I will be looking down from heaven with a bird’s-eye view of your suffering. My son won’t tolerate being married to the woman who murdered his mother. Mothers are always more important to sons than wives. Did you never understand that? Your life as you knew it is over, Saffron. Ever since you met me you have fought against me.

You thought you had won, didn’t you? But I am free of pain and it is I who will now rule from beyond the grave. It is you who will now suffer. I have won the war in the end.

With all the love you deserve, always,

Caprice

The letter slips from my trembling hands and falls to the floor.

148

Miles

Early morning. Hayley has just left to take the boys to school. I look out of the window on the landing. A police car with flashing lights is pulling into our drive. I watch PC Jenifer Tomlinson and DS Stephen Badminton step out and walk towards our door. Stephen Badminton has unsightly grey hair sprouting from his cheeks. I thought policemen were supposed to look smart and shave, at least.

The doorbell buzzes. I pad downstairs to answer it. But by the time I reach the hallway, you are opening the door. The DS and PC step inside.

‘Saffron Jackson, I’m arresting you for the murder of Caprice Jackson.’ My heart stops. My brain does not comprehend. ‘You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.’ He pauses. ‘Anything you say may be given in evidence,’ DS Badminton continues. PC Jenifer Tomlinson forces your arms behind your back and handcuffs you.

‘Are you out of your mind?’ you spit. ‘As if I would murder my husband’s mother.’

Thin. Pale. No colour in your face. You struggle against Jenifer Tomlinson as she manhandles you through our hallway and bundles you into the back of the police car. Just before your head disappears beneath her arm and you are pushed through the car doorway, you fix your eyes on me and mouth I love you.

‘You need to leave the property immediately. I need to watch you pack your bag. Your house is now a crime scene,’ DS Badminton informs me.

149

Saffron

I’m sitting in the police car, with handcuffs burning my wrists. DS Stephen Badminton is driving. PC Jenifer Tomlinson is sitting next to me, dark eyes watching my every movement. I shake my head. I can’t believe this.

‘What on earth am I supposed to have done?’ I ask.

‘Poisoned your mother-in-law with arsenic,’ Jenifer Tomlinson replies, her voice high-pitched and watery.

I shake my head and laugh. ‘But that’s ridiculous – how could I have done that?’