The questions kept coming on a loop: When did I last see Max? Why was he in the freezer? Why didn’t I report him missing? What was the state of my marriage?
I kept giving them the same answers: I don’t know. He walked out on us. There was another woman. No, I don’t know who she was. I thought he’d left us. I didn’t even know the freezer was turned on, or locked. I’m a schoolteacher.
But my mind was a blur, and all I could think was,where’s Holly? Is she with her? Why did she do this to me?
I was given a duty solicitor. A young woman who didn’t seem much older than me, which did not inspire confidence.
I was charged, refused bail and remanded to HMP Send, the local women’s prison. I have been here for six weeks. I spent Christmas here. I spent New Year’s Eve here. I am terrified I will spend the rest of my life here, waiting for I don’t know what.
A court date. A trial. Further instructions.
Last week, Max’s body was released and he was cremated. There was a funeral somewhere out there. I know this because Jen comes to see me. She is the only person who comes to see me, apart from my solicitor.
‘Why won’t Holly visit me?’ I ask her. Holly is staying with Jen in London, which is a massive relief. At least she hasn’t decided to move in with Teri.
Jen looks at me sadly. ‘I don’t know. It’s a lot for her.’
I snort a laugh, then cry in my hands. Every single night in this place, my thoughts are on a loop. I should have called the police the second I realised that Holly had killed Max. It’s what any sane person would have done. Except me. And now I’m here, and the way things are going, I could be here for a very long time.
‘I’m sorry to hear it’s a lot for Holly,’ I say.
I’d meant it sarcastically but, judging by Jen’s face, I missed the mark. And the truth is, I do feel sorry for Holly – partly. That’s what’s driving me insane. One moment I’m frightened for her, worried sick at how she must be feeling, and the next I’m appalled, baffled and so angry I could scream.
Meanwhile, Jen is still talking. She tells me about the funeral, that it was well attended, and Holly was there, as was Teri.
‘How is Holly?’ I ask.
‘She’s not great,’ she says. ‘She’s very quiet.’
I nod. ‘Does she talk about me?’
‘Not really, Kate. She’s not supposed to talk about the case. I’m sorry. But listen, I’ve spoken to another solicitor and…’
This is what Jen does, telling me that she’s doing everything she can to get me released.
‘I know you didn’t do this,’ she says.
I don’t sleep. At night, I lie on my small bed in my cell feeling sorry for myself, wishing I’d called the police. Then, I replay thatmoment in Teri’s house. Holly’s face all made-up, not saying anything to help me, listening to Teri telling the police that she was afraid of me. Then I curl into a ball and cry, because I still can’t believe she threw me under the bus like that. Maybe she never did believe me. Maybe she always did prefer Teri. Maybe Teri, with her evil ways, managed to get inside her brain and twist it.
And I’ll be going to prison forever.
My solicitor comes to see me. I drag myself to the visitor room, expecting the same non-update she’s given me every other time.
‘Any news about a trial date?’ I ask, sitting down.
‘No. But something is happening.’
‘What do you mean?’
She glances at the clock on the wall. ‘I’m not sure. The police have some more questions for you. Someone will be here any?—’
The door opens, and I recognise the same detective who interviewed me after they found Max’s body. The woman with the grey hair.
I stand up, my heart hammering. She says her name: DI Sandleford. Which is good because I didn’t remember it.
‘Sit down, please, Mrs Price.’ she says.
I do as I’m told. She pulls out a tablet that looks like an iPad.
