Authors: Winston Graham
It was still raining and her shoes and stockings were soaked. Nick was free.
The benefit of the doubt
.
And suddenly she saw that all her efforts had
not
been in vain. For the prestige of the police was so high that ever after people would think that Nick had in fact only been given the benefit of the doubt. In law not guilty, but in fact not proven. Free as the next man, but left with a stigma which would cling and cling.
Not that now. This photograph, Fleming's confession, would change all of it. Nick would be truly and completely mind and heart free. âNext week-end we'll go down to Joan's together. From then on we'll really start everything over afresh.' Well, they could now. Starting afresh. Nothing in their way. The nightmare was over.
Unconsciously her walk had quickened. Her sight was still blurred, and rain and tears made a sort of kaleidoscope of the moving traffic. People pushed against her, but she kept on her way.
She knew she would keep on her way now until she found Nick, and then they would go on their way together.
Down the long, shining distorted vista of the wet street she walked, heedlessly, tearfully, happily; through the pouring rain.
First published in 1965 by Bodley Head
This edition published 2013 by Bello
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Copyright © Winston Graham, 1965
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