Good Girl
Mel Sherratt

Copyright

Published by AVON

A Division of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2020

Copyright © Mel Sherratt 2020

Cover design by Henry Steadman © HarperCollinsPublishers 2020

Cover photography of street background © Daniel Ramsay/EyeEm/Getty Images; Figure © Henry Steadman

Mel Sherratt asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008371876

Ebook Edition © October 2020 ISBN: 9780008371883

Version: 2020-11-19

Praise for Mel Sherratt:

‘A terrific read’

Martina Cole

‘An absolute masterpiece. Twisty, turny and full of surprises!’

Angela Marsons

‘Mel Sherratt’s books are as smart and edgy as her heroines’

Cara Hunter

‘Mel Sherratt is the new queen of gritty police procedurals’

C.L. Taylor

‘Twists and turns and delivers a satisfying shot of tension’

Rachel Abbott

‘Heart-stoppingly tense. I love Mel Sherratt’s writing’

Angela Clarke

‘Gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go until the heart-stopping conclusion!’

Robert Bryndza

‘A writer to watch out for’

Mandasue Heller

‘Mel’s vivid imagination really brings her characters to life’

Kerry Wilkinson

‘Mel Sherratt is a unique voice in detective fiction’

Mail on Sunday

Dedication

To Maddy Milburn, thank you for everything.

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Praise for Mel Sherratt

Dedication

Wednesday

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Thursday

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Thirty-One

Thirty-Two

Thirty-Three

Thirty-Four

Thirty-Five

Thirty-Six

Thirty-Seven

Thirty-Eight

Thirty-Nine

Forty

Forty-One

Friday

Forty-Two

Forty-Three

Forty-Four

Forty-Five

Forty-Six

Forty-Seven

Forty-Eight

Forty-Nine

Fifty

Fifty-One

Fifty-Two

Fifty-Three

Fifty-Four

Fifty-Five

Saturday

Fifty-Six

Fifty-Seven

Fifty-Eight

Fifty-Nine

Sixty

Sixty-One

Sixty-Two

Sixty-Three

Sixty-Four

Sixty-Five

Sixty-Six

Sixty-Seven

Sixty-Eight

Sixty-Nine

Seventy

Seventy-One

Seventy-Two

Seventy-Three

Author Note

Acknowledgements

A Letter from Mel

Keep Reading …

About the Author

Also in the Grace Allendale series

Other books by Mel Sherratt

About the Publisher

WEDNESDAY

ONE

Sara Ellis glanced at the large pile of ironing beside her and sighed. How did so much accumulate in just a few days? She stood in the middle of the room with the TV on, listening to it more than watching it, while she pressed a pair of jeans.

Coronation Street was playing. She could still remember a time when she’d sat down to watch the soap religiously at half past seven every evening, but now, aged thirty-eight, she often found herself catching up with it after she’d finished everything for the day. Or, in this case, half-watching while ironing at gone nine of an evening.

There was so much to fit in around her full-time job at the solicitors she worked at: the cooking, the housework, and tending to the demands of her two children. Her youngest, Nat, was ten, and her eldest, Erin, sixteen – but still very much a child at times.

Since her ex-husband Rob had walked out on them three years ago, doing everything by herself had been hard. Money was tight, child care made it near on impossible for her to go out and socialise, and she was still reeling from the fact that he had left her for someone younger who had three children of her own. Rob hardly ever came to see his two any more – not that she would argue with him too much about it. It was better for the three of them if they didn’t see him at all. It only caused disruption.

Rob sent maintenance money, though it wasn’t enough – not by a long shot – but it meant Sara and the kids had a roof over their heads, and their home was clean and tidy. They managed as a unit of three, and they were much better off than some families. For starters, they owned their own home, even if she did struggle with the mortgage payments every now and then. Rob had left the house to her, stating it was the least he could do. Well, yes, that would have been true if the home had been paid for. Sara struggled to make the repayments on just her one wage, and she hadn’t been able to take the kids on holiday since Rob had left. But that was all changing soon. She’d booked them a fortnight in Tenerife for next summer; she’d been saving up little by little for a good while and was looking forward to it, despite it being several months away.

A loud banging almost had her jumping out of her skin. Quickly, she switched off the iron and rushed to the window. She popped her head around the curtain, giving her a clear view of the door. It was Erin’s best friend, Molly. Sara looked along the drive but couldn’t see her daughter, which was strange as they mostly came as a pair.

Molly spotted Sara and ran towards the window. ‘Let me in!’ she cried. ‘Please, let me in.’

Erin. Sara raced to the door. On opening it, Molly rushed into her arms, sobbing.

‘What’s the matter?’ she asked. ‘Where’s Erin?’

‘She’s … she’s hurt,’ Molly sobbed.

‘What do you mean?’ Gently, she pushed the young girl away from her. ‘Molly, what’s happened?’

Molly held up her hands. It was then Sara noticed they were covered in blood.

‘Where is she?’ Sara demanded.

‘On the walkway. We were coming home and—’

Sara placed her hands on Molly’s shoulders and bent down slightly to look her in the eyes. ‘I need you to stay here while I go to her.’

Sara reached for her phone on the table and made a call to Lucy, Molly’s mum, while she searched out her keys. Sara and Lucy had been friends since school. The Redferns lived eight doors down on the opposite side of the road.

‘Lucy,’ she cried as soon as her friend answered the call. ‘I have Molly with me and she says that Erin is hurt. I need to go to her. No, she hasn’t said. She’s only on the pathway. Will you watch Nat for me? Thanks.’

‘Is she coming right now?’ Molly asked.

‘Yes.’ Sara disconnected the call, noticing the young girl was shivering. ‘She’ll be here in a minute. Stay here and—’

‘I’m coming with you.’

‘No. Please. Stay with Nat and your mum.’

It struck her then that Molly hadn’t told her what had happened. But there was no time for that now. She had to get to her daughter.

She left the door on the latch and ran towards the road. She met Lucy at the pavement.

‘Go,’ Lucy said, rushing past her. ‘And call me as soon as you know.’

Sara ran towards the path that led to the main road. She could hear Molly behind her, found no comfort in it. All she wanted was to see Erin.

The path was well lit as she raced along it. On the ground ahead, near to the grass, she spotted a shadow. As she drew level, she saw it was Erin and dropped to her knees.

‘Erin, love, what’s happened?’

But Erin didn’t respond. Her eyes were glazed over, her skin pale. If it weren’t for the blood, Sara would have said she’d taken some kind of drug. There was so much of it, dark red seeping through her jacket and onto the tarmac. She wiped a hand across Erin’s forehead, crying out when her daughter still didn’t respond. Instinctively, she pulled her into her arms and fumbled to get her phone out of her jacket pocket.

‘Ambulance, please. My daughter – she’s unconscious and covered in blood.’ She gave the details required, all the time cradling her child; trying not to notice how cold she was, not to see the blood on the tarmac in the light of the lamp. By her side, she could hear Molly’s snuffles but she couldn’t take her eyes off Erin.

‘It’s okay,’ she whispered as she stroked Erin’s hair. ‘Help will be here soon. I’ll keep you warm and safe until then. You just stay with me. Do you hear?’

TWO

Detective Sergeant Grace Allendale was sitting on the settee when her mobile rang. At first she thought it might be Teagan, calling for a lift. Simon had collected his daughter from college and the three of them had eaten dinner together before he’d dropped her off at her friend’s house for a couple of hours. As it was half-term, Teagan was staying with them, and going in to work with Simon as she wanted an insight into the running of a newspaper. She was taking a course in media at Stoke-on-Trent College, hoping to be a journalist like her dad, once she’d finished university.

But it wasn’t Teagan on the phone. It was Grace’s DI, Allie Shenton.

‘There’s been a mugging,’ Allie said. ‘A young woman, sixteen, has been stabbed in a walkway off Sampson Street, Baddeley Green. I’m heading up a team. Can you join us to liaise with the family?’

‘Yes, of course. I’m on my way.’ Grace disconnected the call and got straight to her feet, Simon looking over at her sudden movement. She knew his journalistic senses would already be activated. Last month he’d been promoted to crime editor of Stoke News after his boss had retired. Grace had never got on with Phil Thurston – he’d always tried to get one over on her, especially when he’d heard of her relationship to the notorious Steele family.

‘What’s happened?’ Simon asked.

‘A mugging resulting in a stabbing. Female, teenager.’ Grace told him all she could as she pulled on her boots and coat. She grabbed her keys, adrenaline pumping through her. ‘Say goodnight to Teagan for me. I’m sure this is going to be a late one.’

‘Will do, and Grace?’

She was already at the front door but stopped to wait for him to join her. He kissed her. ‘Be careful.’

‘I’m always vigilant, but thanks.’ She gave him a faint smile.

Last month, an officer from their station had been killed in the line of duty. PC David Cunningham had been attending a burglary when he was attacked by one of three men who had gone out with intent. A fatal blow to his head had put him in a coma and all machines were switched off a week later, when there was still no sign of life after tests had been carried out. His killer, a sixteen-year-old, had been remanded into youth custody but that didn’t alter the fact of the matter. An officer hadn’t gone home at the end of his shift.

It had affected them all deeply. When it was one of your own, someone who you saw on a regular basis, it hit you hard. Dave had been a practical joker, always up to something to make the days go by with a smile. He was compassionate and a good officer too, liked by a lot of people out on the streets of Stoke-on-Trent.

Grace gave Simon a hug.

‘I’m going to ring Teagan, tell her to go straight home to her mum,’ he said.

‘So you can come to the scene of the crime?’ Grace knew he would be concerned for his daughter’s safety but equally he’d want to report the case as it happened.

‘Well, I—’

She pressed a finger to his lips. ‘Just keep out of everyone’s way.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He grinned.

‘I’ll ring you when I can,’ she told him as she climbed into her car.

The incident had happened across the main road from the Bennett Estate, in the north of the city. In her own car, Grace had no means of getting there quickly without the sirens and flashing lights, but the roads at that time were fairly quiet anyway. The October night was clear and dry; a light breeze rustling through the trees.

Grace could see lights on in houses as she drove along Dividy Road. People safe in their beds, mostly out of harm’s way, and here she was going to the stabbing of a sixteen-year-old. It wasn’t going to be easy policing.

At the top of Sampson Street, the cul-de-sac where the path was located, she saw blue lights flashing. Parking as close as she could, she headed towards the crime scene tape, which was already in place across the road. The incident had been reported over the radio waves as she drove and she’d learned that the victim had been taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

She drew level with her colleagues, DS Perry Wright and Allie.

‘Hey,’ Grace said. ‘Any update on the victim?’

‘Erin Ellis,’ Allie said gravely. ‘She’s in a critical way. They were struggling to stabilise her enough for the ambulance to move off.’

Grace shook her head. ‘Do we know what happened?’

