‘Oh nothing really.’ She checks her watch. ‘I must go actually…’
‘Alison. Please. I feel like something – bad’s been happening here, something that’s driven Jeanie right to the edge. I need to find out what it is…’
‘Well…’ She’s still hesitating, and I give her an encouraging smile.
She relents. ‘It’s just Daisy was the twins’ kind-of nanny. They got quite attached to her – she was sweet. But she – she had to leave quite… quickly.’
‘She had an accident?’ It’s in the diary, in black and white.
‘I can’t really – God is that the time?’ She rechecks her watch unconvincingly, moving away.
If anyone can read signs of an interviewee with something to hide, it’s me. ‘Alison, please – it’s important.’
‘If I think of anything – but I’m sorry, I must go. I hope Jeanie’s well again soon.’ She hurries down the drive.
‘Alison.’ I rush after her and put my hand on her shoulder. She has to stop. ‘Can I give you my card at least? Just in case.’ She’s hiding something – and she knows I know. ‘I really need to find what pushed Jeanie to this state...’
‘OK.’ Alison sighs heavily. ‘There is just one thing I would say – Marlene, is it?
‘Marlena.’
‘I was a bit – worried. That Matthew was just sort of – using Jeanie.’
‘Using her?’
‘For the money…’
‘Hardly!’ I actually laugh. ‘She’s the original church mouse; she’s been skint for years.’
‘I mean, sorry – to sign the money away. To hide it.’
‘Hide it?’
‘I only know because Sean’s his lawyer. Was his lawyer actually. They don’t really work together any more. Sean’s decided it’s not – appropriate any more.’
‘Okay. But – why to hide it though?’
‘You can guess, Marlena, I imagine. Sean wouldn’t really talk to me about it, but he didn’t feel comfortable with the way Matthew was starting to move things around.’
And Alison leaves, with a promise I don’t believe that she’ll get in touch if anything else comes to mind.
* * *
I try to ring Frankie again with no luck. So I bite the bullet, and I call the vineyard. If the worst – you know. If the worst comes to the worst, he needs to be here.
In my terrible schoolgirl French, I stumble through explaining my need to speak to Frank Randall; it’s urgent, I emphasise, but I don’t want to say any more without speaking directly to Frankie myself. I leave my number with the owner, who promises to find him.
I’m on my way to Scarlett’s school when Sal rings.
‘Matthew King’s been released,’ she says. ‘He’s on his way somewhere in a cab, my bloke at the nick says.’
‘Have the allegations been dropped?’
‘There’s been no formal charge, I don’t think, so they couldn’t hold him any more. I do know this though.’ She sounds almost enthused. ‘It was the second time he was taken in for questioning.’
God I feel tired.
* * *
At the school I know it will raise suspicion if I hover round the gates.
Think, Marlena, think. But my brain is like sludge today.
There’s a sweet shop at the end of the road. I go to buy cigarettes and a Coke when two teen girls, in high-tops and baggy jeans, walk in arm in arm, bags full of schoolbooks.
‘I like your trainers,’ I say to one. ‘Dead nice.’
‘Thanks.’ She looks surprised, and her prettier mate with tightly cornrowed hair giggles.
‘I’ve got some a bit like that. Where are yours from?’
‘Er, they’re Huaraches I think.’ The tall white girl picks up a blue Bounty. ‘Nikes.’
‘Cool. Do you go to St Bett’s? You must know Scarlett King?’
‘Oh her.’ They go all serious and big eyed now. ‘Yeah, we kind of know her. We’re in the sixth form. She’s below us.’
‘Poor kid,’ I say. ‘She’s nice, isn’t she? She’s a family friend actually…’
‘Oh yeah, I think so. She’s not been in school much since – the thing…’ Cornrows whispers theatrically. ‘It’s deep, what’s happened.’
‘God, no, I know. Awful. I saw her mum yesterday.’ I’m not lying, I tell myself. Much.
‘Her mum? She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? She was an actress, wasn’t she? She was in The Bill, my dad says.’
‘Yeah, gorgeous.’ Together we walk out of the shop, and I glance at my phone very obviously.
‘Oh damn it! Bloody battery. Can I ask you a favour?’
‘Yeah, course.’ They are excited to be conspirators.
‘Can you get Scarlett a message? I was meant to see her later…’ My fingers are crossed behind my back. I swore I’d never lie again, but this isn’t work. This is fucking life or death. ‘But my mobile’s gone flat. Could you give her my number? I’ll go and charge it in the park café while I wait. Tell her Marlena will be here? Jeanie’s sister?’
‘Well…’