Page 137 of Tears of Gold

“We know.” It’s Jennifer that speaks. At some point soon I will get used to the fact I no longer want to punch her in the face every time I’m in a room with her. “So, we are going to stay in here. But we are here for you, Faith.”

“Well fuck.” I’m going to cry. Bloody hell.

“Hey,” Eli slips a supportive hand around me. “No more tears remember?”

I scowl hard. “Then you guys need to stop making me bloody cry. I’m a hormonal wreck.”

“Good luck, Faith." Tabitha steps up and kisses me, hugging me hard. Then they all do.

Less than a year ago, I kept everyone out. No one could get through my walls. Now I’m surrounded by people who actually care. Who give a shit? Who will fight for me, make me fight?

“Thanks.”

Reggie opens the door. “Nearly time. Opening statements are done.”

“How bad was it?” I twist my engagement ring around my finger. “They painted an interesting picture, but don’t worry. All your art has rubbed off on me; mine was far clearer, with a definite focal point.” He smiles and his belly jiggles with a chuckle, but then his face falls.

I take a deep breath and turn for the door.

It’s taken a long time for me to get here and no one is going to ruin it for me now.

With a straight back, well as straight as I can manage under the pressure in my ribs from my giant baby’s feet, I start to walk down the corridor. “Faith.” Eli catches up with me. “Do you want me in there?”

“Yes. I need you in there. No lies, only truths from now on.” I go to carry on walking.

“Faith.” He calls me back around. “I’m trying to remember if we ever officially had a first date.”

What is he talking about? Now is not the time. I rub my belly and tilt my head to the side. “I think it’s a little bit too late for that. We work together, live together, and made this together.” My heart sings despite what I know the day is going to bring.

“Still. Will you meet me here next Saturday?”

“At Brighton and Hove law courts?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “No, funny. On the pier. The place where you first told me your truth.”

My mind wanders back to that night, before Al had left me, when Dan was still my friend and when I was trying so hard to try to find a way to Eli over that wall I protected myself with. “Sure.”

“Excellent. I’ll make it a date you never forget.”

“I know you will.”

He holds my hand all the way to the double doors where a policewoman is waiting to take me to the witness stand. Eli goes to the public gallery, but I have no fear of what he will hear. He knows my darkest fears now and I know he won’t run from them. Neither of us ever will.

I don’t know how everyone is staying so calm and chilled in the small room. I glare at them all, unable to talk or chit chat. The day went faster than I expected. My time on the stand is a blur of tears and sweat. Truth and hope. Destruction and pain.

The door opens and we all jump up. My dad edges in and Eli jumps up to block him from getting closer to me.

He holds his hands up. “Faith?” He talks around Eli’s tall frame.

“What? I have nothing to say to you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

I stare at him hard. Where is the man who should have loved me? Who should have protected me? He doesn’t exist. “So am I. Don’t ever come near me again.”

“Faith, I want to—”

I cut him off. “Don’t. Ever. Come. Near. Me. Again.” I turn my back and breathe so deep I think it may never end.