Page 101 of Murder in the Family

FADE IN

TEAM IN STUDIO. Bill is now in shirt sleeves with an open collar. He has a tan. It’s raining outside.

JJ NORTON

Bet you’re thrilled to be back in London, Bill.

BILL SERAFINI

Just delighted, JJ, just delighted.

(shaking his head)

One thing I do know is I’m getting way too old for the red eye. Used to take bounce back quick enough back in the day, but not now. Not now. Anyway, enough about me—

(looking round the table)

How’s it been here – much to report?

MITCHELL CLARKE

Oh, we’ve all been beavering away at our homework. Teacher will be impressed.

BILL SERAFINI

(laughing)

I’m sure you’ll get a gold star, Mitch.

So who wants to kick off?

LAILA FURNESS

Well, since I’m pretty certainIwon’t be getting a gold star, I think I should start.

BILL SERAFINI

I think you’re selling yourself short, Laila.

LAILA FURNESS

I doubt it. And I’m not sure any of us will be able to compete with your little showstopper about Eric Fulton.

(takes a deep breath)

But here goes anyway. Last time we met we heard from Jennifer Dennison and Carmel Piper, who were part of Caroline’s ‘ladies who lunch’ set. Neither of them thought she was having an affair, but it wasn’t clear whether they knew her well enough to really know. I wasn’t convinced, anyway, I don’t know about anyone else.

So, with Guy’s help, I dug a little deeper, and we found Shirley Booker.

CUT TO: INTERVIEW. Hotel foyer. Plush carpet, a bar in the background, people milling about, most of them menin business suits. The woman seated in the armchair in the foreground is in her sixties, short grey curls, a dark jacket, a blouse with a tie neck, and a gold brooch in the shape of a clover leaf.

LAILA FURNESS – off

So just for the record, can you tell us who you are and how you knew Caroline?

SHIRLEY BOOKER

My name is Shirley Booker and I was Caroline Farrow’s flatmate when she first came to London.

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