‘She was with a friend, Molly Redfern. They were walking home and someone came running up at them, grabbing for Erin’s phone. Molly tried to stop him stealing it but he hit out at her, knocking her backward. Then he pulled out a knife and stabbed Erin in the chest. Molly reckoned it could have been either of them who was attacked.’

‘She doesn’t know the suspect?’

‘Apparently not. She’s not saying much more than that at the moment. She’s with her parents. Can you come with me while I speak to her and get a first statement? I think your skills will be an advantage on this one. Molly is sixteen too. Apparently the girls’ mums are good friends – both families live in this street.’

‘Ouch.’

‘Exactly. She could be either witness or suspect, but we’ll be sympathetic until we know more.’

Grace shuddered involuntarily. A female teenager stabbing another wasn’t unheard of, but she hoped it wouldn’t be what had happened here.

DC Frankie Higgins was a few minutes behind Grace in arriving. ‘How’s the victim?’ he asked when he reached them.

‘We’re waiting to hear,’ Grace said. ‘Can you start house-to-house? Take a few uniforms with you until the search team can coordinate things.’

As Frankie moved off, Grace glanced around Sampson Street. She hadn’t yet attended an incident in any of the properties. From first impressions, they all looked to be privately-owned detached houses, about twenty in a row either side of the road. Mostly, cars were parked in double driveways, hedges were neat and tidy, outside lights shining in welcome. Neighbours were beginning to congregate at the end of their gardens in groups of threes or fours.

The cut-through where their victim had been attacked was off the cul-de-sac at the far end, four houses at its head. Grace could see more crime scene tape across the walkway, officers in uniform and CSIs busy going about their work.

She’d bet her life that no one living here would have ever imagined there’d be a stabbing that evening.

But then again, things like this happened all the time, no matter where she policed. Rich or poor, there would always be something that shocked her as she did her job.

Grace moved to join Allie, who was talking to the search team manager. ‘Anything I can do out here?’

Allie shook her head. ‘This is going to be hard to contain so we have to do all we can to get as much information in the dark tonight. I think it’s all under control here with Perry. You and I can head up to the hospital to talk to Erin’s mum after speaking to Molly.’

‘Yes of course.’ Grace moved aside for two uniformed officers as they passed. ‘Nothing come through about our victim?’

Allie shook her head and Grace sighed. Allie was right. In the morning, they’d be able to dig around a lot more.

They also had to think of the residents of Sampson Street. They deserved their sleep and privacy, because nothing was going to be quiet around here for the foreseeable future.

One act of violence had seen to that.

THREE

While Perry stayed outside to coordinate, Grace and Allie made their way in silence towards the Redferns’ home. Grace had thought that Sampson Street was a row of identical properties but looking closer, she could see each house had something slightly different. One had a porch; the next a window above the garage. The property to her right had a double garage; the one next to that a driveway just big enough to park one vehicle as it had an extra room downstairs.

The houses reminded Grace of where she used to live in Manchester – a community of new-builds, only a decade old at a guesstimate. Here in Stoke, her semi-detached house was a modern box and it had taken her a while to give it a character of its own. Everyone liked to feel individual, she mused.

They squeezed past a parked car in the drive in front of the Redfern home to find the front door ajar. As Allie was about to knock, she spotted a young boy sitting inside at the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing pyjamas with a Superman emblem on the top, and thick red socks on his feet.

‘Hello. Who might you be?’

‘Nat.’ The boy looked to the floor for a moment. ‘She’s dead, isn’t she? My sister, she’s dead.’

‘We haven’t heard from the hospital yet.’ Allie exchanged a look with Grace. ‘But we do know she’s in the best hands with the doctors there.’

He nodded. ‘I couldn’t go in the ambulance so Mum let me stay with Lucy and Phil. Our dad doesn’t live with us any more.’

‘And how old are you, Nat?’

‘I’m ten.’

‘So you’re the man about the house then?’ Grace smiled, trying to put him at ease and hoping he understood her statement.

A man and a woman appeared from the living room. They appeared to be in their late thirties. The woman had long dark hair, her eyes red from crying. She wore jeans and a white shirt, slippers on her feet. The man was dark-haired too, but with a receding hairline. He was wearing black jogging bottoms and a red sweatshirt.

Grace’s heart went out to them. They’d had their cosy night in crashed, with a drama unfolding that could end in a fatality. The woman seemed shell-shocked, to say the least, perhaps thinking it could have been her daughter too. The man’s skin was pale, his demeanour one of devastation.

‘Mr and Mrs Redfern?’ Allie held up her warrant card and Grace followed suit.

‘Yes, I’m Lucy. This is Phil.’

‘DI Shenton and DS Allendale. May we come in please?’

‘Of course.’ Phil beckoned the boy to him. ‘Come on, Nat. Let’s get you a drink and watch the TV in the kitchen.’

They were shown into a large room with a seating area at the front and a dining table at the back. Numerous family photos adorned the walls and mantelpiece over the fire. An imitation log burner shed a welcome warmth, the lights in the room on low. Lucy picked up the remote control from a coffee table and switched the TV to mute.

A teenage girl, who Grace assumed to be Molly, was sitting on a cream coloured settee, hugging her knees to her chest. She looked a slight thing, with long brown hair. Her hands were caked in dried blood, her face blotchy and red from crying; eyes raw and swollen. There were signs of purple bruising appearing on one cheek.

Molly burst into tears as soon as she saw them. Lucy went straight to her daughter, sitting down and trying to soothe her.

‘Is it okay if I ask you a couple of questions, Lucy?’ Allie checked. When the woman nodded, Allie pulled up a chair from the table and continued. ‘Are there only the three of you in the family?’

‘Yes.’

‘And have you lived in Sampson Street long?’

‘Nearly twenty years, and there has never been trouble of this magnitude.’

Phil came in with a tray of hot drinks. Grace took one; knew the likelihood was that it would go cold.

‘I’m going to ask you some questions too now, Molly,’ Allie said once it was just the women again. ‘Grace is going to write down what you say. Any detail – no matter how small – you can think of, please tell us. Okay?’

There was a slight nod from Molly.

Grace sat down on a chair next to Allie and pulled out her notebook.

‘What do you remember, Molly?’ Allie encouraged the young girl to speak.

‘We were walking home and this man jumped out in front of us.’

‘What time was this exactly?’

‘About half past nine.’

‘And where had you been?’

‘Hanging around at the shops on Leek Road,’ Molly said, looking down as she picked at the skin around her fingernails. ‘We were just having chips in Potteries Takeaway.’

‘They’re always in that chippie,’ Lucy admonished. ‘I don’t know why as Molly has something to eat before she goes out.’

Allie nodded, but kept her eyes on Molly. ‘Did anyone see you there?’

‘Not really.’

‘Were you with friends?’

‘We went in on our own, but Ethan and Chris came in and sat with us.’

‘Ethan and Chris?’

‘Boys from school. Ethan Farrington and Christian Knight.’

Grace noted down the names, underlining them so she could reference back to them later.

‘And did you leave there to come straight home?’ Allie continued.

Molly nodded. ‘Erin had to be back by half past nine and it was a wet night, so not many people were out.’

‘Was that the time Erin normally had to be in by?’

Molly clammed up so Lucy took over.

‘Erin was grounded for coming in late twice last month,’ she explained.

‘Is that unusual for her?’

Lucy nodded.

‘So you go to Potteries Takeaway to meet friends, Molly?’ Allie turned her attention back to the girl.

‘Mostly when the weather is bad. Jeff lets us hang around if there aren’t too many of us and we don’t make a lot of noise.’

‘Jeff? Does he work at the takeaway?’

‘Yeah. He’s the owner.’

‘Who would you usually meet there?’

‘Kids from around here mostly.’ Molly burst into tears and looked up at her mum. ‘Do I have to do this now?’

Lucy hugged her, rubbing her hand up and down her daughter’s arm. ‘Does she?’ she asked. ‘Can’t this wait until the morning?’

‘Things won’t be any clearer then and it’s imperative we get the first statement down now, while the memory is fresh. The smallest details can help so much in cases like this.’ Allie turned her attention back to Molly. ‘I know this is hard, but we need to find out as much as we can about what happened. Are you sure there is nothing else you can tell me?’

FOUR

‘Molly?’ Grace urged as the girl sat still.

‘We didn’t have time to run or scream, or anything. I didn’t even know she’d been stabbed at first. I just thought he’d hit her.’ Molly took in a deep breath.

‘Are you sure it was a he?’

Molly nodded.

‘Okay, thanks. That’s really good information for us to know. And can you tell us what he did then?’

‘I told him to stop and he punched me in the face.’ She pointed to her cheek. ‘Then he ran away, into our street. I wasn’t really watching because Erin went all floppy. I was crying, trying to hold her up but she was too heavy. She dropped to the path and then I saw my hands were covered in blood. Erin’s were too. She was clutching her chest. I panicked then. I didn’t know what to do.’

‘Did you see where he came from?’ Grace asked.

Molly shook her head.

‘Do you have a phone?’

‘Yes, but it was at home on charge. I ran to get Sara, Erin’s mum.’ Molly looked up for a moment. ‘If I’d had my phone I could have called an ambulance. And then maybe—’ She burst into tears again. ‘Is she going to be okay?’

‘She lost a lot of blood at the scene. I’m sure we’ll have news soon,’ Allie said.

Grace realised Allie was choosing her words carefully, just in case Erin’s injuries were fatal. Allie’s radio crackled as news came over the waves, but there were no messages for either of them yet.

‘Can you describe this man to me?’ Allie picked up where Grace had left off.

‘He was white, quite small – maybe a bit taller than me.’

‘She’s five foot four,’ Lucy volunteered.

‘He was wearing gloves and all of his clothes were dark. He had a tattoo on his neck and the side of his face. Like a flame coming over the collar of his coat. And he had a large earring in. You know, one of those that leave a big hole if you take it out.’

‘That’s good, Molly. Could you say how old he was?’

‘About twenty.’ Her face creased in pain again. ‘I didn’t get a good look. It all happened so quickly.’

‘And he ran away in the direction of Sampson Street, you say?’

‘I think so. I was too busy trying to help Erin.’ Molly burst into tears again, her sobs raw.

A glance from her boss and Grace closed her notebook.

‘Okay, that’s all we need for now.’ Allie looked at mother and daughter on the settee. ‘Thank you, Molly. We know Erin is a good friend of yours and we will do our best to find the man who did this to her.’ She took out a contact card. ‘We’ll need to speak to you again but if there is anything else you can remember, please call me and one of us will come straight to see you.’

Lucy took the card from her as Grace stood up.

‘I have one more thing I need you to do before we leave, Molly.’ Allie pointed to the girl’s clothes, blood speckles all over them. ‘I need to take what you’re wearing, your clothes and shoes and—’

‘What on earth for?’ Lucy sat up a little straighter.

‘There may be evidence on them. There will also more than likely be footprints on the path that will have been made by Molly, so we’ll need her shoes for comparison.’ Allie looked at Molly. ‘Can you change for us? I promise we’ll look after everything and have it all back to you as soon as possible.’

