The Ink Black Heart, page 75
‘Ashcroft?’ said Strike, taken aback. ‘I wouldn’t have put those two together in a million years.’
‘Well, Zoe’s got – or she had – something Ashcroft likes a lot,’ said Robin, unsmiling. She now got up to retrieve the printouts she’d made before Strike arrived and handed them to him. ‘That’s what I was doing most of the night. Have a look, while I start some gravy.’
Robin left for the kitchen. The pages she’d handed Strike comprised Twitter threads, some dating back several years. He began to read.
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
Happy New Year InkHearts!
Love from The Worm
11.10 am 1 January 2011
Zozo @inkyheart28
replying to @TheWormTurning
Thanks Timothy ! And to you , I love The Worm !!!!
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @inkyheart28
Thanks, but is this cartoon not a bit old for you?!
Zozo @inkyheart28
replying to @TheWormTurning
I’m nearly 14!!!!!!
Timothy J Ashcroft @TheWormTurning
replying to @inkyheart28
ah ok I was worried we were corrupting u!
Zozo @inkyheart28
replying to @TheWormTurning
no I ‘m not that innocent
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @inkyheart28
tell me more.…
Zozo @inkyheart28
replying to @TheWormTurning
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @inkyheart28
Well I’ve followed you back, so you can tell me privately if you feel too shy in here!
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
It’s The Worm’s Birthday (well, mine)
#TheInkBlackHeart
9.14 am 1 November 2011
MrsHarty @carlywhistler_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
Happy birthday, I love The Worm so much, he’s so cute!
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @carlywhistler_*
You’re pretty cute yourself, but how come you’re tweeting at this time in the morning? Shouldn’t you be in school?!
MrsHarty @carlywhistler_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
Day off, I’m ill
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @carlywhistler_*
Well, I’m following you back because you were nice enough to wish me happy birthday x
Laura H @InkHeart<3
I would die in battle for The Worm
#TheInkBlackHeart
7.13 pm 30 November 2011
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @InkHeart<3
The worm would die in battle for you too!
How old are you?
Laura H @InkHeart<3
replying to @TheWormTurning
omg I can’t believe you saw that!!!!!! 13
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
Just finished recording next episode, big character moment for The Worm!
9.32 pm 23 December 2011
Orla Moran @BlackHeartOrla
replying to @TheWormTurning
tell us now!!!!!!!!!
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @BlackHeartOrla
Bossy! How old are you?
Orla Moran @BlackHeartOrla
replying to @TheWormTurning
14 why?
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @BlackHeartOrla
Give me a follow and I might DM you some details!
Orla Moran @BlackHeartOrla
replying to @TheWormTurning
omg
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @InkHeart<3
Well, that’s a follow from The Worm!
The Pen of Justice
@penjustwrites
When black = evil and white = most desirable, what does that tell us? My take on the problematic palette of #TheInkBlackHeart
www.PenOfJustice/ThePoliticsOfColou…
9.38 am 9 February 2013
Zozo @inkyheart28
replying to @penjustwrites
this is really good , I hadn’t though of it like that
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @inkyheart28
thanks hot stuff
Expressionless, Strike flipped over the page.
The Pen of Justice
@penjustwrites
Harmless fan fave or antisemitic stereotype?
My take on the problematic character of Drek
www.PenOfJustice/AntisemiticCartoon…
11.02 am 28 February 2012
Netflix UK & Ireland
@N£tflix
We are delighted to announce that smash YouTube success #TheInkBlackHeart will be premiering on Netflix in June 2013, with new content and a second series already in development. Read full story here: www.NetflixUK/TheInkBlackHeart…
9.12 pm 5 February 2013
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
Edie Ledwell said Drek was inspired by a plague mask though
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @rachledbadly
This isn’t just about the nose! How old are you?
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
14, why?
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @rachledbadly
wow, you look older. if you read the whole piece you’ll see Drek manipulates everyone and lives in the largest mausoleum, ie, is richest
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
He doesn’t live in the biggest mausoleum tho, Lord and Lady WG do.
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
And he doesn’t manipulate people, they just humour him because he’s bored
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @rachledbadly
hey, I’m always up for an intelligent debate! That’s a follow from me!
MrsHarty @carlywhistler_*
so, I’m coming to London, what are the best things to see?
