The Whole Truth

‘Thank God he’s only getting a caution– I mean, after they arrested him and everything –’

Freya nods. ‘I know – I was really worried for a moment back there. I thought the whole thing might be going to shit.’

‘And you’re sure the cops didn’t suspect anything?’ begins the man tentatively. ‘Because if they worked out me and Caleb knew each other from rugby, they’d work it all out –’

Zoe frowns. ‘Oh, stop being such a girl, Seb. Why would they even think that? And we scrubbed our phones – there won’t be anything there even if they go looking. Which they won’t.’

He makes a face. ‘OK, OK, sorry. I just feel a bit of a shit, that’s all. I mean, yes, Marina did make up that crap about the grooming, but only because of that picture – because she was scared. And as for the sex, I mean, you know how much I wish it had never happened, but it just did – she never forced me – she was just upset –’

‘Well, she forced Caleb,’ says Freya quickly, glaring at him. ‘Remember?’

She stares at him, holding his gaze. After a moment he drops his eyes. ‘I still don’t know why you needed to drag me in.’

‘Because no one would have believed us otherwise,’ she insists. ‘It would just have been her word against Caleb’s. There had to be another victim to make them take us seriously. Especially after she got that bloody kid to lie for her.’

Zoe shakes her head. ‘Jesus, Freya, I’m so sorry – I never thought she’d dare do that again.’

‘And we agreed, remember,’ says Freya, still staring at Sebastian, ‘that night, after it happened? All four of us: you, me, Zo, Caleb. We had to do something, right? Once was bad enough – but twice? You can’t do that – you can’t just go around screwing other people’s boyfriends and expect there to be no comeback. She had to be stopped.’

Zoe reaches out and touches Sebastian on the arm. ‘She was a class-one bitch over that NDA, babe. She practically drove us out of Oxford. Why should she get away with that?’

‘And what if it was the other way round?’ says Freya quickly. ‘What if it’d been Zo and a male tutor – what would you say then – would you think that was OK?’

Sebastian is still staring down at his wine.

‘Because it’s no bloody different,’ says Freya. ‘She’s in a position of power and that means that what she did was abuse. Abuse of Caleb and abuse of you – whether you think she “forced” you or not. The only person who’s done anything wrong here is her and she’s finally going to get what she deserves.’

She raises her glass and the other girl follows, and then, after a moment, Sebastian does too.

‘To revenge,’ says Zoe.

‘To justice,’ says Freya.

* * *

It’s obvious why Alex didn’t answer Nell’s knock. She’s sitting cross-legged on the bed in her pyjamas, earphones in, staring at her laptop, making notes on a counsel’s pad. Her hair is straggly and she clearly hasn’t showered.

‘Alex,’ cries Nell, ‘for God’s sake, you’re not working? This is crazy – after everything the doctor said –’

Alex looks up. Her cheeks are flushed, but she doesn’t look unwell – she looks excited, wired.

‘Nell,’ she says, pulling out one earphone. But only one. ‘Sorry. I didn’t hear you.’

Her sister takes a step forward, her face grave. ‘What are you doing?’ She gestures at the laptop, the paper. ‘You’re on leave – you shouldn’t even be thinking about this stuff, never mind –’

Alex cuts across her. ‘I’m fine, Nell, really. And it’s not work. I promise.’

Nell frowns. ‘You should be taking it easy – resting. Remember what the doctor said?’

Alex smiles, placatory. ‘I know – and I’m fine. Really.’ Her hand is already poised to put her earphone back.

‘OK,’ says Nell with a sigh. She knows better than to argue with Alex when she gets in this mood. And at least there’s some colour in her cheeks now. ‘I’m popping out to the shops. I’ll only be half an hour. Ben’s downstairs if you need anything. And Gerry won’t be long.’

But Alex has already gone back to her programme.

Nell stands there for a few more moments, but her sister doesn’t even seem to register her presence. She’s paused the audio and is making another note, underlining something.

Nell reaches for the door and pulls it quietly closed.

* * *

9 July 2018, 9.25 p.m.

62a Shrivenham Close, Headington, Oxford

Despite the heat, she has the doors and windows closed, but it’s not making her feel safe, just even more paranoid. She’s scared all the time now. At home, in the street, on her own, near other people. All the time.