Page 229 of Murder in the Family

ALAN CANNING

And what happened next?

MAURA HOWARD

Me and Amelie talked for a bit, had our Coke, then she went upstairs and I headed out to my room.

(a pause)

That’s when I found him.

And no, I amnotgoing to go through all that again.

ALAN CANNING

So to recap: you didn’t go straight home after Mitch dropped you off, you waited for your sister.

MAURA HOWARD

Right.

He moves into quick-fire questioning now.

ALAN CANNING

You didn’t see anyone leaving the house when you got home.

MAURA HOWARD

No.

ALAN CANNING

You didn’t argue with Luke, because he accused you of being with Mitch, rather than at the cinema.

MAURA HOWARD

No.

ALAN CANNING

It wasn’t your hair caught in his jacket zip.

MAURA HOWARD

(her eyes widening)

No—

ALAN CANNING

Was he abusing you?

She gasps a little; there’s a heartbeat’s pause before she answers.

MAURA HOWARD

No.

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