Lottie caught up with Boyd at the station and they drove to inform Bernie and Natasha Kelly what had befallen Emma Russell; even though they were not family, she felt a duty to them. She had decided it was best Boyd knew nothing of her conversation with Moroney. What he didn’t know wouldn’t worry him, as her mother was apt to quote.

The front door was open, rain sweeping in on the hall carpet. The car in the drive had the boot and four doors open.

‘What the…?’ Boyd said.

Lottie shoved by him and entered the house.

‘What’s going on, Bernie?’ She put out a hand to stall the woman’s progress towards the door with an armful of clothes.

‘I’m getting out of this hole of a town, that’s what I’m doing.’

‘Why?’

Bernie laughed. ‘Why! Did you come down in that last shower out there or what? My daughter’s best friend and family were murdered and you ask me why. We’re getting out before we’re next.’

‘Let’s put these down for a moment.’ Lottie took the clothes from Bernie and dropped them on the couch. It was already covered with boxes and crates. She noticed that all the ornaments had been removed from the room. She heard crockery and cutlery rattling in the kitchen. Glanced in. Natasha was methodically packing kitchen utensils into a plastic crate. One by one, trance-like. Turning back, she saw that Bernie was seated on an armchair with Boyd perched on the arm beside her.

‘I’m sorry about Emma,’ Lottie began, standing with her back to the empty grate. ‘Every officer in the division is working flat out to find who murdered her.’

‘So I’ve been told.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You’re not the first to call today. Had a visit from a prick of a detective inspector.’

If she wasn’t so angry, Lottie would have laughed. Bernie had McMahon well summed up.

‘I’m sorry, but DI McMahon neglected to inform us that he was calling to you.’

‘He seemed to be on something of a one-man mission.’ Bernie appeared to have calmed a little.

Lottie ploughed on. ‘How long have you lived here?’

‘Why do you want to know that?’

‘We went through this before, but I really need to find out how well you knew the Russell family. The comings and goings of people to their house. Any unusual cars or individuals you can recall. There are only these two houses on this part of the road. It’s very isolated, so I’m sure you would’ve been aware of any odd characters hanging around.’

‘You don’t suspect Arthur any more, then?’

‘Everyone is a suspect until we can arrest the culprit.’

‘Even me and Natasha?’

‘I’m only asking if you’ve seen—’

‘I know what you’re asking. And no. I didn’t notice anything. Don’t you think I would have told you if I had?’

‘Have you seen Arthur recently?’

‘No.’

‘Can I have a word with Natasha? Alone?’

‘No. She’s not yet eighteen and I’m entitled to be with her. What do you want to ask her?’

Ignoring the question, Lottie said, ‘Where are you going to move to, Bernie? Do you have family anywhere?’

‘Family? Huh. Natasha is the only family I need. I have to protect her. After all that’s happened this last week, the girl is inconsolable. We have to get out of here. Don’t you understand that? Are you a mother?’

‘I am,’ Lottie said. Not a very good one, she thought, recalling her meltdown last night.

‘Surely then you can understand how I have to shield my daughter from all this mayhem?’

‘I understand. But I don’t think running away from it is going to erase the memories. Natasha will carry the scars no matter where she is. Stay; get her help. See a doctor yourself, even. You’re too distraught to drive anywhere.’

Bernie sighed and seemed to relax, then jumped out of the chair, unbalancing Boyd, who almost hit the floor. She lunged for the bundle of clothes Lottie had deposited on the couch before dropping them again.

‘I honestly don’t know what the right thing to do is,’ she cried, crumpling to her knees.

Natasha rushed from the kitchen and stared, jaw clenched, a vein throbbing in her neck. ‘What have you done to upset her now?’

Lottie winced at the tone of the teenager’s words. Not for the first time, she wondered how Emma had really got on with Natasha. Too late to ask her now. She could ask Natasha, but maybe now was not the right time.

‘I think you should stay here until all this is resolved,’ Boyd said in his soft, calm voice. He put a hand on Bernie’s shoulder. Lottie was surprised to see the woman reach up and caress Boyd’s long fingers. Before she could put what she was seeing into words, Natasha leapt forward and pushed him away.

‘Don’t you dare touch my mother! Leave us alone.’ She wrapped her arms around Bernie.

‘I think you should go,’ Bernie said. ‘Maybe we will stay for a few more days.’ She allowed Natasha to lead her into the kitchen.

As the door closed, Lottie exchanged a look with Boyd.

‘Before I get waylaid again,’ she said, ‘let’s go to the hospital to check if Mr Brady has anything to say for himself.’

They left the Kelly women to each other.