‘Yes, you will be hearing from us. Because I think it would be in your interests for us to keep you informed. In the interests of your …’ he hesitated. For a surreal moment I thought he was going to say sanity. ‘Anyway. I can see this has come as a terrible shock. I regret not persisting in contacting you previously. It was remiss of me. We should have persevered. And I believe it would be wrong to keep you out of the loop now, particularly in light of what you’ve said today. But please think carefully about any statement you might wish to make.’ He leaned forward again: folded his arms on the table. His eyes searched my face. ‘I’ve seen people, usually women, confess to crimes they didn’t commit, for all sorts of reasons. And unfortunately, if you insist enough, you reap what you sow. But too often, in circumstances like this, the mind plays tricks on us. It’s well documented. Don’t forget that, Mrs Palmer. Is there someone at home for you?’

‘What d’you mean?’

‘Someone to look after you.’

‘I don’t need looking after.’

‘But is someone there?’

‘My parents.’

‘Good.’

He closed the file. Then he pushed his chair back and got to his feet. Holly stood too. They were waiting for me. At length, uncertainly, I followed suit. There was so much more to say. So much I needed to say. But there was nothing I could do about it. Turner went to the door, opened it and waited. I hesitated, but went through, under his arm. He peeled off into the staff room without another word, the file under his arm. Holly’s eyes were kind as she ushered me down the corridor to reception. No, I realized as she opened the front door for me and held it, her eyes were not kind. They were concerned. Worried. And all I could think was – why isn’t anyone listening to me? After all these years of keeping silent about Michael, when I finally decide to speak out, why won’t anyone hear me?

30