by Niki Mackay
I shrug. ‘Nice. Thank you for letting me stay.’
He looks away. ‘It’s the least I could do.’ We both sit down and he says, ‘I . . . I did a terrible thing, Kate. I didn’t know you would walk into that room. How would I have known?’
‘Dad, what are you saying?’
‘Your sister, Martha, she was at the party,’ he goes on.
So Annie wasn’t lying. ‘I thought she was away.’
He looks forlorn. ‘Oh, Kate, she was supposed to be. I’d dropped her at Sandcross myself that morning. She must have come back. Your Madison seems to think this Oliver might have had something to do with that?’
I blush. He says gently, ‘None of that’s your fault, love.’ He pauses. ‘I didn’t know. About him, your mum.’
I don’t say anything but there is some relief in his ignorance. He goes on, ‘Marcus found her, your sister, with Naomi. He called me and . . . we panicked.’
I look at him, wide-eyed. ‘I went to prison.’
He’s nodding. ‘I know, love, I know. I’m so sorry.’
I’m shaking from head to toe. I say, ‘Do you have any idea what it was like?’
‘I’m so sorry.’
His eyes are trained on his feet. I can’t think what else to say. I look out of the window. Six years.
I almost laugh as I say, ‘Out of all your children. I’m the best you’ve got.’
He half smiles. I try to return it. I say, ‘I know about Marcus and Claudia.’
‘I know . . . I know his faults, but he loves them underneath it all.’
I think about the awful bruises on Claudia’s wrist and resist telling my dad to stop being so stupid. To stop being so weak. Until that moment I had thought perhaps he hadn’t known. About Claudia. I’ve a good mind to shout abuse at him. Instead I take a deep breath and ask, ‘Dad, why did Marcus have the diary?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘I think it’s time for some answers, Dad. We need to talk to him.’
He nods and I feel unbalanced in the world, like I am the parent and he is the child. I want him to look after me, to swoop in and rescue me. He’s never been that man though. I used to think he was.
My phone rings. It’s Madison.
‘Hi.’
‘Kate?’ She sounds like she’s driving. I hear a honking sound and she mutters. I make out several expletives. She barks, ‘Are you there?’ as though I might have hung up.
‘Yes. My dad’s here too. Where are you?’
‘Claudia just rang. She’s escaped – I’m going to pick her up.’
‘Oh my God.’ I hear more honking and then she says, ‘Bethany’s with her, I wanted to let you know they’re safe. Get in a cab, meet me at the Oak, Kingston Road, yes?’
I agree and I’m halfway through goodbye when I realise she’s gone.
44.
Claudia Reynolds
I am in a pub on the Kingston Road. It turns out we must have been somewhere on the way to Ham. The barman here has been kind. He let me use his phone and I called Madison’s office. My voice was raspy. Every time I speak it hurts my throat. He got drinks for Bethany and me and gave her a chocolate bar. He also gave her a pen and paper which she’s intently scribbling on now. He keeps throwing us curious glances and I don’t blame him. Both of us smell bad. Bethany’s hair is all over the place and she looks like she slept in her clothes, which she did. I don’t suppose I look much better. I smile at the barman and take Bethany into the toilets. I put some water on her hair to smooth it down and do the same to mine. I also wash away black rings that have formed around my eyes. Yesterday’s mascara has not held up well. I wash our hands and faces, which Bethany finds hysterically funny for some reason. I pause to watch her. Amazed at the resilience of young children. She’s splashing about in a sink full of lukewarm water as though she hasn’t a care in the world. By the time I return to the bar I feel like we both look slightly more presentable. Not that I suppose anyone will mind too much.
Madison walks in and shortly afterwards Kate arrives. Kate heads straight to us and we hug. She fusses over Bethany. Madison is straight down to business.
‘I’ve called this in to the station, I had to.’
I nod, weary.
‘Two of my ex-colleagues are on their way. They’ll need to try and work out where you were, and then you both need to be seen by a doctor.’
