‘Come on, Charlie. There’s no point in shouting and bawling at Mr Muirhead. He’s done a great job so far – as you know perfectly well. He’s already got you off one murder charge, for goodness sake. We must decide what we are going to do now. It’s sort of important to get it right. Now just listen to what the man has to say to you.’

Gallagher sat down heavily on a rickety chair at the small wooden table located in the centre of the room.

‘Mr Gallagher, we must decide if you are going to go into the witness box. Ultimately, it is your decision. I cannot tell you what to do. I can only advise you and certainly I will not force you one way or another. Is that clear?’

‘Look, I’m not fucking stupid. Don’t treat me like a fucking...’

‘Come on, Mr Gallagher, do us all a favour and stop this nonsense. No one has treated you in any way other than with respect. Christ, we’ve all done our best for you, but every time there are difficult decisions to take, all you do is shout and bawl at me. No thanks to you, you have been acquitted of one murder and you have a good chance of being acquitted of another one. Now, if you want to go into the witness box and blow it to hell and back, that is up to you. All I want to do is give you the best advice I can.’

‘I’ve been locked up for months – doing my head in.’

‘I appreciate that.’

‘Fuck it, I’m shiting myself, man. If I don’t take the stand they’ll think I’ve got something to hide. I’ll get done.’

‘That is just not so, Mr Gallagher. Please listen to me.’

Gallagher’s outburst was born of terror and frustration – not anger or resentment. He sat clenching and unclenching his hands. He stared wildly ahead. He seemed to be locked into his own private world. His shirt was soaked with sweat. He was not a pretty sight and smelt worse.

Jack Morton handed him a cigarette. Gallagher’s hands shook so much he could not navigate it towards his mouth. Morton took it, lit it and placed it between Gallagher’s lips. He inhaled deeply. Four long drags later, the cigarette was almost finished. The combination of deep breathing and nicotine had a calming effect upon him.

‘Go on.’