The Stepmother(104)

 

‘How did they change?’ I try not to seem too keen.

 

‘Matthew made so much money, almost overnight, and then Kaye became all about what car she drove and where they holidayed. All private schools and labels and Mulberry bags you know. Not really my thing.’

 

‘No, well I get that.’

 

‘And Matthew – he was okay, but I started to find him – a bit oppressive. And conservative. Not in a good way.’

 

‘What about the kids?’

 

‘What about them?’ Alison grinds her cigarette out in the gravel, hardly smoked.

 

‘I think Jeanie was really struggling – with Scarlett mainly.’

 

‘With Scarlett?’ Alison raises a brow. ‘I guess – maybe. I mean she’s sweet really, but…’

 

‘What?’

 

‘I suppose she always was a bit of a daddy’s girl.’

 

We look at each other.

 

‘I think these allegations are crap myself,’ she sighs. ‘Matthew mayn’t be my favourite person, but I really don’t think he’s, you know, one of them.’ She stands. ‘It’s just been really tough.’

 

‘What can you tell me about the whole Daisy thing?’

 

‘Oh nothing really.’ She checks her watch. ‘I must go actually…’

 

‘Alison. Please. I feel like something – bad’s been happening here, something that’s driven Jeanie right to the edge. I need to find out what it is…’

 

‘Well…’ She’s still hesitating, and I give her an encouraging smile.

 

She relents. ‘It’s just Daisy was the twins’ kind-of nanny. They got quite attached to her – she was sweet. But she – she had to leave quite… quickly.’

 

‘She had an accident?’ It’s in the diary, in black and white.

 

‘I can’t really – God is that the time?’ She rechecks her watch unconvincingly, moving away.

 

If anyone can read signs of an interviewee with something to hide, it’s me. ‘Alison, please – it’s important.’

 

‘If I think of anything – but I’m sorry, I must go. I hope Jeanie’s well again soon.’ She hurries down the drive.

 

‘Alison.’ I rush after her and put my hand on her shoulder. She has to stop. ‘Can I give you my card at least? Just in case.’ She’s hiding something – and she knows I know. ‘I really need to find what pushed Jeanie to this state...’

 

‘OK.’ Alison sighs heavily. ‘There is just one thing I would say – Marlene, is it?

 

‘Marlena.’

 

‘I was a bit – worried. That Matthew was just sort of – using Jeanie.’

 

‘Using her?’

 

‘For the money…’

 

‘Hardly!’ I actually laugh. ‘She’s the original church mouse; she’s been skint for years.’

 

‘I mean, sorry – to sign the money away. To hide it.’

 

‘Hide it?’

 

‘I only know because Sean’s his lawyer. Was his lawyer actually. They don’t really work together any more. Sean’s decided it’s not – appropriate any more.’

 

‘Okay. But – why to hide it though?’

 

‘You can guess, Marlena, I imagine. Sean wouldn’t really talk to me about it, but he didn’t feel comfortable with the way Matthew was starting to move things around.’

 

And Alison leaves, with a promise I don’t believe that she’ll get in touch if anything else comes to mind.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

I try to ring Frankie again with no luck. So I bite the bullet, and I call the vineyard. If the worst – you know. If the worst comes to the worst, he needs to be here.

 

In my terrible schoolgirl French, I stumble through explaining my need to speak to Frank Randall; it’s urgent, I emphasise, but I don’t want to say any more without speaking directly to Frankie myself. I leave my number with the owner, who promises to find him.

 

I’m on my way to Scarlett’s school when Sal rings.

 

‘Matthew King’s been released,’ she says. ‘He’s on his way somewhere in a cab, my bloke at the nick says.’

 

‘Have the allegations been dropped?’

 

‘There’s been no formal charge, I don’t think, so they couldn’t hold him any more. I do know this though.’ She sounds almost enthused. ‘It was the second time he was taken in for questioning.’