Page 69 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Can’t you turn it down?’

Jennifer looked up at her husband. ‘Turn it down? Why would I do that?’

‘Jennifer, it’s all over the papers what he did. TheDaily Mirroris calling for the death penalty to be brought back for Alice’s killer. Don’t you see how serious this is?’

‘Yes. I do,’ she said with a smile. ‘But this is an amazing opportunity for me. This could help me make partner.’

Malcolm went over to her and held her by the shoulders. He looked deep into her eyes. ‘Jennifer, they obviously have something on him, or they wouldn’t have arrested him. I’m trying my hardest to be an MP here. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, and you’ve said you’ll stand by me. How will it look if you’re representing the most hated man in Britain and trying to get him off?’

She shook him off. ‘Malcolm, this is my job. It’s what I’m trained to do.’

‘No, you’re right, I’m sorry,’ he said, pulling out a stool and sitting down. ‘This is… wow, this could be the making of you.’

‘I know. I’ve always wanted to defend someone wrongly accused of murder.’

‘You’re convinced he didn’t do it, then?’

She thought for a moment as she began seasoning the steaks. ‘Yes. I am,’ she said, confidently. ‘When I saw him in the police station today, I mean, on appearances, yes, he does seem quite intimidating, but I reckon he’s more scared of his own shadow. Bless him.’

Malcolm went up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck. ‘Sorry for snapping. I just didn’t expect today to turn out like it did.’

She turned around and kissed him on the lips. ‘There is no doubt in my mind that you’re going to be an MP, Malcolm. This is just a setback. We’ve overcome them before.’

‘True.’

‘Just think, in a few years, you could be on the front benches and I could be in the Court of Appeal.’

Malcolm threw back his head and laughed. ‘That’s a lot of work to do in just a few years.’

‘I’m up for it if you are.’

‘You’re on.’

Pauline and Leo were sitting on the sofa, surrounded by silence. Leo was nursing a mug of tea. Pauline had let hers go cold. She hadn’t wanted anything to eat, either. Leo had made himself a sandwich with the leftover ham he found in the fridge.

‘Would you like me to come with you when you go to see him?’ he asked, breaking the silence.

‘Please,’ she said, her voice barely audible.

‘I don’t know where the remand centre will be. I don’t know of one around here. I’ll ask Jeff in the paper shop. He seems to know everything.’

Pauline didn’t say anything.

‘I wonder if we’re allowed to take him things. I could take him a fewSpider-Mancomic books. He’d like that.’

Pauline remained silent.

‘I’m guessing they’ve…’

The phone rang. Pauline got up to answer it. She opened her mouth to say hello but was interrupted.

‘Your son’s a murdering bastard!’ someone screamed from the other end.

‘They should bring back hanging!’ a second voice screamed.

Pauline threw the receiver down but could still hear their taunting laughs. She collapsed onto the floor, screaming in agony with Leo holding onto her tight.

ChapterTwenty-Seven