Page 126 of The Dead Ex

‘Yes.’ Vicki Goudman speaks so quietly that I can barely hear her.

‘Would you like to tell us what happened after that?’

‘I was pregnant.’ Her voice is dull, as if she’s given up. ‘Theattack caused me to lose my baby.’

What?A shock of horror zips down my spine. Mum never told me that.

‘Why didn’t you mention this when you gave evidence earlier on?’

‘Because it was too painful. I’d instructed my own barrister to leave it out.’

‘How else did the attack affect you?’

‘The head injuries led to epilepsy. My husband found this difficult to deal with. He said I’d become a differentkind of person and he got embarrassed when I fitted in public.’

The prosecution’s eyes narrow. ‘Do you still have these fits?’

‘Strictly speaking, they are known as seizures.’

‘I apologize. Please answer the question.’

‘Yes. I do still have them. I usually take quite strongmedication, which reduces the number of episodes, but it hasn’t stopped them.’

‘Usuallytake?’

There’s a nod.

‘Pleasespeak, Mrs Goudman.’

‘Yes, I usually take my medication.’

‘Are we to conclude therefore that there are times when you don’t?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why not?’

‘I might forget or …’

‘Please continue.’

‘I don’t like the side-effects.’

‘What kind of side-effects?’

‘It can affect my memory.’

‘In what way?’

‘I might forget I’ve done something, like turn on the cooker. It’s why I have a microwave insteadfor food.’

‘Might it also make you forget you had hurt someone?’

‘Possibly.’

‘You originally told the police that you hadn’t seen your ex-husband for some years. Yet the court has already seen a photograph showing you arguing with him outside a restaurant on the thirtieth of November last year, just a few weeks before he disappeared. Would you like to explain that?’

I begin to feel nervous.That had been an opportunity which had simply fallen into my hands. There I’d been, having dinner with David, and then suddenly Vicki appeared outside. I knew what she looked like from her old prison profile online. I’d managed to take a quickpicture on my phone. Mum had been beside herself with excitement when I’d told her. ‘Hang on to it. You never know when it will be useful.’