The Reservoir Tapes. Jon McGregor

time of year, so it’s not always a simple matter getting across them. The ground can be quite boggy down there?

      And with the shoes Becky was wearing.

      Did she struggle at all?

      Struggle.

      I mean, if she was having difficulty getting across the streams, keeping her feet dry. Did she express any discomfort or irritation, any reluctance? Did she ever want to stop, or go back?

      And did you wait for her, at that point?

      Did she catch up?

      But you at least kept her in sight?

      What were your feelings by then, if you don’t mind me asking?

      That’s understandable. Of course.

      My daughter was that age not so long ago, I know how

      Of course.

      Was there any discussion between the two of you about cutting the walk short? Given the conditions, and Becky’s behaviour?

      Was there any disagreement between the two of you, would you say?

      And by this point you’re how far up the track, how close to Black Bull Rocks?

      And had there been any change in the weather?

      So you had no reason to be concerned?

      How were you finding the conditions? You were wearing more suitable footwear, presumably? You had kept dry up until then?

      And had you seen anyone else, had you passed anyone on the track, had you seen anyone in the distance?

      Now

      this will, I understand

      I’m sorry

      Can you be clear about when you first realised Becky was out of sight?

      And you assumed

      she was coming up the steps out of the clough? You were not long out of it yourselves?

      How far behind would you say she was when you saw her last?

      I realise

      of course

      you have, I know

      But we agreed, didn’t we, that this would be

      a chance

      a chance for you to put your side of the story.

      Obviously I know you’ll have been through all this with the police, many times, I do appreciate

      I do

      But people have questions. Not just locally. People are

      It would be helpful to clarify

      It would be helpful to hear it from you. People would appreciate that.

      Is this?

      Can we?

      No, absolutely. None of this will

      You can decide, afterwards, you can reconsider.

      I just want to help you tell your side of the story.

      Absolutely.

      So. If we can

      You realised she was out of sight. You waited. She didn’t appear. You had already talked about cutting the walk short anyway so

      one of you wanted to

      You waited, and she didn’t appear. You went back to the top of the path leading up out of the clough, the valley, and you couldn’t see her there.

      And you called for her, presumably?

      You looked to see where she was, if she might be hiding?

      At what point did you start to actually become concerned?

      And the weather was turning?

      How long would you say you were looking before you decided to fetch help?

      And your phone

      So you had to come back

      You came down

      And you

      This is

      I know

      I’m sorry

      Could you

      are you able to say what happened next?