I hate hospitals but I nod again.
She goes on, all business, and I try and keep up. ‘You said Martha was there and you think you’ve hurt her, so that’s our priority right now.’ She looks at her watch. ‘P—DCI Branning should be here any minute so let’s hold off going through everything until then.’
I nod. ‘Okay.’
Kate is holding Bethany in her arms. She says, ‘James was with me when you called.’
I say quickly, ‘Was he with Marcus?’ Kate shakes her head but I hastily add, ‘I don’t want to see him.’
‘Okay. But I don’t think it was Marcus. Who took you.’ I nod, more relieved than I should be. ‘I still don’t want to see him,’ I say to Kate.
She says, ‘Well, that’s understandable. I’ll message Dad, he can tell Marcus you’re both okay but want him to leave you alone.’
I nod. ‘Fine.’
‘I’m hoping you’ll both be happy to stay with me?’
‘I would like to, but if it’s an imposition I can call my mum.’ Something I’m going to have to do at some point.
Kate frowns and puts a gentle hand on my arm. ‘No, please, I’d like you to. There’s no reason not to stick to the original plan, is there?’
‘I don’t have the diary, I’m so sorry.’
She squeezes my arm and I notice a long deep scar poking out the bottom of her jumper. She says, ‘Hey, I’m just glad you’re both okay.’
I nod weakly and realise she probably means it. Bethany is starting to whine. The door opens again and a tall, good-looking man walks in with a short dumpy woman. Madison greets them with a nod. The man’s eyes linger on her for a moment before he turns to me.
‘Peter, Deanie,’ she says, then she turns to us. ‘This is DCI Peter Branning and DS Deanie Ockham.’ She introduces everyone and the tall man sits in front of me with a recorder in his hand. He has a kind face and he says, ‘Claudia, we are going to need to take a statement, but right now it’s vital that you are both checked over for any injuries.’
‘Okay.’
‘I need you to try and tell me where you think you were being held. We have officers waiting outside and we’ll try and get to Martha as soon as possible, then we’ll come and take a statement later once you have the all-clear from the hospital. Is that all right?’
I nod and he fires questions at me which I answer as fast as I can. The woman makes notes at a furious pace and then he smiles reassuringly and they’re gone.
We don’t have to wait long at the hospital. Madison sees us in and then leaves. Kate entertains Bethany. I can’t seem to muster the energy. I watch them, my giddy little daughter weaving in and out of Kate’s legs as though nothing has happened. I suppose it’s different for children. I think about calling Marcus. I have to exercise almost physical restraint not to. How pathetic is that. I go in with Bethany while she’s poked and prodded then Kate takes her out. The doctor looks me over, my temperature is taken and blood, he asks a few questions and deems both of us fit and good to go.
Bethany falls asleep in the back of the cab. I carry her up and settle her into Kate’s spare room and then I lie behind her and sob the way I have learned to. Silently.
45.
Kate Reynolds
Claudia has said I can call Marcus but that she wants it made clear she doesn’t want to see or speak to him. Madison told me to mention police involvement ‘in case he gets any stupid ideas’.
He picks up on the fi
rst ring.
‘Kate?’
‘They’re here and they’re okay,’ I tell him.
‘Oh, thank goodness. I’ll be straight over.’
‘No.’
There’s a pause. ‘What?’
‘No, Marcus. She’s going to stay here for now. She doesn’t want to see you at the moment.’
Silence.
‘Marcus . . . are you there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you crying?’
‘Where were they?’ He avoids the question.
‘You mean you don’t know?’
‘Fuck, are you kidding? Is that what she thinks?’
I sigh. ‘She doesn’t know what to think.’
His voice breaks as he says, ‘I just wanted a happy family, Kate.’
‘You’ve destroyed your family, Marcus.’
‘I know. Do you think I don’t know?’
‘She loved you.’
‘I just wanted us to be perfect, ordered.’
