Page 55 of Good Girl

They separated us. I kept asking for him and they kept saying that he was with other officers and would be free soon.

Only he’s not.

I huddle in the chair. They’re looking at me like I deserve sympathy. Like I’m some sort of victim.

I guess in a way I am.

I gulp looking away. I think I’m going to be sick. I think I’m going to puke.

I can barely get the words out before I’m running for the door but there’s nowhere to go. I don’t even know where the toilets are and I heave in the hallway, puking my guts up, as one of them comes up behind saying something meant to be comforting.

And then she touches me.

I know it’s meant to be reassuring but it isn’t. I cry out, jerking away and almost fall into my own sick patch.

“Come and sit down.” The other one says. “We’ll get you some water.”

I nod, it’s not like I have a choice is it?

I sink back in the chair and they put a plastic cup in front of me. I stare at it. At the water rocking slightly inside before it comes to a standstill.

“Eden…” One of them says gently.

“What?” I ask.

“Can we talk about what happened?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t even want to think about it. All I want right now is Dominic and they’re keeping me from him.

I ask for him again and they just give me the same response.

And then they try another tactic. “Do you know about the blackmail?”

I frown looking up. “What blackmail?”

“Timothy was blackmailing Dominic.” The woman says, Sandra is her name. I don’t know why I remember it at this moment but I do.

“About what?” I say and then I gulp. “About me?”

They exchange glances. Of course it was.

“He had pictures. Photos of the two of you.” Sandra continues.

“What photos?” I say.

The other one, the taller one lays them out and I gasp. Jesus fucking Christ. He had photos of us? Of me? I shut my eyes looking away. That prick took photos. He stalked us? He saw me like that. If I hadn’t just have puked I think I might be throwing up again.

“Eden I understand this is hard.”

“Do you?” I snarl. I don’t mean to take my anger out on her but right now it’s the only way to deal with this.

“Do you know about the money?”

“What money?” I say glaring at them.

Again they exchange glances but clearly there’s something going on over my head.

“He tried to rape me.” I say and they look at me then. Properly.

“Can you talk us through what happened?” Sandra says.

I clench my jaw, take a sip of my water and then stare at the table. “I was waiting for Dominic to get back. He walked in. He grabbed me. He said if I didn’t want him to tell my mum about Dominic and I that I…” I shake my head. I can’t get the words out. I can’t even say it.

God I wasn’t even raped, what the fuck is wrong with me?

“It’s okay. Take your time.” Tall lady says.

“He grabbed me, he pinned me against the desk and he half stripped me.”

“Did he penetrate you?”

I jerk then. “Why the fuck does that matter?” I snarl.

“I’m not meaning to be insensitive here, but this is the difference between rape and attempted rape.” She says and I get it then. They’re trying to figure out what to charge him with.

“He didn’t.” I say. “Dominic stopped him before he could.”

They ask me more questions then. And I become a robot, answering them as if none of it matters. As if I don’t even have feelings anymore.

“Will there be a trial?” I ask. They exchange glances. “He’s not getting off, surely?”

“He isn’t.” Sandra says. “We have enough evidence to charge him.”

“So I’ll need to give evidence at court?”

“Potentially. If he decides to plead not guilty.” Tall lady says. “We have some footage of the attack so it may be he decides to own up to it.”

“Excuse me?” I say frowning.

“Our colleagues had hidden cameras in the room. It was for a different reason but it got everything that happened.” Sandra says.

“So you didn’t even need to ask me then?” I snarl. “You have it all on tape? Why the fuck did I even have to explain it?”

“We needed your account of what happened.” Sandra says. “I’m sorry. This is never easy.”

I shake my head. Feeling my anger flash again. “Are we done here?”

They sigh. “Yes.” Sandra says. “Let’s leave it there.”

I get up, half jump from my seat. “Where’s Dominic?”

“I can take you to him if you want.”

“That’s all I wanted. From the minute you brought me in here.” I say back.

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