There was something so secretly satisfying about being the only one in the office. The quiet – if you took a moment to appreciate it – was bliss and she liked to pick up a coffee from the local deli downstairs on her way up. Yes, she could make one in the office, but she liked a little reward for getting in so early. Take-away coffee in hand, she’d finished reading the updated Aiker file at her desk first thing and somehow the professional environment of her office had helped Claire focus on the job at hand rather than her memories.

Besides, it was years ago and Paul is long gone.

She felt confident and in control. At such moments, Claire could believe that her past hadn’t actually happened, that it had affected someone else or it was a story she’d read in the newspaper. In fact, months could go by and she wouldn’t even think about him. But occasionally something would remind her – usually something small, like seeing a group of high-school boys walking home or something on TV – and she’d be back there, in that musty drama room, him on top of her. As she pulled the file towards her ready to go to the meeting room, a page fell out and she picked it up. She glanced over it again, like a child picking a scab.

Section 5, transcript 2 of case file TD / 08 / 67 / 3876

‘Can you tell me what the other man did, Rose?’

‘I’m not sure…’

‘I know it must be difficult. But anything you can share now can help us find these men and stop them doing it to anyone else. Can you help us, Rose?’

‘Okay, I’ll try.’

‘Well done, Rose, you’re doing really well. Take a deep breath first…’

[Muffled crying]

‘It was still darkish although I remember there was a torch – I think it was a torch from a phone and it was shining on me.’

‘On you?’

‘Yes, on my face. And after… after the man… then on my body.’

‘What happened after the first man, Rose? Can you tell me?’

‘His mate came and lay on top of me then. He was heavier than the first one and he’d removed his cap.’

‘Did you manage to see his face? Do you think you could identify him?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did he rape you, Rose?’

‘Yes.’ [Victim is crying.]

‘What happened after that?’

‘Then I heard…’ [Victim is still crying.]

‘It’s okay, Rose, take your time, you’re doing really well.’