Saying this absolutely without judgement, and I could be wrong, but I dimly recall press reports that detectives visited a petrol station/shop a week or two after Nicola disappeared, to request their CCTV footage. No idea if it sold alcohol or not. JMOI hear what you’re saying, it’s a remote location. I don’t mean to project on Nicola too much based on how I’ve acted myself!! — but I am just wondering if there was some shop near the school with an alcohol licence from say 8am or 9am, and Nicola knew she would be sound off & video off on a call so kind of unobserved.
Just to say: I am recovering from a serious drinking problem myself after rehab, and mean no judgement against Nicola by this guess — I just am aware how sometimes people with drinking problems can think and behave, and wonder if the police disclosed Nicola’s issue in this context (because it’s relevant that day). I don’t think by the way that Nicola was drunk around her children ~ my theory avoids that.
I hear what you’re saying about this case, there are some really weird aspects for a missing person investigation, and hope the inquest provides answers.
All just my own speculation and if I’m wrong I will certainly acknowledge so and just to say the alcohol speculation is in the context of the same problem ~ no judgment intended whatsoever.