Tea & Biscuits

Laura Smith had been practicing law for almost 25 years. She was a chain-smoker, her salt and pepper hair tinged with auburn which Beth thought may have been nicotine stains. She was wearing khaki combat trousers, a khaki safari shirt and black flat soled shoes. Her voice was gravely and deep and she was the best domestic abuse prosecutor in London. She also knew the law inside out.

Beth and Alice sat in two chairs opposite Laura's desk which was piled high with files and bits of paper. It was organised chaos, Laura knew where everything was.

Laura looked at the letter that Alice's mother had passed onto her.
'Nice guy.' She commented, looking at Beth over her half-moon glasses.

'Will it help?' Alice wanted something good to come of her mistake.

'Not sure, to be frank with you.'She coughed loudly. 'He's been a good boy, you see. Kept out of trouble, always polite. They tend to be, especially when they want out so badly.'

'Laura, just tell me the worst that could happen. I want to get on with my life and this is just hanging over me.' Beth's voice was bitter.

Laura smiled at Beth. She had changed since she first met her, she was starting to get balls...or she was being fucked, Laura couldn't tell, but whatever, she was impressed.

'You're turning into a fighter Beth. Good for you! My gut feeling is, if you really want to know, is that he will be out in 6 months.'

Alice gasped and Beth looked at her feet. 6 months... oh god.

'The prison is over-crowded, they need space for more risky criminals. This case, on paper, is a simple domestic rape, as far as the law is concerned, he's done his time. I'm sorry. I know it's not good news.'

'Will you let me know the outcome?' Beth asked as she stood to leave.

'Sure, I'll call you.' Laura felt sad for Beth. She was a lovely young woman, she didn't deserve her life to be turned upside down by this arse-hole.

*****

Beth lifted her coffee and took a long drink. She had been talking to Kate about her meeting with Laura.

'I'm so sorry Beth, I really am. You think he will look for you then?'

'I know he will Kate, restraining orders just wont be a big enough deterrent.'

'Beth, there was something I wanted to talk to you about but it's...difficult.' Kate was worried, she didn't know how much more Beth could take.


'I'm used to difficult, Kate. just say it...really.'

'OK, well...the first thing is, you and Alan.'

Beth blushed. 'How did you know about that?' She was shocked.

'I notice things, Beth. Don't worry, no-one else seems to have picked up on it. But the way you are together when he visits, its obvious he's in love with you, no matter how hard you try to hide it.' She smiled at Beth 'However, it doesn't sit well with me that you are seeing the patron of Rainbow House. It's a clash of interests, do you see?'

Beth nodded. She hadn't thought of it like that before.

'And the second thing, which has just occurred to me, is that the other users of this service may be at risk if Steve finds out you're working here. he could follow you back and no-one would be safe.' Kate looked at Beth and saw the penny drop.

'You think I should leave!' Beth stood up in shock.

'Beth, please...not leave exactly.... but I do have a proposition which may solve everything. We have another safe house, in Brighton. And we need a skilled worker like you Beth, for a short while perhaps, until this blows over. There is staff accommodation and a car for your use. Its only an hour and half drive from London, you can come back at weekends.'

Beth looked at Kate. It was a logical solution. It made total sense. Steve wouldn't know where she was, he wouldn't be able to follow her, put other people that she cared about at risk.

'Can I think about it, Kate...It would mean a total change for me...'

'Of course. Let me know after the weekend.'

Beth left Kate's office and hugged her arms around herself. There was just one thing stopping her taking Kate's offer.

Alan.