Good Friday

Chapter Eight

Jane had been caught up in heavy traffic and didn’t arrive home until after seven. She parked her car in a space a short walk from her flat and as soon as she got inside she called Pearl Radcliff to say that she was at home if she wanted to come over to view the room. She had a quick bath and put on some casual clothes before checking the spare room to make sure that it was immaculate after Stanley’s stay. As she was making herself a cup of tea the doorbell rang. Jane went to the intercom.

‘Who is it? she asked.

‘It’s Pearl Radcliff.’

Remembering the advice about being cautious, Jane asked her to wait for a moment. She went into her bedroom and looked out of the window onto the street below. She could see a woman standing on her own by the front door and went back to the intercom.

‘Come up to the top floor,’ Jane said, pressing the door entry button and replacing the receiver.

She opened the front door to her flat and waited as Pearl came slowly up the stairs. As she appeared on the small landing, Jane greeted her.

‘Hello, I’m Jane Tennison. Could I ask to see some identification?’

Pearl was a slim young woman, with short bobbed hair in a Mary Quant style. She was wearing a green beret and a dark green overcoat, and was slightly out of breath. She smiled at Jane.

‘Quite a way up, isn’t it? Will my driving licence be enough? I’ve got my passport as well, but I’ve never been asked to show it before… hold on a moment.’

Pearl rooted around in her large leather shoulder bag and then produced her driving license and passport for Jane to look at.

‘Sorry if this sounds a bit officious, but it’s just for security purposes.’ Jane glanced at the licence in Pearl’s wallet, then handed it back.

‘Please come in.’

Pearl followed Jane into the flat as she shut the door behind them.

‘I’ll just show you around first,’ Jane said, ‘and if it’s to your liking we can talk over a cup of tea. It’s obviously not a large flat… The bathroom’s here, and then this is my bedroom. The room for rent is this one.’

Pearl said nothing as she followed Jane. She peered into Jane’s bedroom, then went into the small bedroom and walked around, looking inside the fitted wardrobe and the small chest of drawers, which had a mirror and glass tray on the top.

‘Well, that’s it,’ Jane said. ‘Apart from the kitchen.’ As Pearl had not said a word she couldn’t tell whether she liked the room or not. She walked into the kitchen. ‘Fridge, washing machine and cooker are all new.’

Pearl nodded, still not saying anything.

‘I’m charging ten pounds per week, which includes everything… so there will be no expenses on top of the rent.’

Pearl nodded, showing no reaction.

‘So, what do you think?’

‘Well, it’s smaller than I had hoped. But it’s very fresh and clean. My only worry would be that we’ll be sort of on top of each other, unless we come to some arrangement.’

‘Yes, I agree. Do you want to take your coat off and we can discuss how we can make it work?’

Pearl took off her coat and beret, and Jane put them both on a hook in the hallway. When she returned, Pearl was sitting on one of the breakfast stools. Jane put the kettle on and took out two cups and saucers, milk and sugar and a small teapot.

‘What work do you do?’ Pearl asked.

Jane hesitated, then said that she was a detective with the Metropolitan Police.

‘Oh, gosh… Now I understand why you were so officious about seeing my identification. Do you wear a uniform?’

‘No, I’m plain-clothes now.’

‘Oh, that must be exciting.’

‘It is. And you work at Madame Tussauds?’ Jane asked, as she filled the teapot with boiling water.

‘Yes. I’ve been there for a few years now. I run the ticket office and sometimes do the tours when we’re very busy. We’re always busy, but in the summer it can be exhausting, especially during the school holidays.’

Pearl was wearing a neat blouse and pleated skirt. She had on rather sensible lace-up shoes, but Jane presumed this was due to her having to be on her feet most of the day if she was doing tours. She had a nice soft voice, with a slight accent.

‘Where are you from?’

‘Originally Southport in Lancashire, but I came to London about eight years ago, to study at the polytechnic. I never finished the course though. It was economics and I didn’t sort of fit in. Money was short so I did a few part-time jobs. Eventually I called it quits and worked as a receptionist for a couple of companies, whilst doing a secretarial course. Then I went for the job I’m in now. I never meant it to become full-time but I really enjoyed it, so I’ve worked my way up and it looks like I’ll be staying put.’

They chatted while they waited for the tea to brew, establishing that neither had boyfriends, and that Pearl was an only child.

Pearl watched as Jane poured their tea, then helped herself to milk and sugar.

‘You wanted to see my references. I’ve brought a few letters, including one from my present employer, and one from the landlady where I’ve been living for the past two years. I’ve got to move out as she’s sold her house and they’ve already exchanged contracts… So, she wants me to leave as soon as possible.’

