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LIES ALL LIES AND NOTHING BUT LIES

A chapter from the novel:"The Snows of the Innocent"

Given a choice in the matter I'd have sat through every minute of your trial, but since I was due to appear as witness this was not allowed.

The first three days were devoted entirely to the prosecution and after the events of each session you were by no means despondent, "My barrister says it's obvious Dale was lying on the video link," you told me when I phoned, "Both families have spoken nothing but lies - it's like they're making it all up as they go along."

You were too tired to come round to my house in the evenings and I understood your need for solitude at such a distressing time."Don't worry, just rest and get some quality sleep so your mind is alert for the next day."

You even managed a half-smile for the press hounds as they positioned themselves ready to pounce when you left the courthouse earlier in the week. That was typical of you, laughing in the face of disaster, when the papers came out two days later. You made the front page too, sharing it with Scary Spice. "Well it is a pretty good photo of me you have to admit," you said with more stoicism than I would have been capable of if notoriety was knocking at my door."I wasn't going to growl at them so they think I really am the monster I've been made out to be."

It was Thursday before I was required to attend court so I arrived with you and my son Sam and our mutual friend, Josie who had come along to offer me some comfort. You have known her for many years and had babysat her now grown up children but neither she nor they were permitted to give evidence in your defence as it was deemed "Too long ago." How strange then that the prosecution were allowed to dredge up lies from the same period. Where were all the people who love you? Where were your mum and dad, your brother and my other three children? They should have been allowed to defend you. Your parents had written a letter and even produced a Doctor's certificate exonerating them on account of their age and infirmities but was this even taken into consideration? Did the judge even care to give these documents a passing glance? All the character references too, and the statement I had submitted, surely all this would make some impact?

It had been snowing heavily all morning - quite beautiful to watch through the high windows of the Crown court as it settled around the grassy slopes at the foot of the ancient city walls. Sam looked more pensive than his eleven

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