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LB: She seemed… down. It was understandable, totally. But then I tried to suggest, gently, like, that she might be imagining things. I was trying to be sympathetic. I mean, it’s not like her postpartum psychosis was a secret between us. I’d been very involved in that, in getting Mark to see she needed help, you know? So it’s not like it was a taboo, only we never spoke about it. Never. (Pause) So I suppose it was a taboo then, wasn’t it? But then Rachel wouldn’t talk to me about anything anymore. As if getting upset would be the end of the world, like there’d be so many tears she’d drown us both, do you know what I mean? She was like a balloon full of water. One jab and it would all come out. And I think she was afraid of that. But when I said about getting help, she got offended, which was horrible. I mean, we joked our way out of it, but she left soon after that and I didn’t see her again, not to speak to. She replied to texts but I could tell she’d gone further into herself. I hadn’t meant to upset her. I just keep thinking I could have helped her more… been a better friend… If I had been, she might never have killed anyone. (Breaks down)
31
Ingrid
Transcript of recorded interview with Ingrid Taylor (excerpt)
Also present: DI Heather Scott, PC Marilyn Button
HS: For the benefit of the tape, PC Button is showing Ms Taylor a CCTV image. Ms Taylor, if we can go back a little. This CCTV capture was taken in Victoria Road on Thursday the fourth of July this year at approximately quarter to eight in the evening. Can you describe what’s in the picture?
IT: Of course I can. I went for a drive. I think I said that, didn’t I? So what?
HS: Ms Taylor, can you tell us what you were doing in the area of St Michael’s church on the night that Mr Henry Parker was found collapsed on Langdale Road?
IT: Who?
HS: Henry Parker. He was a homeless man found in a state of asphyxiation near St Michael’s church later that evening, five nights after the attack on Joanna Weatherall.
IT: What’s that got to do anything? I thought he was just some drunk tramp?
HS: If you could answer the question, Ms Taylor.
IT: Has Rachel confessed to attacking him as well? Was he stabbed? I didn’t think he’d been attacked. I can’t remember anything about that in the news.
HS: Ms Taylor, Victoria Road is in the immediate vicinity of St Michael’s church. Can you shed any light on what you were doing there that evening?
IT: Power of suggestion. Mark had gone out for some chips – at least I thought he had. I fancied some chips too. Is that so hard to believe? I know which chip shop the Edwardses use because she… Rachel had told me which one was the best, which I’m sure she did in the interests of being neighbourly. I suppose she’d filtered useful local info through her own priorities, and in her case that information was the chippy, the Co-op and the pub.I mean, (laughs) do I look like I eat chips?
HS: Ms Taylor, a moment ago you said you were out in your car because you were going for chips.
IT: Well, yes. Occasionally, yes. Once every six months. But not everyweek. My point was, what, looking at me, would give her the impression that I’d go anywhere near a fast-food outlet, or a cheap supermarket, or a working men’s pub? (Laughs) She told me where the library was too. Even the bus stop! I mean, I suppose she assumed… I told her I’d won the Prius in a competition on daytime TV, but I only said that because at many points in my life I’ve struggled with other people’s jealousy. I’ve been the victim of it, I mean. That’s why I got out of Helsby. No one spoke to me after my divorce. I was barred from the Ladies’ Circle. They said it was because my ex had dropped out of the Round Table, but that was a cover. I wasn’t invited to drinks anymore, the annual charity raft race, nothing. It was just bullying. Basically, someone, and I know exactly who it was, spread a rumour that I’d had some sort of fling with her husband. It was all malicious gossip, not a word of truth – these women are toxic. Jealousy, as I said. Not my fault she couldn’t keep her husband interested, is it? He used to text me all the time, stood outside my house sometimes begging me to come and meet him… How is that my fault?
HS: Ms Taylor, did you see Rachel Edwards that evening?
IT: Only when I was trying to park. At that point I realised it wasn’t Mark, obviously. She was wearing his jacket and driving his car, though I didn’t find out why until later.
HS: Did you say hello to her?
IT: What? No. She didn’t see me. I saw her lock the car and glance about her. She looked quite shifty. Sort of watchful, you know? And now you’re saying this man’s collapse is suspicious, I’m wondering whether she was casing the joint. She headed towards the church, anyway, and when she pushed the cemetery gate open, I thought, whoa, surely not. More death-obsessed weirdness. It was like a scene from a film where there’s an abandoned warehouse and instead of even trying the lights they’re all, oh no, let’s just go in with our tiny flashing torches just in case the murderer has sensitive eyes. So naturally that’s the last I saw of her, and I certainly didn’t see him. Dirty old man.
HS: You didn’t follow her in?
IT: What?
HS: For the benefit of the tape, PC Button is showing Ms Taylor a CCTV image. Ms Taylor, can you tell me what you see on this image?
IT: That’s Rachel Edwards, going into the churchyard. In Mark’s raincoat. He let me borrow it once to run from the car into the office. He got soaked, poor man. So sweet.
HS: What about this image?
IT: It’s a… I… I mean, it’s very grainy, isn’t it? It’s a… is it a woman? Really, I can’t make it out…
HS: Notice the time recorded on the images – 19:48 on the first and 19:51 on the second. The person entering the churchyard on the second image is tall, with blonde hair, and is dressed in women’s clothes. You said you followed Mrs Edwards to the gate but you didn’t go in. And yet here you are going in.
IT: That’s ridiculous. This could be anybody.
HS: You recognised Mrs Edwards without hesitation from the same-quality photograph. (Pause) For the benefit of the tape, Ms Taylor is shrugging. Ms Taylor, you described the homeless man, Mr Parker, as a ‘dirty old man’. Can you explain what you mean by that?