Molly nodded.

Grace went to fetch some evidence bags and by the time she’d arrived back, Allie had collected what she needed. They took a few bags each and left the house in silence, promising to keep the family updated.

Outside, more police vehicles had responded; cars and vans with their lights flashing as they cordoned off the main entrance to the cul-de-sac. More of the support teams had arrived to coordinate things. Neighbours were still standing on their drives in groups of two, three and four. A couple in their fifties were sitting on their garden wall talking to an officer. Houses that might usually be in darkness by now were lit up at every window. A man with a dog patiently sitting at his feet leaned on a gate talking to an elderly woman. Children who were supposed to be in bed were hanging out of first-floor windows.

In the distance, Grace noticed Dave Barnett’s vehicle. The senior CSI had parked in front of Simon’s car. She rolled her eyes discreetly. She’d been right; Simon hadn’t stayed away. She couldn’t blame him though. This would be front page news, and would go national almost overnight, and he was the best person to help report it.

‘They’ll be able to see the place where it happened every single day,’ Grace said to Allie once they were on the pavement. To their left was the pathway, officers in forensic gear going about their jobs of searching for evidence. ‘She was metres from her home.’

‘So we have to nail the bastard who did this and make sure it won’t happen again,’ Allie told her. ‘Can you act in family liaison capacity, let the Ellis family know what’s going on, please? Actually, can you try and get close to both families as they live so near and seem to know each other well?’

Grace nodded. That sounded like a plan.

Allie’s phone rang. The change in her features once she’d answered it made Grace assume the worst.

‘Erin Ellis has died,’ Allie said, with a heartfelt sigh. ‘Let’s seal everything off further down the road. This is a murder enquiry now.’

FIVE

One year ago

Erin glanced in the wardrobe mirror one more time before pouting and blowing herself a kiss. She picked up her phone, sent a message to Molly, and then slid it into the back pocket of her jeans.

Once she was downstairs, she pulled on her denim jacket and shouted through to the living room.

‘I’m off out, Mum. See you later.’

‘Is Molly with you?’

‘I’m going across for her now.’

‘Okay, don’t be in too late. And I want some change from that note.’

Erin wrapped her scarf tightly around her neck and went out into the autumn evening. There had been plenty of rain but, even though the night was dark and cold, it was dry now.

She crossed the road to meet Molly. They had known each other since birth. Wherever Erin went, it was hardly ever without Molly, except when boyfriends had come on the scene and they’d spent the odd evening apart. It was only natural, a part of growing up, and they had each other for when anything went wrong, and to discuss all the milestones of their first forays into relationships. Neither of them were virgins, having both tried sex out.

Molly was already halfway down the drive when Erin hit the pavement on the other side of the road. They linked arms as usual and headed along the path at the top of their cul-de-sac that would take them to the main road.

‘Do you think Max will be out this evening?’ Erin asked as they walked. ‘I haven’t seen him for a couple of nights. Wonder what he’s up to?’

‘Not sure. Has he WhatsApped you?’

‘Not since the weekend.’

‘Maybe he’ll be there tonight then.’

Erin wondered if Molly knew how much she wanted to see Max. She’d spoken about him enough, although tried to keep it casual as he was so much older than them. He often came to the takeaway in the row of shops where they hung around. They’d both been impressed by his car, some kind of 4x4. He’d taken them out for a spin in it last week, tearing up the A500 with them laughing in the back.

Erin knew she didn’t stand a chance with him, though. Max was too sophisticated for the likes of a schoolgirl. And she did look more girl than woman so far as her breasts were being slow to grow and her skin wasn’t as clear as she’d like. However, she’d made the most of herself for Max: her eyes, easily her best feature, were coated heavily with mascara and her hair was clean and straightened. She’d pop more lipstick on before going inside, red lips inviting him to kiss her.

‘I wonder if he has any mates,’ Molly said. ‘We haven’t been on a double date in ages.’

Erin flicked her hair back as the wind swept it across her face.

They were still chatting as they turned onto Leek Road. Both girls had lived in Baddeley Green all of their lives, so knew the area and most of the teens extremely well.

Potteries Takeaway stood back off the main road, Steele’s Gym only a ten-minute walk away. Lots of the boys who took boxing classes at the gym often called in for something to eat after, despite being teased that their bodies were temples. Max usually came in around seven if he was popping in at all. Erin had been keeping tabs on his comings and goings.

She pointed with glee when she spotted his car parked near the back of the takeaway.

‘He’s here!’ She turned to Molly. ‘Do I look okay?’

‘Of course you do. You’re a babe.’

Potteries Takeaway had been there nearly as long as the two of them had been alive. The owner, Jeff, always let them shelter when the weather was bad as long as they ordered food or drink.

There was a counter across the far wall with fryers behind it, windowed compartments showing the fish, sausages and pies that were ready to be bought. Behind, a large menu took up most of the wall, and there was a door that led through to the back.

Several tables were already full: two groups of teens, a couple in their late fifties, and an older man eating a fish supper alone. Erin sniffed. The smell was divine.

Max was standing at the counter with his back towards them but turned as they entered.

‘My favourite ladies!’ He grinned at them. ‘Perfect timing. I’m putting my order in. Do you fancy anything?’

Erin turned crimson when he mentioned fancy.

‘I’ll have a portion of chips, please,’ Molly said, taking the lead. ‘I’m starving.’

‘Me too, thanks,’ Erin spoke eventually. Max always made her tongue-tied.

Max was twenty-four. He had black hair, left longer above his ears, strong features and a sleeve tattoo that wasn’t visible right now. He wore grey jogging bottoms and white trainers below a navy blue hoodie with the number 17 on its back.

Brown eyes stared into her blue ones as he winked at her. He was taller than Erin. She’d always cursed being little more than five foot three, especially with the current fashion for flat shoes.

‘Two more portions of chips, Jeff, when you’re ready.’ Max turned back to them again. ‘Anything to drink?’

‘Coke please,’ they spoke in unison.

‘Grab a table and I’ll bring them to you.’

He was over a minute later with two trays of steaming chips, plastic forks sticking out of each one.

‘There you go, tuck in.’

He sat down across from them. Erin did her best not to blush again but his presence was so intoxicating. She glanced at him as he tucked into his food. He had such long eyelashes. When he looked up, he caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back.

He seemed to like her.

They ate their food and chatted for a few minutes.

‘What are you two doing on Friday night?’ he asked. ‘It’s my friend Trevor’s birthday, and he’s having a party at his house. You should see it, it’s huge. So posh.’

‘We’re not doing anything, are we?’ Molly nudged Erin.

‘No, we’re free.’

‘Wanna come?’

‘Sure, where is it?’

‘Over in Trentham. Are you able to get there or do you want a lift?’

‘What time will it finish?’ Erin didn’t want to get grounded again. Her mum hadn’t stopped moaning about last week when she hadn’t got home until eleven after he’d taken them out in his car.

‘I can drop you off whatever time you like. Don’t worry if it’s earlier than planned. I can always go back again afterwards.’

Erin looked at Molly, willing her to say yes.

Molly nodded. ‘Okay, cool.’

‘Great, I’ll pick you up … outside here at seven?’

Both girls nodded and they continued to eat their food and talk among themselves.

‘What are you lot chatting about?’ Jeff, the owner of the takeaway, came across to them. ‘Don’t you have homes to go to?’

‘You know we prefer it in here,’ Molly grinned.

‘You’re only sheltering in case it rains again.’ Jeff tutted. ‘I know you don’t come in here to see me.’

‘Of course we do,’ Erin replied. ‘You’re our favourite takeaway owner.’

‘I’m the only one around here, you mean.’

‘Well …’

They all laughed. The teasing was good banter. Erin liked how Jeff looked out for her and her friends. He was always there to talk to; could always sense if something was wrong. Not that she ever told him much. But it was nice that he cared. She missed having her dad to talk to, in that respect.

Twenty minutes later, Max drained the last of his drink. ‘I’ll be off then.’ He stood up. ‘See you on Friday, ladies. You’ll have a blast, I promise.’

The girls waited for him to leave before looking at each other and bursting into excited laughter.

‘We’re going to a party with Max,’ Erin exclaimed. ‘I hope I get to spend some time with him alone.’

‘You’d better pack the Durex if you do,’ Molly said, raising her eyebrows. ‘At his age, he’ll expect a lot more than a long snog.’

‘I would if he asked me.’

‘He’s twenty-four.’

‘I’d like to try out an older man.’

‘You sound like you’ve been shagging around. And you haven’t!’

‘You know what I mean. It might be fun. He’s had far more experience.’

Molly nodded. ‘At least I get to see if he has any hot friends now. Win-win.’

They high-fived each other and giggled at Jeff, who was now behind the counter and rolling his eyes at them. If he’d heard where they were going, he’d probably be annoyed they wouldn’t be there with the usual crowd on Friday. Still, a party with Max beat hanging around with a bunch of teenagers.

And hopefully by the end of the night, Erin would find out if Max was into her or not.

SIX

Molly had changed into her pyjamas after the police had taken her clothes. She threw herself down on her bed and sobbed. She wished someone would tell her what was happening with Erin.

What was she going to do now? She couldn’t say anything to anyone or she’d be in big trouble. She was on her own now. How had it all gone so horribly wrong?

She wanted to speak to someone, explain to them what had happened, even though the police had told her not to. But there was no one she was close enough to, except him.

She checked on social media. It was all over her Twitter feed and her Facebook page already. She had seven messages from friends trying to find out what had happened.

I’ve heard someone was stabbed in your walkway. I can’t get in touch with Erin. Are you both okay?

Do you know what’s going on in your street? Jaden says he spoke to a cop who’s blocking the pathway to Sampson Street. He says someone got attacked. Is this true?

Are you okay? I can’t get in touch with either of you?

What the hell is going on? Call me.

She quickly replied to the last message but the others, she ignored. Everyone just wanted to know who it was, rather than show any concern for her or Erin. She supposed she would have been the same, trying to figure out what was going on, perhaps sensationalising it as she sent messages to other people. But they would get nothing from her.

She wiped her eyes, spying the photos of her and Erin attached to the mirror on her wardrobe door. There was one where Erin had come to Ibiza with her. They were lying on sun loungers, a glass of lemonade apiece but the barman had made them look like cocktails with umbrellas and fruit around the rim. Molly recalled how grown-up the two of them had felt when really, they were nothing of the sort.

The next photo along showed them wearing large hats and silly sunglasses. It was taken in Erin’s back garden, when they’d been thirteen. That summer had been glorious and they’d spent the whole school holiday in shorts and vests.

The one below that was of the two of them in school uniform. Another one had been taken at their joint sixteenth birthday party. Molly blinked back tears as she thought that all Erin’s dreams might now be dashed.

There was a knock on the door. She turned to see her mum standing in the doorway.

‘Can I come in?’