I sigh. ‘Martha was there.’
‘What?’
‘Martha was there when they were taken, and where they were held.’
‘Oh, God.’
‘I know what you and Dad did the night Naomi died.’
There is a silence that stretches. It isn’t filled by an apology on his part.
‘We thought we did the right thing.’
I ignore that and ask, ‘Why did you have Naomi’s diary, Marcus?’
He sighs. ‘Honestly?’
‘Yes.’
‘I took it before . . .’
‘Before she died?’
‘Yes.’
I am incredulous. ‘All of this trouble?’ I ask him. I don’t think he gets the gravity of the situation. ‘Why?’
‘I wanted to know.’ I am appalled. I don’t think he has made the connection that his wife and daughter were taken over that diary. Probably by Oliver, though how he found out is beyond me. My phone doesn’t have a passcode so I’m wondering if he looked through my messages when he broke in. The thought makes me shudder. I sleep with the damn thing next to my bed.
‘And did you find out?’ I ask sarcastically.
‘I found out plenty.’
‘Why didn’t you hand it in? After you’d read it?’ I ask. ‘You must have realised it would be evidence. It wouldn’t have implicated Martha, would it?’
He is quiet for so long I think he might have gone, then he says, ‘She made me look bad.’
‘What?’
‘In her diary, the things she said were humiliating.’
‘Oh, Marcus.’ My stupid, arrogant, fragile brother.
‘I’ve got to go,’ he says.
‘Okay. You and Dad both have to speak to the police.’
I hang up the phone. I feel guilt, I feel actual guilt that Marcus is out in the cold, as though I have somehow caused the upset in his marriage. After what they did to me I somehow still manage to feel guilty. I call Dean. He doesn’t pick up but sends a text shortly after saying he’s tied up and can we talk later. I reply ‘yes’. He sends a smiley face and, ‘Do you need company?’
I reply ‘Yes’ with a sad face.
My phone rings and his voice is full of concern when he asks ‘How about an out-of-hours session at mine?’
I am full of relief when I tell him, ‘I need it after today.’
I make a note of his address and hang up.
46.
Madison Attallee
I listen in to Emma’s call. Half hoping that they are not in, or that they flat out refuse. But no such luck. I’ve been dreading this visit. I guess that’s why I’ve put it off for so long. Emma hands me a slip of paper with the address on and I smile my thanks.
I pull up in front of the Andrews’ house and pause for a moment. I wish I’d had an extra fag on the way. Ah well. I knock on the door and an old woman answers. Then I realise that actually it’s Anthea Andrews. She surveys me for a few seconds and her husband appears behind her, a firm hand on her shoulder.
He says, ‘You must be Madison?’
‘Yes. Thank you both for agreeing to see me.’
She scowls, but he nods and says, ‘Come in, please.’
There are pictures of Naomi everywhere, at various stages of growth. Anthea and Damian are in a lot of them. He looks the same, she looks like a different person. I guess she was.
We sit down and she snaps, ‘You’re working for her.’
‘I’m working for Kate Reynolds, yes.’
She half tuts, half hisses. I see her husband place a hand on her knee, she slaps it off. He sighs and says, ‘You said new evidence had come to light. When we spoke to DCI Branning this morning he was of the mind that the investigation was likely to be reopened and that you might have something to tell us now?’
‘I don’t have anything concrete yet so I’m unable to divulge too much at this point. It does seem as though Kate isn’t the responsible party though.’
‘Then why was she found guilty? She pleaded guilty, for Christ’s sake – who would do that?’ Anthea’s voice is high-pitched, angry. That’s what’s fuelling her. Simmering rage. I guess if she drops that and lets the grief in she might never get back up again.
I say, as gently as I can, ‘Kate had memory loss on the evening in question. As you know, both she and Naomi had been drinking heavily as well as partaking in recreational drug use.’
Damian says, ‘We know Naomi wasn’t an angel.’
