Extract from Constable Warwick Turner’s notebook:
Date: 3 July 2018
Time: 23:35
Crime number: 11346778-08
A woman walked into Lockley Bois police office with information about the above crime. She did not wish her identity to be recorded, but claimed an individual named Arnold Ballancore was in possession of an African Healing Doll on Saturday 30 June, shortly after the above crime took place. She witnessed him give the doll to a two-year-old child who has been unwell. The woman claims her suspicions were only raised when she read press reports stating that African crafts had been stolen during the aggravated burglary above. She recognised the doll as being of genuine Central African origin, an area she claims Mr Ballancore also knows well. She further suspects Mr Ballancore’s involvement, as he was stranded in Lockley Bois on the afternoon of 30 June. She claimed Mr Ballancore recently took money from two of her bank accounts after discovering her PIN numbers. Mr Ballancore was recently discharged from St Ann’s Hospital and is now living with her and her husband by the green in Lockwood. She describes his general behaviour as consistent with psychotic episodes and/or opioid addiction and fears for the safety of those he is in contact with.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Hiya!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 05:14
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Good morning! Just imagine how we’ll feel this time tomorrow! Sometimes I think Kel is lucky to get these few days off, but on the other hand I would just sit at home getting more and more nervous. I like to have my mind taken off things. I’m so relieved we both managed to get on earlies this week – thanks to you. Do you remember way back, when we first knew we were in the play, we both put in for earlies and YKW approved yours but not mine? It was only when you lobbied for me that she changed it. You would make a fantastic ward manager, Sam. Have you thought any more about applying? If Claudia really can get rid of YKW, you could be in post by autumn. Then we can start planning for our trip to Africa. Do you think a year is enough to arrange something like that? We can fly out after next year’s summer play, so we’re back before rehearsals start for the November play. See, I’m already doing the admin! How is Arnie? Kel said last night he probably won’t come to see All My Sons. Phew! I’m sure he wouldn’t enjoy it. If you’re not a regular theatregoer, it can be a chore to sit through a play as serious as that. I love acting in it, but there aren’t many laughs. Blithe Spirit was very funny. I’m so glad you came to see it before joining. I’ve made a list of comedy plays with large casts and will send it to James as soon as he and Olivia are out of the woods with their new babies (fingers crossed). Comedies are so much more fun to do, and if there’s a large cast we will have a better chance of getting parts in it. What did Sarah-Jane say to you yesterday? You were very quiet after speaking to her, and I wonder if it was about me? She’s been working very hard on the appeal lately and she can get the wrong end of the stick at the best of times. I’m sure she’s just worried about the play. Well, time to start work! I need to take my mind off what lies ahead, so I don’t even care if I get discharges today! See you at break! Love Issy xxxx
FROM: Marianne Payne
SUBJECT: Police
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 07:43
TO: Joyce Walford
What’s happening, Joyce? Karen says there are police outside the new flats.
FROM: Joyce Walford
SUBJECT: Police
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 08:12
TO: Marianne Payne
They’ve been there since six. Two big vans and a car parked on the green. They all piled in, in their riot gear, but no one’s come out yet. Wait . . . they’re bringing someone out. It’s that swampy who tried to con me out of tea money at the Yogatron! I knew there was nothing good about that one. He’s shouting and swearing and only wearing a pair of shorts! I’ve opened the window to see if I can hear exactly what he’s saying. They’re putting him in the van. He must be staying with those nurses on the fifth floor. No wonder the police took so long, if they had to run up all those stairs with their shields! Yes, there’s that male nurse now. He’s talking to a policewoman . . . Ah, the police are going, I wonder if he’s tried to diddle money out of someone else this time. Not that the police will do anything. He’ll get a slap on the wrist and counselling. I’m not being funny, Marianne, but my Barry had the right idea. Have you got all your baking things ready? My poppy-seed cakes are in the oven now. Joyce
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Clive Handler
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 08:23
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Dear Tish, Well, some good news at least. We’ve got to the bottom of who ‘Clive Handler’ really was. It was your ‘friend’ Samantha Greenwood. Looking back over those emails, she was clearly trying to glean information about the provenance of the drugs. Obvious, when you look at it. Any idea why she might have done such a thing? Regards, Martin
FROM: Tish Bhatoa
SUBJECT: Re: Clive Handler
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 08:29
TO: Martin Hayward
Samantha Greenwood is responsible for the death of my brother. She accused him of unspeakable things. Of abusing those he cared about most: the women and children who walked miles – hundreds of miles in some cases – to be treated and healed by him. They gave him a nickname, meaning ‘father’, to demonstrate what he meant to them. He dedicated his life to making the world a better place. But she spread lies about him, destroyed his reputation, made him an outcast in the place he loved and that loved him, until he was forced to move somewhere so godforsaken he had no chance of survival. But that was her mistake. Now I have nothing left to lose.
