Sarah's Story: Part 3 in the Book Club Series by Ali Fischer

Author:Ali Fischer [Fischer, Ali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hyperbole Publishing
Published: 2024-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Sarah tapped her foot as she waited to be called through to her solicitor’s office. She’d hoped the wine and Jess’s presence would have helped her get some sleep, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, her brain started overthinking everything.

‘Sarah, you can come through now.’ Sarah’s court-appointed solicitor, Melissa Wren, stood in the doorway, holding the door open for her. She was sensibly dressed in a black trouser suit, white silk blouse and her black hair was twisted and clipped up. ‘How are you feeling?’

As Sarah walked into her office and took a seat, she said, ‘Do you want the honest answer or the one I’ve been using lately?’

‘You know me, Sarah. I only deal in truths.’ Melissa took her seat behind her desk and picked up a document folder, peeled back the cover, and waited patiently for Sarah’s response.

‘Truthfully? I’m scared. I feel like I’m in a doctor’s office waiting to find out if my cancer is terminal or easily treated.’ Sarah bit her bottom lip and said more quietly, ‘That’s what it feels like, you know. It’s like I have a disease growing inside me, and I have no control over it. When I kept it all to myself, I could control it. It was my pain to deal with. But now I’ve given it to someone else, and I’m just a passenger on the ride.’

‘You’re not alone in feeling like that. It’s often the fear of what’s coming that stops victims from speaking up. You’re doing the right thing. You’re a brave woman, Sarah, and we’ll do our best to get you the justice you deserve.’

Sarah swallowed down the lump in her throat. ‘So, what’s going on? Have you got an update for me?’ Sarah clutched her hands together in her lap, her foot still tapping on the floor.

Melissa picked up her glasses and slid them onto her nose as she picked up the documents. ‘As I explained before, the crime of sharing intimate images is known as an either-way offence. In layman’s terms, it can either be tried in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court.’

‘Yep, I remember you saying that. Have they decided?’ She drummed her fingers against the wooden armrest. She didn’t want to appear rude, but she wanted to know what was happening.

Melissa didn’t let Sarah’s interruption stop her flow. ‘I told you I would recommend this be heard at the Magistrates’ Court. The maximum sentence is less this way—’

Less? Did she mishear? ‘Why would we want him to have less of a sentence?’

Again, Melissa carried on. ‘The maximum sentence, if convicted, is twelve months. The maximum sentence at the Crown Court is two years, but the chance of winning is reduced if we were to take this in front of a jury.’

Sarah shook her head as her mind whirled. ‘I’m confused. Why would you recommend the Magistrates’ Court if he could get twice the prison sentence at the Crown Court? What’s so bad about it going to a jury?’

Melissa took her glasses off and leaned back in her chair.

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