“Did she have a boyfriend? Someone that you knew of but maybe your mum and dad didn’t?” She knew she was pushing her luck speaking to a minor without consent but it was hardly a formal interview. Besides, if the girl knew anything of note, they could always get it on the record later. Maddie shook her head. She was disappointed. “What about the pregnancy, did you know about that?” Again, she shook her head. “When you said she was protective, what did you mean?”
Maddie looked her in the eye. “Exactly that. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. Not at school, not… not anywhere.” She said the last in a barely audible whisper. Before Tamara could follow up, she spoke again, unprompted. “It was the same with Mark. People have a go at him at school all the time because he’s so different but Holly wouldn’t let them get away with it. She made sure everyone left him alone. I think that’s why he is so infatuated with her.”
“Who described him as infatuated, Maddie? Was it Holly?”
She shook her head. “No! Although, she agreed but it was Daddy who said that. That’s why he banned her from seeing him. He even went around to speak with his father.”
“Your father went to see Callum McCall?” She was surprised by that, imagining a man such as Colin Bettany would feel confident enough to pay the McCalls a visit. Particularly in light of the fact he was insinuating Mark wasn’t good enough to mix with his daughter. “He must be a brave man, your father. I’ve met Callum and he’s quite fearsome.”
Maddie nodded furiously. “Me too. He’s scary. Mark was terrified of him as well.”
“When did he scare you?” she asked, puzzled as to how the two would come across one another, even in a community such as this one.
“I was with Holly a few weeks ago and we ran into McCall… sorry, Mr McCall, and he was ranting and raving at her. It was really scary. No one said anything or tried to help but Holly didn’t care. She stood up to him and told him where to get off.”
That was very interesting. She was aware of the altercation, Janssen told her about it but as far as she knew, no one realised Maddie was present at the time. “What was it about?”
“No idea. I did ask. Holly told me I should mind my own business. She was great, my sister, but she had a frightful temper. She could fight with anyone, even Mummy and Daddy.”
“Did she? Fight with your parents, I mean?”
“With Mummy mostly but Daddy as well, sometimes. Like when he insisted on knowing where we were all the time. Holly didn’t like that one bit! He bought us new mobiles and insisted we should check in if ever we were going to be late home or something.”
“And did you? You and Holly?”
Maddie looked at her sideways from the corner of her eye. “Sometimes. Holly refused.”
A noise came from the direction of the sitting room and Maddie became agitated. “What is it?” Tamara asked her.
“Mummy told me to keep out of the way. She won’t be happy if she sees me talking to you.”
She reached across and patted her on the knee, smiling warmly. “Don’t worry. I’ll not say a word.” Standing up, she took out one of her contact cards and passed it to the girl. “Keep that safe and if you fancy a chat about anything at all, just give me a call. Okay?” Maddie smiled, nervous eyes flitting between her and the doorway. They could hear muffled voices. Tamara whispered a farewell and trotted across the kitchen trying her best to ensure her heels made as little noise on the floor tiles as possible.
She met Janssen and Marie as they were coming down the hall. “We thought you’d got lost,” Janssen said, his tone was one of relief edged with concern and he was amplifying the usual pitch. He must have known she was up to something and feared her being rumbled.
“Well, you know how it is. If you have to go…” she replied, smiling. “Sorry about that.”
“That’s okay,” Marie Bettany replied without feeling, eyeing her with what she thought was a wary look, if not outright suspicion. She seemed to peer past her into the kitchen beyond. Looking back over her shoulder, the sofa was empty. Maddie was nowhere to be seen.
“Thank you for your time, Dr Bettany.” Tamara addressed her by title, shifting back to the stance of keeping a professional distance. Between Marie and her youngest daughter, they’d given her plenty to think on but perhaps without realising it.
Marie escorted them to the front door and once clear, it was quickly closed on them. Neither spoke as they walked to the car. Janssen unlocked it and they got in. As soon as the engine started, he looked across at her. “Mind telling me what that was all about?” His tone was curious, not angry or accusatory. She looked back at the house spying Maddie’s face watching them from an upper window. There must be a second staircase to the rear of the house. She smiled and the girl returned it. Pulling across her seatbelt, she glanced to him.
“Let’s head over to the surgery and have a word with Colin. I’ll fill you in on the way.”
The waiting room was quiet, surprisingly. Tamara found herself wondering if these rural surgeries were immune from the waiting times and delays that so often afflicted the larger towns and cities. Janssen must have been thinking the same as he looked around. The receptionist noted their arrival as a patient stepped aside from the desk, offering them a wave. She also thought they were polite here as well.
“I know her,” Janssen said. She wasn’t surprised. “Margaret used to work with my mum years back.” She let him take the lead, hanging back a step as he approached the desk. Janssen asked
