Page 81 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Who was it?
Amanda Bailey
I’ll explain some day. Thanks, Ellie. For not calling anyone.
Text messages from me to social worker Sonia Brown, 13 July 2021:
Amanda Bailey
Sonia. So I met ‘Mr Blue’ last night. Why didn’t you just say?
Amanda Bailey
OK, ghost me if you like.
WhatsApp messages between me and my editor Pippa Deacon, 13 July 2021:
Amanda Bailey
Hi Pippa. I’ve traced the baby. But it’s not good news. It was a closed, dark adoption. In short, when a child’s origins are especially traumatic, they can be placed overseas with no record of where they came from. Canada, New Zealand and Australia are the go-to places.
Pippa Deacon
Can they be traced to those places?
Amanda Bailey
There’s literally no paper trail. It’s to protect them. Even when they grow up they won’t be able to find out. Their only hope is to trace relatives through commercial DNA testing.
Pippa Deacon
Shit. There must be something you can do.
Amanda Bailey
I have an idea for a new angle. It’s dark and original. Oliver and I can still work together and spread the story between us, so we’ll benefit from Green Street’s promo, as before.
Pippa Deacon
I don’t know. Can you send a page pitch and first chapter?
Amanda Bailey
Thing is, it’ll take some delicate organisation, so I’d rather not say more at this stage. If you give me the go-ahead, for now at least, you’ll have to trust me.
Pippa Deacon
OK. Go for it. Meeting Jo for drinks today. Will let her know.
WhatsApp messages between Oliver Menzies and me, 13 July 2021:
Oliver Menzies
I don’t believe they are totally untraceable. I just don’t. We all have a right to know where we come from. How can anyone say that one particular child has no right to know?
Amanda Bailey
It’s not common. Only in exceptional circumstances. This was a high-profile case. Social workers probably thought they were doing the right thing for the kid. Protecting it from people like us.
