Tragic Smile

The end but a new beginning? (3)

"Just through this door." My lawyer directed me and my brother in to the witness room. "Take a seat and help yourself to some water." Jane used her best reassuring smile.

I liked Jane, she was an expensive lawyer but she done good in the court room and with the way this court case has been going for the past two years I've needed someone good.

She sat down beside me and Nick. "You just have to be honest in there, Olivia. Just tell the truth." Nick rubbed my shoulder.

"I'm not going to lie now am I?" I snapped angrily and felt guilty instantly. I rolled my eyes, "sorry. I didn't mean that. Anyway, I don't have to talk today, do I Jane?" I looked at her worried.

"No. Today is just the sentencing. Today should be quick and when I work my magic, hopefully painless." She said confidently. I let out a sigh of relief. I'd done enough talking in that court room.

Today was about getting justice for Sid.

Nick's phone beeped, "sorry I'll turn that off." He muttered as he pulled it out his suit pocket. A few seconds passed, "mum and dad have just met Sid's parents outside. Everyone's here."

I looked down to my hands that were sitting on my lap and fiddled about with the beautiful silver ring. I'm going to get justice for you today, Sid.

"I better go see that everything is in place. Someone will come back and get you when it's time. Do you want to sit where you did the last time?" Jane stood and looked down at me.

I nodded and took my sunglasses out my bag and put them on the top of my head as she walked away. I used these sunglasses when I wanted to cry in court, I didn't want them seeing me shed any tears because of them. I tried to avoid eye contact with them both.

I glanced over at the couple that sat in the room with us, they must be here for a different case. Although I did feel like I recognised them.

After what felt like days, we were called in and weirdly the couple followed us in. Nick and them were shown to the same bit where my parents and Sid's parents were and I was took up to sit higher up like where I was the last time.

I looked beside me as the couple were instructed to sit down. I moved up on the bench and looked at them confused. Who were these two people?

There was something quite reassuring that I was high above these horrible men. I looked beside me and saw the journalists writing away on their notepads.

My eyes met Sid's mum as she dried her face and tried her best to smile at me. It was a sad smile. Something that I felt like I had been doing for too long now.

I looked over to the judge. Sometimes I just look at him and wonder what he really thinks. Does he say what he thinks? I wonder if he instantly knows if someone's guilty or not?

He was an older man and I couldn't help but think he always just looks like a grandparent. Someone you would go see on a Sunday for dinner.

The room was quiet and all I could hear was the sound of Sid's mums tears. It made my stomach clench. He used to hate it when she cried. He once told me that when he was a kid he used to blast the music louder on his Xbox or his radio just to block the noise out because he never knew how to reassure her. His hugs only made her cry more he said.

I suddenly heard some commotion and the door directly across from me opened, revealing Gary and a police officer bringing him through with handcuffs.

He had his head down, he always was the one who looked ashamed in here. Unlike Jon.

"Okay, just to confirm your name, Gary Cox?" The Procurator Fiscal said. Gary nodded, "a voice confirmation, sir?"

He cleared his throat, "yes."