Chapter 42 - 2022

                                    

                                          
'Maya, is my tie straight?' 
'What am I, your mother?' 
I glance over at Charles, in the taxi seat next to me. His head is down, trying to judge the quality of his tie. It's terrible, and the fact that he can't tell it's terrible is frankly concerning. 
'Leclerc, I'm not even sure what that is, but it's not a tie.' 
'What d'you mean?' 
I sigh and lean over, untangling the knot around his neck and retying it correctly, muttering under my breath. 
'Europeans, honestly. No basic life skills.' 
'It's not my fault that my school wasn't run like a fascist regime.' 
'I don't think a uniform policy equals fascism, Charles.' 
'Whatever.' 
I finish his tie and sit back in my seat, staring out of the window as London streets trundle past. Subconsciously, I start to bite at my nails, but Charles reaches over and gently pushes my hand away from my face. Unclasping one of his bracelets, he hands it to me to fiddle with. I flash him a small smile. 
'Thanks.' 
'Are you okay?' He asks, still watching me as I twirl the bracelet around and around my fingers. 
'Just nervous.' I answer, shortly. 
'It's understandable. I'm nervous too, and it's basically got nothing to do with me.' 
There's a pause. 
'Thank you... for doing this.'
'There's no need to thank me. I'm happy to do it.' 
'That's exactly why I'm thankful.' 
The cab pulls up suddenly and I glance out of Charles' window to see the court building looming over us. It's a horrendous looking concrete thing, not like the pretty, traditional buildings you always see in courtroom dramas on TV. I don't want to go anywhere near it. In fact, the very last thing I want to do right now is walk into that place, but I know I have to. 
I started this ball rolling. I have to see it through. 
'Deep breaths.' Charles murmurs beside me. It's unclear whether he's talking to me or himself. 
We both push our doors open and get out. It's reasonably early in the morning, so there are very few reporters and cameras outside, although a couple do attempt to approach us. I ignore them, following Charles up the steps and in, as quickly as possible. The glass doors swing shut and close off the world outside, trapping us in. 
The inside is actually surprisingly nice, compared with the outside, and a smiling receptionist behind a wood-panelled front desk gives us instructions on where to go. Up a flight of stairs, along a quiet hallway, passing by numbered doors, stopping in front of one. 
I hesitate. 
Charles goes to push open the door, then pauses when he sees my face. 
'Maya?' 
'I don't think I can do this.' I whisper, 'I... I don't...'
My hands are starting to shake slightly, twirling and twirling Charles bracelet, almost hysterically. He quickly steps over and puts a hand on my shoulder. His voice is soft. 
'Maya, keep breathing. You know how I showed you?' 
I nod and shut my eyes, concentrating on my breath. 
In for four, hold for four, out for four, hold for four. In for four...
My thoughts threaten to run away with me, but I hold focus. Counting four, again and again. Eventually, I feel calmer, breath under control. I'm able to open my eyes.