FROM: Martin Hayward
SUBJECT: Re: Clive Handler
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 08:34
TO: Tish Bhatoa
Dear Tish, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Regards, Martin, Helen and family
FROM: Robert Green
SUBJECT: Thank you
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 09:33
TO: Warwick Turner
Dear Constable Turner, I am feeling much better now, thank you. My partner has just returned from his business trip to Oman, so I am no longer in the house alone and that makes a big difference. Many thanks for visiting and keeping me in the loop re the burglary. I hope the man you arrested can shed light on the gang. I am intrigued he knew about the Healing Doll and gave it to a young girl who is unwell. Behaviour quite at odds with the savagery he exhibited during the attack, as he was easily the most aggressive of the three. That particular example is thought to be an effigy of an ancestral spirit and is very old. Yes, it is a direct antecedent of the ‘voodoo’ we know from cultures in Haiti and other regions where Africans have settled. However, far from the ‘spooky’ connotations we associate with anima belief systems, the doll would have been made when a girl was born, to keep negative energy, spells and ill health at bay. It must have done its job because if she had died, the doll would have been destroyed. In other words, the original owner reached adulthood – usually deemed to be the point when she has her first child – and gave this one away, or even sold it, as a doll with proven protective powers. Some dolls ‘live’ for years, protecting one person after another for generations. As you can imagine, there is a bucolic approach to healthcare in central African regions and the power of these dolls is taken seriously by the rural population. In short, I would like the little girl to keep the doll. It has positive energy and, at the very least, I am sure she will enjoy playing with it. Best wishes, Robert Green
Transcription of a 999 call made at 13:44 on 4 July 2018:
Operator: Emergency, which service?
Caller: Police.
Operator: Hello, police emergency. What address?
Caller: St Ann’s Hospital, Geriatric Ward.
Operator: What’s happening, Caller?
Caller: She’s being attacked.
Operator: Is th
e attacker still there?
Caller: Yes.
Operator: Are they hurt?
Caller: [inaudible]
Operator: Do you need an ambulance?
Caller: No, we’re in the hospital already. We need the police.
Police radio: St Ann’s Hospital.
Operator: Explain what’s happened?
Caller: Pushed her into Isolation and shut the door.
Police radio: Is she still there?
Caller: Who’s that?
Operator: The police. They can hear you and are on their way. What’s happening now?
Caller: They’re in Isolation. I can hear, but the window [inaudible].
Operator: So this is two nurses fighting?
Caller: No. She came in, pushed her into Isolation . . . I can hear them. She’s jammed the door shut. Can you open the door? Push . . . I can hear her hitting her. Oh my God . . .
Police radio: Two minutes. Is Geriatrics easy to find, Caller?
Caller: Er . . . I don’t know. Are you at the main entrance or Clyde Bank Way?
Police radio: We’re at the bus terminus.
Caller: By Clyde Bank Way?
New voice: Who’s in there, Isabel?
Caller: Sam. It’s Sam. I’ve called the police.
New voice: We don’t need the police! Give me the phone. You’re hopeless. Give it to me!
