Interview 1 – Dr Francine McDowell
Interviewer: Dr. McDowell, you were Alicia’s headmistress for a time, is that right?
Dr McDowell: That is correct. She came to us at Fairborough House School for Girls when she was thirteen or fourteen. Her father took on a practice in a neighbouring town and her mother was very keen to enrol her in our school. We had a waiting list, of course, but made an exception when we saw her very good grades. And, of course, we were told her mother had connections.
Interviewer: Connections?
Dr. McDowell: Yes. Unfortunately we did not check them out at the time, but took her at her word. They later proved to be false but by that time Alicia was doing very well with us. The school governors and I felt it would be unproductive to insist on her removal. Also, we could not let the girl suffer for the actions of her mother.
Interviewer: What was Alicia like as a girl?
Dr. McDowell: She was very quiet when she first came. Barely spoke a word and found it difficult making friends among the other girls. But I have seldom seen such ambition in one so young. She was extremely competitive and single-minded – in sport as well as in her academic studies. Unfortunately, Alicia could be very disparaging, actually quite unkind, about others. She alienated quite a few girls during her time with us.
Interviewer: Did she make any close friends?
Dr. McDowell: I do not believe she did. She attended a ten-year reunion dinner a few years ago, just before I retired, and we had great difficulty with the seating plan as no one particularly wanted her at their table. I think she was much better relating to the opposite sex. In the Sixth Form we liaised with a local boys’ school, St.Peter’s, and shared some lessons and facilities. Alicia always had a trail of boys after her. I remember …. oh.. it’s not important.
Interviewer: No, please go on.
Dr. McDowell: I don’t suppose it matters now. It was so long ago. There was talk of her flirting a lot, and stealing the boyfriend of one of her classmates. It caused a lot of trouble at the time and the girl in question, a silly young thing, attacked Alicia. All over a boy – such immature young people! We sorted it out eventually and separated the two girls, put them into different forms. Alicia was our star pupil – she got very good results and went to the university of her choice.
Interviewer: And what happened to the other girl?
Dr. McDowell: I really don’t know. She left before her final exams, went to live with an aunt for a time, I was told. I don’t know why she left so hurriedly. Alicia was a difficult girl, I could see that, but she had so much promise, a great future in front of her. Her father was a perfect gentleman, a pleasure to talk to, but her mother could be very pushy and, of course, was not above fabricating an illustrious family.
Interview 2 – James Holloway
Interviewer: Thank you for agreeing to talk to me, Mr Holloway. I understand Alicia worked for you after leaving university?
Mr Holloway: Not exactly. She worked in the same firm, but we were just colleagues, although I was in a senior position.
Interviewer: I see. And what was your impression of this young Alicia?
Mr Holloway: She was absolute poison.
Interviewer: Oh… right! Um… but why was that? What happened…?
Mr Holloway: I was charged with being her mentor when she first came to us. Showing her the ropes, that kind of thing, helping her see how our firm operated. She managed to get me demoted and herself promoted into my position. She was a nasty piece of work, and I wasn’t the only one who suffered.
Interviewer: Oh really? What did she do?
Mr Holloway: She was sneaky. She flirted with the junior partner and passed on false information to him. We could never find out exactly what she’d said about us, but it changed the climate in the firm. I was first aware of it when I noticed worrying glances from my colleagues. And a dismissive atmosphere in meetings. Nothing you could put your finger on until it was too late. Some confidential files which should never have left the premises went missing from my office and were later found in the boot of my car.
Interviewer: Was that Alicia? Really?
Mr Holloway: Yes. All her work. I was disciplined and lost my seniority as a result.
Interviewer: That’s dreadful! You mentioned others who suffered…
Mr Holloway: Another colleague was accused of stealing from her desk. There was no proof and it was her word against his, but he ended up resigning. The junior partner, who was newly married, rumbled her eventually but Alicia met up with his wife and I believe a divorce followed. She was bad news. I’m glad she was encouraged to move on. I got my position back, of course, when it all came out, but my health suffered for a time.
Interviewer: Where did she go after that?
Mr Holloway: I heard she moved to somewhere near Bristol. The firm was so intent on getting rid of her that they gave her a glowing reference. That was nine or ten years ago, of course. I heard she moved up the ranks quite quickly but have no idea where she is now.
P. S. Temple-Murray 