Page 118 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Craig Turner
Hi, babes! Keep meaning to ask: did you get an audience with the archangel Gabriel?
Amanda Bailey
No. Long story.
Craig Turner
So sorry, babes. Gutted I mentioned it.
Amanda Bailey
It was worth a try. I sat outside and spoke to ladies in the queue instead.
Craig Turner
All waiting for their banged-up men, love ’em!
Amanda Bailey
Craig, quick question: you visited Dennis Nilsen countless times and corresponded with him for years. How did you stop yourself getting too involved?
Craig Turner
By ‘involved’ you mean …?
Amanda Bailey
Liking him. Respecting him. Enjoying his company. Assuming he felt the same about you. Sympathising with him. Making excuses for him. Believing his lies.
Craig Turner
It’s a balance, Mand. I needed Denny-boy to trust me enough to open up, and that meant building a relationship. It happened organically. We had a lot in common. Both gay, both grew up in rural Scotland, both middle sons with absent fathers. He was a lonely man who struggled to navigate a hostile world. We clicked. He didn’t lie – not to me.
Meeting with Oliver Menzies in Costa Coffee, Westway Cross, Greenford, 28 July 2021. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
[I cut out the bits where you get coffees and find good seats. EC]
AB:How’s it going?
OM:Slowly. Got other things taking up brain space. Mad squaddie’s people have set up a mediation meeting.
AB:And the book?
OM:Thinking, googling, scrolling, reading background info. I’ll start in earnest soon. You?
AB:Same. Once I’ve written the right chapter one, the rest falls into place.
OM:And how many have you written?
AB:Two. Neither arethe one.
OM:What’s your new angle?
AB:[You pause for a long time. Presume you don’t want to tell him,but can’t think of an excuse not to. EC] The Alperton Angels’ influence on popular culture. From the novels and TV series it’s inspired to the discussions online. I’m linking it with cult theory. How the human mind is susceptible to non-logical beliefs. A cult can still be influential long after its leaders and followers have imploded. I’m exploring the fact people still subscribe to the ethos of the angels today – and believe that sometime in 2003 the Antichrist was born on earth. For example
… [I think you show him your phone. EC]