Molly nodded. She sniffed as Lucy hugged her again. It was good to feel her mum’s arms around her and she savoured the moment because she knew her mum wasn’t going to be happy when she found out what had been going on.

‘I want you to know that I’m always here if you need to talk,’ Lucy said. ‘If there’s anything worrying you, or if you remember something you’re not comfortable telling the police, you’re not on your own.’

‘I know.’

They sat together for a minute and then her mum stood up.

‘Try and get some sleep,’ Lucy added. ‘It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.’

Molly nodded, wiping at her cheeks. She got into bed and pulled the duvet around herself, comforted by its closeness. Her eyes were so sore she could hardly keep them open.

Minutes later, Molly heard her mum’s mobile phone ring. Lucy had been carrying it around, waiting for news of Erin. Molly rushed out of bed and onto the landing.

Lucy had sat down on the middle step, as if her legs wouldn’t carry her any further, and she was crying.

‘Mum?’ Molly enquired. Her dad had come in to listen to the news too.

Lucy looked up at her, shaking her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Even though she knew it would be bad news, Molly couldn’t move. But she had to know.

‘What’s happened? Is Erin okay?’ she asked once Lucy had disconnected the call.

She watched as tears poured down her mum’s face.

‘I’m so sorry, Mol. They tried to resuscitate her – they spent forty minutes trying to get her heart beating again – but she was bleeding internally. There was nothing they could do to save her.’

‘No!’ Molly’s screams pierced the air. Erin couldn’t be dead.

This wasn’t happening. Erin was her best friend. Molly wouldn’t be able to live without her.

SEVEN

Grace and Allie headed to the Royal Stoke, chatting about the case as Allie went through a checklist of things she needed to do.

‘Have you any ideas who the suspect might be yet?’ Grace asked. ‘You’ve been on the job, so to speak, a lot longer than me. Anyone spring to mind?’

‘It’s that tattoo that will be the giveaway, I think. I’ll get Sam to check our system to see what we have. I’m sure I’ve seen something like that on someone but I can’t recall it at the moment.’

‘Sleep on it. It might come back to you.’

‘That depends on whether or not we get any opportunity to sleep tonight.’

‘I hate doing this bit.’ Grace sighed as they turned into the main car park of the hospital. ‘Technically, this isn’t the death knock but it still never gets easier.’

‘Unfortunately death is part of our lives. Justice is too, though.’

‘Absolutely.’

The two officers might have been mistaken for sisters as they walked into the hospital. Both had long dark hair, were of medium build and wearing thick black coats.

They were shown into a side room where Sara Ellis sat quietly.

‘Mrs Ellis?’ Allie asked.

The woman sitting in front of them sported a short bob, brunette with caramel highlights. A heavy fringe hung over puffed-up eyes, the woman’s face red from her constant flow of tears. There was blood on her jumper, and under her nails.

Grace’s heart went out to her. This was one of the differences between her and Allie. Allie kept her emotions to herself, making her seem much tougher than Grace could ever be. Grace often took victims’ pain home at the end of her shift, the ghosts of the crime scenes following her.

She took a deep breath before moving further into the room.

‘I’m DI Allie Shenton and this is DS Grace Allendale.’ Allie showed her warrant card as she introduced them both. ‘I’m so sorry for your loss. May we sit down with you?’

Sara nodded. ‘My sister is with me. She’s gone to fetch drinks.’ She gave a half-snigger, half-snort. ‘She thinks tea is the answer to everything.’

Grace sat down next to Allie, across from Sara, on a chair that reminded her of the days, weeks, months she had sat in something similar when she’d visited her late husband. Watching him wither away, waiting for him to die. Some memories never faded. She shook away the melancholy and got on with her job.

‘I wanted to have a chat to you about Erin,’ Allie began. ‘More details will emerge over the next few days, I’m sure, but I’d like to hear from you, too.’

Grace saw the woman flinch at the mention of her daughter’s name, as if she didn’t want to hear it.

‘What was she like?’ Allie continued.

‘She was a lovely girl. She was sweet, bright, happy-go-lucky for the most part.’

‘Do you have a photograph of her with you?’ Grace asked.

Sara reached into the handbag on the floor next to her feet. She found her purse, flicked it open and handed it to Grace.

Grace could see a pretty teenager, long brown hair with piercing blue eyes and a smile to light up a room. The young boy Grace had seen earlier at the Redferns’ was sitting next to Erin.

‘It would be great to get an image of Erin by herself that we can share with the press,’ Allie said. ‘I’m sure you have lots of those at home.’

Sara nodded in understanding and Allie passed the purse back to her after taking it from Grace. ‘Erin was really good friends with Molly Redfern, I believe?’

‘Yes, she’s going to be so upset when she finds out.’ Tears dripped from Sara’s eyes again.

‘And how was their friendship lately? The same as always?’

There was a slight pause before Sara replied with a nod.

‘So there’s nothing you’ve been worrying about?’

Sara looked at Grace. ‘Erin was like any other sixteen-year-old. Great at times; stroppy at others. Helpful one minute; pushing her luck the next.’

‘Have the girls always been best friends?’ Allie questioned.

‘Yes. They went everywhere together, did everything together.’ Sara smiled, her eyes brimming with tears. ‘They wore similar clothes, had the same hair styles, liked the same music and food. They were more like twins than friends.’ She sniffed and wiped at her nose.

‘And you and Lucy Redfern? I believe you’re good friends too?’

‘Yes, since we were at junior school. We got pregnant almost at the same time, and the girls were born two weeks apart. It’s nice to see them growing up as friends, like us.’ This time she wiped at her eyes. ‘It was nice.’

‘Did Molly and Erin always hang out near to home?’

‘They went over to the Bennett Estate a lot. They have school friends who live there. Although they were a pair, they had lots of other friends as well. Erin was very well liked.’

‘Did she always come home on time?’ Grace remembered what Lucy Redfern had mentioned about Erin being late in.

‘Mostly, yes.’

‘And apart from the Bennett Estate, is there anywhere else she used to go frequently?’

‘It would either be across the road to Molly’s house, or they’d hang around at the shops on the estate. She was like me when I was her age. There’s nothing much to do around here. But she wasn’t a troublemaker. She never vandalised anything, nor got into trouble. Occasionally she’d come home a bit worse for wear having had a sneaky drink, but nothing I was worried about.’

The door opened and a woman with almost identical features to Sara’s came in. She wore jeans and a jumper, no make-up, her hair tied back with a band. Her eyes seemed puffy from crying. She was carrying two plastic cups, steam coming out of them.

‘Oh, sorry. I went to fetch drinks. Do you need me to leave?’

‘No, of course not.’ Allie introduced herself and Grace again.

‘I’m Anna Grocott, Sara’s sister.’ Anna passed a drink to Sara and then sat down next to her.

‘The police were asking about Erin,’ Sara told her.

‘She was a beautiful young woman and we’re going to miss her so much.’ Anna sniffed.

As Anna bravely tried to hold in her tears, Sara started crying. Anna held her until she was settled again.

Grace knew they were done before Allie even looked at her to nod. There was nothing to be gained by talking to Sara tonight.

‘Can I give you a lift home?’ Allie offered. ‘Grace will be acting as your family liaison officer. But for now, you need to get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day for you, no matter what.’

‘When can I see Erin?’

‘As soon as the necessary tests have been carried out.’

Grace saw Sara flinch again.

‘You need to find this bastard, before he mugs someone else and causes more pain.’ Anna’s facade broke and tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘It beggars belief how many random knife attacks there are nowadays. All over a stupid phone.’

‘We’ll do everything we can to bring this to a close for you,’ Allie said. ‘Now, I just need to make a call. I’ll leave you with Grace for a moment.’

Grace gave a half-smile. Anna was entitled to her opinion, to let off steam after the death of her niece, but it was hard enough to police the people they knew who could prove to be a danger to society, never mind those who woke up one morning and went on a killing spree.

‘I wanted to mention something to you while it’s quiet,’ she said to Sara. ‘I’m afraid this is going to make the national news soon. You’re going to get a lot of local and wider news reporters and journalists wanting to hear your side of the story.’

‘Like bloody vultures, if you ask me,’ Anna pouted.

‘I’m just warning you. Things might become a little invasive. If anyone asks to speak to you, or indeed you want to give a statement, would you let us know? We can do our best to make things more comfortable. The last thing you need now, Mrs Ellis, is someone hassling you and your family.’

‘Would they do that?’

‘Most press representatives are good at what they do. But there are some less scrupulous ones too. We don’t want you speaking to the wrong people and getting hurt. So if you could field all enquiries through me, that would be great.’

‘I don’t want to talk to anyone,’ Sara said, her head bowed again. ‘It won’t bring my little girl back.’

Grace gnawed at her lip, unsure what to say. Nothing would help with the situation anyway. The family and the community had suffered a terrible loss.

EIGHT

Grace opened her front door with a heavy load on her shoulders, but the feeling of safety enveloped her as soon as she stepped inside the house. She couldn’t begin to imagine how Sara Ellis, or Molly Redfern and her parents, were feeling right now. Their grief was rubbing off on her and she needed to compartmentalise it before going back into work. She couldn’t help being emotional; would never apologise for it, but she didn’t like showing it.

She made a cup of strong coffee and sat in the conservatory while she tried to let the events of the past few hours go. Grace had accompanied Sara Ellis to collect Nat from the Redferns’, and the pain etched on Sara’s face was almost unbearable to see. Nat had clung on to her as they’d walked across the road to their own home, and Grace was glad it was too dark for any late-night snappers to catch a shot. It would be what everyone wanted to see, the grieving family. Although personal images often did the trick to sell more papers, they always felt intrusive to her.

Once she’d left the Ellises in their home, she had dressed in forensic gear and walked along the pathway to look at the crime scene. She’d chatted to Dave Barnett, who was packing up to leave. His team would resume their work at first light.

Standing in the dark while it was mostly quiet around her had felt eerie but she’d wanted to walk the path that had led Erin to her death. It helped her connect with the girl, imagine what she had been going through; make her think of things that she could ask Molly about.

As she’d tried to put herself in the victim’s head, she’d looked around. There was a house to her right, but to her left an open field. The hedges each side were thick and at least two metres tall. As she stepped along the path in shoe covers, she frowned at the tarmac. It was unlikely they’d get any footprints.

She took a final sip of her coffee while she made a mental list of what she wanted to discuss or follow up on the following morning – or rather, today – before going upstairs.

Ten minutes later, after a quick shower, she climbed into bed next to Simon. Even though it was three a.m., she knew he wouldn’t have been asleep long.

‘Hey,’ he said, a yawn following.

‘Hey. What time did you get in?’

‘About one, but I couldn’t settle.’ He put an arm around her. ‘How are things?’

‘Nothing new yet.’ She snuggled in close to him. ‘Obviously it’s dark, so we’ll know more in the morning. I hope we find out what happened soon, for the family’s sake.’

