The Reservoir Tapes

Both of them? So Sophie and Becky were there by themselves?

Just Becky, by herself?

Did you think the Hunters would have minded that?

Sophie and her parents had been gone all morning, as far as you knew. Becky hadn’t seen them leaving?

Were you surprised by this, were you concerned?

How long have you known the Hunters?

Would you describe them as friends?

If we could

to keep to

So you had lunch, the three of you, together. And there was some discussion about how Becky had spent the morning, was there?

How would you characterise her response?

So there was some tension.

Of course.

Well, that’s teenagers.

And is Becky someone comfortable with her own company, would you say? Back at home, would she often spend time by herself in that way, that you know of?

So were you concerned that her behaviour that morning was out of character, that there might be something else behind it?

But you didn’t discuss that with her. You put it down to being on holiday, being in a different environment; just, usual teenage restlessness. You got lunch ready.

And for lunch you had?

By this point the weather was improving; the rain had stopped, the sky was clearing, and the idea of a walk was suggested again. A decision was made.

I know.

A decision was made, and immediately after lunch you began to gather a few things together, look at a map, make a plan. Can I ask what you took with you?

So you weren’t planning on it being a long walk. You didn’t think it worth taking extra waterproofs as a precaution, snacks, a flask?

No, of course, and

No.

Can I ask how well you know the area? Are you experienced walkers, would you say?

But this was a route you’d walked in the summer, when you were here before? You’d followed that same path, from the visitor centre, up the hill towards the rock formations on the ridge?

Black Bull Rocks, right.

And had Becky been with you on those occasions? Would you say it was a route she was familiar with?

But on this occasion she was reluctant.

Perhaps we

I’m curious

Did you do a lot of walking when she was younger? Would you say the reluctance on this occasion was more around the tensions between you, rather than the walk itself?

Would you describe Becky as fit and healthy? Does she do any sports?

So the walk shouldn’t have been a problem for her.

I do realise this must be

of course

and

If we could just go through the sequence of events.

The three of you got into the car, your car, soon after lunch. So this would have been

2 p.m. Okay. And the weather was clear. You’d asked Becky to wear something more suitable on her feet, but she’d refused and you didn’t want to start another argument.

That’s understandable.

You drove a short distance to the visitor centre and parked in the car park there. That would have taken, what, five minutes, ten?

Was the visitor centre open? Did you see anyone there?

Were there any other cars in the car park?

So you parked near the main building, and went through the gate by the display board, following the track which leads diagonally up the hill towards Black Bull Rocks.

I realise you’ve already

I just would

it does help

Did you have a map?

Because it was a route you knew. And you can see Black Bull Rocks almost from the car park in any case, can’t you? So it was a simple walk. It was going to be a short walk.