Megan told a great story. Georgia was a vulnerable girl. A straight-A student who’d fallen under the influence of a bad crowd after the shocking death of her sister. She said it was wildly inappropriate to have held Georgia in an adult prison for almost two weeks. She said Georgia should have a separate judge and be tried in juvenile court, because she’d been manipulated by the other suspects and was scared to speak out in front of them.

The solicitor from the Crown Prosecution Service rebutted, saying there was plenty of evidence that Georgia was emotionally stable and knew what she was involved with. He wasn’t pleased when the judge took Megan’s side and sent Georgia’s case to juvenile court. This burdened the prosecutors with two complex trials instead of one. It also meant Georgia didn’t have to enter a plea in the court.

Judge Malum smiled at Megan Seebag. ‘I assume you have ideas about where Georgia should spend her time awaiting trial?’

‘If it pleases you, Your Honour,’ Megan said humbly. ‘Out of respect for the seriousness of the charges made, I feel it inappropriate to send Georgia home on bail. I would like to suggest Georgia be released into the custody of her mother and father, on condition that she spends the pre-trial period undergoing psychiatric evaluation at the Freeman Adolescent Mental Health Unit.’

The judge glanced across to the prosecutor, who acted like this was the most outrageous thing he’d ever heard.

‘Your Honour, young offenders’ units are perfectly capable of assessing the mental state of inmates and have a level of security more suited to such a high-profile defendant.’

Megan interrupted. ‘Given the number of suicides in young offenders’ institutions, I hardly—’

The judge raised her hand. ‘Miss Seebag, this is a pre-trial hearing, not a debate on the merits of the youth justice system.’

The prosecutor smiled. Georgia held her stomach as she noticed her dad’s white knuckles, gripping the arm of his seat.

‘Very well, Miss Seebag,’ the judge said, letting Georgia breathe while the prosecuting solicitor slumped into his seat. ‘I will have Georgia’s conditional release document drawn up and signed in my chambers. And that brings this proceeding to a close.’

‘All rise,’ the court clerk shouted.

As the judge headed back to her chambers, Megan evil-grinned at the prosecutor.

‘See you in juvenile court,’ Megan taunted, before the prosecutor mouthed something foul back at her.

Lawyers and relatives began leaving the court. Georgia couldn’t watch as prison officers began cuffing her co-defendants.

As Megan went into the judge’s chambers to sort paperwork, Georgia found herself in the empty court with her parents and a single clerk picking up litter. She stepped out of the jury box and gave her dad a hug.

‘We have the best lawyer,’ John said brightly.