‘Me too. Teagan sends her love. Says she’ll never get used to the things you work on.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Grace humoured.

He drew her nearer. ‘I’d like to take advantage of you right now but I’m too tired.’

She pinched him playfully. ‘I’m drained of all emotion anyway.’

‘Yeah, kids get to you more, don’t they? There were a lot of teens hanging around. I spoke to a few of them.’

‘Did any of them say they’d seen either girl that evening?’

‘No. Some would have been waiting to hear so they can spread the gory news first, but I reckon a lot of them would have been friends with the victim.’ He paused. ‘Am I allowed to know which girl it is?’

‘Yes, tomorrow morning. There’ll be a press release about it first thing.’

She heard him chuckle, and was glad he didn’t push her to say more. She could tip him off, and had he not been her partner she may very well have done because as a journalist she trusted him implicitly. But there was no way she was chancing anything getting in the way of their personal lives. She had settled in Stoke-on-Trent now and didn’t want to move on again.

They said goodnight to each other; Grace yawned and closed her eyes. She had about three hours before she would have to be up. Time to switch off and get some rest.

Because she knew she was in for a few late nights.

THURSDAY

NINE

Sara was sitting on the settee, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The curtains were closed and Nat was asleep upstairs. Lucy had offered to keep him overnight but Sara had wanted him near. Besides, she knew he’d never get to sleep unless he was at home. Not after she’d broken the news to him.

During the journey to the Royal Stoke, the ambulance had pulled over at the side of a road to start resuscitation. When it was becoming apparent there was no pulse, and Erin continued to lose blood, they started on their way again. Sara had sat at the side, holding her child’s hand, feeling how cold she was as her life seemed to be slipping away. She prayed to any God that would listen, but knew in the back of her mind that Erin was losing the fight for her life. Her daughter hadn’t spoken; hadn’t shown any signs of reaction – not even when the paramedic shone light into her eyes.

At the hospital, she’d been shown to a side room while they continued to work on Erin. A doctor had then told her that despite their best efforts, Erin had been pronounced dead.

She’d stayed in the same room until the detectives came to her. They had been nice, especially Grace. She seemed a woman who understood how important it was for her to slot together all the missing pieces to the puzzle.

When Sara had been dropped off by the police in Sampson Street, she’d gone to collect Nat. Almost as soon as Lucy had opened her front door, she’d run into Sara’s arms, bringing more tears. Lucy had insisted on coming across to her house as she’d half-walked, half-carried Nat up to his bed. He was inconsolable but worn out, crying himself to sleep eventually.

Once everyone had left, it had been nearly three a.m. Sara hadn’t gone to bed herself. She knew she wouldn’t sleep, and once she was all alone she had cried, letting it all out.

Now here she was, three hours later. It was early morning and the birds were singing, but Sara still hadn’t slept. She was as wired as if she’d taken drugs. Her mind refused to switch off. Besides, waking up and realising that Erin was dead would be torture. She still couldn’t believe her beautiful girl had gone. How had she walked out of the door at seven o’clock and not returned?

She wished the day would never start. It would be full of telling people, news spreading, Erin’s name everywhere as it hit the headlines. Teenager stabbed to death in walkway. She hoped the press wouldn’t be too intrusive. Of course they would need their help but her family needed to grieve.

She recalled the times she had watched press conferences when someone had been murdered; police trying to put together victims’ last known movements, hoping to jog the memory of someone who might have seen something. She hadn’t given the families a thought once the clip had moved on to other news. Now she was standing in the shoes of every one of those families. She, too, was the parent of a murdered child. A child killed in Sampson Street, where neighbours were friendly and wouldn’t dream this sort of thing could happen on their doorstep.

Sara remembered what her last words to Erin had been as she was leaving the house; the final words she would ever say to her. She’d given her five pounds and told her not to ask for any more money that week. Erin would often run errands for her but she hardly ever saw the change if she gave her a note. She knew she spent a lot of money in the chippie on the main road. She could never understand where it all went on her tiny frame. She was such a thin girl.

Now she was a dead girl.

Sara was glad her sister had come to the hospital after she’d rung her, sobbing down the phone as she relayed what had happened. Anna and Sara had always been close. She and Sara’s brother-in-law, Mike, lived a few minutes’ drive from them and had looked after them when she and Rob had divorced. It had been hard not to have a man around the home, especially to discipline Nat, but Mike had been there for her. She wasn’t sure what she’d do without the two of them.

Usually she would look to Lucy for support but she didn’t know what to say to her. She couldn’t blame her. Tomorrow she would tell her that it was okay; that she shouldn’t feel guilty. Sara felt remorseful herself at wishing it had been Molly who had been attacked instead of Erin.

This shouldn’t affect their friendship, but Sara knew instinctively that it would drastically change everything. There would be no more Molly popping round, no more noise from Erin’s bedroom as she told them to be quiet. There would be no more trips to the cinema, afternoon tea with her and Lucy. No more foursome, mothers and daughters. No more moaning about their daughters; no more asking what they were up to, dreaming about what they would become. Molly would go on to fulfil all Lucy’s hopes and dreams. Sara only had Nat to wish and hope for now. There would always be an Erin-shaped hole that could never be filled.

Now the morning had arrived, it was going to be hard telling people what had happened. First she would have to phone work and let them know. Anna had rung Rob and he’d said he’d be there as soon as he could. She was dreading seeing him, hoping they could be civil to each other.

She went upstairs to check on Nat. He was sitting up in bed, tears pouring down his face as he looked at his iPad. Sara went to him and pulled him into her arms, letting him sob.

The screen was showing a photo of Erin messing around with Nat. It was a selfie and they were both doing exaggerated trout pouts. Despite the age difference, they had become close since the divorce. Nat was going to be lost without her.

They were all going to be lost without her.

She hoped they got Erin’s attacker soon, so they could bury her. Take care of her little girl the only way she could now: put her safely in a box, six feet under.

A loud sob escaped and Nat clung to her even harder.

She had to be brave, get through this for his sake. She could save the tears for when she was alone, hide her grief from Nat. He needed her support.

‘Why did someone do that to her, Mum?’ He spoke so softly she almost missed it.

‘I don’t know, Nat. But I’m sure the police will catch whoever it was soon.’

‘I hope he doesn’t do it to anyone else.’

The thought hadn’t struck her until then, that it might not be a one-off attack. Whoever was out there could kill another person, another young woman. She closed her eyes to rid herself of the images that thought created. She wouldn’t wish this on any parent.

There was a knock at the front door.

‘That’ll probably be Auntie Anna.’ Sara wiped at her eyes. ‘Why don’t you go and take a shower if you’re not able to sleep? I think it’s going to be a long day today. You could have a nap this afternoon.’

Nat nodded and she went downstairs to face the day with dread.

TEN

One year ago

Molly stood by the side of the road. She checked her watch – it was ten past seven. Max had said he’d pick them up at seven.

‘I hope he isn’t going to stand us up and make us look stupid,’ she said, as she looked at the oncoming traffic, trying to spot his car.

‘Max isn’t like that,’ Erin replied. ‘He won’t let us down.’

‘He won’t let you down. I can tell he fancies you.’

‘Can you?’

‘He can’t take his eyes off you.’

‘He is rather dreamy.’ Erin turned to her with a smile. ‘I can’t stop thinking about him.’

‘I hope I’m not going to be a gooseberry tonight.’ Molly nudged Erin playfully.

‘You won’t be. He’s invited us both to the party.’

‘Yeah, so he can get you all to himself.’ Molly rolled her eyes. ‘He’s into you, not me.’

‘He is, isn’t he?’ Erin giggled.

A few minutes later there was a beep of a horn and Max pulled up by the kerb. The window went down.

‘Hop in, girls. Sorry I’m late.’

They climbed into the back of the vehicle and he sped off. Aftershave and the smell of new leather filled the air. It was a comforting combination. Rap music was playing quietly.

‘What do you know, girls?’ Max looked at them through the rear-view mirror. ‘You ready to party?’

‘We sure are,’ Molly replied confidently, while Erin giggled.

Of the two of them, Molly had always been the more self-assured. From their early days she had been the leader and Erin had followed. Molly liked it that way; that she had someone to look after, and someone to look up to her. Erin would do anything for her. She was a true friend.

They drove through Hanley and Stoke, and were on the outskirts of Trentham within fifteen minutes. Just before they reached the Trentham Estates, Max turned off and drove along a road where the houses were twice the size of the girls’ homes in Sampson Street. Each one had a sweeping driveway, with the buildings set back quite a way from the road. Molly gazed at what she could see of them as they passed, longing to live in one of them and to be rich enough to afford that lifestyle. She was determined to make something of herself when she left school – she wasn’t going to be the one in her class who did nothing and expected everything for free. She wasn’t into handouts. She wanted to pay her own way.

It seemed so inviting. And quiet, not like their street. Something noisy was always going on there, often including her and Erin.

Max pulled into a driveway and Molly looked up at the house as it came into view. It was an older property which had been extended to twice its original size. A large double-doored entrance stood to the right, a triple garage to one side and at least eight windows to the other. There were several expensive-looking cars parked in front of it already. Max squeezed his in where he could.

‘Come on, girls.’ Max beckoned as he got out of the car. ‘What are you waiting for?’

They quickly followed him.

He opened the front door, the music getting louder as they all went inside. Molly tried not to stand there with her mouth open. The house was beautiful, and so grand. They’d stepped into a large hallway with several sets of doors leading off it and a staircase up to a galleried landing. Erin’s heeled shoes tapped across the marble tiles. Molly nudged her.

‘This room is bigger than our bedrooms combined,’ she whispered.

One of the doors opened and the music became louder again. The man who came out of the room was fifty at a push, with a round stomach bursting out from a white shirt, wearing a red tie and black trousers. His hair was fair and there wasn’t much of it. He was laughing at something someone else had said and then he saw them. His eyes lit up and he gave the girls a wide smile, showing a perfect set of white teeth.

‘Max,’ he cried. ‘So good to see you. And,’ he looked at them both in turn, ‘you must be Erin and Molly. Which one is which?’

‘I’m Molly.’ She pointed to herself. ‘And she’s Erin.’ Molly nodded towards her friend. ‘Is it your birthday then?’

A glance crossed between the two men. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’m Trevor. Come, let’s get you a drink and there’s plenty of food.’

They were shown into a sumptuous room three times as big as the hallway. White walls, black leather settees, grey rugs. A glass window from floor to ceiling took over the back of the room, lights illuminating an impressive landscaped garden outside. About twenty people were dotted around, some sitting, some standing up. Men in suits, ties hanging loose. Women in short dresses and high heels. The room temperature was set to high, the laughter tinkling as much as the glasses that were being filled.

‘I’m glad we dressed up now,’ Erin whispered.

‘Me too,’ Molly whispered back. They’d discussed what to wear in great detail since the moment Max had invited them. She had told her parents there was a school disco, and Erin had followed suit. Usually they wore casual clothes and Converse trainers but Erin had insisted it had to be more than just wearing jeans if it was a birthday party.

