Voice of Truth (Sequel to Voice of Reason)

Chapter Three: Don't Let It Get To You

 I walked into the bathroom to go and check on Ellie, when Alec followed after me with a cleaning in progress sign. I furrowed my eyebrows, but knocked on the cubicle door anyway.

"It's occupied!" She said.

"We know. Come out, Miller." Alec told her. She opened the door almost immediately.

"Go away! It's the ladies! You can't come in the ladies!"

"You've been in there for ages," The door opened and a woman started coming in. "Oi, there's a sign, cleaning in progress. Out! Out!" Ellie walked over to the mirror, wiping her eyes, and Alec and I leaned on the counter directly behind her."Don't let it get to you." 

"Oh, thanks for that. Brilliant advice."

"It is brilliant advice." She furrowed her eyebrows. "Just...take it from someone who knows."

"You Caught Joe...he had Danny's phone, you brought him in, you interviewed him. He didn't resist. He is guilty."

"And the case against him is strong. The CPS never had any doubt about prosecuting."

"Doesn't he know what it's gonna do to Beth and Mark? To all of us?" She cried.

"He does. And he doesn't care. He's a scared, pathetic little man that is trying to save his own skin, regardless of how it impacts others."

"Who's gonna tell Tom? He's at school. If his friends find out before him..."

"It's alright, we spoke to your sister, she and Ollie are going to take him out at lunchtime."

"Well I could go with them. I could see him."

"You know he doesn't want that." Alec said gently.

"I'm his mother. He's only gonna blame me more. How am I ever gonna get him back if there's a trial?" I walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her.

"Let Colin talk to him. I'm sure he can get him to come around."

"Right,yeah, and I have to use a thirteen year old to talk to my son...How is this my life now?"

"I'm sorry." Alec said, standing up. "Do you want a hug?"

"What? No! Not from you!"

"Right, no."

"What's the matter with you?!"

"I'm just trying to help."

"Do you want a hug? Just hug it out?"

"People do that! Diana does it-"

"Well not you!"

"Just try not to be alone, Ellie." I said. "Trust me, being alone makes it far worse."

"How do you know that?" She questioned. I shook my head.

"Story for another day." She turned, walking out of the bathroom and tripping over the sign. 

"For Pete's sake, did you put that there!?" We listened to the door open and close, meaning we were alone. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"And how are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm never not going to be tired of people asking me that." I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"People aren't asking, it's me."

"But you've already asked, and you got your answer."  I told him.

"Yes, but that was before Joe Miller pleaded not guilty."