Page 93 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘He went to work in the local library,’ Ronald prompted.

‘Yes,’ Pauline smiled. ‘A voluntary role at first. He’s always enjoyed reading. Adventure stories and comic books. He liked helping out. It gave him a sense of purpose. When a part-time job became available, they offered it to him. I’ve never seen him so happy than when he came home that night to tell me they’d given him a job.’ Her smile grew and more tears came. Pauline took a tissue from up her sleeve and wiped her eyes.

‘You clearly love your son, Mrs Winstanley.’

‘I do. He’s a good boy. He’d never hurt anyone,’ she said through the tears.

Ronald cleared his throat. ‘Mrs Winstanley, does Anthony have any friends?’

‘Not… no, not many. He’s friendly with the people he works with, and he has me and Leo; a very good friend of the family.’ She looked up at Leo and smiled. He smiled back and gave her a discreet thumbs-up.

‘But nobody his own age?’

‘No. He was bullied a lot at school and college. He prefers the company of grown-ups.’

‘He liked Alice Patterson, though.’

‘He likes everyone who comes into the library and enjoys talking about books. He’s very friendly.’

‘Did he ever mention Alice Patterson to you at home?’

‘No.’

‘Did he ever mention any of the people who came into the library?’

‘Occasionally, but only if something out of the ordinary happened.’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, if maybe someone knocked over some books, for example.’

‘So, he never mentioned Alice Patterson by name?’

‘Erm, no. No, he didn’t,’ she said, not making direct eye contact with any of the jury.

‘And he never said he was attracted to her?’

‘No.’

‘On the night of October the tenth, the night of the storm, what time did Anthony arrive home?’

‘It was after ten o’clock.’

‘We have it on record that the library closed early because of the storm; before five o’clock, in fact. Where was Anthony all that time?’

‘He said he was by the coast watching the storm.’

‘Did you believe him?’

‘Of course.’

‘Were you worried when he didn’t come home at his usual time?’

‘No. We heard on the radio that morning that a storm was forecast. Anthony said he’d go and watch it.’

‘How was Anthony when he eventually arrived home?’

‘He was soaking wet,’ she half-smiled. ‘He was wearing his waterproof coat, but his trousers were soaked. He was hungry and tired.’