‘My team and I have been shadowing Kit Foley for the past few weeks for our new documentary, following up on the rivalry laid bare between Cory Allbright and Kit Foley in Pipe Dreams. If you’ve seen that film, then you’ll know I have no bias or loyalty towards Kit. My alliances are pretty clear, in fact, to Cory and the Allbrights. However, allegations have been made in recent days that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.’ She took another breath, willing herself not to rush, her voice to remain steady.

‘. . . Kit Foley is not responsible for beating Amy Killicks. He never raised a hand against her. The images first printed in the Sydney Herald were taken by Kit himself, after Amy had been attacked by her boyfriend at the time.’ Clover cleared her throat, seeing the intense focus and incredulity in the reporters’ eyes. They couldn’t get a clean shot of Kit; even a terse ‘no comment’ from him would have been a result. To be getting this . . .

‘Kit took the photographs as evidence. He had been trying to convince Amy to file charges against her former partner, who had been harassing and stalking her. I have further images here’ – with a shaking hand, she held up the sheets Beau had printed for them to see – ‘which weren’t published, and which show Amy holding up her hair to display the bruises on her back. There would be no reason why she would do this for the person who had caused the bruises; nor would there be any logical reason for the person who had caused them, to document them, as they would act as evidence against him. Additionally, the digital paths of each image show the date and time that they were taken, and also the device used – Kit Foley’s phone.’

She swallowed. ‘You will, I know, ask two questions as a result of this revelation. Why is Amy Killicks lying? And why didn’t Kit Foley defend himself against these allegations? . . . Well, Kit has been trying to protect the memory of Cory Allbright, in the best interests of Cory’s family. His principal concern has always been for Mia Allbright and her three young sons, and he strongly believes that the events behind his much-publicized incident with Cory in the quarter-finals in Peniche, Portugal, were private and should remain so. Kit is still of this opinion.’

Clover steadied herself again. Everything in her wanted to run. Her voice sounded strained. With every word she knew she was throwing her film’s exclusives – and her future career with them – to the wind. ‘However, in light of the stories Amy has sold to the press, worldwide, Cory’s widow has recorded this statement, which she has asked me to play to you . . .’

Clover pressed play on the MP3 file which Johnny had downloaded for her and turned the laptop towards the microphones.