Just Gone.

Chapter Eight.

(James's Point Of View)

"You've got to be bloody kidding me!" Mum screeches into the phone downstairs. " You're Sorry? Sorry! You know what you can do... you can take your lawyers degree and your fancy talk and shove it right up your useless arse!" Slamming the phone down onto the table with an echoing bang.

"Everything alright Mum?" I call down, standing at the top of the stairs. Nervously, rubbing my foot against the cream carpet.

"No James, honey. Can you and your brother come down stairs please, we need a family meeting." She replies, walking into the kitchen; clicking the kettle on.

I jog up to the 3rd floor of our little townhouse and knock on Louis's door.

No reply.

Gently, I push open his creaky old door, with the paint peeling off onto the carpet.

"Louis?" I call out. "Lou are you in here? We have a family meeting."

"Bog off. I'm busy." He moans, the voice coming from the computer desk in the corner of the dark, dank room.

"Come on Lou. Mum says it is important. Just get off your bloody computer for 5 minuets. Okay?" I say, clinging onto the side of the door and swinging it impatiently.

"TEA'S READY!" Mum screams from downstairs. "Hurry your arses up. Jesus Christ."

"Come on mate. Stop being so bloody lazy and just hurry up." I say, starting to turn around.

"Oh will you just pee off. You made me lose my game, you little murderer." He turns around staring me in the eyes. "Ooo, Sorry. Did I offend you?" He says sarcastically; snorting like the little pig he is.

I stare at him in disbelief, trying to comprehend what he just said. "I'm gonna ignore that. Come down and apologise when you bloody grow up a little bit." I shout as I slam the bedroom door behind me, making the house tremble.

I race down the stairs, skipping 2 steps at a time. Until my feet hit the cold wooden tiles of the dining room floor. I pull out one of the wooden chairs and sit down reaching across the table for my cup, nearly knocking over a candle.

"So... what did you want to talk about Mum." I ask, spinning round my cup in hands; causing droplets of tea to dribble down the sides.

"Where's your brother?" She asks, glancing up at me. Her long manicured nails tapping against the side of the mug, anxiously.

"Upstairs, busy." I reply, not making eye contact.

"Probably busy studying, my little angel." She says, sighing.

"And I'm your little devil." I mutter under my breath. Mum looks up at me, glaring. But then decides against it and lets it go; giving me a half hearted smile.

"Anyway, the phone call. I was on the phone to your lawyer, Jack. And he, well. Um. He had some news!" She splutters.

"Good? Bad? Medium? Rare? Barely cooked?" I giggle. Mum sighs, obviously agitated by my joke.

"Bad." She whispers, rubbing in between her perfectly plucked eyebrows and tightening the vibrant yellow hair toggle around her long black pony tail.

I stare at her. Waiting for her to continue, gripping tightly onto my cup.

"They believe that they have enough evidence and motive to pin you for the crime. And they are going to take you to court." She says, a single tear rolling down her tired cheeks.

"Bugger off. Are you bloody kidding me?" I shout, pleading for her to say it's all a joke and that they found Anne and everything is okay.

"Your hearing is in 7 months, February 2nd." She says, looking up at me as her eyes; which are the same colour as the sky after a storm, start to glaze over.

And for the first time ever, I saw my mother breakdown into a fit of tears, weeping.

Author's Note) I hope you all like this chapter. I gave a bit more of an insight into James's home life and he has a brother! Who knew?! Haha, love you all. I just hit 600 reads. I am so happy right now. I love you all so much. I hope you all have an amazing day/night, Phoebe. 🌻✨