Anthea scowls at him.
‘She wasn’t,’ he goes on. ‘She was our daughter and I loved her, but she was off the rails.’
‘You didn’t tell us this at the time.’
Anthea is still shooting him daggers but Damian goes on anyway. ‘No, and I guess we should have. We were in shock, as you can imagine. I’ll admit we made mistakes with Naomi.’ Anthea moves further away from him. He seems not to notice.
‘What do you mean?’ I ask.
‘She was a miracle baby. We had been trying for years and had pretty much just accepted that we weren’t meant to be parents, then there she was.’
Anthea’s shoulders are shuddering and I realise she is crying.
Damian goes on, ‘Children need boundaries, I think, and discipline, to be told no. We were so damn grateful to have her and so busy looking at her as a miracle that we didn’t do that.’
‘She was a miracle,’ Anthea says.
‘Is that why you think she rebelled?’ I ask Damian.
He laughs then. ‘She wasn’t rebelling, there was nothing for her to rebel against. She was just doing what she wanted.’
‘She was a good girl,’ Anthea hisses.
‘No.’ He says it firmly but I can see in his eyes that he is trying to reason with his wife, that he doesn’t want to hurt her. He tells her, ‘She was our girl and we loved her and hopefully she would have turned around but she wasn’t always good, Anthea.’ Anthea stares daggers at him again. He sighs then says to me, ‘I never thought Kate killed her.’
‘Why?’
He shrugs, ‘I don’t know. She didn’t have it in her. She was a lost little soul really. Way too eager to please, which Naomi took full advantage of, I’m sure.’
‘But you didn’t think to tell the police this?’
He frowns at me. ‘Of course I did, I spoke to Malone, but he said the evidence doesn’t lie.’
Jesus. ‘I didn’t realise.’
‘Look, when Kate came back to Kingston I knew there’d be trouble. Anthea can’t find any peace. We should have spoken to you sooner, but you can see how it is here.’
‘I can imagine it must be awful.’
He nods. ‘We need to let go and get on with our lives. I need to, anyway. Maybe this is the final thing we have to do.’
‘
Did you know Oliver Horfield?’
‘Oh yes, I dragged him out of Naomi’s bed a few times.’
‘I thought he was Kate’s boyfriend?’ I glance at Anthea who is glaring at her husband. He seems to be carefully avoiding looking at her.
He shrugs. ‘He probably was. Like I said, my daughter was no saint. I preferred him to the other lad, though, to be honest.’
‘Marcus?’
‘No, the older one, I think he introduced Oliver to Naomi. We never really saw him properly – he always wore a ridiculous baseball cap and sunglasses.’ I make a note of that, unsure who that might be.
‘And you think this other guy was sleeping with Naomi?’
‘No, actually, I think he was one of the few people who bossed my daughter around – I overheard him telling her off once in the kitchen.’
‘What about?’
‘Oliver.’
‘What was his name?’
‘I can’t remember; he was only here maybe twice. Once with Oliver. He drove, I remember that – a maroon car. I was quite sure he’d picked Naomi up the night of the party. I told Malone that too and he said I was probably mistaken, since no one there remembered seeing him.’
For fuck’s sake, Malone. I smile at Damian. ‘This has been really useful. I’m sorry your concerns weren’t taken seriously at the time.’
He half shrugs. ‘Hey, I thought that Malone guy was a prick – but he was the police, right? And everything led to Kate.’
‘I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this.’
As I leave I hear shouting and a door slamming. I light up in the car and put my phone on speaker. Ruth’s mother is in a hospice out in Surrey. I think it’s probably time I arranged for us to have a chat.
When I get back to the office Emma has the door open before I can get in.
‘I found the clippings about Amelia Horfield.’
‘Okay.’
‘She wasn’t driving.’
‘What?’
‘The day of the accident – she wasn’t driving.’
‘Who was?’
‘Newspaper reports say “her son”, who was being treated for shock afterwards.’