‘My point, My Lord, is that although the Crown have been able to test one of the two pieces, without result as it happens, the police appear to have mislaid the other piece.’

‘I see.’

‘And we would like to put the Crown on notice here and now that there is likely in the circumstances to be an application to stay this case for abuse of process.’

‘Yes. Mr Douglas-Jones? What do you say?’

‘We are making enquiries, My Lord. The indications at the time were of an accident, and for that reason, the exhibits weren’t treated exactly the way they might have been in a murder case. In a nutshell, My Lord, we have what we have. Frankly, we are surprised that there was any fragment of the record available for testing at all.’

‘I see. Well, Ms Khan, you’ll take your own course, but I will need some persuading to stay these proceedings on that ground alone.’

I am dismissed shortly after and find myself in the corridor being debriefed by Nasreen.

‘Remember your bail conditions. Jan will be in touch. In the meantime, if you think of anything else, you must tell us sooner rather than later.’

I nod and then watch them both leave and turn towards the main road.

The adrenaline of being in court begins to subside and within moments of being in the open air, I feel flat. I turn the opposite way to get my bearings when I see a face that I know. My heart drops.

‘You?’ I say.

‘Xander,’ says Blake. I am close to her and for the first time I see her in the glare of daylight. She is younger in this light, and more attractive. But the pallor of her face betrays long hours under electric lights.

‘So, you pleaded not guilty?’

‘Yes,’ I say.

‘Good.’ She turns to walk away, then stops. ‘I know this is a strange thing to say, but if I can help you with anything …’

‘Thanks,’ I say. I am touched that she believes me. No, more than that, I feel seen, and because of that it feels a little as if I could even find a path back to myself.

She smiles a half-smile and walks towards a parked police car.

Halfway across London Bridge I stop to look down into the water. There’s nothing about the river that conjures any warmth or romance. The views either side of the bridge are impressive, but the waterway itself is a trail of slurry. There are no blues or greens in its spectrum. There is no emotion, no invitation to anything joyful. It’s impassive and friendless.