Andy had been released by the police because there was insufficient evidence to convict him of having murdered Jenny and he was plausible about the visit to the Abbey Coffee Shop. But he had been dismissed from the Social Services with decisions about his future still pending and was now living on benefit. His car was sold, and he lived the life of a hermit apart from going once a week into Culworth for his food shopping, and no one volunteered to sit next to him on the bus. His name was on everybody’s lips week after week and he got short shrift from everyone. They all guessed he was guilty and, so far as they were concerned, it would stay that way until proved different. Over their morning cup of tea Dottie and Beth discussed it yet again. Dottie said for the umpteenth time, ‘I can’t understand why they haven’t accused him of murdering her. After all, it didn’t seem right, her being the kind of person she was, that she promised your mum about the Beauty Evening and then wham!
