SIMMONDS now has an arm around both of the sisters. He assumes a fatherly air.

Does your husband like the furniture, Mrs Carter?

KATE: Like it? Tell the sergeant about the nights he came home drunk and said it made him want to vomit.

FIONA: [with a half smile] He usually did, too.

SIMMONDS: Ross.

ROSS approaches.

ROSS: I think we’d better do these photographs again, Sarge. The bruises didn’t show up too well.

SIMMONDS: [sharply] Just put a circle round ’em, Ross. What I want you to tell me is what you’d think of a man who disliked certain items of furniture to the point of regurgitation and yet would sell them up rather than accept a generous cash payment for them.

ROSS: [puzzled] I don’t know.

SIMMONDS: Well, unlike yourself, Ross, I haven’t had the benefit of Practical Psychology for Policemen, Part One, but my native wit tempts me to attribute it to spite. Do you think it could be spite?

ROSS: [shrugging] I suppose so.

SIMMONDS: [to KATE] Ross is just feeling his way. Is there any particular night of the week when you can be reasonably sure that your husband won’t be home, Mrs Carter?

FIONA: [with some surprise] Tonight. Friday’s his drinking night.

SIMMONDS: Hmm. I think that we could get that furniture for you, Mrs Carter.

FIONA: [looking dubiously at KATE] Oh?

SIMMONDS: Suppose that Constable Ross and I organised a removalist to turn up at your flat tonight, helped you load the furniture, took you across to your new flat, helped you set it up, then went back and… er… pointed out to your husband that he’s in no position to create any trouble because he’s in great danger of being arrested for assaulting you.

KATE: [looking at FIONA] That would be marvellous. We wouldn’t be putting you to too much trouble, Sergeant?

SIMMONDS: No trouble at all.

FIONA: [dubious] Kenny’s pretty bad tempered.

SIMMONDS: I think Constable Ross and I can handle that aspect. I’ll drop in on you both from time to time after the shift to make sure Kenny isn’t making a nuisance of himself, if you like.

KATE: I’d appreciate that, Sergeant.

SIMMONDS: [looking at KATE] Fine. Could we have your present address then, Mrs Carter?

FIONA: Flat three, fourteen Haughton Street, North Fitzroy.

SIMMONDS: Ah. Just round the corner. What time does your husband usually arrive home tonight, Mrs Carter?

FIONA: Never before eleven.

KATE: And never sober.

SIMMONDS: [to KATE] I take it you’ll be there to help your sister, Mrs Mason?

KATE: Yes. I’d like to help her.

SIMMONDS: Good. I’ll have the removalist get there early, say six-thirty or seven, and that’ll give us time to have a little bit of a flat-warming celebration before Constable Ross and I go back to speak to Kenny.

KATE: That would be fine.

SIMMONDS: Well, Ross. How does that sound? Are you free to give the ladies a hand tonight?

ROSS: [embarrassed] Well, er…

SIMMONDS: [sharply] Well, are you?