Not any more. But I always did what Carl said. Doing what somebody else told me to had always been a habit for me and old habits die hard. In any case I did not seem able to think clearly. Everything appeared blurred. I let him help me outside and down the alleyway to where the van was parked in the street leading steeply down to the harbour. We were just pulling away when Detective Sergeant Perry arrived. She was slowing down, obviously looking for a parking space, when she spotted us and flashed her lights. Carl said ‘Damn!’ loudly. He didn’t stop the van. I looked at him, startled. He just hit the accelerator and carried on driving, swerving around the policewoman’s car. I hadn’t wanted him to do that. Whatever the police had to say I felt I was ready for it, even if Carl didn’t agree. I turned and peered out of the back window. DS Perry’s car was facing the wrong way. I wondered if she would try to turn and follow us, but she did not seem to be attempting to do so. ‘I want to talk to her, Carl,’ I said.
