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‘Jesus christ,’ she said ‘That’s it!’

45

Erika had decided to visit Marianne and when she arrived at 7 Avondale Road, there was a short round faced wo around his neck The chain was on the front door and a voice was telling theo away

Erika pulled out her ID

‘This is private property Who are you?’ she asked

‘Eva Castle, Daily Mail,’ said the woet her h the chain, which Erika realised was Laura

‘Love, your Mum slashed a local paedophile with a knife in public, this is always going to be in your favour but it’s a chance to get your side of the story,’ said Eva leaning into the gap

‘Corapher lifted his camera and started to fire off some pictures in her face Erika reached out and pushed the lens down

‘Police brutality?’ he said with a glint in his eye His voice had a high raspy register

‘I could arrest you for harassment, both of you You’re on private property I’dDNA swabs for our database, the works I’ll also confiscate your caet it back for quite some time,’ said Erika

There was a brief stand-off where Erika and the photographer refused to budge

‘Come on Dave,’ said Eva ‘S’not worth it…’

Erika stared them down as they moved off and up the driveway, she then turned and knocked on the front door After a h the gap

‘Can I come in and talk?’ asked Erika Laura’s eyes flitted from side to side then she relented and opened the door The house was still and silent, and a clock chimed from upstairs

‘Can I talk to your et a stateave her soo was that?’

‘He’s just left, she’s going to be out for hours…’

‘Ok Can I talk to you?’

‘What about?’ asked Laura her face sagging fearfully She was dressed in tight blue jeans and a white blouse tucked in at the waist, showing off an enviable figure Her face was bare and free of the heavy makeup, and Erika was shocked how old she looked without it, much older than her 44 years

‘Please, just for a h the hallway to the kitchen

‘Would you like tea?’ asked Laura Erika smiled and nodded She

‘I wanted to ask who tipped you off about Trevor Marsk in town?’

‘Mu the kettle down

‘And as the phone call froarden and she was inside watching television’

‘So your mother answered the phone?’

‘Yes, she answered the phone and then she cah here to tell me’ Laura opened the cupboard and pulled a couple of cups out

‘I thought you just said you out in the garden?’ asked Erika Laura dropped one of the cups and it shattered across the floor

‘Oh, shit, sorry…’