Molly was wearing a red woollen dress that came just above the knee with three-quarter-length sleeves, and ankle boots with a block heel. Erin wore a black shift dress and a purple woollen bolero-style jacket. Her shoes had quite a high heel; Molly thought she’d never be able to walk in them, but knew Erin was after dazzling Max with her youth and beauty. Molly hadn’t seen anyone who she wanted to impress yet.

A few minutes later, they moved into another room, the colour scheme following through. Trevor had been true to his word and they were each holding a glass of wine. A woman was circling the room topping up drinks whenever someone emptied theirs.

‘What shall we do?’ Erin asked Molly as they hung around the edge of the room.

‘I don’t know.’

‘There are lots of people here.’

‘Everyone seems so much older than us.’

‘So you might get an older man too,’ Erin giggled. ‘Any of them take your fancy?’

Molly glanced around the room. ‘Not really. Where did Max go?’

‘He said he had to speak to someone and then he’d be right back.’

‘Do come and mingle a little, ladies,’ Trevor said, beckoning them over. ‘I know you’re shy but we don’t bite.’

They sat down either side of him and he put an arm around each of them. Molly wasn’t particularly comfortable with it; she could sense that Erin had her doubts too. But Trevor removed his arms after a few seconds as someone brought him over a drink.

Molly glanced around the room. Erin was right about the men being older but most of the women were a lot younger, like them.

Max came over with a plate of food. ‘Anything?’ he asked, handing it to them.

Molly took a piece of ciabatta bread and scooped up some of the tomato dip. Erin did the same.

When someone shouted Trevor over, they sank down in the gap he left. They giggled.

‘Lovely house, isn’t it?’ Max perched himself on the arm of the settee. ‘Want me to show you around?’

Molly took this as her cue to help her friend. ‘I’m fine here. Why don’t you go, Erin?’

‘Okay,’ Erin smiled up at Max.

Max extended a hand and helped Erin off the settee, then led her through the crowded room. Erin secretly threw Molly a thumbs up with her free hand, and Molly stifled laughter. Earlier on Erin had been nervous about Max not turning up and now she was eager to get him alone. She watched as they left the room, only then feeling a hint of envy.

‘Would you like a top up?’ The woman handing out the drinks appeared by her side. Up close, she didn’t look much older than Molly. She was tall and thin, wearing a black tube dress with her blonde hair tied in a chignon. Red lips smiled at her; sultry eyes too.

‘I’m fine, thanks.’

‘Where’s your friend gone?’

‘She’s with Max. He’s giving her a tour of the house.’

The woman nodded. ‘Well, I’m Rachel. I can introduce you to a few people, if you like?’ She topped up Molly’s glass regardless of her polite refusal. ‘Here, drink some more of this and I’ll be right back.’

Molly smiled at her and took a sip of the wine. She glanced around the room again and decided to let herself go and see where the evening took her.

If Erin could play, so could she.

ELEVEN

Lucy was sitting at the table. They’d recently had a new kitchen fitted, lots of tall units with handle-less panels in a glossy cream finish and an island that Molly always sat at. They had also opened out the room with an extension, bi-folding doors creating a sense of the outside coming in.

Today she couldn’t feel any excitement at its newness. She’d barely had an hour’s sleep and her eyes were swollen from crying. After waiting for Sara to come home, she hadn’t wanted to leave her side. Once the police had left and Molly was upstairs exhausted and asleep, Lucy had thought that Sara shouldn’t be alone. But Sara said she needed space to deal with things on her own for a while. It stung Lucy to know that she couldn’t comfort her friend; she could certainly tell that Sara’s sister Anna was hurt too as they both made their way out of the house.

She shook the thought away and took a deep breath. Poor Erin. Lucy couldn’t even say the words in her head without tears appearing. Erin had been such a huge part of their family life. In some ways it had been like having two daughters. Erin and Molly had been inseparable for so long.

And poor Molly. She had to think of her own child too. It would affect her deeply, now that Erin was gone. Lucy couldn’t help but feel guilt as well as relief about Molly coming home and not Erin. Molly was the only child they had – but how could she explain to Sara that at least she still had Nat, without it sounding appalling? If anything happened to Molly, their family would be devastated. There would only be her and Phil. Lucy hadn’t been able to get pregnant again, despite them trying for a second baby. In the end, they’d given up. They spoiled Molly as a result – a little too much at times.

Suddenly, Lucy took a sharp breath. Could Molly identify the killer, but be keeping it to herself because she was afraid for her own life? No, no one would come after Molly. The two girls had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, that was all. It wasn’t going to happen again.

Feeling the need to see her child, she checked on Molly. She was in her room, curled up in a ball on her bed, hugging her teddy, just as she had been when Lucy had gone across to see Sara.

She knocked lightly on the bedroom door before stepping in. Molly turned her head but didn’t say anything.

Lucy sat down on the side of the bed. ‘Have you managed to get any sleep?’

‘A little but I kept having horrible dreams.’

‘Would you like to come downstairs and I’ll make you some toast?’

‘I’m not hungry.’

‘Okay. Well, I’ll ring the college later. There’s no way you can go in for the next few days.’

‘I don’t want to go ever again. How can I, without Erin?’

Lucy held back her tears as she placed a hand on Molly’s arm. ‘Things aren’t ever going to be the same, duck. You’re on a new path now. But you can do it. I have every faith in you.’

‘I can’t think of anything like that while Erin is dead.’ Molly seemed mortified at the thought.

‘I know this isn’t really relevant but when I was seventeen, I lost a cousin. She was like my best friend and I thought my world had ended.’

‘You mean Susan?’

Lucy nodded. Molly had only known her from photos, having not been born until seven years later.

‘I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over it at the time. I felt as if my life was finished, like my heart had split in two and would never recover. But gradually, it got better.’ She pressed a hand on her chest. ‘I never forgot her. She was, and is, always close by. I feel her presence at times when I need it. I can’t explain it, and I know it sounds weird, but I do.’

‘Erin was murdered, Mum. I saw it happen.’

Lucy pulled Molly into her embrace. ‘I know you did and I’m sure that will take time to fade as it’s a horrible memory. It’s not going to be easy while the police find whoever did this. I guess what I’m trying to say is remember all the good times that you and Erin shared while all the bad stuff is happening. But I also want you to know that I don’t hold you responsible in any way. Because I know you might be feeling that it’s your fault and it isn’t, Molly. It isn’t.’

‘But everyone is going to blame me,’ Molly replied, breaking into a sob.

‘No, they’re not. I won’t let them.’ She paused. ‘This sounds terrible but I’m so glad it wasn’t you.’

They sat in silence for a while.

Molly pulled away. ‘They’ll all think I’m terrible for leaving her, won’t they?’

‘Of course not. You went to get help.’

‘I just panicked. She was making such a funny noise.’

‘You did the right thing.’ Lucy paused. ‘Before I go back downstairs, is there anything you need to tell me?’

Molly wiped at her eyes. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Is there anything else you’ve remembered since last night?’

‘No.’ Molly shook her head vehemently.

‘You can trust me, if there’s something worrying you.’

Molly dropped down in bed again and pulled the covers closer to her neck. ‘I’d like to be alone for a while, please.’

Lucy left her then. Downstairs, she put on her coat, reached for her keys and let herself out through the front door. Outside it was cold, a bit of drizzle in the air, and people were starting to wake up for the day. There were a few lights on in the houses around her.

She padded across the road in the dark with an eerie feeling that someone was watching her. Of course no one would be, but it didn’t make her feel any better. Her senses were obviously heightened.

At the Ellises’ house, the lights were on upstairs and downstairs. Lucy wondered if either Sara or Nat had got any sleep last night. She glanced across to the entrance of the walkway, where there were two uniformed officers on guard. One of them came across when he saw her, stopping level with Sara’s gate. But once Lucy told him who she was, he let her go on her way.

She almost ran up the path to knock on the door, hoping it would be answered soon. Seconds felt like minutes as she waited to see her best friend.

Molly got off the bed and moved to stand at the window. As soon as she saw her mum go into Erin’s house, she picked up her phone and tapped out a message.

At half past six, there wasn’t much happening on the street right now. It was dark and would be for another hour. Then Molly reckoned it would be chaos again – more questioning, more upset.

She looked down at the note she had written in memory of her best friend. Later, she would take some flowers to the top of the cul-de-sac. More tears came as she remembered that Erin was dead. She would never see her again, how could that be right? How could so much have changed in a matter of hours? One minute, they’d been talking; the next, Erin was falling to the floor. All she could think of was Erin’s face as the colour drained from it and she fought for her breath.

She’d have to leave home sometime today, perhaps on the pretence of getting some fresh air. She had to see him. He hadn’t replied to her message yet, but it was early. He would know what to do to make things better.

Two doors down, one of the neighbours was going out to work. Fred looked up at Molly’s window and she moved away. She couldn’t understand why he would do that. She bet he never usually did. Or maybe she’d never noticed until now. Perhaps he was a pervert and always looking her way. She laughed a little manically.

Then she burst into tears. Erin would have found that funny. Now she couldn’t share anything with her. She was gone for good.

She got back into bed, ignoring the rumbling in her stomach. She didn’t care if she never ate anything again. She wasn’t getting up until she was forced to. The day was going to be horrible – she knew she would have to face more questioning from the police, and everyone outside the family would start to learn what had happened. They’d all be talking about her.

Would they all blame her too, she wondered? Would people say she should have acted faster in going to get help, or tried harder to save her friend’s life?

Molly vowed not to return to college for a long time. No one could make her, and she had somewhere to go if she had to skive off.

She picked up her phone and tried to call him this time, but still it went unanswered. She threw it down and curled up on the bed, hugging her knees for comfort as she felt so alone.

Already, she was lost without Erin. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go on without her after what had happened.

TWELVE

‘How are you feeling?’ Lucy said to Sara as soon as she answered the door. Then she shook her head and burst into tears. ‘What a stupid thing to say. I can’t stop thinking about Erin and I can’t imagine what you’re going through.’

And then she was in Sara’s arms as they cried together.

Afterwards they went into the living room and sat down on the settee. Sara’s house always had a lived-in feeling, without being too messy. Lucy could see Nat’s trainers by the side of the armchair, and an iPad on the chair. Yesterday’s newspaper was on the coffee table.

Despite the clutter, it was always clean, with a tang of an air freshener in the air. The kitchen hardly ever smelt of stale food, but there would be things left out on the worktops that would drive Lucy mad. She and Sara always joked about Lucy’s OCD tendencies and Sara’s relaxed approach to cleaning – Lucy was the polar opposite of Sara and couldn’t go to bed until all the cushions had been fluffed up again, and everything was cleared away and put back in its right place.

Though Sara may have been a little untidy, she was a good mum. There was never any doubt about that.

‘How’s Molly?’ Sara asked.

