Page 147 of One in Three

‘Not for me,’ AJ says, but I hear a note of hesitation in his voice.

I hold my mobile against my chest as I tell the emergency dispatcher to get someone to the Whitefish building in London as soon as possible, then put my mobile to my ear again. I keep up a stream of chatter, not knowing if I’m making any sense, but I can hear AJ’s breathing, so I know he’s still listening.

I don’t know how long it is before I hear the noise of sirens in the distance, and then a few minutes later, there are voices in the background. The paramedics must have arrived. The knot in my stomach finally eases, and I realise just how frightened I’ve been. In the space of a few weeks, AJ has lost Wayne, and now a job that meant everything to him. I have no idea how close he just came to doing something irrevocable, but if he had, there would have been only one person to blame. God, I hate that woman.

‘I have to go,’ AJ says. ‘I’ll call you later.’

I sink into a kitchen chair and press the heels of my palms into my eyes, my whole body trembling. First Bella, and now AJ. This is one of the worst days I can remember, and I’ve had to cope with everything alone. I wish Andy was here to tell me it’s all going to be OK, but thanks to Louise, I have no one to turn to. I keep picturing AJ standing on the edge of the terrace, staring down at the street below, nerving himself to jump. I swallow hard, trying not to vomit.

I text Andy again, but I’m not surprised when he doesn’t reply. Bitterness sours my blood. Louise thinks she’s winning, taking back what was hers, smashing my life like a wrecking ball. Well, I hope she enjoystonight. I hope she still thinks it’s worth it, once she sees the consequences.

I didn’t want to go nuclear, but she’s given me no choice.

I have one card left to play.

RUTH CLARKE

PART 1 OF RECORDED INTERVIEW

Date:- 27/07/2020

Duration:- 24 Minutes

Location:- Starr Farm Senior Care Centre, Parsloes Ave, Dagenham

Conducted by Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police

(cont.)

RC

Her dad isn’t dead.

POLICE

But Mrs Page said—

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