Page 22 of He's the One

Dominic’s eyes had widened when Col told him what had happened. Not that muchhadhappened, but that had been when Col understood that ithadhappened to Dominic. He threw up in the street and Dominic had looked after him, wiped his mouth, given him a sweet to suck. Col wanted them to run away but Dominic said it wouldn’t work, that they were too young, particularly Col. He’d told Col that when they got home, he was to go up to his room and stay there no matter what he heard.

Col had lain on his bed and when the noises came, they were different. Louder. Screams. Not made by Dominic. Petrified, Col had hidden under the bed. Only when there were no more sounds did he slip downstairs. What he found changed his life forever.

Just under a year later, during which Col had seen his brother only three times despite begging his social worker, Dominic had gone to trial. Col had been taken to see the courtroom and told what to expect when he gave evidence.

Dominic’s lawyer had hoped for a lenient sentence because of the abuse. But it hadn’t been seen as self-defence because Dominic had sent Col to his room knowing what he planned to do. He’d taken knives from the kitchen, which showed premeditation. He’d hurt both of their parents before he’d killed them. He’d tried to kill himself, tried to kill Col.

Col had tried to explain that his injury was an accident, but it felt like everything he said made things worse for his brother, the police and lawyers twisting his words. Dominic had only been trying to protect him from the monsters. But everyone thought Dominic was the monster. Mitigating factors were judged alongside aggravating ones. Even though Dominic had been abused, he’d not spoken out but instead had done something terrible. He’d understood exactly what he was doing and had shown no remorse. Col thought his brother hadn’t been in his body when he saw him in court. There but not there. His face had been blank.

Dominic was found guilty of murder, guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to detention during Her Majesty’s pleasure—now His Majesty’s pleasure. Col hated that expression. Why should there be any pleasure in locking someone up? He didn’t think Dominic should have been locked up at all, but he had to serve a minimum of twelve years. Col had been horrified, but reassured when it had been explained Dominic might be free in six. Though that was bad enough.

He’d been moved from a Young Offender Institution to an adult prison when he was twenty-one. But after an altercation, Dominic had killed a man and ended up at Marsden high security psychiatric hospital. Even the name frightened Col because he’d heard of really dangerous people being sent there. But when he’d visited, Col had seen it was a better place for Dominic. Calmer. Kinder. Except he’d been transferred back to Oakhurst Prison. Now he wanted to return to Marsden. But it was a dangerous game, pretending to be psychotic.

When Col arrived at the hospital, he was told there’d been an incident and Dominic was not allowed visitors that day. Col was worried and pissed off they’d not let him know beforehand, and requested to speak to Dominic’s doctor.

He waited almost two hours before he was taken to Dr Morris’s office. The doctor was in his forties, his thinning hair slicked back over a bald spot. Col held out his hand and the doctor shook it.

“Please have a seat,” the doctor said. “I’m sorry you’ve driven all this way only to find you can’t see your brother. You should have been told. I didn’t realise until a short while ago that Dominic had been put in special measures.”

“What does that mean? What happened?”

Dr Morris seemed to choose his words with care. “There was…a disturbance and the clinical director ordered that Dominic was not to take part in any authorised structured activities, nor take part in recreation with others or associate with any prisoners. Visits are on hold.”

“Was it something Dominic did or someone else?”

“The director decided that if Dominic was allowed free movement, it would result in a significant threat to the safety of the hospital and Dominic’s own security.”

Question not answered. Col sucked in a breath. “Is he all right? Physically? Mentally?”

“I’ve visited him, prescribed medication. He’s heavily sedated. I’ve advised a transfer to Marsden. I hope for that to take place in the next couple of days. I know that will be disappointing but it’s in your brother’s best interests.”

Col tried not to look relieved. “What about when he wakes up today? Can I see him then? I can wait for the next visiting slot.”

“There’s no point. He won’t be fit to talk to you.”

Col sagged. “Then how’s he been generally?”

“I thought he was doing well until that meltdown when he stole a phone and called you.”

“Is he going to get into trouble for that?”

“Not if I have anything to do with it.”

“How much longer does he have to serve before he can be freed?”

“That’s not up to me. It’s a difficult situation and this breakdown will have put the date back. He has to prove he’s reached a level of functionality and independence before he can be considered for release.”

“He doesn’t feel safe here.” Col regretted saying that the moment the words came from his mouth. He didn’t want the doctor to suspect Dominic was trying to fool him.

“Marsden will be good for him. Dominic can use the gym, swim, feed chickens, grow food.There are woodwork, pottery and craft rooms.”

It wasn’t the holiday camp that the doctor described but itwasbetter than here.

“He needs time to unwind. I’m sorry you’ve not been able to see him today. Make an appointment for next Saturday at Marsden. Give him the chance to settle down.”

“I’ll write him a note. Can you make sure he gets it?”

“Of course.”

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