Of course, she’d known all along that he would never do something so heinous, but to learn that he was there on the night in question was a shock. Claire had long ago developed the skill of identifying a liar – her client list was often full of them – and she’d had no doubt that Joshua was telling the truth about his role in the events of that night. He went to the opening of the nightclub, met Rose, went to an after-party with her, and then left in a taxi.

She watched Joshua now, her mind rapidly going over her phone conversation with Julia the day before. Rose had already identified her two attackers and they had denied all charges, hence the preparation for the trial. But now Rose had named a third person – Joshua – whom she’d confirmed with photo identification. Claire felt the vomit rise in her throat.

Chris was stood, leaning against the dining room wall, his expression unreadable. She’d been asking Joshua questions for almost half an hour, trying to work out any way Rose could have got confused, and they were both exhausted.

‘Joshua, is there anything else you can tell me that might explain why Rose is linking you to this incident?’

When did it become an incident and not rape? When her son became involved.

‘Mum! Bloody hell! I told you already! I did not do anything to her!’

Claire started at the unusual expletive coming from her son. She’d never heard him swear before.

‘I’m sorry, love,’ she replied trying to hide her frustration under a gentler tone, ‘but I need to examine this from every angle, so I can clear your name.’

Joshua looked up at her, his eyes on hers. There was something in there, and for a moment Claire felt she might be able to reach out and grab it, but then it was gone.

‘This Rose – she’s crazy! She was high as a kite and drunk as well. Besides it’s not like Lee would—’

Claire froze. ‘What did you say?’

‘Nothing.’

She watched Joshua realise his mistake. Claire had never mentioned the name Lee. She quickly thought back over the conversation. Had she? No, she was pretty sure she hadn’t because she never disclosed names of a case, but Lee was one of the named defendants.

Mother and son looked at each other for a split second before Claire stood, the force pushing the dining room chair over. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Chris turn and walk out of the room and she felt a part of her collapse inside. But she would have to deal with that later.

‘How the hell do you know Lee?’ she asked, the quiet steel of the words almost, but not quite, making Joshua cower.

‘Mum! I didn’t do this – I promise you!’