‘Well, as it’s already been mentioned several times, I don’t usually handle such cases but here’s what we’re going to do: Greg and Chloe will represent you, but I will be here to help with your testimony.’

‘Will you be in court with me?’ asked Rose.

‘Yes.’

‘Will you be in the meetings here with me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Okay,’ replied Rose, seeming satisfied. She smiled then and Claire saw something in the young girl’s eyes. Bravery? Yes, but there was something else.

Just at that moment, Greg and Chloe came in, Chloe in front, all warm and friendly. Her primary job was to focus on Rose, make sure she was prepped and ready for what would be, Claire knew, a horrendous ordeal ahead of her. It was one of the reasons so many victims didn’t want to go to trial. Having to relive the experience, come face to face with their attacker, and often all for nothing – less than a third of young men prosecuted for rape were convicted.

‘Right, Rose, nice to see you again. We’ve already done a lot of good work but there’s still more to do. Are you ready to begin?’ asked Chloe, after all the greetings were made and she had settled herself next to Rose. Greg had taken a seat opposite.

‘So, in today’s session,’ continued Chloe, ‘we’ll continue with all the work we have done so far. You’re doing great, Rose, but it is going to get harder. Both Greg and I have tried similar cases before so I need you to keep that in mind as we move through this. I know at times, it’s going to be very difficult and there might be days where you wonder how you will keep going. But any time you feel like that Rose, let us know and we’ll do everything we can to help, okay?’

Rose glanced at Claire before nodding again, and Claire wondered if the young girl sat before her really knew what lay ahead of her. Perhaps she thought that after her ordeal the worst was over? But as Claire listened to the proceedings, it was hard to stop her own memories and as the case unfolded, Claire was reminded of her own past.

September 1989

12

Her mum had left it on her bed, the large GO SPORT carrier bag concealing its contents. Claire had pounced on it, desperate to see what was hidden beneath the layers of tissue and plastic and as she caught a glimpse of grey and mint green, she couldn’t help but let out a shriek of delight.

‘I thought you might like it,’ said her mum, coming into the bedroom.

Claire ran towards her, her arms outstretched for a hug in a rare display of affection.

‘How did you find it?’ she asked in disbelief. ‘Not even Charlotte has this bag and she has everything!’