Page 61 of One in Three

‘I’m fine,’ he says impatiently. ‘Look, I’m sorry I didn’t call last night and let you know I was staying over. It’s been a hell of a night. The whole damn kitchen ceiling collapsed, and my phone is buried somewhere beneath a foot of rubble. Thank God none of us were hurt.’

If only the house had come down on top of Louise, like the Wicked Witch of the East, leaving nothing but her ruby slippers. ‘I was worried about you,’ I say, without turning around.

‘I know. I’m sorry. Like I said, we lost power, so I couldn’t ring you on her landline. But you knew where I was, so I knew you wouldn’t be worried.’

It’s preciselybecauseI knew where he was that I was out of my mind with anxiety. ‘Did you get any sleep?’

‘Bunked in with Tolly for a couple of hours, but not really. I’m shattered.’

I turn, searching his face, alert to any hint he’s lying. Andy’s an accomplished actor: he can affect concern or cynicism on cue, depending on the story he’s reporting. Even after four years together, I’m still never sure if he’s liked a meal I’ve made or is just being polite.

Something doesn’t ring true. He’s holding my eyes just a littletoosteadily. His expression looks oddly familiar—

Of course it does. It’s the one he wore when he used to go back to Louise after he’d spent the night with me.

I don’t have the chance to process the information that my husband has just cracked our marriage wideopen. Before I can respond, the woman responsible appears in my bedroom doorway like an apparition from hell.

‘Sorry to bother you,’ Louise says, ‘but can you tell me where you keep the spare sheets?’

CHRISTINA MURDOCH

PART 1 OF RECORDED INTERVIEW

Date:- 01/08/2020

Duration:- 27 Minutes

Location:- Kingsbridge Police Station

Conducted by Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police

(cont.)

POLICE

So you’ve known Louise Page for how long, Ms Murdoch?

CM

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