‘In other circumstances she’d be in danger of perverting the course of justice, but it sounds like she was put in an impossible position. We’ll speak to Davey Jenkins again and maybe add extortion to his charge sheet, but we’ll need Mrs Weston to come to the station to make an official statement.’

Jez nodded.

‘What if he comes for me again, or for Tony?’ asked Abs. ‘What if he wants to take this further?’

‘Mr Jenkins will remain in custody for the foreseeable,’ she assured him.

‘Have you spoken to Tony?’ Jez asked Abs. ‘I haven’t heard from him.’

‘Nor me.’

‘It’s time we went to see him,’ Sasha said, glancing at Lolly.

The door opened. Bethany came back in with her purse and gave Sasha a receipt.

‘I filled the tank on the way back from the restaurant. You can see the time,’ she said, pointing at the slip. ‘Jez and I have GPS trackers fitted to our cars, in case they’re stolen, so you’ll be able to see exactly the route I took.’

‘You don’t like me much, Bethany, do ya?’ said Abs, moving restlessly about the room.

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she said shortly.

‘I don’t get it. What have I ever done to you?’

‘Abs.’ Jez reached out to calm his friend, but Abs yanked his elbow away and went over to her.

‘You’ve always looked down on me. Was it because I’m on the telly?’

‘Were,’ said Bethany with a venomous smile. ‘You were on the telly.’

‘Or because I’m a bit common, and I’ve got a big mouth.’

‘Abs, please,’ she hissed. ‘You’re embarrassing yourself.’

Jez sighed. ‘Abs…’

‘No, I want to hear it. What have I ever done to you?’ He gestured at Lolly. ‘I mean, everyone loves Abs.’

‘You’re pathetic.’ Bethany whirled on him. ‘You think it’s everybody’s duty to love you. You think all you have to do is walk into a room and everybody will fall at your feet, that if you just smile you’ll get everything you want. Why are you still hanging around Jez, anyway? He’s moved on, he’s made something of himself, he’s going to be a father. Start acting like a grown-up, for pity’s sake.’

‘You blame me for Wales, that’s what this is all about.’

‘Yes, I do,’ she shouted. ‘That girl’s disappearance was the worst thing that ever happened to Jez. He got dragged into all that bad publicity, and it’s all because of you.’

Abs looked in panic at the police officers. ‘I had nothing to do with—’

‘I wish you had never taken Jez with you to that place. Why can’t you just leave us be, why can’t you just let us get on with our lives?’

‘Wow,’ Abs said quietly. ‘I’d better go.’