7.45pm . 14 March 2012 .
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @carlywhistler_*
Me
Esther Cohen @happ£_bunn££
replying to @N£tflix
Wonderful news, happy for these two very gifted creators!
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @N£tflix
Very much hope @N£tflix will listen to fans’ concerns about problematic material before TIBH reaches a wider audience
Caitlin Adams @CaitAdumsss
replying to @penjustwrites
@N£tflix
only one way to fix that #FireFedwell
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @CaitAdumsss
@penjustwrites @N£tflix
idon’t want her fired, all the decent ideas are hers
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @rachledbadly
@CaitAdumsss @N£tflix
agree she’s v talented, just think certain changes wd improve cartoon
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
@CaitAdumsss @N£tflix
but I don’t want to get rid of Drek, turn Harty pink or stop Paperwhite being a ghost like you do
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @rachledbadly
@CaitAdumsss @N£tflix
lol, u’re obviously a regular reader of mine! how old r u?
Penny Peacock @rachledbadly
replying to @penjustwrites
@CaitAdumsss @N£tflix
you already asked me that. why do you always want to know how old girls are?
MrsHarty @carlywhistler_*
replying to @penjustwrites
MrsHarty @carlywhistler_*
so, my dad won’t let me go to london
8.02pm . 20 March 2012 .
Zozo @inkyheart28
IT ‘S MY BITHDAY AND I ‘M IN LONDON !!!!!!
10.02 am 28 March 2012
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
Not gonna lie, I was gutted to be ousted from #TheInkBlackHeart, but new projects coming!
“We’re dead. Things can only get better.”
11.14 am 25 March 2013
Ruby Nooby @rubynooby*_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
I’m so sad I luved you as the worm
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @rubynooby*_*
your beautiful face just made my day better
Ruby Nooby @rubynooby*_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
oh wow I never thought you’d reply!!!!!!!
DrekBwah14
@DrekBwah14
replying to @rachledbadly
@penjustwrites @CaitAdumsss
@N£tflix
because he’s a nonce
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @DrekBwah14
@rachledbadly
@penjustwrites @CaitAdumsss
@N£tflix
Why is the go-to insult for fascists always ‘paedo’? Blocked.
DrekBwah14 @DrekBwah14
replying to @penjustwrites
@rachledbadly
you’re still a fkn nonce
Zozo @inkyheart28
when u think somebody cares u and ur mum died
and they don ‘t answer ur DMs or texts and u wonder why u keep bein loyal
9.05 am 14 May 2012
Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @inkyheart28
check ur phone I’ve texted u
The Pen of Justice
@penjustwrites
God I hate wrapping presents.
9.32 pm 23 December 2014
Darcy Barrett @DarkViola90
replying to @penjustwrites
me too it’s shit.
Lepine’s Disciple @LepinesD1sciple
replying to @DarkViola90
@penjustwrites
takes shit to know shit
The Pen of Justice
@penjustwrites
replying to @LepinsD1sciple
@DarkViola90
go have another wank, incel
Lepine’s Disciple @LepinesD1sciple
replying to @penjustwrites
@darkling_b
she’s too old for you, paedo
The Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @LepinsD1sciple
@DarkViola90
blocked, arsehole
Ellen Richardson @e_r_inkheart
replying to @penjustwrites
I really love how you interpret everything for us
The Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @e_r_inkheart
Thank you! How old are you?
Ellen Richardson @e_r_inkheart
replying to @penjustwrites
13
The Pen of Justice @penjustwrites
replying to @e_r_inkheart
Followed for being so nice!
Ellen Richardson @e_r_inkheart
replying to @penjustwrites
Oh wow
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @mollydeverill1
Good point! How old are you?
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @annaff0rbes
Cute picture! How old are you?
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @tash&&&rgh
You’re funny! How old are you?
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @rubynooby*_*
lol how old are you?
Ruby Nooby @rubynooby*_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
12
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @rubynooby*_*
naughty girl, you shouldn’t be on Twitter!
Ruby Nooby @rubynooby*_*
replying to @TheWormTurning
I mean 13!
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @rubynooby*_*
lol well you’ve got a follow from me
Andrew Whistler @andywhistler8
replying to @TheWormTurning
@rubynooby*_*
still at it, are you?