Caller: [new voice] A woman is arguing with one of our staff nurses. They’re locked in a side ward. I’m sure we’ll sort it out.
Police radio: We’re here now, at the bus terminus.
Caller: [new voice] Ok then. Come to the side entrance of St Ann’s on Clyde Bank Way behind the bus station. Straight down the long corridor, then up the stairs at the end. Geriatrics is on the third floor.
Operator: Did you get that?
Police radio: Yep, we’re at the entrance. Can someone let us in at the door?
Caller: [new voice] Go on, Isabel – you called them, you let them in. Now, yes, go on.
Operator: Thank you. What’s your name please, Caller?
Caller: [new voice] Frances Turner. The dimwit you spoke to first was Isabel Beck.
Message exchange between Glen Reswick and Martin Hayward on 4 July 2018:
14:19 Glen wrote:
The police are outside. Shit, what’s going on?
14:20 Martin wrote:
Surely they’d come here first. Is Paige there? Can you hide?
14:20 Glen wrote:
She’s in the kitchen with Poppy. What shall I tell her? They’ve rung the bell . . . Shit, she’s answered.
14:58 Martin wrote:
Everything ok? Have they gone?
15:16 Martin wrote:
Everything ok?
15:45 Glen wrote:
And breathe. You won’t believe this. Someone gave Poppy a rag doll at the Yogathon (the drunk guy you had words with). We put it out of the way – it’s so obviously second-hand. Well, it had been stolen from a private art collection and could be valuable! They took photos of it and a statement from Paige. The owner was told it had been given to a little girl and said she could keep it. It has healing properties. Sorry about that.
15:49 Martin wrote:
All’s well that ends well. How much is the doll worth?
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: What on earth happened?
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 14:26
TO: Samantha Greenwood
Oh my goodness, Sam, are you ok? I dialled 999 as soon as Gaynor said you were being attacked. I have a sixth sense, when it comes to the seriousness of things. YKW tried to take over the call, but I didn’t let her. She’s sent me down to X-ray with a new admission because she knows how much I want to go to A&E with you. Who did that to you? I didn’t see her come through reception, just heard the door slam. I only knew it was a woman because Gaynor said so. Is she a bereaved relative? We’ve had that before, although nowhere near as violent. Have you told Kel? Shall I email him for you? He’ll want to come and pick you up. Oh my goodness, do you think you’ll be ok for the play? Hope you’re not too badly hurt. Lots of love, Issy xxxx
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Sam attacked!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 14:30
TO: Kel Greenwood
Kel, something terrible has happened. A woman burst into the ward and attacked Sam! I didn’t see it myself, but she pushed Sam into Iso and jammed the door shut. If I hadn’t called the police, anything might have happened. I don’t know who on earth she is. Who would attack Sam? They took this woman off the ward straight away, according to Gaynor. I’d been sent down to X-ray by then, and our ward manager took Sam to A&E (she always wants to be at the centre of any drama, covered in glory), so I’ve no idea how she is now. Can you bring the car? I really hope Sam is ok and that she’ll be fine for the dress rehearsal tonight. I’m so worried. Love Issy xxxx
FROM: Paige Reswick
SUBJECT: Drama!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 15:14
TO: Emma Crooks
Hi Ems, how’s my baby Woof doing? We had the police here today. The man who punched Barry at the Yogathon has been arrested for a burglary over at Lockley. But there’s more! He gave Poppy a horrible grubby doll. We thought nothing of it at the time, except that we took it straight off her in case it was covered in germs. Well, the doll is a valuable artwork and was stolen in the burglary. Luckily, Poppy charmed the policemen and they said she could keep the doll. Or was it the owner who said she could have it? Anyway, it’s lovely of them. Even though the doll is shocking, pic attached, apparently it’s called a Healing Doll. So glad we didn’t bin it on sight. Love to Woof! P x
FROM: Emma Crooks
