‘I saw an advert in the local paper. It said people were needed for an overnight stay in a hospital and that there was a fee. I was broke at the time, and I thought, why not? So I called the number and spoke to someone who took my details and said someone would call me back. And that was that. I didn’t hear for weeks and I’d pretty much forgotten it when I got a call saying I’d been picked. So I met with them, and they ran a few tests just to check I was healthy. A couple of days after that I got another call asking me to come in and go through the paperwork. Which is when I had to sign the initial non-disclosure agreement.’

‘And what did this non-disclosure agreement cover?’ Vermeer asks.

Polman looks at his lawyer who takes over.

‘The agreement covers everything, all dealings with the company. It’s the most comprehensive one I’ve ever seen. Just by being here my client is putting himself at risk.’

‘Maybe, but non-disclosure agreements don’t protect criminal acts.’

‘Has there been a criminal act?’

‘That we are not able to discuss at this stage,’ I tell him.

‘So it looks like our hands are tied.’

‘Except your client is, generously and selflessly, going to help us, isn’t he?’ I address that last to Polman.

‘I take it you’re referring to the photo you have of my client? Threatening to release it would be classed as blackmail, as I’m sure you’re aware.’

‘What photo?’ I ask.

‘The photo you took of my client.’

I turn to Vermeer. ‘You remember either of us taking a photo?’

‘It was a photo-less encounter,’ Vermeer says.

I smile at Polman. He glares at me, but then nods to his lawyer.

‘Very well. Despite all this, and against my counsel –’

‘– you’ve said that bit already –’

‘– despite all this my client will answer questions about areas covered by the agreement.’

‘Great, maybe we can just get on with it then.’ I turn to Polman. ‘What happened next?’

Polman licks his lips. He starts talking, addressing himself to the table in front of him.