And Mr Bridgeman?
Went back to work, although he said he wont be late.
To normalize things?
Caroline stopped for a second and looked over her shoulder at Donnelly, who was two stairs lower. Youd have to ask Mr Bridgeman about that.
They carried on walking until they reached Georges room, Caroline standing aside to allow him to enter, seemingly reluctant to go inside herself. Ill leave you to it then, she told him and made to leave.
Actually he raised a hand to stop her. I did have a couple of questions I thought you could help me with. Id ask Mrs Bridgeman, but frankly she doesnt look capable of answering them just yet.
Actually he raised a hand to stop her. I did have a couple of questions I thought you could help me with. Id ask Mrs Bridgeman, but frankly she doesnt look capable of answering them just yet.
Questions about what?
Questions that could help us find George. Thats what we all want isnt it?
Of course.
Good. How long have you worked as the Bridgemans nanny?
A couple of years now. Whats this got to do with George? I thought your questions were going to be meant for Mrs Bridgeman?
They would have been, he told her.
Then youre checking on me?
Caroline, Donnelly admitted, were going to check on everyone. Dont take it personally.
Hard not to.
Do your best. Now, did the Bridgemans find you through an agency?
Yes, the Help 4 Mums Agency. They cover Hampstead, Highgate, Primrose Hill a few more areas.
All the rough areas, eh? Donnelly joked, trying to get her to relax her guard. Caroline said and did nothing. But Sophia is six and George is four. Did Mrs Bridgeman cope on her own before you, or was there another nanny?
Mrs Bridgeman? Caroline laughed sarcastically. Cope on her own with two kids? I dont think so cramp her style a little too much, dont you think? The likes of Mrs Bridgeman werent brought up to look after children.
So she had help before you started here?
Yes, another nanny from the same agency a friend of mine, actually.
And who would that be?
Tessa Tessa Daniels.
How long did she work for the Bridgemans?
She started a few weeks before Sophia was born and stayed on until George was about two.
Which is when you started?
Yes.
Were there problems between Mrs Bridgeman and Tessa?
No. None that I know of.
Then why change her?
Thats what these people do.
Why? Donnelly asked, genuinely confused.
To stop you getting over-familiar with the children, or sometimes the husband. The likes of Mrs Bridgeman wont tolerate competition real or imagined. Anyway, like I said, they all do it.
And was she? Donnelly asked, sniffing a route in.
Was who what? Caroline frowned, impatient.
Was Tessa getting over-familiar with the children with Mr Bridgeman?
No, she told him. Tessa knew better than to get mixed up in anything like that, and Mr Bridgemans hardly the sleeping-with-the-nanny type.
Theres a type?
Yes, and hes not it.
Donnelly reluctantly gave up the line of questioning. But there seems to be a lot of tension between them, dont you think? Perhaps its just the situation.
No, Caroline let her guard slip, that was there even before poor little George went missing.
But theres no suggestion Mr Bridgeman was having an affair with anyone?
No, Caroline answered less confidentially, as if Donnelly was wrong, but getting closer to the truth. Donnelly seized on it immediately.
So Mr Bridgeman wasnt playing away from home, but what about what about Mrs Bridgeman?
All I know is that, since Ive been here, Mrs Bridgeman hasnt been seeing anyone else, she told him, holding both hands out towards him, palms turned upwards.
How do you know?
Trust me, she told him, Id know.
Aye, Donnelly agreed. Im sure you would. But then why all the hostility between them, and why the coldness towards George from Mr Bridgeman?
Listen, she whispered conspiratorially, you didnt hear this from me, and if anyone finds out I told you Ill lose my job but if it helps find George then I suppose you need to know.
Need to know what? he asked, managing to hide his rising excitement.
Tessa told me that while she was working for the Bridgemans there was a suspicion that Mrs Bridgeman was seeing another man. Apparently Mr Bridgeman found out about it and theyve never been the same towards each other since.
If it spoiled things between them so irreversibly then why didnt they get divorced?
I dont know youd have to ask them that. Maybe they did it for the children maybe they did it for appearances sake. These people arent like the rest of us.
So when was this supposed affair?
Before George was born, she answered, but something in her demeanour told Donnelly she wanted him to ask her more.
How long before?
Shall we say about nine months.
Donnelly paused to take in the implication. I see, he eventually told her. That cant have been easy for Mr Bridgeman these last few years?
No, she agreed. I dont suppose it has.
I think I need to speak with Mrs Bridgeman, he told her. Alone.
