Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
For an hour, very little was said as Anthony, Pauline and Leo adjusted to the new normal.
Anthony was a free man. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
They were in a suite of a Hilton hotel simply enjoying each other’s company without being watched over by prison officers earwigging their conversation.
Anthony was sitting on the comfortable king-size bed next to the window. He kept looking out at the cloudy sky. He had a simple smile on his face. He looked content, but there was a bewilderment in his eyes. Everything seemed alien to him.
‘Are you all right?’ Pauline asked.
He turned and looked at her. He didn’t say anything. He nodded.
‘Would you like another cup of tea?’
He looked down at the cup in his hand. He’d only half-drunk it. What was left was now cold.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Sweetheart, we need to do this press conference. It won’t take long.’
‘I just want to go home.’
Pauline looked to Leo.
‘Mate,’ Leo began, sitting next to him on the bed. ‘We’ve explained that money’s a bit tight at the moment so we’ve had to agree to certain things with the newspapers and TV people so that we can pay the bills. They just want to ask you a few questions.’
‘What questions?’
‘Nothing difficult. Just how you’re feeling and what you plan on doing next.’
‘I don’t know how to answer those questions.’
‘You just … you just say that you’re happy to be able to go back home.’
‘Can’t you tell them for me?’
‘It needs to be you, Anthony. But me and your mum will be right beside you.’
‘I’m tired.’
‘I know. I tell you what: how about, this evening, we all go out for a slap-up meal somewhere fancy. You like steak, don’t you?’
Anthony smiled. ‘Steak and chips.’
‘We can do steak and chips. Can’t we Pauline?’ Leo asked.
‘Of course. Anything you want.’
‘Apple pie for afters?’ Anthony’s eyes lit up.
‘We’ll ask at the hotel to see if they do apple pie and custard.’
Pauline sat on the bed and took Anthony’s hand in hers. She squeezed it tight. ‘Everything seems a bit odd right now, doesn’t it?’
He nodded.
‘Things’ll settle down in a few days. You need to adjust to being out and back in the real world again. But you don’t need to worry about anything, because you’ve got me and Leo, and we’ll always be by your side.’
‘Forever?’ Anthony asked.
She nodded. ‘Forever.’
Jennifer had arranged for the press conference to be in the hotel.
Several newspapers and TV channels had already offered large amounts of money for an exclusive interview and there was talk of a book deal, but that was a conversation for another day.
Right now, the world was waiting to see how Anthony Winstanley felt about spending ten years of his life locked up for a crime he didn’t commit and what his plans were for the future.
The room was filling up with print journalists who scrambled for a front-row seat.
At the back, television cameras were set up, all pointing to the desk on a makeshift stage where Jennifer, along with Anthony, Pauline and Leo would sit.
Jennifer would read out a short statement she had written and then it would be open for the reporters to ask questions. Half an hour maximum.
In the corridor behind the stage, Anthony could hear the bustle of the room filling up.
‘I don’t want to do this.’
‘It won’t be for long, Anthony,’ Jennifer assuaged. ‘All you need to do is smile and relax and answer a few questions. Are we ready?’ She smiled at everyone.
‘Just think of steak and chips,’ Leo whispered which made Anthony smile.
As Jennifer pulled back the curtain and they all walked out, the room fell silent, and suddenly the cameras began to flash.
The blinding light caused them all to wince as they found their seats and sat down.
Anthony had to be guided to the chairs. He could only see out of one eye and the sight in that wasn’t perfect.
Every movement he made, every little bit of help he required to function, was photographed to be slapped on the front pages of every newspaper tomorrow.
Pauline reached for a jug of water, poured a glass and handed it to Anthony.
He turned to look at the sea of strangers in front of him, all of them staring, the camera lights flashing, hurting his eyes. This was too much. His hand was shaking as he picked up the glass of water. He spilled some as he tried to drink.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Jennifer said loudly to bring the room into order.
The flashing abated. ‘We thank you all for coming here today. First of all, I want to say how pleased I am to see Anthony released from prison after over ten years living convicted for a crime he didn’t commit, a crime he had no involvement in.
There are many conversations to be had about this, but they’re for another time.
Today is a day of celebration that Anthony can begin his life again and put this whole nightmare behind him.
Personally, I’d like to thank Anthony for his bravery and courage during the past decade; his mother, Pauline, for always being there and fighting; Leo, for his unwavering support, and the passion of Detective Inspector Freya Sloan from North East Police who unveiled the corruption at the heart of the original investigation.
We mustn’t forget that a young woman tragically lost her life, and that thanks to a bungled enquiry, her killer may never be caught.
