‘I told her I knew about the affair and the abortion. She looked shocked. I enjoyed that. She thought she was so clever, that she could get away with acting how she wanted.’ Shirley spat the words. ‘Then she decided to cry rape. Said Grant had come to visit her at home and said he wanted to start the affair again. Toni told me she’d said she wasn’t interested and that he had then forced himself on her. Lies. I’m sure of it. All more lies.’

Barrett and Palmer looked at each other, both thinking that Shirley was as deluded as she was dangerous.

‘So,’ Shirley turned to her solicitor, ‘I told her she was a lying bitch and then I caved her head in.’

‘What did you use?’ Barrett couldn’t believe his luck, getting a full confession.

‘A cliché, I know,’ she grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, ‘but I used a wrench. Did the job.’ She smirked. The solicitor put down his pen and shook his head. There was nothing he could do to help her now.

‘And Janet Cox?’ Palmer pressed.

‘Oh, Janet.’ Shirley shook her head with disappointment. ‘Poor Janet. She had always followed me round like a lap dog. She turned up at my house that night and asked me to go for a walk with her by the river. It was hot and I was pleased to get out, so I went with her. Then she told me she’d seen me kill Toni. I didn’t have a choice. I had to silence her.’

‘You are aware she did not come to the police with that information?’

‘Yeah, she told me she wasn’t going to tell anyone, but I couldn’t take the risk. She was acting all strange. Kept saying she’d do anything for me and I could trust her.’

‘She didn’t mention the recordings?’ Barrett asked, keen to know why Shirley had been so careless with Janet’s phone.

‘No.’ Shirley stiffened. ‘She didn’t tell me about the videos. She said she loved me and that she’d do anything for me.’ A look of disgust crossed her face.

‘I picked up a dead branch and hit her with it, then pushed her into the water.’

Shirley knew her fate was sealed. There was no point pretending anymore. She wanted to be heard. She wanted them to understand.

‘I hadn’t planned to hurt her. She made me do it. I didn’t have a choice.’

‘I see,’ Barrett said, feeling a wave of relief that the case was now solved.

‘One final question, Mrs Grubb, do you know anything about this?’

Palmer slid the note across the table.

‘Yes, I do.’ Shirley’s expression gave nothing away.

‘Had you planned on hurting Mrs Martin? Was that part of your plan?’

Shirley smiled. ‘I think I’ve said everything I want to say for now.’

24

12.30pm 19th July