But inside, she was pulled taut and Paul didn’t need to be next to her to feel the tension emanating from her. But then Chris had returned ten minutes later, all smiles and ice cream and he watched as Claire looked up at him, her relief and desire naked for all to see, and Paul had retreated, jealousy and anger his only company.

39

Transcript – Witness Statement

‘I hadn’t arranged to meet Rose at the opening night of Studio 65 but I was aware that she was going. It was all she’d talked about for a while. She was excited about the footballers. I had arrived early, about nine-thirty in the evening. I went inside and sat at the bar mainly. I talked to a few people I recognised and had a drink.

‘About an hour later, it was getting busier. The bar area was crowded – they were giving away free shots – so I moved away to the end of the bar. There was no one really queuing there because that’s where the dirty glasses were dumped. It was then that I saw Rose. She was with a crowd of people waiting for drinks. Someone in her group was getting the shots in and handing them back to the group including Rose.

‘At that point, she saw me and waved. After a few minutes, she came over to where I was sat and asked me if I had any spice. I said no and then she went back to her mates. There seemed to be a few of them, three guys and a girl. The guys looked like posh knobs – you know, floppy hair and boating shoes. They looked out of place if I’m honest with you.

‘After that, they took a table in the VIP area. I don’t know whose table it was – I doubt Rose would have the money for that. A few minutes later, Rose came up to me and invited me to the VIP section to sit at their table. I thought why not? Free booze and it beat sitting by the empties. Was Rose drunk? Perhaps a little. She was laughing a lot – perhaps she’d taken something, I don’t know. She was having a good time, drinking and dancing like everyone else.’

40

Claire slumped back against the dining room chair, looking at her son as if he was a complete stranger. While Joshua had vehemently denied even touching Rose, the fact remained that he knew her. Not only that, but he was at the crime scene that night. Claire tried to focus on her son’s obvious bewilderment and confusion at the news that Rose was accusing him of sexual assault.