Legal Crime

Legal Crime

Samiksha Bhattacharjee

Legal Crime

Published by The Conrad Press in the United Kingdom 2021

Tel: +44(0)1227 472 874 www.theconradpress.com 
info@theconradpress.com

ISBN 978-1-839781-86-5

Copyright © Samiksha Bhattacharjee, 2021

The moral right of Samiksha Bhattacharjee to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved.

Typesetting and Cover Design by: Charlotte Mouncey, www.bookstyle.co.uk

The Conrad Press logo was designed by Maria Priestley.

Preface - 23 June 2003

Emily was only twenty-three years old, but she sure knew that having a baby was both a painful and overwhelming experience, and I’m pretty sure that’s because she had just experienced it herself. She hugged her new-born baby close to her and could feel a tremendous wave of joy hit her as she looked at the tiny baby, hardly believing it all. Emily touched the crimson-coloured hair.

‘Now, my darling rest a bit… you’ve been through a lot…’ Peter Watson said, as he caressed his daughter’s cheek.

‘I shall call you,’ she whispered into the big blue eyes, so similar to her own ones, ‘Fiona.’

‘I love it. My Fiona.’

‘OUR Fiona.’

Peter and Emily Watson had never felt so happy in their life, not even on their wedding day, and that was a hard day to beat. The peaceful song of the birds drifted in the air alongside any summertime pollen. It came so magically, just like any flute, though it was as improvised as an unscripted performance, and as soulful as love’s first kiss. At that very moment they were present, still and open.

Nothing would be taken away from them, their happiness wouldn’t tear apart, their daughter would remain as perfect as a starry sky’s reflection on the surface of a calm river in the bright moonlight. It would all stay the same, would it not? Would it not? Sorry, but this little girl has a big rollercoaster ahead of her, and she’s going to be the first one to ride it. I would know personally.

Part One: Fiona

Happiness is in the moment,

the more focused the more intense,

like a beam of light to the soul.

A.L.R.A, Story of our Lives

23 June 2019 - 01:37

Fiona Watson sat on the red bench at the bus-stop, fiddling with her black backpack. The moon was shining down on her, even though she half thought that she didn’t deserve its tranquil light. She took another precious moment to think about what she had done.

I ran away. Left the home I knew for sixteen years.

She gasped as a figure ran past, and huddled herself up in a tight ball, thinking that the girl was Ashley. Relieved as the figure went out of sight, she pulled out of the ball and reached out for her diary. She started to finger the pages.

Okay, what have I done? Did I do the right thing?

9 June 2019 - 11:45

You would think that someone would wake up themselves after sleeping for twelve hours, especially because of the time. I certainly would, Mum wouldn’t let me sleep that long. For Fiona, it was the piercing wail of her alarm, and she wasn’t grateful.

‘Ssh,’ she complained. ‘I know that I need to wake up,’ Fiona rubbed her sleepy eyes. In the distance, she could hear a song.

‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…’

Suddenly, Fiona jumped from the comforts of her bed. It was her little brother’s birthday.

‘How dare they didn’t wake me up! You can’t start a birthday without me. But then again… why would they? They don’t even care about me so…’

But still, Fiona stomped out of her room and kicked her brother’s room’s door open. Inside, her parents and brother were laughing. WITHOUT HER. Again.

Why am I part of this family again?

‘Why didn’t you wake me up?’ Fiona screamed over their laughter.

‘Sorry, sweetie. We just thought you needed some more sleep. You don’t sleep much nowadays, with all your stress and problems…’ her mum’s faked caring voice started.

Fiona wasn’t going to take it. ‘Sleep? Yeah… right, totally. I’m his flipping big sis and…’ she started to say.

‘Don’t talk to us like that!’ her dad yelled. ‘Especially on Jack’s birthday!’

She frowned and continued to scream. ‘You don’t even give a fudge about me, do you? You know what? Why am I even here? I’m not wasting my time around… idiots.’ she restrained herself from swearing at her parents.

She didn’t even wait for a reaction. Slamming the door shut, she ran down the stairs. Fiona didn’t care anymore.

If my parents don’t care, why should I? Why do I even need parents to look after me? I’m fine by myself. I can be alone. I don’t need help. My parents don’t care. THEY DON’T BLOODY CARE. Even if I left. I should leave. It’ll be better than living under this roof, anyway.

She was racing ahead in her thoughts. She was also ignoring the quiet voice at the back of her brain whispering, ‘should you be doing this?’

23 June 2019 - 01:39

She had got onto the bright red bus scowling and sat at the bus, keeping a distance from the cheery driver. The bus shook a little as it moved off onto the road and Fiona leaned against the wall and watched the dark view out of the dirty window moving past her. Slowly, she felt the salty tears roll out of her eyes.

Happy birthday to me. Better get the tears out of the way first…

23 June 2019 - 01:30

Fiona even thought about it in bed, whilst twisting her fiery hair around her finger under the duvet.

