Deceit. [COMPLETED.]

Chapter 32

"The inquest." 
[ELEVEN YEARS AGO.]
Jennifer Stamford.

A young Jennifer Stamford pulled her robe down passed her legs. Her hair was dishevelled, her inner thighs were bruised and she had a small cut to her lower lip. She glanced around the room. It was sterile and bright.

'We'll get them. Mark my words. They had no right to do what they did and you have to realise this. It is not your fault.'

It was almost two in the morning. Stamford felt tired but she had not been able to close her eyes since the incident. She wondered where her clothes were, the middle aged doctor apologised.

'They had to be taken away,' she said offering a reassuring smile. 'For forensics. You understand.' And then. 'Your parents have been contacted. They have been told to bring you a new set.'

Jennifer Stamford climbed off the medical bed and began pacing up and down, her arms folded against her chest, her bare feet touching the cold Lino floor. Part of her wanted to run away. Hide. Forget everything that has happened but not yet, not until she had heard from her Isaac.

She began to take in slow deep breaths. Above her a fluorescent light glowed far too bright. It caused her eyes to squint. It didn't help that she had a headache. It was pounding against her temples. She frowned. Everywhere she looked was whitewashed and unappealing.

And quiet.

Too quiet.

She hated quiet.

She tried to focus her attention on the wall clock opposite. It was your basic large round clock with a white plastic rim and big black hands with small numbers. The sort you could  buy in any cheap department store. But it wasn't making any sound so she tried to imagine one.

Tick tock, tick tock, round and round the merry go clock.

She turned away sharply. She shivered. She wondered if the heating had been turned on. She closed her eyes. The doctor had stopped talking and was now engrossed in doing some paperwork.

Jenny tried again to ask for news and whether someone could phone the hospital.

'It's been over an hour. They must know something by now surely?'

The doctor had long fair hair. She was short of stature. Wrinkles under her grey eyes suggested tiredness but her face was round and pleasant to look at and there was a genuine warmth in her voice when she spoke. She turned and smiled.

'I know pet but he did fall and in these circumstances the hospital will want to complete a thorough examination. We just need to be patient. It won't be much longer I'm sure.'

Jennifer Stamford sat back on the bed. She let her legs dangle. She put her hands either side of her body and began to rock, slowly at first but then more frantic as tears welled and began to cascade down her cheeks. The pain in her stomach was excruciating.

She was sobbing now. For all the mistakes in her life, for all the heartaches and all the wretched decisions she had made that had brought her to where she was now, in a police medical room, alone and cold.

She let out a primeval scream. It came from no where. It was raw and guttural. It brought the doctor over. The door opened. A man in uniform stood expectantly but was told politely to go away.

'We'll be fine,' said Cunningham holding Jennifer gently in her arms. 'Just a few wee girls having a cry. That's all.'

The door closed and Jenny wept and sobbed and rested her head on the doctor's shoulder.