‘If you give evidence and you are believed – you win – problem solved. But Matthews will have a go at you. He will push and prod and get right under your skin, quite deliberately. If you cannot keep your temper, you know what happens when you blow. If the jury think you’re lying or if they don’t like you, you are in deep, deep trouble. No matter how bad the Crown case is, they may convict you on the basis that if you’re not telling the truth when you say you weren’t there, you must be guilty. It’s not supposed to work that way – but often it does. It is a very dangerous game we play and you are right in the middle of it.’

‘What do you want me to do?’

‘I think you should stay in the dock. Play safe.’

‘What about my alibi? Are you just going to ditch it?’

‘I think you know that some of your witnesses will not be terribly impressive. Their granny wouldn’t believe them if they told her the Pope was a Catholic. One or two will stand up, just. I think we call the best of them and leave it at that. It’s the old “better safe than sorry” principle. At least that’s my advice. But you should ask Mr Anderson and especially Mr Morton. After all, he is your solicitor.’

Gallagher looked towards Jack Morton, plaintively.

‘I’ve had to give this a lot of thought, naturally. Normally I believe that a jury will want to hear the accused’s side of the story. But Mr Muirhead is right. You won’t be a very good witness. I don’t think you’ll do yourself justice. If you lose your temper, and you will, that could be enough to kill off our chances. I don’t honestly see you convincing a jury, Charlie. I go along with senior counsel – stay out of the box.’

‘Mr Gallagher, I’m only junior counsel, but for what it’s worth, I agree with the advice you have just been given.’

Gallagher returned his attention to Muirhead.

‘Am I going to get off?’

‘I can’t give you a guarantee.’

‘Christ!’

‘The case is better than I could have hoped for. I just don’t want to do anything to ruin what we have achieved. I suspect most of the jury will have made up their minds already. If we can lead some reasonable alibi evidence together with one or two bits and pieces I have up my sleeve, I think you have a very fair chance.’

‘A very fair chance! What the fuck is that?’