You wont tell her I said anything, will you? Caroline pleaded.
You can be sure of my confidentiality Donnelly put on his most reassuring tone, inwardly adding the proviso, until we use the information to bury the Bridgemans, that is. Ill be very discreet. Best you stay out of the way until Ive had a chance to speak with her.
Fine, she agreed, already regretting letting Donnelly into the dark little family secret.
And thanks for your help, he added as he squeezed past her and headed back down to the kitchen where Mrs Bridgeman stood in the same spot hed left her, still staring at the floor, lost in her own excruciating nightmare.
How you doing? Donnelly asked, to get her attention more than out of genuine concern.
She looked up slowly, staring at him in a state of confusion, as if she could hear him, but not see him. After a few seconds she shook her head quickly and answered. Im fine.
I doubt youre that, he told her.
I meant under the circumstances.
Of course. Would you like to sit down?
No. Id rather stand.
Can I fix you a cup of tea or anything?
No, she snapped, then added in a softer tone, I said Im fine.
No problem, he backed up before beginning to lay his groundwork. Kids little sods, eh? Drive you mad when youre with them, then you miss them like hell when theyre not around. She didnt respond. Ive got five, myself. She looked up, an almost puzzled expression on her face. Ten-year-old twins, he told her, a couple of teenagers and a wee nipper whos only four.
Thats a lot of children, she finally joined in.
Aye. A real handful. The wifes a saint though keeps them all on the straight and narrow and somehow juggles the accounts to keep the bills paid, or at least most of them.
Cant be easy.
You mean on a cops wage?
Thats not what I meant. I just meant with five of them.
Its OK youre right it is bloody difficult on a cops wage, but the overtime helps. No such worries for you though, eh? he asked, looking around the state-of-the-art kitchen his wife could only dream about.
Money isnt everything, she said as she watched him.
Oh, I agree. In fact Im always telling the wife the exact same thing: money isnt everything. The most important thing is to stick together when times are tough just like you and your husband are now. She momentarily glared at him, just as hed wanted her to, her eyes answering questions her lips would never respond to. Although in situations as stressful as this, sometimes the parents can take out their frustrations on each other its neither unusual nor unreasonable. My advice would be, dont be too hard on yourselves if you have the odd cross word.
Money isnt everything, she said as she watched him.
Oh, I agree. In fact Im always telling the wife the exact same thing: money isnt everything. The most important thing is to stick together when times are tough just like you and your husband are now. She momentarily glared at him, just as hed wanted her to, her eyes answering questions her lips would never respond to. Although in situations as stressful as this, sometimes the parents can take out their frustrations on each other its neither unusual nor unreasonable. My advice would be, dont be too hard on yourselves if you have the odd cross word.
Thank you, she told him, her eyes still burning with mistrust.
Still, Im a wee bit surprised hes gone to work today. Would he not rather be here with you in case we find something?
He had to go to work. He had no choice.
Theres always a choice, Donnelly gently tried to provoke her into saying more. Still, if you want a house like this, in a bit of London like this, private school, nanny, top-of-the-range kitchen then I suppose work has to come first, eh?
Appearances can be deceptive, she couldnt help telling him, regretting it as soon as she had.
Indeed they can. He bided his time. Are you sure I cant make you that cup of tea?
Im fine, thank you.
Not much a cup of tea cant fix.
Will it help find George? she demanded.
No, Mrs Bridgeman, alas it cant do that.
Then perhaps youd have a better chance of finding him if you were elsewhere?
Everythings covered, he assured her, pretending to misunderstand the inference. Weve got every man, woman and dog looking for him. Right now Ill best serve George by being here with you.
How so?
Oh, you know the more we chat the more I may discover.
How can talking about me help you find George?
Not just about you, but about George as well and your husband. You may remember some little thing that could turn out to be important.
Such as?
Something from your past, maybe? Something you havent told us yet. Something you may have forgotten.
Like what? she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Like, are either of your children from another marriage, either yours or your husbands?
No.
If not a marriage perhaps a previous relationship?
No. This is ridiculous.
Then perhaps an affair?
She smiled in disbelief and looked through the ceiling at the nanny who remained two floors above them. Has someone been talking out of school, Sergeant?
Call it my detectives instinct, he lied.
And what does your instinct tell you?
Oh, I dont know that George is your son, but not Mr Bridgemans.
Well then your instinct would be wrong.
And your husbands instinct is that wrong too?
I dont know what you mean.
Has he ever asked for a paternity test?
No. Hed never do that.
But you thought that he might one day?