Jane smiled as Pearl handed her a stack of papers in a large envelope. She began to sift through them as they drank their tea. She carefully read the letter from her landlady, which said that Pearl had been a pleasure to have as a tenant, and confirmed that she had always paid the rent on time. The landlady had also given her phone number should further information be requested.

The letter from Madame Tussaud’s was equally commendable. Signed authenticated copies of Pearl’s wage slips confirmed she was paid every week.

‘I’m impressed.’ Jane said, passing everything back to Pearl.

‘I have to be methodical in my work, so I’ve tried to give you everything you might need.’ Pearl neatly refolded the letters and placed them back in the large manila envelope.

‘I noticed that you don’t have a television,’ she added. ‘I’ve got a small portable set, if I could bring that… but I don’t have too many personal belongings. As I said, I visit my parents regularly and as I’ve got to wear a uniform to work I don’t have too many clothes. I’m rather careful as you can probably detect, but I’ve sort of been forming a plan for my future, which is why I really wanted to rent the room from you, as it’s well within my budget.’

Jane cocked her head to one side. ‘Can I ask what you’re planning?’

‘I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I’ve got a cousin who lives in Sydney… it will obviously be a couple of years before I’ve saved enough to take a year out, but that’s what I’m working towards.’

‘I’ve never been travelling,’ Jane said, pouring herself another cup of tea.

‘I’d like to go backpacking… you know, really have time out. But it will be costly as I won’t be able to get a visa to work there. So it will be a lengthy holiday. I haven’t been on a proper holiday for as long as I can remember. Southport is such a lovely seaside place, so when I have my week’s holiday that’s where I go, and it doesn’t cost anything more than the train fare.’

Jane lifted the teapot to ask Pearl if she would like another cup, but she shook her head.

‘Are you seeing other people who are interested in renting the room?’

‘I have had a few people applying, but I’ve been very caught up with work,’ Jane lied, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.

‘Well, I’ll really need to know quite soon. I could move in this weekend.’

Jane took her cup to the sink, and ran the water to rinse it out.

‘Pearl, you seem to be perfect… but I really need to have a think about it. And whilst you’re here we should discuss a few things that we need to agree upon before I make any decision.’

‘Oh. I really thought I’d sort of covered everything you’d need to know about me.’ Pearl looked downcast.

‘You’ve been thorough, and I really appreciate it. But when you first came into the flat you said that it was rather small, and that we’d need to agree on how we can live together and not get on top of each other.’

‘Oh yes, I completely agree with that. It’s always best to get things out in the open at the very start, and not let them build up and become awkward.’

‘Obviously, I’ll have to ask for a deposit, as well as a month’s rent in advance.’

‘Yes, I’m happy with that… how much is the deposit?’

Jane thought about what Stanley had said about unpaid rent. ‘Just a week’s advance is fine. Is ten pounds OK?.’

Pearl nodded. The sharp sides of her well-cut hair curved into her cheeks as she leaned forwards. She wore very little make-up, and had pretty, slanting, greenish eyes. Her nose was rather hooked and she had a wide mouth with small, neat, white teeth.

‘I’ve never rented or shared a flat with anyone before,’ added Jane, ‘so I’m rather inexperienced about putting together a list of “dos and don’ts”… but I think we need to discuss it before we finalise anything.’

‘Absolutely. I can give you a cheque for the deposit, and if you want I can have my rent paid directly into your account every month… whatever method you prefer.’

Jane picked up Pearl’s cup and saucer and put them into the sink beside her own.

‘I don’t want any boyfriends staying overnight. I’m willing for you to have friends visit, or perhaps have dinner, but I don’t want anyone staying. It’s obviously a very small flat and I think it would be too inconvenient.’

Pearl cocked her head to one side and gave a slight smile. ‘Does that also include you not having any men staying over?’

‘Yes, it does. Also, we’ll need a bathroom rota as there’s nothing worse than wanting to get off to work and finding the bathroom is occupied.’

Jane continued listing everything she could think of, and was now jotting down details in a notepad. Pearl was very amenable to all her requests, and suggested getting a joint ‘flat’ diary so everything could be organised on a day-to-day basis.

Jane made a few more notes and finally they discussed cooking and how they would arrange their meals. Jane said she would call Pearl the following evening with her decision as she wanted to sleep on everything they had talked about. Pearl was clearly disappointed, but said she would wait for Jane to make contact. By the time Jane had cleared the kitchen and got into her nightdress it was after nine. Jane felt guilty about not calling her parents and was just about to dial their number when the phone rang and it was her father.

