Polls Apart by Clare Stephen-Johnston

but she turned to face the mother who was now bounding over to her from her car. Ironically, Libby thought, they’d never even exchanged names. But this woman by now had no doubt of Libby’s.
    “How are you?” she was asking, with the most sincere look of concern Libby had ever seen. “I read all about your terrible ordeal – and I had no idea that you are Anna Lloyd’s sister. I just think she’s the most wonderful woman. I feel so connected to your plight. Pippa’s just desperate to have Jasmine for a sleepover, but I’d love to talk to you properly. Would you like to bring her over next Friday night and come in for a glass of wine?”
    Libby was suddenly aware that she was expected to reply. Until that point she had simply stood with her eyes wide open and mouth slightly ajar as the woman spoke.
    “That sounds lovely, yes,” was all she could manage.
    “Fantastic,” the woman shrieked victoriously. “Pippa can give Jasmine our address. See you next week.” She waved casually as her daughter, who had been standing meekly by her side throughout, turned sheepishly to smile at Jasmine before trotting off behind her mother towards the school gates.
    “Yuck,” Jasmine said in a loud whisper. “I don’t want to have a sleepover at Pippa’s. She’s a total swot.”
    “Oh, sorry,” Libby replied vaguely.
    As they neared the school, Libby caught sight of the woman she was dreading seeing most – Franchesca Carruthers, mother of four and queen bee at the school. She had appeared judgmental towards Libby even before she discovered she was a murderess so the thought of how she would treat her now, armed with this knowledge, was almost inconceivable. Typically, Franchesca had already delivered all four children to their classrooms – she was never late – and was now heading straight for Libby who smiled frailly in her direction before pushing the children forwards. But before she could take another step Franchesca had come to an abrupt stop in front of her, where she now stood with arms outstretched. At first Libby thought she was trying to wave them off the premises, but within seconds of being folded into a tight bear hug, she realised they were actually embracing.
    “God,” Franchesca was saying loudly. “You’ve been through hell.” She let go of Libby, only to then cup her face between her large, matronly hands. “I have been fundraising for the NSPCC for the last thirteen years and not for one minute, did I ever stop to think whether someone I knew might have actually been abused themselves.” Tears were now welling up in Franchesca’s eyes while Libby just prayed that she would let go of her face. Fortunately, she obliged, opting now just to rest her hand proprietarily on Libby’s shoulder.
    “I want you to know that you can talk to me any time, okay. If you need space, I can take the kids. If you need support, I can listen. I’m here, all right.”
    Libby nodded, afraid to glance left or right over Franchesca’s shoulder in case she caught the eye of one of the small crowd of parents assembled around them, each one trying to appear as though they were doing anything other than staring.
    “Thank you, Franchesca. I appreciate your support,” Libby finally replied in stunned monotone before setting off towards the school entrance again – mortified, but rather buoyed by her new-found status as a local heroine.

8
Davis to Comfort Lloyd Over Lunch at Number 10
T hursday 9 th April 2009 , UK Newswire – Prime Minister Kelvin Davis will today meet with Anna Lloyd, the actress wife of opposition leader Richard Williams, as part of an official reception to celebrate Women of Courage.
    Sources close to the Prime Minister admitted Lloyd was a late addition to the guest list, but added that Mr Davis had felt “compelled and inspired” after reading of the actress’s suffering during her youth at the hands of her stepfather.
    Lloyd revealed in a recent newspaper interview that, following years