‘Devastated, as are we all. She’s in her room, trying to get some rest so I thought I’d come round. We barely had time to speak last night and I know the police will be here today. I needed to see you, see how you were. I can’t stop thinking about it.’

Sara sat back in the settee and wiped away tears. ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. I keep thinking it’s a nightmare and I’ll wake up and she’ll come through the door and ask what’s for tea. I keep thinking she’s over at your house with Molly. I keep thinking … well, anything but the truth, because it’s so hard to bear.’

‘Don’t upset yourself,’ Lucy soothed. ‘How is Nat?’

‘Trying to act all grown up but failing.’ She gave a faint smile.

‘Does everyone know now? Your family? Rob? Do you need a hand ringing around people? I can take some of the onus for that, if you like.’

‘Thanks. Anna did some of it last night. You know, the important people. You, my parents, Rob and his parents. It was too late to call anyone else but would you do our mutual friends?’

‘Yes, of course. I’ll do that this morning.’

‘Thanks. I’ll ring a few people – Erin’s college, my work and the like, as soon as they are open, and Anna will be around this morning to do some more too.’ She shrugged. ‘I still don’t know what she’ll be able to do here beyond that though.’

‘I can stay as long as you want.’

‘It’s okay. You need to look after Molly. She’s going to be broken.’ Sara looked away for a moment. ‘I can’t believe I’ll never hear them coming through the front door like whirlwinds. That I won’t hear them running up the stairs to her room. That I won’t have to tell them to bring the noise down or stop squealing. Our homes are going to be so quiet without her, aren’t they?’

Lucy’s eyes welled with tears again and she patted Sara’s arm to comfort herself as much as her friend.

‘Have they said anything about when you can go and see her? Or when they will give out her name?’

‘I identified her at the scene, so it’s being released to the general public this morning. I’m going to see her again this afternoon though. I need to.’ She paused. ‘They want us to speak on camera, appeal to the general public. I’m not sure I can do that.’

‘You can.’ Lucy nodded. ‘I can help you if necessary. You’re not going to be alone to face this. And you have Anna and Mike too.’

‘All those times we’ve watched press conferences and said that one of the people speaking out were the murderers.’ Sara shook her head. ‘How could we have said that? Are people going to think that of us? Will—’

Lucy shook her head but knew she could do nothing to stop anyone thinking those thoughts.

‘Do you think it’s what we’ve been worrying about, though? Perhaps we should mention that to the police?’

Lucy grimaced. She and Sara had been concerned about the girls for a few months now. Yet each time they had tried to talk to either of them, they’d clammed up. Said there was nothing worrying them. That they were okay, everything was fine.

But they’d both come home drunk on several occasions, and one night, Molly had been so wired that Lucy had asked her if she’d been experimenting with drugs. Molly had flatly denied it.

‘I think we might have to.’ Sara wrung her hands. ‘Although we don’t have anything concrete.’

Lucy nodded. ‘I just hope they weren’t delivering things for other people.’

They had also been discussing the girls’ behaviour. They had both changed significantly over the past few months, but equally that could be down to teenage hormones. Lucy was forever arguing with Molly, but she could remember doing the same with her own mother. It seemed a rite of passage at sixteen.

‘Should I speak to the detective, Grace?’ Sara suggested. ‘She’s my family liaison officer. I could tell her what we know.’

‘Let’s tell her together then. I don’t want the burden on you alone. Did she say what time she’d be here?’

‘No, just that she’ll see me this morning.’

‘Will you text me when she arrives?’

Sara nodded. Eventually, after a silence, both women stood up.

‘If there’s anything I can do for you, or if you need to speak to someone,’ Lucy reiterated, ‘you can call me anytime. Or come across. You know that, don’t you?’

Sara nodded. They embraced again and then walked through to the hallway. Lucy didn’t want to leave but didn’t know how to be any more useful. She would pop across later in the morning.

She’d speak to Molly again too. She wanted to; needed to. Maybe Molly might volunteer a little more information. She and Phil would have to be firm with her if she was scared. Show her that they would deal with whatever she told them and then they would protect her if necessary.

Sara stood on her doorstep as she watched Lucy go into her house. Apart from the police officers and the crime scene tape she could see flapping in the wind, the street was mostly quiet. Lights on in the windows of the homes around her. Neighbours would be getting ready for work, heading off over the next hour or so. Luckily for them their lives hadn’t changed much. They could go about their business as usual.

As she turned to go back inside, a car drew up a few doors away and she heard someone shout her name. Sara narrowed her eyes to see who it was in the dark, then a sob broke through as she recognised it was Rob.

He got out and ran towards her. Although Sara hadn’t seen her ex-husband much during the year since he’d moved to Dorset, his familiarity comforted her. They were Erin’s parents. Between them they had created a loving and wonderful daughter. All the years of betrayal, fighting and acrimony between them evaporated in that moment as they mourned the loss of their daughter.

‘I came as soon as I could.’ Tears were pouring down his face. ‘Please tell me it’s not true.’

‘She’s dead, Rob, and I don’t know what to do.’

She rushed into his arms and they clung to each other as they sobbed.

Afterwards, they went inside and she told him what had happened the night before; finding Erin on the path, going to the hospital, the police bringing her home when there was nothing more anyone could do for their little girl.

‘Did she suffer?’ he asked.

‘If she did it wouldn’t have been for long. She was unconscious when I got to her and she … she never opened her eyes again. I didn’t get to say goodbye to her either.’

The noise of their voices brought Nat downstairs. When he saw his dad, he ran into his arms. Sara was going to leave them to it but Rob reached for her again.

They stood in a triangle of grief, supporting each other as they tried to take in the enormity of what had happened. Of how different their lives were about to become. Of how much Erin missing from their family would affect them all.

How they had lost a daughter and a sister before her seventeenth birthday at the hands of a killer.

THIRTEEN

Molly held the phone close to her mouth as she spoke to him. She’d been warned by the police not to communicate with anyone outside her family, or to release any details, but she wasn’t about to do that anyway. She just wanted to see him.

It was hard not to be with him. Their relationship had always been on the quiet but now they would have to be even more careful they weren’t caught. No one had known about them except Erin, and she couldn’t say anything now.

‘I can’t believe she’s dead,’ she said.

‘What are the police saying? Have they found anything out?’

‘I don’t really know.’

‘What were they asking you?’

‘Just what happened to Erin. I didn’t tell them anything else.’

‘Do you know who attacked her?’

‘I didn’t see.’

Even though they weren’t together, as she explained everything, she could almost imagine his features getting darker.

‘You’re sure you didn’t see who it was?’ he asked afterwards.

‘I swear.’

‘You’re not afraid to tell me?’

‘No. The police said they’ll be checking CCTV, looking at who had gone in and out of the walkway.’

‘You need to keep me informed of what’s going on,’ he said. ‘Can you do that for me?’

‘Yes, I’ll ring you as soon as—’

‘No phone contact.’

She flinched as he bellowed down the line. ‘Don’t be mad,’ she whispered.

‘Sorry, Mols. I didn’t mean to scare you.’

‘It’s okay.’ It wasn’t, really, but she wanted to keep him on the phone.

‘All right, then. It’s best if I ring you now, unless you have something to tell me. Are you clear on that?’

‘I’m not a child!’

‘I know.’ A sigh. ‘I’m just watching out for us both, that’s all. It would be hard if we couldn’t be together, wouldn’t it?’

Molly would rather kill herself than not see him again. Without him and without Erin, she’d be totally alone. ‘Yes, I’d hate that.’

‘Me too. So for now, for the next few days, we’ll stay in touch over the phone. We can’t be seen together, do you understand?’

‘But I need to see you soon.’

‘I’ll be in touch.’

‘When?’

The phone went dead just as Molly heard the front door open. She dived back into bed before it had closed, prepared to feign sleep if necessary. She needed to think about what to do next.

And she had to see him soon. It wasn’t enough to hear his voice. She wanted to be held in his arms, soothed by his words.

She had to find a way.

He cursed, banging the palm of his hand on the steering wheel of his car. This was too close to home again.

He needed to get out, but he was sure they wouldn’t let him. Once you’re in, you’re in, they had told him.

He hadn’t had much choice in the first instance after they said he owed them. In a way he did, but in others, he had paid his dues several times over now.

One thing was certain, Eddie wasn’t going to be too pleased. A smile played on his lips. Maybe he could use that to his advantage.

He picked up his phone and dialled Eddie’s number.

FOURTEEN

One year ago

At the party, the two men Molly had been talking to with Rachel had disappeared, leaving her alone. It was less than a minute before someone else joined her. This time it was an older woman. At a guess, she was in her mid-forties with a Botoxed face that tried and failed to lose her ten years. The dress she was wearing looked expensive and her heels were higher than Erin’s. Molly had recognised the red soles synonymous with Christian Louboutin when she’d seen her earlier.

‘Hi.’ The woman held out her hand. ‘I’m Angela. I don’t think I’ve met you before.’

‘Molly. Max invited me and my friend.’

‘Where have they gone?’

‘Max wanted to show us around. I stayed here and Erin went with him.’

‘Ah, Max.’ Angela purred. ‘He’s such a lovely guy. Have you known him long?’

‘A few months.’

‘He works for my husband, Trevor.’

‘I thought Max worked at Steele’s Gym.’

‘He does that as well. Trevor runs a security company.’

‘You mean, like bouncers on the doors?’

‘A little.’

‘Do you work for the company too?’

Angela tipped back her head and laughed. ‘Not me, darling. I let the men do the heavy lifting.’

Molly smiled, a little confused but not wanting to show it. It must be amazing to live such a lifestyle. It seemed obvious to her they had no money worries at all. The wine she was drinking was good stuff. Already she was feeling more than tipsy.

‘Why don’t you come into the main room for a while?’ Before Molly had time to say she was fine where she was, Angela had pulled her to her feet. ‘There are lots of people I can introduce you to while you wait for your friend to come back.’

An hour later, Molly was laughing with a group of men as they told her some anecdotes about working for Trevor. She found out that he also ran several beauty parlours around Stoke-on-Trent.

‘Everything is above board, legit,’ Angela explained as she rescued Molly from the group. ‘We’re not into anything kinky.’ She stared pointedly at Molly. ‘Unless you are, of course.’

Molly had no idea what she meant and felt too stupid to ask so she nodded. ‘Oh, I’m fine with it,’ she replied.

‘Good.’ Angela smiled. ‘Then I think we’re going to get along just fine.’

Angela was called away then, leaving her standing alone. She looked around the room, feeling a little more confident. One man kept looking over at her and smiling. He was very distinguished, Molly’s version of tall, dark and handsome. He flashed an expensive watch as he drank his drink, laughing with the crowd he was chatting to.

She’d noticed him earlier. He’d been talking to a couple of men until they had been joined by two women and gone to get drinks with them, she presumed. Angela had called out to him, letting Molly know his name was Chad.

He looked at her again, smiling. She smiled back shyly. Then she lowered her eyes to the floor momentarily as she saw him start to walk towards her.

