Page 152 of The Guilty Girl

‘I don’t understand.’ Hannah swung round to her solicitor. ‘What’s she saying? I never had sex with anyone.’

‘What did you drink at the party?’ Lottie asked.

‘Coke, I think. I still don’t under—’

‘Who served you?’

‘The boy you asked about before. Jake. Please, did Cormac have sex with me?’

Lottie pressed on. ‘Did you know Jake Flood before that night?’

‘No. I never saw him before.’

‘Did you know Sharon Flood?’

‘Who?’

‘Jake’s little sister.’

‘You have to believe me, I never heard of them.’

‘When did you fetch your rucksack?’

‘What? You’re confusing me.’

‘It’s a simple question. When did you get your rucksack from Lucy McAllister’s house?’ She couldn’t be any clearer.

Hannah shook her head. ‘I can’t remember.’

‘Cormac says you woke up together in the garden cabin and he took you to his car to drive you home but you got hysterical, shouting for your bag. Do you recall any of that?’

‘No. I swear.’

Lottie tended to believe her. ‘Why do you think Lucy circulated that half-naked photo of you?’

Ballesty interjected. ‘Inspector, I’ve been briefed about your interviews to date. I believe that issue has been sufficiently covered.’

‘You might believe that, Ms Ballesty, but I know it hasn’t been resolved sufficiently.’

‘What’s the point of your question?’

‘The photo is a motive for Lucy’s murder.’

Hannah slapped the table, tears streaming down her face. ‘Why would I murder Lucy over that photo? It’s not the first time she’s done that to me.’

Lottie glanced at Kirby and back again at Hannah. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I don’t like thinking about it. It was awful, but I’d never murder anyone over a stupid photo.’

‘Where were these other photos taken?’

‘Mainly in the locker rooms at school and in the showers at the athletic ground.’

‘Are you sure Lucy took them?’

‘I assumed it was her because she sent them around to absolutely everyone.’

‘But you went to her party. Why?’