‘Shelley?’
She closed her eyes briefly. But then she clenched her fist. She had talked herself through this so many times, imagined standing in the witness box in front of judge, lawyers, jury. In front of him. She was ready to go.
‘Do you have any news, Lois?’ she said calmly.
‘Can you come in?’
‘No. No, I can’t right now.’
‘OK …’
‘Just tell me. It’s fine.’
A pause.
‘Shelley, the Crown Prosecution Service don’t feel there’s a reasonable chance of conviction. I’m really sorry but the case can’t go forward.’