She shrugged one shoulder. ‘These things get out. And because of your . . . profile, it’s attracting some attention.’

‘I’d no idea people even knew who I was.’ I sat down, remembering too late that the chairs were always a bit lower than you imagined. ‘Oh God. It’s a nightmare. I honestly don’t know what to do.’

She smoothed her skirt over her knees, looking out at me from her little dark-rimmed glasses. ‘This is . . .’ She paused. ‘Ali. I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Obviously there’s no way to hide that it’s happened, or your position with us. But there’s a chance to turn this situation into something positive.’

How the hell could anything about it be positive? ‘It seems unlikely, given how things are at the moment,’ I said, wobbly.

‘No. Of course. I just meant from a PR point of view. You have a platform, Ali. You’ve spoken out on this issue and now it’s affecting you. Whatever you do next sends a message, about how we treat victims of rape. I’m afraid the MRAs are all over this one already.’ She’d told me this meant Men’s Rights Activists. The kind of guys who didn’t really believe rape existed, except as a lie women told to persecute them.

‘But I mean . . . he hasn’t been convicted.’

‘The allegation has been made, yes? He’s been charged?’

‘Yes, but . . .’

‘Our policy as a charity is to believe any allegations that are made in the first instance. So. If you’re up to it, we can get you on the news again tonight.’

I was bewildered. ‘But – you want me to say every allegation is true, straight up? I can’t do that.’

‘Of course not.’ Vix was so calm. I couldn’t imagine her ever being rattled. ‘But Ali, you know how hard it is for the woman in this type of case. When it’s acquaintance rape, and they’ve been drinking, as your friend was?’

‘She was hammered.’ My voice sounded flat.

Vix flicked a black eyebrow at that, but said nothing. ‘I know it’s difficult. I get that, I really do. All you have to do is say there’s an investigation and you fully cooperate with it, even though this is your husband. That all victims should come forward, as your friend has, and let the police do their job. They’re trying to change. It’s up to us to support them.’

‘But I don’t . . . I mean, I don’t . . .’

‘Ali.’ She set down her coffee and leaned forward confidentially. ‘I never disclosed this to you, but there’s a reason I do this job. I was raped at university. A friend of a friend spiked my drink, I think, and when I woke up he was having sex with me.’

‘Oh my God. Did you report him?’