‘Okay, I get it.’
‘Now, Facebook. I’ve created an online profile for you from the photos you sent. If Kelly has a nosey you will come across as really boring. There’s only a couple of your cat, and some of your beloved boyfriend over there and his souped-up car.’ Tom looked up and nodded towards Aiden who smiled and waved. ‘And a few selfies of you, like I asked. Apart from that you mainly post cute animal pictures and cringy memes that hardly anybody bothers to like.’
Billie nodded and began flicking through the photos on her phone, stopping and squinting at the one of her pretend boyfriend then laughing when she realised who the unshaven lout wearing a grey tracksuit and regulation black hoodie actually was.
‘Oh my God, is that you?’ Billie looked up at Aiden who was also laughing.
‘Yep, that’s my alter ego. Jed absolutely hates it.’
Billie raised her eyebrows, imagining Aiden strutting about at home in his unlikely get-up. Then she thought of something else. ‘But won’t it look odd that I don’t get into conversation and talk about what I’m having for my tea andLove Island? And how the hell did you make it look like I’m mates with people I’ve never met?’
Tom smiled. ‘Billie, you wouldn’t believe how easy it is. Honestly, anyone could do it. All you need is an email address, then it’s plain sailing to set up a Facebook account. All you do next is lift a photo off the internet, send a friend request to someone who has more followers than they know what to do with and probably hasn’t a clue who half of them are anyway. Once they accept you, trawl through their friends list, find a similar target, and friend them and so on. Very soon you have lots of mutual friends which then makes it easier to add more. This profile took me less than forty-eight hours to create. It’s that simple and hey, who can resist a cute cat wearing specs?’
‘I see. But I won’t have to actually engage with any of them, will I?’
Tom shook his head. ‘Not if you stick to the story we created for you. Remember, your lovely boyfriend Davey over there controls most aspects of your life so doesn’t like you chatting or sharing too much info online, after all he’s averysmall-time drug dealer who has to watch his back. Your friends on Facebook tie up to a few of the names on your phone, ones he would approve of. Their photos are fake, but if Kelly checks them out – which I doubt she will – she’ll see that they have shedloads of friends elsewhere and think nothing of it.’
‘Are you sure she won’t be suspicious?’
‘I’m ninety-nine per cent positive but that’s why I’ve been careful and tried to think outside the box. Honestly Billie, this woman is desperate to make friends. From what I have seen over the past few weeks, Kelly has no life apart from her parents, going to self-help groups and the one she’s inventing for herself. I reckon if you play this right, it won’t be too hard to worm your way in.’
It was Aiden’s turn to reassure her. ‘As long as you stick to the personality and background we’ve invented for you, it will be fine. Be shy, nervy, a touch defensive but in all things you have to refer back to Davey, your scary control-freak boyfriend who’s handy with his fists and from whom you are desperate to escape. If we are lucky, Kelly might just take you under her wing but if not, just keep an eye on her.’
‘Okay, I can do that.’ Billie put the phone and charger in her bag.
Aiden was twiddling his pen, like a majorette, spinning a baton but in his case all focus was on Billie, not the marching band. ‘This is our last chance, Billie. If we don’t get something on her soon Stan hasn’t got a hope in hell with his appeal. We have to cast doubt on Kelly, something that will stack up with all the other dirt we’ve found on her but that relates directly to Stan.’
‘I know, I know, but I just can’t help thinking it’s a risk, and how long will it take? Time’s running out and it makes me ill thinking of Stan in there while she’s running around talking crap to anyone who will listen. I think I might end up smacking her one.’ Billie’s heart was racing, sometimes the whole situation made her rage inside.
‘You’re right, we are running out of time but let’s focus on the job in hand and let the barrister worry about all that. So, are you set? I’ve got every faith you can do this, Billie, so let’s give it one last shot for Stan and remember, me and Tom are always a phone call away.’
With that, Billie stood and hooked her bag onto her shoulder. ‘Yep, I’m ready. Let’s do this.’
* * *
That was two weeks ago and Billie was now in her third meeting, seated right next to Kelly who, just as Tom had suggested, was very eager to make friends, lend an ear and give advice out like sweets from a paper bag. At the first two meetings Billie had sat right opposite so she could observe Kelly, who had already introduced herself while everyone helped themselves to tea and coffee, before the meeting began.
‘Hi, I’m Kelly. Nice to see you here. I take it you’re new or have you been away?’
Billie concentrated on filling her cup from the urn. ‘No, I’m new.’
‘Try not to be nervous, I know I was the first time I came but everyone is so helpful and supportive.’ Kelly hovered and took a digestive biscuit from the plate.
Again, Billie kept it simple. ‘Right, thanks.’
Kelly persisted. ‘Do you live round here?’
Sticking to the brief Billie gave away a snippet. ‘Yes, on the bird estate.’
‘Bird estate?’ Kelly looked confused.
‘Yes, all the streets are the names of birds. Everyone knows that.’ Billie was being snippy, she couldn’t help it.
‘Oh, I see, sorry. I’m not from Gorton so I wouldn’t know. Right then, looks like they’re ready to start.’ Kelly was still holding her biscuit which she replaced. ‘And what’s your name, by the way, you didn’t say?’
‘Beth.’ There: she’d said it without slipping up. Billie felt relieved.
‘Pleased to meet you, Beth. And don’t forget, no need to be shy or nervous. We are all more or less in the same boat here and don’t judge, okay?’
