Page 166 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels

---

Craig Turner

Not for ages. Her book’s out soon so probably busy.

Amanda Bailey

Pippa can’t find her. She’s gone AWOL.

Craig Turner

Spooky. But we know Minnie. She’ll surface sooner or later.

WhatsApp messages between me and true crime author Minnie Davis, 27 August 2021:

Amanda Bailey

Mins, please reply. Craig and I are worried about you. I won’t tell Pippa you’ve been in touch.

Minnie Davis

Oh, Mand, I’ve got a situation with my feminist writer.

Amanda Bailey

Ah, that’s what it is. I thought you’d have a problem there. People don’t just give away their work. What exactly have you got in writing from her?

Minnie Davis

Nothing. It was an unspoken thing. But a proof-reader put question marks over some of her content. When I asked for confirmation, she suddenly went quiet.

Amanda Bailey

Is that all? Bods don’t understand how quickly you have to work. She’ll be fine. You’ve credited her in the back, right?

Minnie Davis

Yeah, but

Amanda Bailey

It’s only a few quotes and passages. What can she possibly object to?

Amanda Bailey

Even if she wants you to pull something – it’s no big deal. Reword the quote and find a friendly bod whose name you can attribute it to. I could help

Minnie Davis

I used the whole thing, Mand. Right at the start I said, ‘Can I use all of it?’ She said, ‘Fine, women should help each other.’ So I did.

Amanda Bailey

What do you mean by ALL of it? Surely you rewrote it at least.

Minnie Davis

It was too good to change. It was fresh, different, exciting. She’d found documents and records I could never hope to get my hands on. Her analysis was spot on. It had atmospheric, spine-tingling photographs and gorgeous illustrations. Just perfect.

Amanda Bailey

---