she was skeptical, but I think we convinced her... eventually.

"You listen here, " Mum said, turning to Jack, " You hurt my daughter one more time and you'll be for it! "

"It's okay, Mrs Anderson.  I've learned from my mistakes. Don't you worry, " he assured her.

"Okay. Let's have some tea then, " She smiled and returned to the kitchen.

I lay down with my head on Jack's lap.  He stroked my hair as we sat in silence.

Lucy ran in to the lounge not long after and grinned at me, before scowling scornfully at Jack.

" What do you want, you nasty piece of-?"

" Lucy, " I interrupted,  "Jack's going to change.  We're starting over. "

She frowned for a moment before saying,  "Oh. Well. Hi."

Jack smiled,  "Hi."

Her cheeks flushing in embarrassment,  she hurried out of the room.

"Sorry about her, " I said.

"No, it's anyone's natural instinct to protect and stand up for the one they love, " he told me,  a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"TEA'S READY! " Mum yelled from the kitchen.

I laughed and pulled Jack off the armchair.  I laced my fingers through his as we wandered into the kitchen,  a gorgeous smell drifting up my nostrils.

" Smells amazing, mum! What is it?" I asked.

"Goat's cheese and grilled tomato pizza,  sweetie, " mum announced,  dropping the tray onto the counter.

Everything seemed okay then: I was at home with my family and with my boyfriend, who was going to change.  I felt the knot of anger and tension that had grown tighter and tighter in my stomach suddenly unravel and a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Then the doorbell rang.

Mum glanced from Jack to me for a moment, before saying, "I'll get it."

She came back into the kitchen and sighed, "It's the police."

Two policemen followed her, their expressions grim.

"Good evening, Mr Rochester and Miss Anderson. We received a call about Miss Abbey Malone, who is now in police custody. We would like you to make a statement if you wish to press charges," one officer explained.

I glanced at Jack out of the corner of my eye. He nodded at the officer and stood up. 

"You don't need to come, Annabel. I'll be fine," he assured me, smiling faintly.

"If you're sure," I returned his smile and sat back down, feeling helpless.

They left and I stared at my plate.

"I'm not hungry," I murmured, before pushing my plate away and disappearing upstairs.

A few hours later, there was a light knock on the door.

"Hey," mum whispered softly, her head poking around the edge of the door. "You sure you don't want any pizza? It's good."

"I'm not hungry," I repeated. She sat down on the edge of my bed and sighed.

"What's wrong,  Annabel? " mum asked earnestly.

" I'm worried about Jack. I just hope Abbey gets sentenced because I can tell that it's concerning him, " I admitted.

" Jack is a grown man, sweetheart.  He can look after himself.  You
shouldn't make yourself suffer because of his problems, " he told me.

" I know," I sighed.

" Ben and Jerry's ice cream? "

I grinned,  "You've twisted my arm. "

At ten o'clock at night,  Jack slipped through the front door almost silently.  But I was waiting for him,perched over a coffee.

" Jack! " I called to him.  He turned and shuffled into the kitchen.

"Well? " I prompted as he made himself a coffee.

He shrugged, "I gave a statement and they said they want to know if Abbey is pleading guilty or not guilty.  If she pleads not guilty then they let her give a statement.  If the evidence is in favour of one statement, then we won't have to take her to court.  If she pleads not guilty and the evidence is in favour of both cases, then we either drop the charges or take her to court."

" So we're hoping she pleads guilty, " I said, even though it was an obvious statement.

" Definitely, " he agreed, stirring his coffee continuously.

" Don't worry about it, Jack.  She can't lie to the police," I assured him.
"She probably can."

We sat in silence after that, sipping at our coffees. Then I murmured a 'goodnight' and made my way up to bed.

I was still lying awake when Jack came in , but we didn't say a word.  I didn't know what to say. He climbed into bed and I laced my fingers through his. He squeezed my hand and before long I drifted off into a deep sleep.

That morning Jack and I woke up before mum and Lucy,  so we made full English breakfasts for everyone.  Jack always thought that English breakfasts were the best thing in the world and said that he wished he was English for that reason alone.

Lucy appeared an hour later than us,  rubbing her eyes and yawning widely.

" English breakfast? "I offered.

" Try and stop me! " She grinned and thumped down on a chair.

“ Is mum still in bed? " I asked.

"Shower, " Lucy told me.

At that instant, the phone rang.

Jack froze and stared at the phone for a moment,  before turning to me.  I nodded and picked it up,  clearing my throat.

" Hello? "

" Good morning.  Is Mr Rochester there? "

" Who's speaking? "

" My name is P.C Henley.  I would like to speak to Mr Rochester about Miss Malone. "

" Oh, I'll pass you over."

" Thank you."

I placed the phone against my shoulder and beckoned to Jack.

" It's about Abbey. "

He took the phone from me and placed it to his ear.

"Hi, Jack speaking. "

"Okay."

"Right."

His eyebrows furrowed as he listened.

" Really? So does that mean...?"

He began to chew his lip.

Then a relieved smile spread across his face.

" That's fantastic! "

" Okay thanks.  Bye."

Jack turned to me and grinned,  "She pleaded guilty and has been sentenced for a minimum of five years in prison! "

"Wooooopppeeeeeeeeeee! !!!!" I cried out,  running to him.  He embraced me and  then twirled me around, an elated giggle escaping my lips.

Finally,  everything was going to be okay!

For now.