Page 142 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘I mean with the babies.’

‘Oh. Sorry, Chris, I thought you meant… yes, I’m fine. They’re just really unsettled today. This can’t be right, can it? Surely?’ She looked across at him with hopeful eyes.

‘I don’t know. A DNA match is strong evidence. Was he home late on the night of the storm? Can you remember?’

She frowned as she thought. ‘He was always home late. He worked on the council. I’d been spending a few days at my mother’s. I’d… I’d been going through a bit of a tricky time. I’d found a lump on my breast. My auntie, my mum’s sister, died young from breast cancer and I was so scared. I just wanted to be with my mum. I went back home on the night of the storm. I remember driving and hardly being able to see the end of the bonnet. I think I got home about eight. I… I don’t recall what time Malcolm got in.’

‘Was everything all right, you know, with the lump?’

‘Yes. It turned out to be benign. It was scary for a while though.’

‘I can imagine,’ Chris said.

They drove in silence for a while until Jennifer started to sob.

Chris looked across at her. He didn’t know what to say. He could tell her everything was going to be all right, but that was as far from the truth as it was possible to be.

‘Malcolm is not a rapist. He’s not a murderer. I know him.’

Chris wondered who she was trying to convince. There was no denying a DNA result.

She leaned back in her seat and cradled her unborn twins.

‘Today was supposed to be such a good day,’ she said to herself.

By the time they’d managed to find a parking space and Chris had helped Jennifer out of the car, Freya had already taken Malcolm into custody where he was formally charged and taken to an interview room. All Chris and Jennifer could do was wait.

Two hours went by before Freya found them both looking uncomfortable on the hard plastic chairs, empty polystyrene coffee cups on the chipped table beside them.

Jennifer looked at Freya hopefully. ‘Please tell me there has been some gigantic administrative cock-up and we can all go home.’

Freya looked worn out. She shook her head. ‘I’m so sorry, Jennifer.’

‘What are you saying?’ Jennifer asked, trying to sit up.

‘Malcolm has refused a solicitor. He’s confessed.’

‘He’s… what?’

‘He’s admitted it.’

‘That can’t be.’

‘I shouldn’t allow this as he’s been charged, but he really wants to see you to explain.’

Jennifer’s eyes darted around the room. She couldn’t focus on anything as she tried to work out everything in her head. She was seven months pregnant with twins. She was about to go on maternity leave. They had a nursery to finish decorating. They had so many plans for the future. How could this possibly be true?

‘Will you come in with me?’ she asked Freya.

Freya nodded. She took Jennifer’s hand and helped her up from the chair. She stole a look at Chris and gave him a sympathetic smile.

‘We’ve only got about five minutes or so,’ Freya told her.

They walked slowly down the corridor to the interview room.

‘I feel like I’m walking to the gallows,’ Jennifer said. ‘If this is true, I would have known. Surely.’

‘Look, Jennifer,’ Freya stopped and placed her hands on her shoulders. ‘You’re going to learn a lot about Malcolm in the next few minutes that you never knew before. I need you to remain calm, for yourself, and your babies. I’m always going to be here for you. Understand?’