‘And you started training as a lawyer when?’ PC Page seems overly interested all of a sudden.
‘Six years ago,’ I say shortly. ‘I wanted to change my life.’
‘You’re successful. You work for a good firm. Life must be very different.’
‘It is.’ I frown, wondering what they’re driving at, but then I find out.
‘I would imagine you have far more credibility these days. Wouldn’t you agree?’ DI Lacey’s eyes bore into me. ‘Rather than your flitting around days, going from job to job, struggling to pay the bills.’
‘I didn’t flit around and it wasn’t a struggle.’ I try to sound dignified. ‘I just wanted to prove something to myself. It was about self-respect. And money, too – I won’t lie.’
‘But somewhere at the back of your mind, you must always have known, that as a lawyer, you would have far more credibility than Amy would. Did you always suspect this moment might come? That pitched against each other, each of you with your own version of what really happened, the police would have to decide which one of you was plausible?’
His incisiveness flabbergasts me. This was never supposed to happen. Between me and Amy, there’s no question which of us is most credible. Under the table, I clasp my hands together to stop them shaking, feeling the arguments stacking up against me. ‘That’s hardly the reason to embark on a law degree. It was a major undertaking fitting it around a full-time job.’
As he goes on, his voice is smooth. ‘Perhaps that suggests just how desperate you were, to change the way others perceived you. It was a driving force, wasn’t it? Your hatred of Amy?’
‘This is pure conjecture.’ Bill interrupts. ‘What you’re suggesting has absolutely no basis in fact.’
‘But in the context, it’s perfectly believable.’ DI Lacey looks at him, then back at me. ‘And facts are somewhat lacking. You’re economical with words, Ms Rose, when it suits you, while Ms Reid, however, omits entire chapters. Neither of you seem to comprehend the gravity of the situation.’ He pauses. ‘As well as prospectively facing charges for perverting the course of justice, both of you potentially face a murder charge.’
Jess
After speaking to the custody centre, I go to find Cath. ‘They’re charging Mum.’ As I try to speak, suddenly my legs feel weak. I try to go on, but the emotions I’ve kept at bay catch up with me. Struggling, I get a hold of myself. ‘What happens now?’ Wiping away tears, I look at Cath. ‘Will they make her go to court? What am I going to do?’ All along I’ve believed the police would realise the mistake they’ve made. But if she’s sentenced … Where does that leave me? What happens to our home?
Cath’s arm goes around me. ‘Nothing’s decided yet, Jess. You mustn’t give up.’ She pauses. ‘We should talk to your dad. If the press get hold of this, he’s going to find out. Far better he hears from us.’
I shake my head. ‘He won’t be any help. He never has been. And he doesn’t really care.’ Looking ahead, I see myself becoming one of those students who has no home to go to during uni breaks, one of a handful left on a deserted campus, instead of catching the train back home.
‘It isn’t over yet.’ Cath’s voice is firm. ‘Let’s take each step at a time. First thing, call your dad. There’s no need to commit to anything. And we can stay at Zoe’s for a while. She’s in no hurry for us to leave.’
‘What about you?’ I look at her. ‘You have your own life, in Bristol. You’ve only just moved. The last thing you want to do is stay here with me.’
Cath comes over and hugs me. ‘Your mother’s one of my oldest friends. She was there when I needed her.’ Her voice is muffled in my hair. ‘Let’s just say I owe her.’
*
With my entire life on hold, I’m humbled by Zoe’s kindness. Then while I’m alone at Zoe’s, I receive a phone call from PC Page.
‘Jess? I thought you’d want to know, your mother’s been moved to Bronzefield prison, in Surrey. She’s being held on remand, but if you contact the prison, you can arrange a visit.’
Clutching the phone, it strikes me how much more sinister remand sounds than custody. ‘How long will she be there?’ My voice is small.
‘Until the case goes to court. We don’t have a date yet.’
I’m silent for a moment, thinking. ‘What if someone finds something to prove her innocence?’
‘Jess, the police investigation has been thorough. You have to trust us on that one.’ She pauses. ‘But if someone did find something, of course it would be taken into consideration.’ Then she adds, ‘We’ve finished at your house. You’re free to go back any time you want to.’
Out of habit, I start to say thank you, but stop myself. I’m not grateful to the police for anything. They’ve devastated my mother’s life, mine too. And whatever evidence they think they have, they’ve got this wrong.
*
In Zoe’s kitchen, sitting at the large table, I’m trying to work out what to do as Cath comes back in.
‘The police called a little while ago. They’ve moved Mum to Bronzefield prison. They’re holding her on remand. But I can visit.’
Cath drops her shopping. ‘We need to contact them. I’ve no idea what the procedure is. I’ll get my laptop and find a number for them.’
I watch her hurry upstairs to fetch it. Then when she comes back, I apologise. ‘Sorry. I should have asked the police. I was so thrown I didn’t think.’
‘Don’t worry about it. You have far too much on your mind.’ Pausing as she turns on her laptop, waiting a couple of minutes, before typing into the search bar. ‘Did you say Bronzefield?’ When I nod, she goes on. ‘Right. I’ve found their website. Everything we need to know is here, including the number to call. When do you want to go?’
‘Any time?’ I stare at