SUBJECT: Re: Drama!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 15:30
TO: Paige Reswick
Ew! It looks shamanic. Careful it doesn’t walk around the house at night. Do they have healing dolls for dogs? Woof is lying across the doorway, panting in the heat and occasionally woofing, cantankerously, at me. His scar looks quite angry still, but he’s eating anything that lands in his bowl, so he must feel ok. Carol’s offered to Woof-sit so I can see the play Friday. Will you be there? Emma
FROM: Paige Reswick
SUBJECT: Re: Drama!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 15:36
TO: Emma Crooks
Yes, I’ll be there all three nights while Glen babysits. It’s more to support Mum, Dad and the appeal. I hope it goes ok for them, but it’s no fun when you haven’t got a part. I really wish I could be in it. I had no intention of dropping out when Poppy was diagnosed. After all, Mum didn’t have to. But Dad insisted it would look odd if both of us continued in the play. I’m sure I could have fitted rehearsals around her treatment. Oh well, sulky face, I’ll have to wait for the next one. Let’s sit together on Friday. P x
Extract from Constable Josie Thompson’s notebook:
Date: 4 July 2018
Location: St Ann’s Hospital, Geriatric Ward
Time: 13:55
Crime number: N/A
Following a 999 call, Constable Liam Albutt and myself found alleged assailants barricaded into a side room. Liam forced the door – inside, two women were fighting on the floor – a nurse and another. We separated them and I took the other woman out of the ward. She was unhurt. Would not say what happened or why. Liam spoke to the nurse, who was bleeding from nose and forehead. The nurse admitted she knew the other woman, said the attack was unprovoked, yet ‘understandable’. Neither wanted to press charges and, having established no one was badly hurt, we left a colleague to take the nurse to A&E and escorted the other woman from the premises. No further action was taken.
Femi
Is Sam ‘trouble’, like Bhatoa says, or simply a principled person unafraid to speak out if it will help put something right?
Charlotte
That’s it, though, Femi. What she sees as right isn’t necessarily what is right.
Femi
And Kel? They clash with Dan in Africa, then tu
rn up at the same healthcare trust where his sister works . . . surely no coincidence.
Charlotte
There’s a conspiracy somewhere here. It’s a case of who’s in on it . . .
Femi
Bhatoa is the hardest to fathom. She detests the Haywards, yet seems coldly dependent on them. Strange.
Charlotte
Bhatoa marches into Sam’s work and attacks her. Pure passion.
Femi
Bhatoa attacks Sam in the hospital? That isn’t Bhatoa.
Charlotte
Tish blames Sam for her brother’s death. Who else would it be?
Femi
Claudia. Because Sam told her husband, Michael, about the affair with Kel.
Charlotte
Have I missed something? When does Sam tell Michael this?
Femi
She doesn’t.
Charlotte
Well, who does?
Femi
Isabel. Let’s read to the end. We haven’t got long, and we can explore our theories in the document for Tanner.
Charlotte
Ok. I knew I’d be shit at this.
FROM: Isabel Beck
SUBJECT: Sam!
DATE: 4 July 2018 at 17:12
TO: Martin Hayward
Dear Martin,
I’m sorry to bother you when you’re so busy with the play and everything else. I just want you to know that Sam had an accident at work today and has a swollen mouth, a black eye and a cut to her forehead. Who’d have thought the geriatric ward could be so perilous! As you know, Sam is dedicated to the play and is still planning to come to the dress rehearsal tonight. I just wanted to warn you, as Denise will need to work miracles on the make-up. I have to fill in an Incident Report for HR, so I’ll stay after my shift, but hopefully it won’t make me late. Kel came to collect Sam, so I had a word with him, and he told me categorically not to worry and that they will both be there tonight. He looked so worried. Between you and me, their friend Arnie is back in their flat and, in my opinion, he needs more help for his personal issues than they can give him. Still, we’ve got All My Sons to keep us busy this week. I can’t wait to be back onstage in the spotlight, in front of an audience again! Thanks, Martin! Love Issy xxx
The Appeal Page 20