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IT: She asked me, but – and I mean this in a nice way – it’s fine for people who are overweight or stressed or whatever, and Rachel was definitely… Suffice to say, it’s not for me. Like I say, it’s fine if you like getting sweaty in unflattering Lycra trousers for no good reason, but honestly? I prefer to emulate the French. Eat less, smoke in moderation and leave the jumping about to people who… you know, people who join things.
HS: Ms Tay—
IT: She looks a lot better now, by the way. Rachel. Murder obviously agrees with her. Sorry, that was… I’m a bit nervous. I mean, I came here of my own free will and it’s Rachel who’s confessed, and before I knew what she was capable of, obviously, I suppose I’d become a little resentful of her and her whole poor-me thing. I mean, you have to take responsibility for yourself at some point, don’t you? I suppose I wanted to shake her by those slumped shoulders of hers and say, wake up! Do you have any idea what you’ve got there? A kind, decent man who isn’t pissing all your money up the wall like mine did. A man who can actually father a child and provide, OK, nothing to set you flicking through yacht catalogues, but a steady income. A man who actually comeshomeafter work. A man who doesn’t set light to your life savings and your annual all-inclusive holiday in the Seychelles, who doesn’t arrive home stinking of alcohol having sold the Discovery to pay for his stupid, selfish habit. Mark would never do that. And I know I’d have to adjust, but I wouldappreciatehim. He’s going to need someone now that Rachel’s not going to be around. I’m still young enough to have a child. I mean, it breaks my heart to see him work so hard, and he’s so sweet, and when he comes home expecting a little comfort, some company in front of the television, where’s she? Out walking the dog! Or not, as we now know.
HS: Ms Taylor—
IT: When I think of all the times I was alone with her, in her house. I mean, it could have been me next.
HS: Ms Taylor. Ms Taylor? If we can stick to the evening in question. For the benefit of the tape, Ms Taylor is taking a drink of water. (Pause) All right. Ms Taylor, we have two witnesses who say they saw a woman matching your description near the entrance to Brookvale Leisure Centre at around eight forty-five on the evening of the twenty-sixth. How do you respond to that? (Pause) For the benefit of the tape, Ms Taylor is shrugging.
IT: I can’t imagine you have aprecisedescription of me, Detective. I wasn’t there.
HS: You’re sure about that?
IT: Of course I’m sure. No offence, but it’s not me who’s lost their marbles and gone off knifing innocent people. I was at home.
HS: You’ve told us that you knew where Rachel was going that night. Mr Edwards… Mark… has told us he dropped you off to see a friend in Juniper Way before going on to the Norton Arms. I don’t know if you know, but Juniper Way is a cul-de-sac off Barnfield Avenue. Which is where the Brookvale Leisure Centre is located. So it would appear you were in that part of town even though you’ve said you were at home. And for whatever reason, you didn’t want to use your car. For the benefit of the tape, Ms Taylor has closed her eyes and is shaking her head. Ms Taylor?
IT: I forgot, OK? I thought that was the Wednesday. I’m sorry. And I’m sorry for being flippant earlier – it’s just nerves and I’m still so upset by what’s happened. I went to see my friend on the Thursday, that’s right. But I had no idea it was anywhere near the leisure centre.
HS: Could you clarify what you mean by ‘friend’?
IT: My ex-husband has a flat there. Not quite a friend, I suppose.
HS: So it’s fair to say you were in the immediate vicinity of Brookvale Leisure Centre and that the witnesses who saw someone matching your description that evening could conceivably have seen you?
IT: It’s conceivable. But I had no idea where Rachel was that night other than at some class. I needed to see my ex about something.
HS: Conceivable. You had, as you say, no idea where she was going for her class. However, after a cursory check of leisure facilities in Halton borough, I discovered that there are three places where she could – conceivably – have gone. One, Runcorn Baths, but that has only a gym and pool, no hall or dance studio. Two, Widnes Leisure Centre—
IT: I know what you’re getting at. Widnes was closed for refurbishment. I could have researched it easily. Just a matter of finding out where the spinning class was. But I didn’t. It wasn’t like that. I was chatting to Mark and—
HS: Would it be fair to say you called at the Edwards home immediately Rachel had left for the class you knew she was going to?
IT: The way you say it makes it sound wrong, but he’s my friend! He said he was heading out, so on the off-chance I ended up having something to drink, I grabbed a lift. I don’t drink and drive. I would never do that.
HS: You appear to be clearer now on which class Rachel Edwards attended, Ms Taylor.
IT: I’m sorry?
HS: Earlier you said ‘some class’. Just now you said ‘the spinning class’, which is indeed accurate. You seem to have recovered your memory.
IT: I know what you’re trying to do. But I hadn’t forgotten – I was being flippant, for which I’ve apologised. I didn’t realise I was under suspicion. I came here voluntarily to help with your enquiries. I mean, she confessed, didn’t she? She turned herself in? You’ve recovered the knife, I presume, from her house? The file?
HS: Ms Taylor, can you tell us where you were on the night of Saturday the twenty-eighth of September?
IT: At the risk of repeating myself, I was at home. I really was. I live alone. It’s very difficult to provide an alibi when you live alone, but that’s hardly my fault.
HS: For the benefit of the tape, PC Button is showing Ms Taylor four images. Ms Taylor, if you’d like to look at these images. The first two are taken from the CCTV camera at Brookvale Leisure Centre. The second two… I’m not sure if you’re aware, but shortly after the attack on Joanna Weatherall, the CCTV cameras operating on Boston Avenue, which had been out of order, were serviced. If you’d like to take a look and tell me who you think that is near the town-hall gardens?
IT: This is outrageous. I know what you’re trying to do. Well, let me tell you something, I did see Rachel with that girl. Joanna. I did. I saw her go into the gardens!
HS: And why didn’t you tell us that earlier?
IT: Because I didn’t want anything to do with it! But I saw her. I was out walking and I saw her talking to that girl and I saw her take her over the fence and away into the dark. I’m telling you, it’s Rachel Edwards you want, not me. I want a lawyer. Get me a lawyer now. I’m not saying another word until I have a lawyer.
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