Page 89 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Seasonal? I’m not Father Christmas.’

Another ripple of laughter from the court.

Ronald smiled. ‘Quite. What I meant was that at certain times of year you’ll be busier than others.’

‘Well, yes, I suppose I am.’

‘At the height of summer, for example, when it stays light until almost ten o’clock, your working hours will be longer.’

‘Yes. During the summer I’m often out until the early hours.’

‘Whereas in winter, what time do you usually go home?’

‘I’m not sure. Maybe half past eleven. Midnight at the latest.’

‘Does the number of clients you get change with the seasons? For example, when it’s hot and sunny in the summer, do you see more men than during the winter?’

‘Yes.’

‘And for how long have you been doing this job?’

‘Erm… I’m not sure. Five, six years, maybe.’

‘So, you’re more than qualified to say when the best time to go out is for maximum benefit to you?’

‘I like to think so, yes, but?—’

Ronald cut her off. ‘Do you get many clients when the weather is bad?’

‘Not… Not many, no. It’s usually just the regulars, you know?’

‘The night of Monday October tenth last year was the night of one of the worst storms in recent history. And you were out on that night?’

Tania looked to Stefan then back to Ronald. ‘Yes,’ she said. Her voice lacked conviction.

‘Did you get many clients?’

‘A few.’

‘What time did you go home?’

‘I… I don’t think I can remember.’

‘I have a report here from the Meteorological Centre in London,’ Ronald began, holding up a sheet of paper. ‘On Monday October tenth last year, a weather warning was issued. It advised people not to go out unless their journey was necessary?—’

‘I have to work,’ Tania interrupted.

‘Wind speed was an average of fifty-five miles per hour and, at one point, at precisely 7:58pm, according to this report, a gust of sixty-eight miles per hour was recorded. More than a month’s worth of rain fell in a forty-eight-hour period. North East Police also advised people not to travel unless necessary. Trains stopped running all along the east coast and in Whitby itself pubs, nightclubs, and restaurants closed for the evening. Are you expecting us to believe men would put their lives in jeopardy to go out and visit a prostitute?’

‘I… I was out working,’ she said, hesitantly.

‘For how long?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Minutes? Hours?’

‘I… Hours.’