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‘So you and Daiyu got in, taking towels for your swim?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Can I ask something?’ said Robin. ‘Why was Daiyu wearing a dress, instead of a tracksuit, Carrie? Or didn’t church members wear tracksuits, in the nineties?’
‘No, we wore ’em… but she wan’ed to wear her dress.’
‘Were the other children allowed normal clothes?’ asked Strike.
‘No.’
‘Did Daiyu got special treatment, because she was the Waces’ child?’
‘I s’pose – a bit,’ said Carrie.
‘So you drove out of the farm. Did you pass anyone?’
‘Yeah,’ said Carrie. ‘The people on early duty.’
‘Can you remember who they were?’
‘Yeah… what’s-his-name Kennett. And a bloke called Paul, and a girl called Abigail.’
‘Where did you go, after you’d left the farm?’
‘To the two grocers.’
‘What grocers?’
‘There wuz one in Aylmerton and one in Cromer we used to sell to.’
‘Did Daiyu get out of the van at either of the grocers?’
‘No.’
‘Why not?’
‘Well – why would she?’ said Carrie, and for the very first time, Strike heard a trace of defiance. ‘People came out from the shops to unload the boxes. I on’y got out to make sure they took what they’d ordered. She stayed in the van.’
‘Then what happened?’
‘We wen’ to the beach,’ said Carrie, her voice noticeably stronger now.
‘How did you get down to the beach?’
‘What d’you mean?’
‘Did you walk, run—?’
‘We walked. I carried Daiyu.’
‘Why?’
‘She wan’ed me to.’
‘Did anyone see this?’
‘Yeah… an old woman in the café.’
