The Whole Truth

‘I told you. I spilt wine on it. I didn’t want to leave it in the wardrobe in that state. I was worried it might not come out if I didn’t have it done quickly.’

‘But it wasn’t just cleaning, was it? You asked for some repairs to the dress too.’

There’s a flicker across Kennedy’s face which she’s not quite quick enough to hide; this, at least, is news to her.

I open the cardboard file and take out a sheet of paper. It’s a scan of the dry cleaner’s order book.

‘Mend ripped neckline and replace sequins (bag of spares supplied by client).’

I close the file again and look up. ‘What happened, Professor Fisher? How did such an expensive evening dress get damaged at a sedate black-tie bash like that?’

‘I don’t remember.’

‘Or perhaps it wasn’t there that it happened? Perhaps it was after that, when you got home?’

She opens her mouth and closes it again.

‘I told you,’ she says eventually, ‘I don’t remember.’

VE: So she started to touch you. What happened next?

CM: I managed to pull away a bit and turned round to tip the champagne down the sink. I’d hardly had any of it.

VE: How much had she had?

CM: I think she was on her second glass by then.

VE: So then what?

CM: I was still at the sink, and felt her coming up behind me. She put her arms round me and started putting her hands down the front of my shorts. You know, inside, trying to grab my – you know – my penis.

VE: What did you do?

CM: I turned round and pulled her hands away. I said I didn’t want to do this – that she didn’t want to do this. She said I was being ridiculous – we both wanted it. So I said what about Freya and she just laughed. Said something about why have prosecco when you can have the real thing. Then she reached up and pulled my face down – you know, trying to kiss me.

VE: And you tried to make her stop?

CM: [flushing]

I got hold of her wrist – tried to stop her, force her away. She still had the glass in her hand and some of it got spilt. I suppose you could say there was a bit of a tussle.

[pause]

That must have been when she scratched me – I didn’t realize at the time. I don’t think she meant to – she was still pulling at me and her fingers were in my hair and somehow it must have just happened.

[takes a deep breath]

Look, I’m not proud of this but I did end up pushing her away.

VE: How hard?

CM: [flustered]

Hard enough. I mean, not as hard as I could have, but I knew I had to be careful – she was drunk and I’m a lot stronger than she is. But I didn’t know what else to do – she just wasn’t taking no for an answer.

* * *

Adam Fawley

7 July 2018

19.53

‘You’re not prepared to answer any further questions, Professor Fisher?’

Kennedy raises an eyebrow. ‘My client’s position is very clear. These allegations are false, contrived and very possibly malicious. No such incident took place, which means, by definition, that you will find no evidence to substantiate it.’

‘How can your client be so sure, when she claims not to remember anything after the opening of the champagne?’

Fisher starts to answer but Kennedy forestalls her. ‘Because she is a professional. And because conduct of that kind would be entirely out of character, as I’m sure her colleagues will happily confirm. As I said, should you find any actual evidence that these events took place, by all means let us know. But take it from me, you won’t.’

‘What possible motive would Mr Morgan have to make a false accusation? He has everything to lose and nothing whatsoever to gain.’

The lawyer raises an eyebrow. ‘You’ll have to ask him that, Inspector.’

* * *

Archive ›2018›MayOxford Mail online

Wednesday 18 May 2018

Local MP accuses UK universities of failing victims of sexual violence

By Richard Yates

Didcot and Cholsey MP Petra Newson took part in a highly charged debate in the Oxford Union last night.

Speaking in support of the motion This House Believes That UK Universities are Failing to Protect Students from Sexual Crime, Ms Newson described the current situation as an ‘utter scandal’. ‘It’s clear to me that universities and colleges are not taking adequate or appropriate action against students accused of rape and sexual assault, and in far too many cases these incidents are not even referred to the police. Even worse, when teaching staff are accused of harassment or assault, some of these institutions are closing ranks and protecting their own. Lecturers – both male and female – are in loco parentis for the young people in their care, and if this duty of care is abused, they should be prosecuted with all the severity the law allows.’