School tomorrow. And my birthday… it’s my birthday OMG.

‘I’ll be sixteen… that’s old enough. Enough… to leave. I will leave. I need to leave. The hell… I AM LEAVING!’ she practically shouted in her room, then quietened, aware of her surroundings.

She leapt out of bed and reached for the first bag she could find in her wardrobe. A backpack.

Good enough.

She thrust everything she thought that she needed. Her hand brushed against her phone.

I read somewhere that your phone tracks you. They’ll find me… I can’t take it…

She reached out behind her wardrobe. Money. And lots of it. She had learned that money could be useful, and if your parents don’t give you it, then you take it yourself. My mum never taught me that. She also decided to ignore who she had learnt that valuable lesson from. She smirked and placed it all in her backpack. Her watch told her it was time to get going. Suddenly, a thought came in her jumbled mind.

Should I be doing this? Is it right?

She wanted to be a singer when she was older.

If I leave… who will support me? Who am I kidding, why would my parents support me? They probably want this as much as I do. Right? My friends would be so proud of me… so come on Fiona. You can do this. I’m clever enough, and brave enough, certainly old enough.

She reached out for a piece of scrap paper.

I should write a note at least, like in movies.

She scribbled a short message down with her slightly trembling hand. Then, checking everything was ready, she sighed and carefully opened the door. Taking one last look at the home she had known for sixteen years, she walked on… not knowing where she was going. She was walking into the real world. All because of her friends. And she would find out exactly who she was.

Who am I, really? I am Fiona Watson, and I will fulfil my dreams. Without you.

***

‘What! She… she can’t,’ Emily stammered.

‘I want Fi-fi back, I miss her!’ wailed Jack, Fiona’s eight-year-old brother.

‘Call the police,’ Peter looked at his wife and decided. ‘We need to find her.’

They all stood around the one single note, awe-struck.

I am leaving. You don’t care. I don’t want need... you. Fiona xxx

***

‘The police will look for me. I need a disguise. Something. My red hair…’ Fiona stared at the shops in front of her whilst muttering to herself. ‘I’ll dye it.’

There would have to be hair dye in shops, right?

***

Fiona ran her hand through her chestnut brown hair.

More like it.

The idea almost came naturally, like she had it all planned before.

Maybe I have planned it before. And I can’t remember, even though my subconscious does. Okay, that just sounds weird. And being weird is wrong. I fit in with the crowd. It’s what’s best for me.

Fiona sat down on the bus stop bench and waited for another fourteen bus.

I can’t go around using my real name. Especially a name my ‘parents’ gave me. This is starting to be a lot like books… and movies. How about, Isabelle Smith? Isabelle Smith. I like it. I’m not Fiona Watson, I’m Isabelle Smith. Always liked the name Isabelle. Does that sound familiar? Well…

The bus arrived at that moment and she scanned her oyster card whilst hiding the photo. She smirked and sat at the back again.

No depressing tears this time.

23 June 2019 - 04:59

Fiona walked down a busy street and then ducked into an alleyway. She stared up at the sun’s light caressing her pale skin.

What can I do? I don’t even know where I am… or anything, really…

‘Hey,’ a new voice said. Fiona spun around in shock. There, in front of her, was a girl… around her age, or maybe younger. She had a warm smile and wore a denim dress. Her brunette hair was tied into a messy ponytail, and her sea-green eyes flickered in the sunlight. ‘What’s your name? I’m Charlotte Waters.’

Fiona was dazed for a moment or two before starting to stammer. ‘Um… hi. I’m Fi… err… Isabelle. Isabelle Smith.’

Charlotte laughed. ‘Don’t you even know your own name? Anyways… are you new here? Never seen you before…’

‘How many people here do you actually know?’ she asked, staring at the busy street that seemed to have a mind of its own. She almost felt like an outsider.

Charlotte laughed again. ‘You know what, I actually know a few people - not personally, of course. You see that guy with the coffee in his hand?’ Fiona nodded. ‘Every day at five am, he pops into that café and gets himself a chocolate muffin - which he eats inside the café - and a cup of coffee that he drinks whilst looking at his reflection in that clothes shop window. Then, he travels through the busy street and looks ahead at the London underground sign for precisely two and a half seconds, before checking his watch and heading towards it,’ At that moment, the man was looking at the Underground symbol, and on instinct Fiona turned to the red and blue sign, camouflaged in the array of colour on the street. ‘See! Like I told you. Everyone here has a routine; you looked a bit lost and out of place. That’s how I realised you were new here.’

‘Yeah, I’m new. Um… do you know where we are… like… I’m a bit, well, a lot, lost.’

‘You’re funny. It’s Central London, silly. One of the busiest cities in the world? The capital of this country? Where are you going? Maybe I can help you out?’

‘I’m not going anywhere in particular…’

‘Are you here by yourself? Education? Parents? Home?’

‘I’m well…’ Fiona tried to find an answer before deciding. ‘I’m here to get a better life.’

