Page 70 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
AB:Not crying. Just … frustrated.
UW:Least it’s not raining.
AB:Thanks for coming over. You should get back in the queue. Don’t lose your place.
UW:I won’t. The girls’ll keep it for me. Who were you gonna visit?
AB:[You whisper this. EC] Gabriel Angelis.
UW:The cult leader? [She gasps. EC] Are you a follower?
AB:No. My friend and I are interviewing him for a book … Does he have followers?
UW:See that woman over there, just going through the door? [She lowers her voice to a whisper. EC] She’s wearing an angel wing necklace.
AB:That’s a lot of layers for this weather. The hat seems like overkill.
UW:Yeah, well. Wouldyouwant to be recognised if you were visiting him?
AB:He still has influence from inside prison.
UW:You’d be surprised, love.
AB:Is she here a lot?
UW:Seen her many a time, but there are others that come and go. You alright now?
AB:Yeah, thanks.
UW:We got to look after each other, don’t we? [Her poor grammar, not mine. Sounds like she’s walking away. EC] Hope your book’s a best-seller.
AB:Thanks. [Gabriel has ‘fans’ who visit him. A testament to hispower and influence, or proof Oliver is right, and people are stupid? I can’t decide. EC]
Conversation between Amanda Bailey and Oliver Menzies. In a stationary car, somewhere near HMP Tynefield, 10 July 2021. You’re both chewing. It’s gross. Transcribed by Ellie Cooper.
OM:I’ve got no sympathy, Mand. You knew it was a risk.
AB:Did I ask for sympathy? I hung out by the burger truck, chatted to some girls in the queue. Salts of the earth. Loyal to their men inside. [He sighs, like it’s been hard work. EC] You recorded the whole thing, right?
OM:Yep. Had to pretend my hand was sore, thanks to you.
AB:Play the file. I want to hear his voice.
OM:I’m fed up with his voice. Let’s get home.
AB:Got my AirPods—
OM:NO! Just don’t, Mand … [Awkward silence. Bit weird. Did he even record it? EC]
AB:OK. Send me the file. I’ll get it transcribed. But tell me what happened, at least.
OM:Argh, let me settle. Pounding headache.
AB:What’s he like? [No answer. EC] Did you get on with him?
OM:Uh-huh.
AB:What does he say about Singh’s murder? Any confession?
