The Accused

Barrington To help her with her injections, perhaps?

Mitchell No, I’ve never been to Arcadia Mansions.

Barrington Arcadia Mansions. So it wasn’t you who was at the apartment when Mrs Sherwood said, ‘How did you get in?’

Mitchell No, I was at home all that evening.

Barrington Alone?

Mitchell No, Patrick joined me around eight o’clock. I cooked dinner for him and then we made love in front of the fire. Perhaps you’d like me to go into the details?

Barrington Yes, I would, Ms Mitchell, because if this relationship was as intimate as you say, you’ll be able to tell the court if Mr Sherwood has any scars, birth marks or even unusual habits that only someone who was so intimate with him would be aware of.

Mitchell (triumphantly) Yes, I can. Patrick has a small burn on his right arm (Touches her right forearm.) which you can only see when he takes his shirt off.

Barrington ‘A small burn on his right arm … Only when he takes his shirt off.’ (He writes down as a quote.) Anything else?

Mitchell (considers this) Yes, whenever he took me out on a date, he would remove his wedding ring and when we made love he would always insist on putting out the light. And, oh yes, his great passion is sailing. He keeps a small boat at Burnham, which he takes out most weekends.

Barrington One could hardly call this list of mundane trivia intimate knowledge. You know, Ms Mitchell, this is beginning to sound less and less like an affair and more and more like wishful thinking.

Mitchell I can assure you it was real.

Barrington I have no doubt you wanted it to be real.

Mitchell What do you mean by that?

Barrington Simply that no one was better placed than you to take advantage of a man who was nursing a dying wife. But he rejected your advances, which made you bitter and resentful. And then, after his wife died, you come up with this cock-and-bull story about Wellingborough, only too aware of how hard it would be for Mr Sherwood to prove his innocence.

Kersley My Lord, I think I must have fallen asleep, because the last thing I remember was my learned friend cross-examining this witness, and I seem to have woken up in the middle of his closing speech. Can your Lordship advise me, have I missed any significant questions?

Judge No, but you have improperly interrupted defence counsel, just as - I suspect - he was about to ask one. Please continue, Sir James.

Barrington If it is a question my learned friend demands, then a question he will get. My Lord, could Ms Mitchell be shown exhibit twenty-three?

Judge Yes, Usher. (He nods the Usher to hold up the glove.)

Barrington Ms Mitchell, do you know what this is?

Mitchell Yes, of course I do, it’s a rubber glove.

Barrington Used for hygienic purposes when administering an injection.

Mitchell Or for washing the dishes.

Barrington It was found on the floor of the Sherwoods’ kitchen the night his wife died.

Mitchell So what does that prove?

Barrington It’s a left-handed glove, Ms Mitchell - are you, by any chance, left-handed?

Mitchell No, I’m right-handed.

Barrington Strange, because when you signed your signature on the Usher’s pad only a few moments ago, you did so with your left hand. Would you care to try on the glove, Ms Mitchell?

Kersley My Lord, this is outrageous, it’s not Ms Mitchell who is on trial here.

Judge I agree, Mr Kersley. Sir James, your job is to defend Mr Sherwood, not to prosecute Ms Mitchell. Stick to your brief.