ELIZABETH

Charlotte nods, relaxing a bit, unfolding her arms. Will regards her, chin resting on his fist.

“You don’t like the Police much, do you Charlotte?”

“Not much, no.”

“Why not? I think there’s more to it than this misunderstanding over James.”

The folded arms are back. “Because on the half dozen or so occasions I ran away from Blessingmoors, every single time, the Police caught me and took me in, and regardless of anything I tried to say to them, delivered me right back there to have the shit beaten out of me.”

Will rubs his lower lip thoughtfully. “So, why did you agree to help us at all?”

“Because Mr Haswell asked me to.”

Will looks startled. “Mr Haswell? Richard here?”

“Yes.”

“What has he to do with it?”

“I owe him.”

Richard doesn’t look up, instead, paying close attention to his lamb in mint.

Will continues. “And you pay your debts?”

“I do.”

“Do you think this pays your debt to Richard?”

“Nope. I reckon I owe him a bit more than this.”

Will pulls a document wallet from his briefcase. “So, Charlotte, about Blessingmoors, I have your file here, taken from the records on the premises at the time it was closed down….”

She looks uneasy, shuffling in her chair. Michael’s hand snakes out, taking hers.

Will continues. “I have to say that it doesn’t look too good. It says here that you were in trouble numerous times for all kinds of petty crimes…. shoplifting.”

“I’m not a thief.”

“That’s not what it says here.” Will waves the file he is holding.

“It’s still not true. How can I have been a shoplifter when they never let us out?”

“So, you’ve never stolen anything from a shop?” Will raises an eyebrow, looking sceptical.

“Well, yes, I did, but it was when I was trying to run. I was a kid. I had no money. I had to eat…”

He says nothing, simply nodding as he writes a note in the margin.

“Drugs….”

“I’ve never touched drugs.”

“Not ever?”

“Not ever.”

He leans forward. “It is known Charlotte, already, that Blessingmoors was rife with drugs. No-one’s going to hold it against you.”

“It hardly matters. Yes, they were there. And no, I never used them.”

He sighs, then scribbles in the margin.

“Assault on a warden? On several occasions?”

“Um, yes, that bit is true.” She hangs her head, looking shamefaced.

“What were the circumstances?”

“Sometimes they were trying to… you know. Other times, it…. just kind of burst out of me.”

“When you say, ‘You know’…. you are implying sexual assault?”

“Um, yes.copy right hot novel pub