Lee leaned on the kitchen worktop and coughed a reply. ‘Must’ve been ten, eleven.’
‘And how long was she away from home?’
‘Not long. But that was just the first time. Chloe struck up quite a bond with that woman. You couldn’t get her to come back on occasions.’
Sant arched his dark eyebrows. ‘Were you ever suspicious about this neighbour?’
‘Vanessa was, at first. I wasn’t. But soon enough we got invited over there. And then Vanessa got to know her. Felt the woman would do Chloe some good. You know, educate her a bit. You see, this neighbour lived on her own. No hubby. No kids. But she was clever. Won the pub quiz whenever she turned out. And I guess we felt she might impart some of that knowledge on Chloe. Free tuition on the side, if you like. And the payoffs went both ways ‘cos Chloe
