‘Indeed.’ The coroner examined the papers in front of him, his face impassive. ‘Did she ever suggest to you that the party in question was at a gaming club called the Flamingo owned by Mr Maxwell Vernon?’

‘Definitely not.’

The coroner looked at her steadily for a moment and then nodded. ‘You were aware that she was pregnant?’

‘Yes, she told me a couple of weeks ago.’

‘In what circumstances?’

‘She was very upset. She asked me if I knew anyone who could help her.’

‘To get rid of the child?’

‘That’s right.’

The coroner made another note. ‘One final question. As regards the state of mind of the deceased. Would you say she was a balanced individual?’

Monica Grey shook her head. ‘Not during the time she lived with me. She sometimes had terrible bouts of depression, but I think that was the drugs.’

‘Thank you, that will be all.’

The fat, well-dressed man who was sitting at the front beside Vernon half rose and the coroner stayed Monica Grey with his hand. ‘Yes, Mr Baxter.’

‘I appear on behalf of Mr Maxwell Vernon, called as a witness in this matter. Certain rumours seem to be circulating which connect my client and the deceased. I think we might be able to clarify the situation if I could put a question or two to Miss Grey.’

‘By all means.’

‘I shan’t keep you long, Miss Grey,’ Baxter said. ‘I’d like to return to this question of the deceased’s pregnancy. Did she ever tell you who the father was?’

‘I asked her, but she wouldn’t disclose his name.’

‘It has been alleged in certain quarters that my client was responsible.’

‘He couldn’t have been.’

‘You seem very positive. Might I ask why?’

Monica Grey hesitated, glanced across at Vernon and said with obvious reluctance, ‘To tell you the truth, I knew Joanna had been out with Mr Vernon a few times and I thought it might be him. When I put it to her she said definitely not. That it was someone else entirely.’

‘A last question, Miss Grey. I understand you were present at a private party given by Mr Vernon at his flat at the Flamingo Club on the night the deceased died.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Please tell us what happened.’

‘It was about nine o’clock. The party had just got started when Joanna walked in. She was in a bit of a state so Mr Vernon took her into the corner to calm her down.’

‘Could you hear their conversation?’

‘Not really. She was obviously very upset and Mr Vernon seemed to be trying to take her out of herself. After a while she just turned and walked out.’

‘What did Mr Vernon do?’

‘He took me on one side and said he hadn’t liked the way she was talking. He asked me to keep an eye on her, to let him know if there was anything he could do.’