Hi, and welcome to the third story featuring Rob Johnson. This is developing into a series, which wasn't my original idea. Definitely Going To Hell was originally going to be individual stories featuring Rob Johnson as he goes through life. I am enjoying writing about Rob so much that I've just carried on.
You will need to read the first two parts before this one, or you won't understand the relationships.
I have run this one past an editor, so a big thank you to Ian for his work and quick turnaround.
Once again, I will ask you to score, and if you would like to comment, then please do. All comments, ideas, or just a thank you are always appreciated.
Please enjoy..................
******
It's Monday, June the 15th, 1987. We are standing outside Ashford Crown Court. With me are Jenny and her boyfriend Nathaniel. Nathaniel wouldn't let his girlfriend travel to Ashford with me alone for some strange reason even though she insisted on supporting me and came down with me on my way home from Edinburgh University after the end of my first year. I didn't get home until ten Sunday night, so I'm not feeling my sharpest this morning after such a long drive.
It's a beautiful sunny day, and we are enjoying the sun while it is out.
"Oh, shit," I say.
"What's up?" Jenny asks
"It's Charlie," I answer, looking away, trying not to get caught gawking.
"Who's she with?"
"Not sure it must be her boyfriend. I think they're holding hands."
She sees me and walks over. "Hello, Rob; how have you been?"
"Hello, Charlie. Surviving," I say.
"This is my boyfriend Wayne," She says.
I go to speak, but there's a bit of a disturbance. People are moving to get a better look, and I hear a few wolf whistles. Then I see what they are all looking at, and a smile spreads across my face.
"What's happening, Rob," Jenny asks.
"Cib so iirh," I say to her in our code. (Bec is here.)
"Todn'd wnuk ihs sew gumonc," she replied. (I didn't know she was coming.)
The crowd outside the court seems to part like the Red Sea. A beaming Bec in high heels, a little black dress, and sunglasses walks towards me. "Hello baby, surprise," she says.
"Ouch," Wayne says, holding his arm.
"Hello, Bec, this is an incredible surprise." I open my arms, and she almost runs into them, kissing me on the lips.
"I couldn't stay in the US through this, Rob," she whispers.
"Thanks for coming. It means so much." We smile at each other, and then Jenny coughs behind me. "Sorry, Bec, this is my friend Jenny and her boyfriend, Nathaniel." Then I turn, "This is Charlie and her boyfriend, Wayne. Everyone, this is my.."
"Girlfriend Rebecca, but most people call me Bec." She says, interrupting me. She turns to me. "I'm not late for anything, am I?"
"No, couldn't have timed it better."
"So this is Jenny and Charlie? Wow, awkward." Bec says in my ear.
Then I spot my Mother. "Hello Robert, are you okay?"
"Yes, Mum, I'm fine."
"Charlie," she says after spotting my ex behind me.
"Mrs. Johnson," Charlie replies.
"Mum, this is Bec, and do you remember Jenny?" My Mum smiles a recognition at Jenny and then looks at Bec.
Her eyes then scan her from head to toe. Her eyes finally stop on Bec's hand that is holding tightly onto mine. She offers her hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Bec. Is that short for Rebecca?"
"Yes, Mrs. Johnson."
"A beautiful name Rebecca. Do you mind if I call you that?"
"Feel free; my mother does the same." My Mother gives a pleased with herself smile.
"Robert Johnson, is Mr. Robert Johnson here?" A man calls from a previously locked door.
I walk over, "I'm Robert Johnson."
"Ah, would you mind coming with me for a minute?" I follow the man who locks the door back up behind me.
I'm led down a corridor. At the end, I see Mr. and Mrs. Kean. We stop outside a door halfway down. The man knocks and waits for a response.
"Come in." A lady's voice shouts. We enter, and inside are two solicitors dressed in their courtroom attire. "Ah, Mr. Johnson," she says. "Please take a seat." I sit on the nearest chair and wait for someone to explain what's happening. "Right, I am the solicitor for the Crown, "Alice Carrington, and this gentleman here is the solicitor for the defense, Mr. Adam O'Neil." I nod at both but stay quiet. "Now, because you were in Edinburgh for all the preliminary parts, we thought it wise to let you know what is happening and why."
"My mother kept me up to speed on what was happening, so I've not been totally in the dark."
"Well, that's good. I will quickly go through the main reason we are going through this process. The two gentlemen that caused your severest injuries have already pleaded guilty. They will be sentenced at the end of this trial. Now Mr. Kean has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to a lesser charge of ABH. The crown has decided that the minimum we will accept is GBH, and the defense in their wisdom would not accept that, so here we are."
"So what is Mr. Kean being prosecuted for."
"Because of Mr. Kean's not guilty plea, we are going for both the GBH and Attempted Murder and will leave it up to the jury to decide." She takes a breath. "Now, the one other concern is how fit you are after the incident and are you okay to sit through the trial?"
"Oh right, I can't say I'm one hundred percent, but I am more physically fit than I have ever been."
"Well, that's good. Will it be okay for you to appear on the stand? It will be to go through what you remember, and then Mr. O'Neil here will ask some questions. I will warn you that the defense's main argument is what happened between you and Mrs. Kean."
"No, that's fine, but my memory of the incident only goes up to where I lose consciousness."
"Does that differ from your Police statement?"
"I never made a Police statement. When the police interviewed me, I couldn't tell you what day it was, let alone what happened."
"Then you won't be contradicting yourself." She says, looking at the guy taking notes. "Can we find out why Robert here wasn't interviewed properly?"
"That would be my fault," I say. "When I initially came out of the hospital, I went through a real depression and locked myself away. I had lost the love of my life and didn't want to speak to anyone."
"Is this all documented?"
"With my doctor, yes." She smiles and looks at the guy taking notes again, and he nods.
"Right Robert, you will be first up, so you will still be able to listen to the start of the trial. All the other witnesses will have to wait their turn."
"So, is that it?"
"Yes, the clerk will show you where the courtroom is."
I get into the courtroom and see Jenny and Bec in deep conversation. "What are you two so engrossed in?"
"Hey Rob, where did you get to?" Jenny asked.