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‘What about the mother?’ Mum asked, her tone severe.
‘She died not long after Dominic was sent to prison. She killed herself.’
‘Did she?’ Mum looked genuinely shocked.
‘Yes. Hanged herself from a tree in Axwell Park.’
‘Good grief. I didn’t know her, but she seemed a very volatile person, especially the way she was when she came around to the house that time. The look in her eyes was frightening. How… how is Anthony?’ she asked tentatively.
‘I’m not sure. I got the impression he’s lonely. He misses his wife.’
‘How did he take it – you turning up on his doorstep out of the blue?’
‘He was fine. He smiled and looked happy, briefly, when I said he was my grandfather. There was a glint in his eye. He’s not too keen on Dominic being released from prison.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Mum said, as she prepared the gravy.
I took the cutlery from the drawer and headed over to the table. ‘Would you like to see him?’ I asked, my back to Mum.
‘What?’
I could feel Mum’s gaze burning through my clothes.
‘Anthony. Would you like to see him?’
‘Why would I want to see him?’
‘Because he’s lonely,’ I said, turning around. ‘He’s sad. I thought it might be nice for him to realise he has family.’
‘But he doesn’t. He has his son. That’s it.’
‘And me. I’m his granddaughter.’
‘Oh my God,’ Mum said, pinching the bridge of her nose. ‘I knew it was a mistake telling you. That’s why I put it off for so long. That’s why I had to get pissed to try and block everything out. Dawn, they’re not your family. You’ve survived this long without Anthony and Dominic in your life. You don’t need them.’
‘But Anthony needs me.’
‘No, he doesn’t. Sweetheart, I don’t want you getting involved with them.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because it’s not going to be any good for you,’ she said, almost snapping. ‘There’s a lot of hatred towards Dominic in Newcastle. You weren’t old enough to understand, but I saw it all.’ She sat down with a slump at the table. ‘He denied killing her, but nobody believed that. His defence was weak. He could have admitted it, got himself a lighter sentence, avoided the pain of putting Stephanie’s parents, and his own, through a lengthy trial, but he didn’t. They had to sit through all the evidence and hear what he did to that poor girl. He was found guilty, and he should stay locked away for the rest of his life.’
‘Do you honestly believe that?’
‘Yes, I do.’
‘You don’t believe in rehabilitation and people atoning for their crimes?’
Mum took a deep breath. ‘People like Dominic Griffiths don’t atone for what they’ve done. You can’t rehabilitate a psychopath,’ she said slowly.
‘Then what’s the point of prisons?’ I asked, sitting down opposite her. ‘Why do we put people in prisons, if there’s no chance of them coming out a changed person?’
‘They’re locked away to protect the public.’
‘But if they’re going to be locked away forever, why not just bring back the death penalty? Why not string them up in Eldon Square for all to see?’
‘Now you’re being ridiculous. Sorry, but I just don’t believe someone who doesn’t admit to their crimes can be properly rehabilitated. He’s never owned up to it; he’s never apologised.’
