Page 62 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘They told me to do that.’

‘Who did?’

‘The detective. The one in charge. He said if I said I killed Alice then I could have something to eat and see my mum. I was so hungry.’

Jennifer scribbled a note in her pad. ‘What time were you brought here yesterday?’

‘I don’t know. I think it was about eleven o’clock.’

‘So you hadn’t had any lunch?’

‘No.’

‘Did they offer you anything? A cup of tea?’

‘No. I had a drink of water, but it was ages before they gave me one.’

‘Did they offer you the chance to make a phone call?’

‘No.’

‘Did they ask if you wanted a solicitor?’

‘No.’

‘So, they brought you in here and began asking you questions?’

‘Yes.’

‘I see. Anthony, do you remember the night Alice was murdered?’

‘Yes. It was the night of the storm.’

‘Where were you? Your mum told me that you didn’t get home until very late. She thinks it was around nine o’clock.’

‘I like storms. I went to the seafront and watched the waves.’

‘The library closed early that day, didn’t it? Because of the bad weather?’

‘Yes. We closed at four o’clock.’

‘So, you were watching the storm for five hours?’

‘I think so.’

‘Did you see anyone during those five hours?’

‘No.’

‘You’re sure.’

‘Yes.’

‘OK.’

‘Can I go home now?’

‘I don’t know about that yet, Anthony. I need to have a word with a magistrate.’