‘Then again—fuck … the jury don’t know any of Santino’s prior history, they didn’t hear the audio. Marina’s a good performer on the stand, plus Hugh Warby’s making a hash of everything.’ Anita abruptly stopped on the walking path and pressed her hand against her lips as if to prevent the words coming out of her mouth. ‘I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there’s a chance Santino might get off.’

Paula felt a flush of panic wash through her chest as she recalled the news footage she’d seen of Brooke Lester outside the court building. Brooke arriving on John Santino’s arm, one hand on her eight-months-pregnant belly, as if her small hand could shield her baby from the TV crews and the noise and the hazardous energy that bristled around the courthouse.

It was clear that Anita’s thoughts had also gone straight to Brooke. ‘Did I tell you I’ve seen Brooke Lester’s parents?’

‘Oh. Do they come to the trial with her?’

‘No. They stay outside. I didn’t know who they were to start with. Last week, this couple started appearing across the road from the court building. One of the camera guys told me who they were. Trish and Rob Lester.’

‘Does Brooke talk to them?’

‘No, that’s the thing. She won’t even look at them. One day I saw the mother call out something, but Brooke turned away. Pointedly turned away.’

‘Shunned them?’

‘That’s what it looked like, yeah,’ said Anita. ‘And Marina glared at them as if they’re the enemy.’

‘What did the parents do?’

Anita shook her head. ‘Just stood there looking shattered. They’ve turned up every day since then but Brooke never acknowledges them.’

At home on her own, Paula had been playing and replaying news footage of Brooke Lester outside the court, pausing on any shot that offered a glimpse of her face. The young woman was so guarded, it was hard to read much into her expression. She was clearly nervous, but then again, anyone would be tense in the face of all the media commotion. And a pregnant woman who thought her partner might go to jail would be in an edgy state. All of that might explain her frightened manner. She might not be afraid of her boyfriend. But she might be. If Brooke was estranged from her parents, she would be bound more tightly into the Santino family, however the trial turned out.

Paula and Anita resumed walking. By now they were almost at the end of the beach section. Paula was so absorbed, trailing after thoughts about Brooke that it took her a moment to register that Anita was sniffing back tears.

Paula clasped her friend’s hand. ‘Are you okay? What are you thinking?’