‘Hi there. I know this sounds a bit corny, but I haven’t seen you here before.’

‘I came with my friend, Erin, and Max.’

‘Ah.’ He nodded in recognition. ‘Can I get you a drink …?’

‘Molly.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m fine, thanks.’

She knew if she had any more fluid, she’d have to nip to the bathroom and she didn’t want to leave Chad now he had come over to her. Up close, he could be as old as her dad, but he certainly looked after himself. He was clean-shaven with short hair, neat and tidy, and strong features. His white shirt had a familiar designer logo on its pocket, his jeans the cut of expensive denim. He looked … rich. She liked that.

‘So how are you enjoying the party?’ he asked.

‘I’ve had a great time. Angela and Trevor seem nice.’

‘They’re friends of mine. I’ve known them quite a while. They’re a good sort. How about you?’

‘How about me what?’

‘How do you know Max?’

‘We go to the same gym.’

His face seemed to darken for a moment, but then his smile returned. ‘A gym bunny?’

She laughed, aware her lie might come back to bite her. But she couldn’t very well say that she had met him at the local takeaway joint. How very immature.

They chatted for a while and before she knew it, Max had come back with Erin and it was half past ten.

‘Time to get you two home,’ he said, still holding on to Erin’s hand.

Erin stood beside him with a grin.

Molly could see she had no lipstick left on. Well, at least one of them seemed to have had a successful evening on the man front.

‘Bye, Molly,’ Chad said. ‘Hope to see you again soon.’

Molly gave him a quick wave before she and Erin left the house all of a giggle.

In no time at all, they were home. Max parked at the end of Sampson Street, killed the engine and turned to them sitting in the back.

‘Did you have fun, ladies?’

Both nodded, smiling at each other.

‘Fancy going to a party next month?’

‘It can’t be Trevor’s birthday again.’ Erin giggled.

‘No, but they have regular parties. He’s a good boss, is Trevor. Treats his employees well.’

‘We’ll think about it.’ Molly grabbed the door handle and shimmied across the seat. She needed some fresh air. If she went in like this, her parents would ground her. It was clear she’d been drinking.

‘Well, I’ll see you in the week, no doubt?’ He was looking at Erin rather than both of them. Molly felt a pang of jealousy.

They said goodbye and watched him drive away.

‘I’ve had a great night,’ Erin said.

‘You were gone ages!’

Erin’s hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. Max got me another glass of wine and I didn’t realise the time after that.’

Molly waved away her comment. ‘I want to know if you’re seeing him again, on your own.’

Erin sighed. ‘I’m not sure. He didn’t say. So whatever happens, we’re both going to the party next month, okay?’

‘I was a bit bored by myself.’

‘You weren’t on your own. You were with that man.’

‘Chad? He was dull.’

‘Oh.’

Molly nudged her. ‘I’m joking. He was nice to talk to. So yes, we’ll go again next month.’

‘Cool!’ Erin beamed.

They linked arms and walked the last few metres home.

‘Are you okay with me seeing Max, if he asks me?’ Erin questioned as Molly got to her front gate.

‘Of course I am.’ She gave her friend a hug. ‘I think you should go for it. He seems really nice.’

‘Yeah, he does.’ Erin staggered around a bit and then stopped. ‘I’m a little drunk. Have you got any mints?’

‘You’ll be lucky to hide it with a sweet.’ Molly rummaged in her bag until she found a packet. ‘Here you go. Blame me if your mum says anything. Say it was me who wanted to go.’

‘But they’ll both go mad then and you’ll be in trouble too.’

‘It’s better than her grounding you. Let’s hope my mum and dad are both asleep on the sofa when I get in, so I can pop my head around the door and then sneak off to bed.’

‘I suppose.’ Erin flung her arms around her neck again. ‘Oh, Molly, what a great night. I feel like I could fly!’

‘Best get you into bed then before you do yourself an injury.’

‘Yes sirree. G’night.’

Molly waited at her gate until she could see that Erin had gone into her own garden. They waved to each other and she went inside.

How she wished she was as pretty as Erin. Sometimes having ample confidence for the two of them wasn’t enough. Because no matter what she had said to Erin, she couldn’t stop thinking about Chad.

At least she would have sweet dreams that night; that is, if the room would stop spinning.

Awake early the next morning, Erin thought about the night before. She stretched out in her bed, her smile wide as she recalled everything about Max. The way he winked at her to reassure her, the curve of his lips, the sultriness in his eyes.

She hoped he didn’t think she was too young for him. His kisses had been keen when they’d been alone, but he hadn’t given her one at the end of the night, like she’d hoped. She’d wanted him to. Maybe it was because she was with Molly. They had both been in the car. But he could have shouted her back.

She knew she would always be second best to Molly. She didn’t mind though. Molly was outgoing to her shy; extrovert to her introvert, daring to her scaredy-cat.

She knew she wouldn’t have as much fun in her life if it weren’t for Molly. When Max had invited them to Trevor’s party, she never would have gone unless Molly had agreed to go as well.

Even though they were only fifteen, it was Molly’s encouragement that had made Erin that little bit bolder. Going for a walk around the house with Max had been daring for her, and she wouldn’t have done it if Molly wasn’t there to rescue her if things got heavy.

They’d been lucky growing up together and becoming good friends. Erin remembered her mum saying something like ‘You can choose your friends but you can’t pick your family.’

Yet, as they grew older, both of them realised that things would change. Boys would come on the scene, serious boyfriends and then perhaps marriage. Their bonds would either be broken or strengthened, and only time would tell. But for now, Erin knew she was lucky to have Molly to look out for her.

When Molly had said she wanted to go to the next party, Erin had been relieved. Max had taken her phone number but she wasn’t sure if he would call. He was nine years older than her and at fifteen that was a massive age gap. But she and Molly were mature for their age, both well developed and level-headed.

She couldn’t wait for the next party to come around, was looking forward to it so much. But first she would hang around at the chippie to see if Max came in again.

‘Erin, are you getting up this morning?’ Mum shouted from downstairs. ‘The hoover will be on in five minutes whether you’re out of bed or not.’

‘I’m up!’ Erin pulled the duvet back with a sigh. She was glad there was no school today. She couldn’t wait until next May when she was done with it for good. She had a life waiting for her outside of Stoke.

She and Molly were planning on going to Spain after school finished. They were going to work there through summer.

But for now, she hopped into the shower. She couldn’t wait to see Molly and talk about it all.

FIFTEEN

The mood was sombre as everyone gathered for a team briefing a few minutes after eight a.m. DCI Jenny Brindley was present and she’d asked Allie to update everyone. Although Jenny was the one who got her knuckles rapped if their team didn’t come up with the goods quick enough, she was always one to stay on the periphery. She believed the team worked well without her, so she let them get on with it and only ever interfered when absolutely necessary.

‘Welcome to Operation Doulton,’ Allie started.

When Grace had started to work in Stoke-on-Trent, the first operation had been named Wedgwood. She knew of Josiah Wedgwood, but it wasn’t until she’d found out the fourth operation name that she’d queried the other cases she’d worked on and discovered that Middleport, Spode and Doulton had also been known names in the pottery industry.

Allie relayed the findings from the previous night and then got everyone up to speed with what had happened since.

‘Molly Redfern identified the mugger as a white male of medium build and height. It doesn’t give us much to go on. The description could match a lot of men, but she did mention seeing a tattoo. She said it was like a flame rising up the right side of his neck and cheek. Does anyone come to mind?’

There were a few murmurs around the room, lots of shaking heads.

‘Okay, let’s search the usual intel to find anything that might be useful – personal sources, suspects we have on record, anyone who might know something, that kind of thing. We also found a mobile phone in a black leather case at the bottom of a hedge. Sara Ellis has confirmed it belonged to Erin so that’s gone off to the tech team for analysis.’

‘So the mugger left the phone behind?’ Grace questioned.

‘Perhaps he panicked after he saw what he’d done and threw it?’ Perry suggested.

‘That’s possible. What’s next?’ Allie checked her list. ‘Molly mentioned a chip shop – Potteries Takeaway. Perry, can you go and speak to the owner? See if he has any knowledge of them, what they were doing in there last night?’

‘Yes, boss.’

‘We’ll also need to search the house this morning. I’d like you to help with that, Grace. Can you see what you can find in Erin’s room, leave the team to do the rest? It will make it a little less intrusive.’ Allie paused. ‘The press release goes out this morning at nine. Speculation is already rife and I don’t want to put pressure on Molly Redfern, so I authorised it to go out as soon as possible. Everyone will be asking her what’s gone on, I assume.’ She glanced at Sam. ‘Anything from CCTV yet?’

DC Sam Markham had been looking through the footage in Leek Road last night and again as soon as she’d got in that morning.

‘I’ve already gone through who went in and out of the walkway around the time Erin Ellis was murdered,’ Sam replied. ‘I’ve followed the two girls from Potteries Takeaway, which is a few minutes’ walk from their homes. They go into the walkway and between that time and when the ambulance goes past to get to Sampson Street, no one else has entered to follow them, nor come out afterwards. CCTV doesn’t cover the other end of the path so I’m hoping there will be home security footage on one of the houses. I’ve also got stills of anyone seen going into the walkway from Leek Road from up to two hours earlier. There are three lone males, and I’ll be sharing the images on social media in the hope people can rule themselves out soon. It’s a busy main road with a lot of footfall.’

‘Do you think someone was already waiting for them?’ Perry asked.

‘There are hedges either side,’ Grace said. ‘What’s behind them?’

‘One is a border to a residential property and the other is next to a spare plot of land,’ Sam added.

Allie paused. ‘That’s interesting.’

‘So is a bit of footage I’ve picked up nearby too from a business opposite.’ Sam glanced over at Grace quickly. ‘It’s of Leon Steele.’

Grace moaned. ‘What’s he been up to now?’

‘He’s seen talking to Erin outside Potteries Takeaway.’

‘For a long time?’

‘A minute at the most. You can see them laughing about something and then he goes into the back of the shop.’

‘I wonder what they discussed?’

‘We all know the influence the Steele family have around here, and Erin Ellis can be linked to him because of the takeaway,’ Allie said. ‘Someone needs to go and speak to him.’

‘But it’s near to where he works,’ Perry said. ‘Surely we can’t question him just for being there?’

‘We can’t, but let’s see if he knows anyone that uses the gym who has a flame tattoo. That should cover us. And it won’t hurt to keep him on his toes. Leon Steele is never far from trouble.’

‘I’ll go, boss,’ Perry said.

Allie nodded and then looked at DCI Brindley. ‘Anything else to add, ma’am?’

‘No, I think you have everything covered,’ Jenny said. ‘Just keep me informed of developments as they happen.’

‘Thanks.’ Allie turned back to the team. ‘For now, I’ll get the house-to-house gang looking for any further camera shots too.’ She swept her eyes around the room. ‘Let’s crack on then.’

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