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Barrington (stares down at blank sheet) Only one other, Ms Mitchell?
Mitchell Well, over a period of five years, perhaps two.
Barrington (continues to stare at sheet) Two?
Mitchell (she hesitates) Possibly three.
Barrington (slowly) Or four, or five, or …
Mitchell No - three.
Barrington And were any or all three of these paramours also doctors or surgeons, by any chance?
Mitchell Yes, but the first one was years ago and didn’t last that long.
Barrington Are you certain, of that Ms Mitchell?
Mitchell Yes, I am, but then I feel sure even you can remember when you lost your virginity, Sir James.
Barrington (continues to stare at the blank sheet of paper) But your second and third affairs lasted a considerably longer time, didn’t they?
Mitchell Yes, but they were over long before Patrick began courting me.
Barrington (voice rising) But isn’t it the truth, Ms Mitchell, that having failed to snare one doctor, you were willing to go to any lengths to catch another?
Mitchell No, that is not the truth. The truth is that Patrick told me that he loved me and asked me to be his wife, and I can prove it.
Barrington Like you can prove he gave you prescriptions only on a Friday evening, like you can prove that he showered you with presents that no lon
ger exist, like you can prove which restaurants he took you to, but you can’t remember their names, like you can prove which theatres you attended, but can’t recall the titles of the plays, like you can prove he telephoned you again and again, but there’s no trace of any calls, like you can prove …
Mitchell That he made me pregnant. (Barrington is stopped in his tracks.) And when I told him I was going to have his baby, he begged me to have an abortion. (She looks defiantly at Sherwood.) And I only agreed to his demands because I wasn’t willing to give birth to the bastard of a murderer.
CURTAIN
Act Three
Scene One
The following day.
The Jury Bailiff walks through the door and addresses the audience. Clock shows 9.45.
Jury Bailiff Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury. Today it is the turn of Sir James Barrington to take up the cudgels on behalf of the Defence. I am unable to give you any guidance as to the witnesses he intends to call (He glances at his clipboard.) as no names appear on the list. This, of course, may be a ruse by Sir James to keep the Prosecution guessing. Or it may simply be that following Ms Mitchell’s evidence yesterday, Sir James has not yet decided whether to put Mr Sherwood, in the witness box, where he would have to face cross-examination by Mr Kersley. It is, of course, not compulsory under English law for a defendant to take the stand. However, if he does not, inferences of guilt may be drawn. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, if you are ready, we will return to Court Number One.
He steps through the door; when the lights come up, we are back in Court Number One, Everyone is in place awaiting the Judge and jury.
Ashton Do you think he’ll put Sherwood in the box?
Kersley I wouldn’t. Always quit while you’re ahead.
Ashton You think he’s ahead, after all you achieved yesterday?
Kersley Yes, I do. A trial can be going your way and then suddenly one piece of evidence will derail you. Did you see the faces of the jury when they discovered that Ms Mitchell was left-handed. Doubt must have crept into their minds. No, we must hope that he puts Sherwood in the witness box. And if he does, I’ll need those two theatre programmes.
Ashton Ms Mitchell dropped them off in chambers this morning. They’re both in the envelope.
Kersley Good.
