Charley can’t wait to see Sorrel. She turns out to be really important—much more than, say, Izzy. She hasn’t seen Izzy for ages and it’s been fine, but she’s hated not seeing Sorrel. Perhaps she should feel sorry for Izzy like Poppy does, but she doesn’t. It’s not Izzy’s fault about her dad but that doesn’t make her nice. Actually, Poppy says Izzy’s trying to be nicer, but people are what they are; you can change but not that much. You can pretend to be nice like Paul did, but it’s hard to keep that up. Paul couldn’t, obviously. Poppy is sure Izzy’s really changed. Well, maybe she has.

15. March

Melissa

Paul looks different in court from the man Melissa saw in custody three months ago. He’s well shaven and upright and wearing a suit that the attorney must have procured for him, an unfamiliar red tie. He’s slimmer than he’s been for years, lack of alcohol probably. He gives the appearance of a clear-eyed professional, a man who wouldn’t dream of harming a child, who would be too busy to know any except, of course, for one beloved daughter.

Paul’s attorney had met Melissa and Izzy at the door; a handsome Sri Lankan woman in her forties with a brisk delivery, hampered by a head cold. She had a tired face and a harried air. Her life might be tough—a full-time job, children, maybe a household to run, perhaps a difficult husband as well. Melissa caught herself looking for bruises. The attorney told them what they already knew—that exceptional permission had been given for a brief statement on the grounds that, according to the lawyer, there was nothing on record that specifically forbade it. The attorney introduced them to witness support, a pale young woman in a flowing skirt who took Izzy off to the video room to prepare her for reading her statement. Melissa lingered outside the door for forty minutes in case she was needed. She entered the court just as the prosecutor had finished speaking and made her way quietly to the back. She sat on the side where she could see the defense lawyer, the judge, and Paul.

The defense lawyer begins by explaining there will be, unusually, a short statement by live video link in support of the defendant by his daughter. They are directed to look at a large video screen at the side of the courtroom. There are a few quiet whispers, a little ripple of anticipation; a departure from routine is always exciting.

When Izzy appears on the screen she looks so beautiful that Melissa’s eyes sting. Paul is staring too, frowning slightly. He agreed to this—is he still worried about her? About what she’ll say?

“So, Isabelle.” The defense lawyer is in her fifties, with a well-cut gray bob and an expensive-looking silk shirt. She smiles at the screen. An average child might not realize the smile is condescending. “As you know, we can see and hear you by the special video link we set up so the people in court today can hear what it is that you wanted to tell them about your father.”