‘I’ve just had that nice superior officer of yours, DCI Church, here, giving me advice about how your mother and I should take precautions following on from your press conference.’

Jane was surprised, and concerned for her parents. Church hadn’t mentioned he’d be speaking to them.

‘What did he say? Was Mum OK?’

‘Your mother was out, so it was a private conversation between him and me. He said for me not to get anxious but they were keeping an eye on you, and he gave me some general advice about our own home security, “just to be on the safe side” were his exact words.’

‘He should have spoken to me first.’

‘How bad is all this, Jane? I mean, I don’t want your mother being made even more anxious. She’s been in a terrible state since the bombing and I daren’t let her near a newspaper… you’re front-page news in all of them.’

‘It’s not that bad, Daddy. Church and the others are just being overprotective. Besides, I’m stuck in a lab at Woolwich which is guarded by MOD police, so I’m perfectly safe.’

‘I’m sorry if I overreacted, dear. I’m sure you would have contacted me if you were worried about your safety.’

Jane knew it was the last thing she would do under the present circumstances. She quickly changed the subject and told him about her interview with Pearl Radcliff. She relayed all the questions she had asked, and told him about the letters of recommendation.

‘So, is she moving in?’ her father asked.

‘Not yet. I just wanted to run it all by you first to see what you thought.’

‘I appreciate that, dear… but she’ll be sharing with you, and the most important thing is what you thought about her. Did you like her?’

‘Yes, I did. She’s quiet and unassuming, and spends most weekends visiting her parents in Southport, so she won’t be at the flat and getting in my way. She’s agreed to pay a deposit and a month’s rent upfront.’

‘Well, she sounds like the perfect candidate to me.’

‘I suppose so. I said I would call her tomorrow to give her my answer.’

‘You don’t sound very sure. If there’s anything you don’t feel comfortable about then keep on seeing more girls. You should always go with your gut instinct.’

‘I will. Thank you for all your advice, Daddy… I appreciate it.’

‘That’s what I’m here for, darling, and I love you. I’ll call you soon.’

Jane replaced the receiver. Her father was right. She was feeling strangely nervous, and put it down to the fact that she had hardly eaten at lunch and had only had a cup of tea with Pearl. But she didn’t feel hungry, just uneasy. She was not usually so incapable of making decisions and, as her father had said, Pearl did seem perfect. She just felt unsure for some reason, but couldn’t think why.

Jane went into the bathroom and cleaned her teeth, then splashed cold water over her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror as she patted it dry with a soft white towel. She looked very pale and had dark circles beneath her eyes. The terrible sense of panic overwhelmed her without any warning. Her heart started racing, and felt as if it would burst through her chest. She was struggling to breathe properly and started gasping for air, as if someone was squeezing her lungs too tightly. She slowly slipped onto her knees and grasped the edge of the washbasin. The sound of her own hysterical sobbing frightened her. She was shaking uncontrollably. Her head filled with the screams of the injured and images of the bomb blast: her hand on the terrorist suspect’s sleeve, his half-turned face, tying the tourniquet around the old lady’s shattered leg, the blood, the dust… and then the awful sight of the naked and vulnerable Regina tied down to a bed.

Every recollection felt like heavy blows to her body, and Jane curled up and wrapped her arms around herself to try to keep the images out. But they wouldn’t stop, and she was scared. She even had visions of Stanley on her staircase, the drive through the Blackwall Tunnel, and her yellow VW parked in the wrong space. Everything merged into a terrible, constant nightmare. Then there was the face of Pearl Radcliff, with her short hair and green beret, as if she was the epicentre to the nightmare.

Suddenly she had a flashback to the moment she saw the bomber, then the image quickly changed, replaced by the man in the surveillance photo, both images flickering in and out of her head like a blinding strobe light. The two men were completely different in appearance. In a rush of fear, she thought she could recognise the bomber if she saw him again.

Jane had no idea how long she had been sobbing for, and by the time she had calmed down enough to get to her feet she was drained and totally exhausted. Her whole body ached and she moved slowly out of the bathroom towards her bedroom. She had to keep her hand on the wall to steady herself as it felt as though she was going to fall again. Eventually she made it to her bed and lay face down. She was afraid to close her eyes in case the images returned. She was no longer sobbing, but tears were cascading down her face. Gradually the terror subsided.

Tonight, the horror of everything she had experienced had hit her with full force. She had been in denial, never allowing herself to show her fears and she now understood the cost of holding it together all day, and at the press conference. Anger drowned out the fear. Crowley had used her. She wanted to know why.