She took another glance at her notes and looked at the jury again. “I will end now by saying that I strongly believe in the power of forgiveness, and in meeting Archie and forgiving him I have learned how positive that has been for my mental health. I’ve also learned how important it is to hear the other side of a story: to find out who someone is and why they behaved the way they did. Now, when I think of Archie I think of a young lad who had a difficult start in life, but who would have achieved so much given the right opportunities—and perhaps he still could, given the right outcome from this trial. Finding him not guilty on the second count could give him a belief in the justice system, and also a belief in himself that will enable him to turn his life around.

“I’m told that copies of the letters he wrote to me will be made available for you to read when you leave the court to deliberate your verdict. As you get to know him in his own words, as I did, I hope you’ll agree that his honesty speaks to his integrity, and that his remorse is as present in the very fact that these letters exist as it is in what he says. It took as much courage for him to engage in the restorative justice process as it did for me. I am glad I did, and I know that he is too. It has given me a lasting belief in the power of compassion and in redemption. Thank you for listening.”

The room fell into silence, and she wondered if anyone could hear her heart pounding. For a bizarre moment it sounded as though someone started to applaud, but it suddenly stopped. She looked at the prosecutor, waiting for him to get to his feet to start taking apart everything she’d said. He probably wouldn’t do it in a cruel or aggressive way, she’d been advised, as that wouldn’t get the jury onside, but it was their job to secure a conviction for the endangerment of life, and the true letter of the law said that they should have one.

Finally, the bewigged and bespectacled middle-aged man rose from his chair and announced to the judge that he had no questions. Marcy blinked and looked at Gordon Lock, who gave a brief nod. A moment later she was being escorted from the witness box.

It was over. She’d said what she wanted to say, told Archie that he was worth fighting for, and now she was ready to go home.

Chapter Fifty-One