Page 105 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Pippa and me are in touch with Jo at Green Street. We’re keeping an eye on him. He’s had a tough time lately. It’s best to let him work through it. Especially someone as stubborn as Ol
Ellie Cooper
Phew! I knew you’d be on top of it.
Amanda Bailey
BTW your friend with the recording studio – what’s his price for cleaning up the Gabriel interview? Whatever it is, say yes.
WhatsApp messages between my editor Pippa Deacon and me, 23 July 2021:
Pippa Deacon
Your friend Oliver is looking at evidence the angels were right about the baby. That the Antichrist walks among us
Amanda Bailey
How do you know?
Pippa Deacon
Jo and I met up last night. We get along like a house on fire.
Amanda Bailey
His father died last year, he’s dealing with a stalker, legal things and his mum’s in a home. He’ll snap out of it eventually.
Pippa Deacon
What do you mean? It’s a fabulous idea! I just hope your new angle is as good. I know it will be. I have every faith. But let’s just say I really, really hope it is.
Amanda Bailey
Conversation between Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies in St Barnabas Church, Sudbury, 22 July 2021. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
OM:Freezing in here.
AB:Stone walls.
OM:Do you sense an atmosphere?
AB:We’re two ambitious, competing individuals. It’s how we roll.
OM:Not us. I mean this place.
AB:It’s an old church, so …
OM:What isthat?
AB:Their famous stained-glass window. Very old.
OM:They’re cooking someone’s head in that pane.
AB:The vicar explained the story. That’s the king and that’s a mother in the crowd. These people are all starving. They ask the king why the crops failed and he says it’s because this woman, here, gave birth to a demon. She says no, my son’s a regular kid. The king says, ‘Prove it. We’ll try to kill him. If he’s not a demon, God will save him.’ The mother, confident her lad isnota beast from hell, says OK. They kill him with a sword, he dies, and is declared a demon. That’s his mum, looking very sad. [You got this story totally wrong, Mand. EC]
OM:That’s the king.
AB:Yeah, it’s the king, he’s back to square one because there’s still no food and the people are still starving … [No, the king’s son is killed and eaten, then the woman won’t give up her son like she promised, that’s the story. EC] The moral is: being proved right is not always the best outcome.
