‘You think we have William next door?’ Kim asked.
‘Well, Martin’s hardly in a fit state. I swear to you: ignore what he says. He ain’t all that bright. He’s just?—’
‘It’s not him, Martha,’ Kim said, ending her misery. She was rewarded by Martha’s panic changing to confusion as she was rendered speechless. She hadn’t had that on her bingo card.
‘You really thought William had shot him from another part of the farm?’ Kim asked.
Martha all but snarled at her.
‘Jesus, Martha, there’s no lawyer present, and I haven’t read you your rights. You could admit to mass murder, and I couldn’t use it.’
Martha must have believed the frustration in her voice. She nodded. ‘He appeared from behind the house with a gun in his hand. I grabbed it and told him to call you lot.’
‘It wasn’t him. George Hubbard was on his way to try and make peace with you.’
‘Twat. Three more steps and I woulda shot him.’
‘Well, his wife saved you the trouble.’
It took a few seconds for the news to register, but when it did, a slow smile formed on Martha’s thin lips.
‘Fuck me, she’s got more balls than I gave her credit for. Fair play to her.’
Kim could only marvel that Lena Hubbard would tell her where to shove that respect. There was no coming back for these two women… but maybe hope lay elsewhere.
‘So, Martha, you’re free to go,’ Kim said, opening her hands.
Martha stood. ‘Well, don’t think I’m gonna thank you. You’re all still a bunch of tossers that I’d set on fire to keep me toes warm.’
‘And I’d expect nothing less,’ Kim said, opening the interview room door.
She followed the woman into the foyer.
Martha stopped dead. ‘What the fuck you doing here?’
Donna moved towards her mother. ‘Mum, this is madness. I love you and my brothers. Let me come and see Martin before?—’
‘He doesn’t want to see you,’ Martha spat. ‘He’s gonna die with the heartache of your betrayal.’
‘But William?—’
‘He hates yer as well.’
Tears escaped from Donna’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. ‘Just tell me what I can do to make it right. I’ll do anything!’
‘You still shacked up with him?’
‘I love him,’ Donna sobbed.
‘Nothing else to say,’ Martha said, brushing past her.
Kim shook her head in despair. Even after all she’d been through, Martha couldn’t find it in her heart to let the hatred and bitterness go. It was more important than her own daughter.
‘At least let me drive you home,’ Donna begged.
Martha looked her up and down before shaking her head. ‘I’d rather fucking walk.’
Martha strode out of the building and, with one more pained glance her way, Donna left too.
