‘Should I panic now or wait till she starts?’

‘Christ’s sake, Donald!’

‘Mr Muirhead.’

He began with the usual background details. Name, age, address, relationship to the accused. He began to wonder if Anderson had, perhaps, been right. Mother Gallagher had a voice which could grate cheese and to complete the image was affecting a BBC2 accent.

Matthews was struggling to conceal a grin which conveyed the clearest of meanings.

‘Your turn to suffer, old chap.’

‘You are aware that your son has been charged with murder arising out of an incident which occurred on the 16th of March?’

‘Eh em aware he has had that hanging over him like wan of they sword things.’

‘Madam, do you mean Damocles?’

‘No, your honour, Charles, my boy.’

Matthews was stuffing his gown into his mouth to choke the laughter, himself or both.

Muirhead looked down at the floor in the fond hope it would swallow him up. No such luck. No option but to return to the fray and carry on regardless.

‘Was the 16th a special day for you?’

‘My, yes, we had this lovely party in the house. All the family and friends were there – well not all our friends, just one or two close friends, you know. We had a lovely buffet, proper caterers, not cheap I can tell you, but as I always say, a thing worth doing is worth doing right. Don’t you agree?’

‘Yes, probably, but I was thinking more of the reason for the party.’

‘Oh, no reason. Well you don’t need a reason to get together with the family, do you? I think families are so important. I think they are the most important thing, don’t you?’

‘Yes, yes. Was it your wedding anniversary?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, was that the reason for the party?’

‘Oh, I see. Yes.’

‘Look at defence production number eight. Is that a copy of your marriage certificate?’

‘Yes.’

‘Does it show you were married on the 16th of March, the same day as the party?’

‘Yes.’

‘And was the party held in your house?’

‘It was held in our home. In our home.’

‘When did it begin?’

‘Well, it didn’t really begin. Our front door is always open. Anyone will tell you that. People just come and go, come and go.’

Muirhead was beginning to lose patience.

‘Mrs Gallagher, please just listen to my questions. I appreciate that you are nervous but we will get on better if you just try to answer the questions you are asked. Now, did your guests arrive in the evening, the afternoon, the middle of the night, for breakfast the next day?’

‘Some people did stay overnight. I’m maybe not the greatest cook in the world but, if I do say so, I can lay on a nice bit of breakfast. Most important meal of the day, I always say.’

‘Mrs Gallagher! When did they arrive?’