Page 170 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
CB:It’s a nice name.
AB:It is, but it’s unusual.
CB:If you don’t like it, we can change it.
AB:Another work inspired by the angels features a character with the same name. Same spelling.
CB:Which one?
AB:My Angel Diaryby Jess Adesina.
CB:Don’t know it. Coincidence. Let’s just change it. I’m not married to the name. What would you rather call her? [How does he look when he says this? Do you believe him? I also cut out a lot more chatter about his musician friend who can ‘drop tracks’ and his other friend who ‘works in post’ and can do the ‘overlays’ for mates rates. EC]
AB:I’ll think about it. Clive, the supernatural is hinted at throughout this story, but I’ve read your script a few times now, and it’s about much more than its special effects—
CB:Not a problem, Amanda. I’ll make it super gory. If we give the baby a snake’s tongue and horns, make it impervious to flame—
AB:One thing you leave out—
CB:Go on.
AB:Holly giving birth to the baby. A demon being born on earth. Seems like a very dramatic moment, but you don’t include it in your script …
CB:No problem. We can include that scene. You’re right, it would be super horrific and dramatic. [Sorry, pretty much everything else is just rambling about his vision for the film. Then you go to the loo, and when you return, I call like a hero and get you out of the meeting. EC]
AB:Phew. Thanks, Ellie. I’ve escaped. I’m running down the road like the office is ablaze. I’ve just discussed that script with Clive Badham and I felt he was talking about something different. The more I spoke to him about what he thought the story was, the more I could see the script he wrote, that I’ve been reading, isn’t a horror film at all. [Interesting. So what is it? EC]
WhatsApp messages between me and Ellie Cooper, 27 August 2021:
Amanda Bailey
Oliver said artists pick up more than they realise because their subconscious is in touch with the other side. So do I have to believe that, while writing his script, Clive B coincidentally picked up on things he has no way of knowing, just because he was tuned into the psychic wavelengths? Because I don’t believe that.
Ellie Cooper
Mr B wrote his story shortly after the Alperton Angels case hit the news. Could he have stumbled upon documents then, never realising how sensitive or secret they were?
Ellie Cooper
Also, the case is 18 years old. He could have found those details in news items that have since been taken down.
Amanda Bailey
He claims to have done little or no research. Just made it up in line with what he enjoys about demons and horror films. Yet his script is more interesting than that. It feels as if it has subtle clues in it. But then, I feel the same about Jess Adesina and her edgy coming-of-age novels. I’m at a loss how either of those writers knew what they knew. But that’s me FEELING and not researching. I sound like Oliver.
Video-call interview with Jideofor Sani, retired paramedic, 28 August 2021. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
AB:Ellie, I’m about to interview a guy who got in touch after theFresh Ghostpodcast but wouldn’t write his story down. He might be a paranoid fantasist, and he might be interesting. Story of my life. Cut out the pleasantries as usual. [You got it. I cut out the bit where you ask how to pronounce his name and he says just call him Jidi. EC]
AB:Jidi, you were a paramedic at the time of the Alperton Angels.
JS:Yes. I’m retired now.
AB:You said you attended the scene of the murders, but weren’t happy writing anything down, or talking on the record.
JS:Are you recording?
AB:No. We’re off the record. [Mand! EC]
