Sorry Isn’t Good Enough by Jane Bailey

Author:Jane Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orion

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Lioness

Although there is less to do, sometimes it feels easier and safer to stay indoors on these summer evenings. Jonathan and I are upstairs playing our own game of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I have made us little folding identity cards out of cardboard, each with its own photograph. I am Illya Kuryakin (because I fancy him) and Jonathan is Napoleon Solo (because he is the hero). In our version of the game we can communicate with each other with our identity cards because they have a button inside them (a circle coloured in red crayon) which turns the card into a walkie-talkie. We mostly report on suspicious events, and say ‘over and out’ a good deal.

A sharp knock on the front door gives a sense of excitement.

‘Suspect at front door,’ says Jonathan. ‘Move carefully to top of stairs. Over and out.’

‘In position, Solo. Over and out.’

It’s my mother who opens the door. We can see the zip on her blue linen shift dress and the backs of her calves as she holds the door ajar.

‘Kath! Could I have a word with Stephanie, please?’

It’s Mr Webster, Dawn’s dad.

‘I’m sorry, Geoff. She’s had a lot of questioning lately, and I don’t think she’s up to any more right now. Can I help you?’

His tone becomes decidedly cross. ‘Yes, well, she may have been questioned, but as far as I can see, she hasn’t said anything, has she? Hmm? I mean, she was the last person to see Dawn alive. I want to speak to her.’

‘I’m sorry, Geoff. Not now.’

‘I don’t think you’re hearing me, Kath. I’m not asking to speak to Stephanie now, I’m telling you. WHERE IS SHE?’

I slink back from the top of the stairs and hide behind the bannister. Jonathan picks up his walkie-talkie and whispers, ‘Where’s Dad? Over and out.’

Dad has taken a few days off work, since all the police interest in me. We can’t see him, but it becomes clear later that Dad has decided to stay in the dining room as Mum is ‘better at handling this kind of thing’.

‘Please leave.’

‘Get out of my way, woman!’

That’s torn it. There’s a scuffle now, as Mum tries to shut the door on him and he seems hell-bent on keeping it open. ‘STOP IT!’ she yells, in a way that Mum never yells. There’s a strange silence. ‘Leave my daughter alone. She’s been through enough. You are not going to speak to her in this state. I’m sorry about Dawn, Geoff. I am so sorry, but you can’t come round here shouting at my daughter. It’s not her fault. And it won’t bring Dawn back.’

There is the booming sound of a fist banging on the door frame. ‘She knows something! That little … She knows something and she’s keeping it quiet! Believe you me, she knows something!’ Another slam on the door frame, and it seems to shake the whole house. Jonathan raises his eyebrows at me. Mum stands her ground fearlessly. I’m so proud of her.

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