And Mr Lee didn’t know that Pauline was only the supporting role, paving the way for Terence Blue to tell his story and to protect Nicky Abbott.

Elvira had insisted that Terence intervene when Pauline began her testimony. The whole court had heard Terence’s interjection it’s a lie; saw him, the old sex-symbol sitting staring at the floor in the dock with one arm in a sling, sometimes his head resting in his good hand, being described in that shameful, devastating one word feared by men above all other words – impotent. In a way Mr Lee’s cross-examination of Pauline, although so cruel and so enjoyable, seemed almost irrelevant. People wanted Terence Blue to speak now. They wanted to hear what this famous film star would say.

Just before Mr Lee said no further questions, just before he was ready to flourish to his seat, his face registering disbelief and scorn, Pauline leant towards him in the witness box, gathering herself together despite the way he had tried to tear her apart, despite the way she was now openly shaking. Suddenly understanding just how much hinged not for herself but for Terence on the outcome of this case, she said in a clear voice, ‘It has not been pleasant for me to have been attacked in this way by you Mr Lee, in public. But I think it must be much worse for Mr Blue. You wouldn’t like to have your sexual inadequacies discussed in court Mr Lee any more than Mr Blue does I expect. How can anyone believe a person would go through this if he didn’t have to.’ There was a murmur around the courtroom.

‘No further questions,’ said Mr Lee coldly.

‘My Lady,’ said the defence barrister, getting up quickly, ‘I would like an adjournment in order that I may speak to my client.’

‘The court is adjourned,’ said the judge, ‘until two-thirty this afternoon.’

*

Only Terence and his barrister and Elvira were in the small, impersonal room beside the courtroom.

‘Are you ready?’ said the barrister.

Elvira looked with old affection at Terence Blue’s pale, drawn face. ‘It’s out in the open now darling,’ she said, ‘use it.’

And Terence Blue, one of the most famous men in the world, who had stubbornly resisted, who knew so well how it would be used – IMPOTENT FILM STAR RAPIST: headlines all over the world for a crime he hadn’t committed – felt at last that he had nothing left to lose.

Except Nicky.

And just before he nodded his head in bleak, stoic agreement he thought: Yes. I do know the meaning of love.

*

And so at 2.30 pm, finally, after all and against expectations, Terence Blue was called by his own barrister to the witness stand.