Читать книгу Persons Unknown: A Richard and Judy Book Club Pick 2018 - Susie Steiner, Susie Steiner - Страница 13

‘Only met him a couple of times, for like five minutes, but he’d started having contact in the last six months. Wanting to see Solly. That’ll be why he was here – in Huntingdon, I mean.’

Her mind is whirring, too full to listen to what Harriet is saying in reply. She must tell Ellie. Should she just blurt it out? Will Ellie be upset? Does some corner of her carry a residue of love for him, like a cupboard shelf that hasn’t been wiped? Does she harbour faint hopes of a reconciliation? Or will she not care? Perhaps she’ll be relieved that he’s out of her hair.

No, she thinks, Ellie had come round to the idea of Jon-Oliver playing a part in Solly’s life. Visits once a month had been accommodated, though Manon was usually either working or on her way out when they occurred. The thought of Solly brings tears to Manon’s eyes (tears come easily these days) – no chance of a father now. All the potential of that relationship cut down, before it could begin. It is a tragedy for Solly.

The sound of Harriet’s voice becomes louder and clearer as Manon rejoins the present. She becomes aware that the three of them – she, Harriet and Davy – have moved into Harriet’s office.

‘Where’s Ellie now?’ Harriet is saying, pacing behind her desk; coiled spring, hitching at her bra straps. Harriet’s body is sinewy, taut because she’s a ball of constrained movement – a rubber band at full stretch, wanting to ping. Physically, Manon thinks, we couldn’t be more different. I have no inner spring. I am in constant preparation for sitting down.

‘Home with Sol I guess,’ says Manon. ‘They were there when I left for work.’

‘Let’s bring her in for interview,’ Harriet says, half to herself and half to Davy. ‘What can she do for childcare?’ she asks Manon.

‘Childminder’ll take Sol at short notice,’ says Manon. ‘Go easy on her. Look, can I break the news to her? I don’t know how she’ll—’

‘You know you can’t,’ says Davy. ‘You’re connected to the case. We’ll need to keep you away from all future briefings. And you’re not allowed to search the database or ask officers about the case.’

‘He really needs to calm his tits,’ Manon says to Harriet.

‘That’s enough, you two,’ says Harriet.

Manon realises Davy wants to tell Ellie himself so he can watch her, see how she reacts. Everyone close to the victim is a suspect and how they take the news is part of a close-circuit observation that is often disguised as sympathy and support. We are giving you a liaison officer to keep you informed/watch your every move and report it back to the investigation.

‘One more thing, Manon,’ says Davy. ‘Where was Ellie yesterday afternoon and evening?’

‘Am I being interviewed?’ asks Manon, placing a protective hand on her bump. ‘Because if I am, I want all the proper gear – recording device and everything.’