Andrew Whistler @andywhistler8
replying to @TheWormTurning
@rubynooby*_*
ah, you’ve blocked me. no fucking surprise.
Timothy J Ashcroft
@TheWormTurning
replying to @juiceeluce
Love your little dog! How old are you?
The Pen of Justice
@penjustwrites
replying to @carla_mappin5
You really get these issues! How old are you?
Robin re-entered the room just as Strike finished reading. His expression was forbidding.
‘Have you read it all?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I think he created the Pen of Justice account as a fallback. He wanted to keep his connection to the Ink Black Heart fandom, even if he lost The Worm. Meanwhile, he could snare straightforward fangirls as Tim, and critics as the Pen.’
‘And he started grooming Zoe when she was what – fourteen?’
‘Thirteen,’ said Robin. ‘She lied to him, claimed to be a year older than she is. She first came to London on her fourteenth birthday. I’ve checked online records. She’s only seventeen now. Did you see the father who got wise to him? “Still at it, are you?”’
‘The guy who stopped his daughter going to London? Yeah. Smart man… and now Ashcroft’s going into schools with his theatre group. Jesus Christ.’
Robin picked her notebook off the table and opened it at the scribbled results of her eavesdropping in Junction Road.
‘Zoe and Ashcroft were arguing last night. I got inside the building and had a listen outside her door. Ashcroft seemed to be accusing Zoe of blackmail, which she denied. He said to her “who started this?” and “you put me in a hell of a position”, and said he was the one who took the risk – no elaboration on what the risk was, but obviously he might’ve meant their relationship. Other than that, it was all Zoe begging him not to leave and him saying he had “thinking to do”. Of course,’ said Robin, closing the notebook, ‘she’s aged out of his sexual preference now, hasn’t she? He seems to like them best around thirteen or fourteen. I wondered whether that’s why she’s starving herself, to keep looking as young as possible.’
‘Fucking hate paedophiles,’ muttered Strike, as Robin’s upstairs neighbour began playing rap loudly.
‘Does anyone like them?’ asked Robin.
‘Yeah, other paedophiles. They’re very much birds of a feather, in my experience. Well, this explains your friend Pez having a go at Ashcroft at the funeral, doesn’t it? Wasn’t Ashcroft talking to a couple of underage girls?’
‘I don’t know whether Rachel Ledwell’s underage,’ said Robin, ‘but Flavia Upcott definitely is. And what d’you mean “my friend” Pez?’ she added, because there’d been an undertone in Strike’s voice she hadn’t much appreciated. He raised his eyebrows, a slight smirk on his face, and Robin, to her own irritation, felt herself turning pink.
‘I did what I had to do to get information out of him,’ she said coldly, and left the room again, ostensibly to stir the gravy, but in fact to give herself time to stop blushing.
Regretting his attempt at archness, which in truth had been a clumsy attempt to find out how much Robin had enjoyed those parts of the interview that had involved kissing and, perhaps, being groped by Pez Pierce, Strike considered calling an apology after her. Before he could do so, however, his mobile rang. It was Madeline.
Strike hesitated, staring at the screen. Madeline had wanted him to call her back, which of course he hadn’t done. He was supposed to be sitting alone in some anonymous Travelodge and suspected that if he ignored Madeline’s call she’d ring back every ten minutes until he answered.
‘Hi,’ he said, taking the call.
‘How are you? Did you get a hotel room?’
‘Yeah, just checked in,’ said Strike, keeping his voice low. ‘Can’t talk for long, I’m expecting an update from a subcontractor.’
‘I’m worried about you,’ said Madeline. ‘Bloody hell, Corm. A bomb. It’s terrifying.’
Robin re-entered the room, her colour still high. Failing to notice that Strike was on the phone, she said,
‘Look, I don’t much appreciate—’
She broke off, seeing the mobile held to his ear.
‘Who was that?’ asked Madeline.
‘Room service,’ said Strike.
‘No, it wasn’t,’ said Madeline, while Robin stared down at him with accusatory eyes. He had a strong feeling both women knew exactly what was going on: yielding ill-advisedly to the impulse of the cornered male, he attempted to brazen it out.
‘It was.’
‘Corm,’ said Madeline, ‘I’m not stupid.’
