‘Mr Gallagher, there really is no point in shouting at me. I’m only trying to help you. You really must make some effort to help yourself.’

‘You’re the fucking QC! I’ve told you. These bastards are all fucking lying, so why don’t you just fucking prove it, if you’re so fucking smart.’

‘Something a little more constructive would help, you know. I appreciate this man Warwick or Beswick may be a liar, but why do you think he is lying about you?’

‘Because the polis have fucking paid him, that’s why. How many times do I have to fucking tell you that, for fuck’s sake?’

‘Well, I have to tell you that in my view there is sufficient evidence to get you to a jury. If you have to give evidence, telling a jury that the police have ‘fucking paid him’ is not exactly a complete answer.’

‘Enough to get to a fucking jury! How can this get to a fucking jury? Have you bastards just been pissing about wasting your fucking time and my old man’s fucking money?’

‘Mr Gallagher, we can deal with the evidence. I cannot simply make it disappear. I’m not a magician. As you might say, I’m not Tommy fucking Cooper!’

‘You’re not a fucking QC either and who the fuck’s Tommy Cooper and what the fuck’s he got to do with it...!?’

There was nothing the lawyers could do but weather the storm. When it had all but blown out, Muirhead gathered his papers together, and the two others followed suit.

‘Look, Mr Gallagher, I appreciate how you feel about this. I understand the frustration of being locked up in this place, and before you say I don’t, please remember I’ve been visiting clients here for over twenty years and most of them have felt just as you do. So, please calm down and take it easy.

‘The case has been well prepared, we know what we have to do and more importantly we know what we’re doing. In short, we’re ready to go. We will do our best. I don’t go into cases intending to come second. You will receive the best possible defence. Of that, you may rest assured.’

He held up his hand to indicate that a further contribution from Gallagher was going to serve little useful purpose.