Page 103 of Murder in the Family

As arelationshipI thought it was a terrific idea. He was fun, he took her out of herself, they did things together. Andrew had never been interested in doing that. Luke spoiled her, in emotional terms. And she made no bones about the fact that it was the best sex she’d ever had.

LAILA FURNESS – off

But? Because I think I can hear a but coming.

SHIRLEY BOOKER

But as amarriage? No, absolutely not. I thought it would be a complete disaster. He was too young, too erratic. She should have kept him separate – rather like she did with me, actually. I’ve never thought of it that way before.

But anyway, she should have just enjoyed it while it lasted and then moved on. No one would have blamed her for that. Butmarryinghim – making it official – just abouteveryoneblamed her forthat.

The Howards, because of the money – especially Rupert, of course.

Her so-called ‘friends’, even if most of them were motivated by envy.

Her children—

LAILA FURNESS – off

Her children didn’t like him?

SHIRLEY BOOKER

They couldn’t stand him, none of them. Especially Amelie.

LAILA FURNESS – off

No one’s raised that before. Guy certainly hasn’t.

SHIRLEY BOOKER

Well, that’s hardly surprising, is it? You’re a psychologist – Guy is hardly going to comestraight out and tell you the three of them loathed the sight of a man who ended up dead, now, is he?

LAILA FURNESS – off

But Guy was only a child at the time – barely 10—

SHIRLEY BOOKER

That’s precisely my point. His mother was replacing the father he adored with some Johnny-come-lately with a funny accent who couldn’t be bothered to play with him. There can’t be many more unsettling experiences for a 10-year-old than that. But you’re the psychologist, you tell me.

LAILA FURNESS – off

I tend to agree. Though it must have put some dampeners on the wedded bliss.

SHIRLEY BOOKER

The weddingbliss as well – Guy famously pushed the cake off its stand on the morning of the ceremony. It was a complete write-off – cream and sponge all over the floor. Caroline kept on and on insisting it was only an accident – that Guy was just ‘overexcited’.

LAILA FURNESS – off

You obviously didn’t agree.

SHIRLEY BOOKER

Let’s just say that he certainly didn’t look ‘excited’ to me. Just absolutely furious. And of course there was the most tremendous panic because they had to send out for another cake at the last minute.

(makes a wry face)

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