Annalise began twisting the handkerchief in her lap as she explained that after another glass of champagne – which made her feel dizzy, so maybe the man put something in it – he had sexually assaulted her. It did not get to the point of rape, although he had stripped her clothes off, but Annalise began screaming and he got scared that someone would hear her, so he told her to get dressed and get out.

She had taken a taxi straight home. She saw Charles Foxley as she was hurrying through the hotel lobby. He saw that her make-up was smudged and she’d been crying, and he hailed a cab for her.

Before Jane could stop him, Montgomery banged his hand on the desk. ‘Did you tell him what had happened?’ he yelled.

Annalise shook her head. ‘No, Daddy, I just wanted to get back to Julia’s. I was also worried because my dress had been torn and it cost so much money.’

Jane could see Montgomery’s anger in his face as he tried to keep it under control.

‘When I got back to the mews, Julia was so kind and really looked after me. I told her what happened and she stayed with me until the other girl came home. The other girl, Tanya, had a wonderful night. At least that’s what Julia told me . . . ’ She hesitated, chewing her lip.

Jane kept her voice soft and leaned in close to Annalise. ‘You have been really brilliant, Annalise . . . but there is more, isn’t there? Can you just tell me what happened afterwards?’

‘If whoever it was dared come after you, by God, I’d strangle him!’ Montgomery shouted.

‘No . . . No, Daddy . . . NO!’ Annalise shrieked.

‘Go on, Annalise,’ Jane soothed.

‘Tanya told me that she knew about another girl, and that she had gone into the agency to confront Charles Foxley because she was underage, too.’

‘Did you go and see Charles Foxley?’ Jane asked.

After a lengthy pause, Annalise slowly nodded. ‘He was very upset and asked if I would keep it private and tell no one. If I agreed he had a present for me. He gave me an envelope with fifteen hundred pounds inside it.’

‘Dear God!’ Montgomery exclaimed.

Jane sat back in her chair. There was no need to ask Annalise to make a formal statement because Jane knew now that these sums of money that Charles Foxley had been paying out were to the young girls. She had gotten what she came for. Even though it had caused the young girl distress, she was certain it was a good thing she’d now told her parents and was hopeful that they’d be understanding.

Montgomery ushered Jane out of his office and down the hallway. Annalise followed.

Jane turned. ‘That was a horrible experience for you, Annalise. Thank you for being so honest with me.’