Nel nodded.She looked back at Faye, who was staring at the floor in front of her.‘How’s Faye?’
Cath shrugged.‘Tolerating it all.She’s never been comfortable with the spotlight.’
Applause broke out as Geoff approached the microphone to the flash of cameras.He leaned down and said something into Faye’s ear.She gave a slight shake of her head and looked away.
‘Good evening!’His deep voice boomed over the speakers.‘And a very good evening it is!’He paused for more applause.‘Firstly, thank you to the wonderful people of Wells.’That was the federal electorate of the far south coast.‘It’s been the greatest honour of my life to serve you, and I’m so humbled to have the opportunity to continue to do so for another term …’
His delivery was perfect.Thoughtful, composed, statesmanlike.By his side, Faye’s face was utterly devoid of emotion.
When Geoff finished his victory speech, Trent stepped forward and cleared his throat.‘Mr Marshall?Congratulations on your resounding victory, but I wondered how you and Faye are doingafter the news of Ryan Warner’s arrest on charges relating to Maddie’s death?’
There was silence as though the whole crowd was holding its breath.A shadow crossed Geoff’s face, then he seemed to steel himself.
‘We’re okay … thank you.’
Nel watched Faye.She kept her eyes down.Her mouth was tight, her lips pursed.
‘I don’t want to say much on this matter.Just that all we want, all we’ve ever wanted, is for our beautiful Maddie to be able to rest in peace.’
Those words again.Nel sucked in a deep breath.‘Faye,’ she said loudly.
Faye’s eyes snapped up as heads swung in Nel’s direction.
‘You need to tell the truth.’
She waited, heart racing, for Faye to say something.A cameraman pointed his camera at her.Some people were filming on their phones.
‘Nel!’Cath hissed beside her.‘Be quiet!’
Geoff looked at Faye, who met his gaze, stony-faced, then back at Nel.‘What on earth are you talking about?’
Nel ignored him.‘You need to tell the truth, Faye.’
Geoff scoffed.‘That’s enough!’
Nel raised her voice.‘You know what happened to Maddie, Faye.I know you know.’
‘The nerve of you!’Geoff said, seething.‘You need to leave or I’ll have you taken away.’He gestured to Jimmy.‘Get her out of here.’
Jimmy was unmoved.
‘I’m not going anywhere.’Nel’s heart pounded.‘Tell us the truth, Faye.’
‘I can’t do this anymore, Geoff,’ Faye said, her voice thin, weak.
He glared at her.‘Don’t, Faye.’
Her eyes flashed with defiance.When she spoke again her voice was stronger.‘Iwon’tdo this anymore.’
‘Faye.Don’t.’Geoff’s voice cracked as he spoke.‘Please.’He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the side of the stage.
‘Don’t touch me,’ Faye hissed through clenched teeth, wrenching her hand free.
Geoff stepped back and raised his hands slightly.
‘It’s time people knew the truth,’ Faye said.She looked around at the faces before her, then she fixed her eyes on the floor in front of her and began to speak.
‘At first we didn’t think anything was wrong, that night when Maddie didn’t come home.’Her voice was a low steady murmur.‘She was a handful, you know.She often pushed the boundaries.’