But as I said, today is about Anthony and his new life.
Obviously, as I’m sure you’ll understand, today is a little overwhelming for Anthony so we’ll take a few questions now and, at a later date, I’m sure Anthony will be more than happy to sit down and talk more to some of you. ’
At the back of the room, behind the wall of journalists, DI Freya Sloan and her husband Chris Tyler, had sneaked in to watch the proceedings.
Freya’s boss was keen for her to be involved and show North East Police in a good light.
One of their detectives, by her refusal to give up and with dogged determination, had blown a department wide open and evidence had been found to release an innocent man from prison.
She refused to be part of a propaganda piece and let her boss know that several of the detectives working under Henry Bishop were still on the force today. Very little had changed.
However, she was eager to see how the press conference unfolded and, when Jennifer mentioned her name in her opening speech, she felt a warm sense of pride. Chris, holding her hand, gripped it a little tighter, looked at her and smiled.
Journalists were talking over each other to get their questions heard. Jennifer stood up and waved at them to quieten them down. Eventually, they came to some kind of an order. She pointed to one of the reporters in the front row.
‘How did it feel, Anthony, to walk out into fresh air for the first time in a decade?’
Anthony took a long, deep breath. Beneath the table he was holding his mother’s hand. He gripped it harder. ‘It felt nice.’
The room fell silent, waiting for him to elaborate. He didn’t.
The journalist glanced at Jennifer who nodded at her to ask a further question.
‘It … erm … it must be a good feeling knowing you’re going to be sleeping in your own bed tonight.’
‘I’m sleeping in a hotel tonight,’ he said.
Jennifer chose another journalist.
‘Anthony, what have the last ten years been like for you?’
Anthony looked at the journalist and thought about the question for a moment. ‘Long,’ he said. There was a small ripple of laughter. ‘Frightening,’ he added. The room fell into silence again. The cameras stopped flashing. ‘Sad. It’s been hell.’ His words sounded raw and heartfelt.
Pauline looked at Jennifer with tears in her eyes. Jennifer instructed another reporter to ask a question.
‘What are you looking forward to the most about being out, Anthony?’
Jennifer smiled. A more upbeat question.
‘Steak and chips,’ Anthony said.
The mood of the room lifted.
‘And I believe Pauline’s going to be making him an apple pie,’ Jennifer said with a huge smile.
‘I’m going to try. It’s been a while. I hope I haven’t lost my touch,’ Pauline added.
‘Pauline, how do you feel about today?’ a reporter asked. ‘You must have thought today would never come.’
Pauline took a sip of water. ‘There were times where I thought I’d never get him home, but they were only fleeting.
I’ve had people around me – Leo, Jennifer and Freya – who’ve never stopped fighting and believing and giving me hope.
Today is the best day of my life. It truly is. I could not be happier.’
‘When’s the wedding?’
She gave a light chuckle. ‘That’s something for all three of us to plan and talk about. Maybe next year.’
‘Anthony, do you have anything to say about the justice system in this country?’ a reporter at the back of the room shouted. ‘You’ve spent ten years in prison for a crime you had nothing to do with. You’ve been beaten up so many times. You’ve been blinded. How do you feel?’
All eyes turned to Anthony. Even Jennifer looked to him with her mouth open. She wondered how he was going to react to such a personal question.
Anthony looked directly at the journalist who’d asked him the question. It was a while before he replied.
‘Why did it have to happen to me?’ he said, quietly. ‘What did I do wrong?’ he asked, his voice croaking with emotion. ‘Why me, Mum?’ He turned to Pauline.
He started to cry, loud enough for all to hear. Pauline put her arm around him and pulled him close to her.
‘I think we should leave it there,’ Jennifer said, raising her voice above the shuffle of journalists trying to get a better view of a mother comforting her distraught son.
‘As I said, today has been overwhelming for all involved.’ She instructed Leo to help Pauline take Anthony off the stage.
‘Anthony needs a few days to reacquaint himself to a life of freedom. I’m sure you all understand. ’
She waited until they’d left, then quickly followed, pulling the curtain swiftly behind her. Anthony and Pauline were getting into a lift. Leo had remained behind.
‘He’s overwhelmed,’ Leo said.
‘It’s good that he has his mum, and you, by his side,’ she said. ‘I’m going to pop to the toilet. I’ll come upstairs and see you all in a while.’
Jennifer trotted off in search of the ladies, leaving Leo behind on his own. He watched as the lift doors slowly closed. Pauline didn’t look at him once. He needed a drink and time alone to have a good long think about things.