‘What do you mean?’

Fiona wasn’t sure.

I have to lie.

‘I don’t um… have a family…’

‘Are you an orphan then? Oh Isabelle…’

‘Well… kinda…’

‘Where did you live? Were you adopted?’ the questions came rolling out of Charlotte’s mouth.

Fiona burst out. ‘YES! I mean… yes. By some really… mean people. I, I slept on the floor and… did all the housework and if I didn’t break my back by the end of the day, they would lock me up without food and water… and I only got one meal a day.’

What is this, Fiona? Oliver Twist?

‘OMG. Report them. Jail them. They can’t do that to you!’

‘I… can’t. I forgot um… everything. And stuff.’

Really good lying, huh?

‘How about school?’

Now look what you’ve got yourself into.

‘I did go to school, but my ‘foster parents’ would pick me up sweetly… and then it was work, work, work.’

Imagine a life like that… far worse than yours.

‘No wonder you left… oh Isabelle. Where are you gonna live then? You’ve escaped now.’

Good question.

‘I really don’t know.’

‘Well… you could live with me for a few days… until we find you a place to stay. My parents won’t mind… I’ve done this before… with my girlfriend…’

Living on mercy now? Great, Fiona. Simply great.

Charlotte steered her towards another bus stand. After thirty minutes, they finally arrived.

‘Ta-da!’ Charlotte exclaimed.

Fiona looked up. There was a two-floor detached ‘chalet’ bungalow in front of her, painted white. The double-glazed windows stared at her. She stared back.

‘You’ll have to sleep in my room,’ Charlotte continued. ‘Let me just ask my mum, you know? By the way, how old are you?’

‘Sixteen today,’ Fiona mumbled.

‘OMG happy birthday! I’m fourteen but like…’

Yay happy birthday to me…

Charlotte opened the door and went inside to talk to her mum. Fiona was left outside on the driveway to wait. She walked onto the pavement and started counting cars.

Three red cars… five blue… six black…

‘Do you live here, darling?’ asked a scruffy man with black clothes. On the other end of the lead was a little dog.

‘No. You have a nice puppy,’ Fiona complimented shyly. ‘I like puppies.’

‘Do you now? She’s friendly, dear. Name’s Snuggles. What about you, lass?’

‘Isabelle,’ she replied, stroking Snuggles.

Seems friendly.

‘Wouldn’t you like to see some more? Got loads at my house. Won’t you come?’ he gestured towards his black car whilst asking her.

Seven black cars.

‘Yes please if it wouldn’t be any trouble…’

‘Trouble? Oh no, dear. Come on.’

He started to walk, followed closely by Fiona.

‘EXCUSE ME! I WOULD LEAVE NOW IF I WERE YOU!’ shouted a new voice.

Immediately, the man and Snuggles sped away.

What’s going on?

She turned to look at the voice. It came from a middle-aged woman with dark, curly hair. She had brown eyes and glasses.

Maybe this is Charlotte’s mother.

‘Hello, Isabelle. Charlotte told me all about you. I can’t believe you nearly went with that man! Kidnapping… big problem. Child labour. Lots of stuff you could’ve got into. You need to be more aware, Isabelle. Really, you don’t know how bad this world is. Getting worse by the minute!’ she explained.

So much for being clever.

She was realising how difficult the outside world really was.

***

Fiona woke up with a start, earlier than usual. Actually, it’s the time I usually wake up.

Six am.

She was going to move into a hostel that day. From her research, it had a bad reputation.

‘Charlotte? You are coming, right?’ she tapped her friend as she questioned her.

‘Of course, Izzy. You can come and visit anytime. It’ll be fine, I swear.’

You think?

‘So…’ Charlotte leapt out of bed, ready to ask her own question. ‘You going to college, or even university later?’

You think I can afford it?

‘Well… I want to go to music college but… I don’t think I can afford it. I want to be a singer when I’m older and…’

‘You could try out for a scholarship? Royal College of Music is good. In South Kensington,’ Charlotte suggested.

‘S’pose.’

A young girl walked into the bedroom, still wearing her nightdress. Her brown hair was messily plaited, and her brown eyes were looking curiously at Fiona. ‘What’s your name?’ she enquired.

‘Umm… Isabelle. You?’

‘Patricia, but you can call me Trixie, or Tissie, I don’t mind. I’m Charlotte’s sister. I’m seven years old! What are you doing here? You look incredibly old… oh! Are you a grown-up?’

‘Err, not really. I’m fifteen, no sixteen.’

‘Oh okay,’ Tissie frowned slightly, but then her face exploded into a big smile.

Fiona looked down a bit, unable to stand the innocent eyes that reminded her of her brother, and in some ways, how she had been when she was younger. Tissie’s curious expression was unbearable to her.

‘GIRLS! Come down please,’ a loud voice boomed from the living room.

‘Bye Tissie, see you later!’

‘Au revoir. That’s bye in French!’ she declared proudly.

Charlotte’s father