The Reservoir Tapes. Jon McGregor

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 behavior 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 center, 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 realize 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

      Two 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 center and parked in the car park there. That would have taken, what, five minutes, ten?

      Was the visitor center 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 realize 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.

      Did you know how long you were expecting it to take?

      Did you know what time it was going to get dark?

      Had you looked at a weather forecast?

      Did you have a phone with you?

      Had you planned

      No, of course

      No

      I do realize

      It is

      it’s actually rather misleading, isn’t it, the walk up to Black Bull Rocks? The path isn’t as direct as it looks from the bottom of the hill. There are several narrow gorges or valleys on the way. The path drops down steeply and climbs up out of each of these.

      They call them cloughs, locally, don’t they?

      And the streams through each of these are running high at this 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 behavior?

      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 realized 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 realize

      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 realized 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