Page 135 of Good Sisters

‘Sebastian denies all of it.’ Victoria’s chin jutted out. They sat down opposite Louise.

‘Really, Sebastian? So you didn’t take a topless photo of a very drunk fifteen-year-old Jessica Wells on the night of the twentieth of February in the home of Mr and Mrs Hayes? You didn’t then show that photo to the triplets in the locker room last Friday? You didn’t also boast about Jessica Wells performing oral sex on you? Because I have a number of witnesses who say that you did all of those things.’

‘Yeah, who? Her cousins? They’re making it up,’ Sebastian said.

‘The little shit,’ Sophie hissed at the screen.

Louise laughed bitterly. ‘Yes, her cousins, but we will be interviewing everyone who was in the locker room that day. There were seventeen boys. I have a list of their names with me. It’s amazing how open boys are to telling the truth when they’re faced with interviews by the police, testifying in court and being shamed in the press. You see, Sebastian, this is a case against aminor. Jessica is fifteen years old. These cases are taken very seriously by the police, the legal system and the public. Jessica is in a very fragile mental state, and we are all very concerned about her.

‘As I’m sure you’re aware, the police can track phones, download deleted photos and messages and generally track back every move you have made. So you need to think very carefully about how you wish to proceed. As I explained to your mother, I am going straight from here to the police. I have hired the best criminal barrister in the country, and as this case involves my niece, whom I love like a daughter, I will not rest until justice is done. I have come here today to see if we can resolve the matter before all of that happens. We’d all like to avoid a media circus in court, and I’m worried it would push Jessica over the edge. I don’t think you’d wantthe death of a fifteen-year-old girl on your hands, would you, Sebastian?’

Victoria’s chin dropped and she gripped Sebastian’s arm. ‘Sebastian, Daddy and I do not want anything or anyone to tarnish our family’s reputation. Have you a photo of this girl?’

‘Yeah, but she knew I took it.’

‘Do you still have it on your phone?’ Louise asked.

‘Yeah.’

‘Have you forwarded it to anyone via any means?’ Louise kept up the questions. ‘Think carefully before you answer, because if I suspect you’re lying, I’ll leave right now and bring the case against you.’

‘Sebastian,’ Victoria snapped. ‘Your father and I can only help you if you tell the truth. What the hell happened? If this woman has her facts wrong, we will make her very sorry she ever darkened our door. But if she’s correct here …’

‘Christ, Mum! I didn’t share it! I’m not one of those guys. Jeez, I liked her.’

‘But you did show it in the locker room?’ Louise reminded him.

Sebastian went red and looked at his mother. ‘Well, yeah, but I only did it to wind the triplets up. I kind of knew Liam would lose it. He’s got a bit of a temper, and I reckoned if he punched me or whatever, it would get him kicked off the team, and I figured he wouldn’t say why he punched me because he’d want to protect his cousin.’

‘The bastard! He had it all planned out.’ I was shocked at his twisted manipulation. ‘What sixteen-year-old boy thinks like that?’

‘One with a mother like Victoria,’ Sophie said.

There was a silence then, as Louise and Victoria digested what Sebastian had just admitted. I could nearly hear thecogs in Victoria’s brain racing as she tried to figure out her next move. Louise let her stew and said nothing.

‘Liam should not have hit my son,’ Victoria said finally, but her voice was weak. She sounded as if she knew she was beaten.

‘Really, Mrs Carter-Mills, you’re going to talk about Liam behaving badly after your son has just admitted to using the topless photo of aminorto deliberately upset and entrap her cousin?’ Louise’s voice was cold and icy.

‘Well I – I’m –’

‘Let’s move on.’ Louise was in kick-ass lawyer mode. ‘Sebastian, I need to see your phone. I need you to delete the photo and show me that the iCloud Photos sync function is turned on. We want the photo deleted from all your devices.’

‘Do it,’ Victoria barked.

Sebastian’s hands shook as we watched him delete the photo, supervised by Louise looking over his shoulder.

‘Now to the slander. I have witnesses telling me you spread untrue and vile rumours that Jessica performed oral sex on you.’

Sebastian squirmed beside his mother, who sat rigid, clasping her hands together tightly.

‘Jesus, I feel sick.’ Sophie covered her face.

‘She has to get him to admit it,’ Gavin said.

Silence.

‘Sebastian,’ Louise’s voice had a threatening tone, ‘answer the question or I’ll leave and you can suffer the consequences of your actions.’

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