Page 67 of The Guilty Girl

‘No, nothing.’

‘Patio door was smashed. Did you see how that happened?’

‘It was fine when I left. Wide open. Some kids were still in the garden.’

‘I heard there was a row between Lucy McAllister and another girl.’

‘Oh, that. Handbag stuff.’

‘Explain.’

‘Some blonde girl had a right go at Lucy. A shouting match. I calmed them down with the help of another lad. No blood spilled.’

‘Curious phrase.’ Lottie threw Kirby a look, and gathered he thought so too.

‘What?’ Richie looked from one to the other.

‘“No blood spilled”, you said, which is an odd turn of phrase for something you called handbag stuff.’

He blanched. ‘I … I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Any other incidents you care to tell us about?’

‘Nothing else happened while I was there.’ He stood up, then sat back again.

‘How did Lucy hire you?’

‘She called me a week ago to book me.’

‘So she had your number?’

‘My details are on my Facebook page. She probably got it there.’

‘You’re sure about that?’

‘Yes, I’m bloody sure. And I’m not saying anything else until you tell me what this is about. Did Lucy or Ivy send you to talk to me?’

‘Ivy Jones? How do you know her?’

‘I don’t. I mean … I only met her last night. She was hanging off Lucy like a shadow. She … she introduced herself to me. Asked me to play some song or other. That’s all I know about her.’

‘Anything else you can remember? Like what time Jake Flood went home?’

‘Who?’

‘The young guy selling the drugs. He’s missing.’

‘Missing? I know nothing about that.’

‘Did you see him leave?’

‘I don’t think so. He was probably still there when I left. I gathered up most of my equipment and put it in the van, and Lucy said to call back today for the rest of it and my money. She said I was traipsing in and out too much. That’s it.’

‘What time did you leave?’

‘Could have been two thirty, maybe three o’clock.’

‘And your wife will confirm you were home shortly after that, will she?’