That night, I dreamed again of Gemma. Waking before dawn in a cold sweat, I crawled out of bed. Any chance for more sleep had passed. I couldn’t get Gemma out of my mind. The time she had come into the CIB office, frantic. She was late for our coffee date, and when she finally arrived, she was trembling. On the drive over, she said, she had listened to talkback radio. A shock jock called Drew Nayle. He’d interviewed Noah Shepherd’s dad. I’d asked her what he said, but she was too upset to say much.

I still had the transcript of the interview. As I waited for the kettle to boil, I fetched a box from the spare room. I’d brought it with me from Melbourne but hadn’t opened it since I’d arrived. I retrieved the piece of paper I was looking for, poured a nice hot cup of tea and settled into Nan’s armchair. In the lamplight, with Waffles curled up next to my chair, I read it with the same horror Gemma had experienced.

Interview with commentator Drew Nayle and Bob Shepherd, radio station 3PPP, Friday, 10 May, 11.30 am

Drew Nayle: I’m here in the studio with Bob Shepherd, father of Noah Shepherd, last week acquitted in the County Court of rape. How are you feeling about the verdict, Bob?

Bob Shepherd: Well, Drew, we are obviously relieved. Our family has been to hell and back. Noah has barely left the house. He’s lost about ten kilos and we’ve had to delay his graduation from university because of all the adverse publicity he’s copped. I just hope now he’s been found innocent, we can put this all behind us.

DN: It’s certainly been a roller-coaster. You’ve stood by your son. How’s he bearing up?

BS: Oh, he’s been through the ringer. He’s never denied what happened and he’s been open and honest the whole way. I think every man has to be bloody careful these days. He genuinely believed the young lady consented and acted accordingly, only to be accused later on. I have to be honest, it’s taken its toll on him. We look at our son and shake our heads. It’s like his whole life has been ruined for just one night of fun.

DN: Is the law around this a total ass?