‘Because I’d make her get dressed up and go out clubbing. She was only three years older than me and had barely lived her life since she married that miserable old drunk. We’d go to Infernos.’

‘Is that in Clapham?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Was their relationship in trouble?’

Jackie nods. ‘I think so. But he’s a right hypocrite. He hated Elaine even looking at another bloke even though he was shagging any old slag on the estate.’

Archer blows on the tea and takes a sip from the mug. The tea had just a splash of milk and was bitter, but warming nonetheless.

Jackie continues, ‘When we was at Infernos she’d meet people her own age and have a great time. Frank hated the thought of it. He would get drunk, fly off the handle and beat her up. She told me he would regret it afterward and apologise and cry for hours about what he’d done. That’s the thing with Frank. He has a way of talking to people that makes him believe what he’s sayin’. He’s a clever one, he is. That’s why those tarts are always jumping into bed with him. He’s got a silver tongue. I also think Elaine was afraid. She stopped going out for weeks and when I saw her last she had a busted lip and a black eye covered up with concealer . . .’

‘Was that usual?’

‘Rarely was she seen without bruises. I tried to get her to go back to the police but she wouldn’t this time.’

‘Why was that?’

‘She said it was over and Frank had left for good. But she had said that before and he always came back.’

Archer wonders about the sighting of Frank Kelly with a woman and a baby.

‘Was Frank seeing someone else?’

Jackie leans forward. ‘I had heard he knocked someone up. Boasting all over the place about it, he was.’

‘Do you know who she is?’

‘That’s one of them very well-known secrets. Lauren’s her name, apparently. Don’t know her second name. Has a reputation, if you know what I mean. Elaine knew, we all did. God bless her. She deserved so much better.’ Jackie’s eyes well and she dabs them with a tissue before continuing. ‘So anyway, I said to Elaine, you better let me take pictures of those bruises and cuts. She didn’t want to but I said they could be evidence one day.’

‘Did you take photos of her injuries?’

‘Yeah, they’re on my phone.’

‘May I see them?’