The Accused

Kersley And her response was to unbutton her uniform?

Sherwood Yes, that’s exactly what she did.

Kersley Was that before or after you had locked the door?

Sherwood I didn’t lock the door.

Kersley So you didn’t have sex with her on the couch?

Sherwood Mr Kersley, I’m a surgeon not a film director.

Kersley So it’s pure fantasy for her to suggest that you regularly visited her flat in the early hours of the morning?

Sherwood I never visited her flat at any hour of the night or day.

Kersley And you never took her out for dinner or to the theatre?

Sherwood No, I did not.

Kersley Have you seen the play, The Real Thing.

Sherwood (pause) I may have done.

Kersley And whom did you see it with, Mr Sherwood?

Sherwood I don’t recall - probably my wife.

Kersley Yet another person who is conveniently unable to confirm or deny your story. So allow me to try to refresh your memory, because we are now in possession of the two programmes for the plays Ms Mitchell says you took her to see. (He holds up two programmes.) An Inspector Calls, and The Real Thing.

Sherwood That doesn’t prove I took Jennifer.

Kersley Jennifer. No it doesn’t, but you will recall that Ms Mitchell - I do apologise - Jennifer, was also in the habit of making notes in her diary, and that diary has been in the court’s safe keeping for several weeks. I wonder My Lord if you would allow the Usher to pass Ms Mitchell’s diary - exhibit four ~ across to Mr Sherwood.

Judge Yes. Usher. (Usher hands the diary to the defendant.)

Kersley Please turn to February the fifteenth, 1999 Mr Sherwood, and read to the court Jennifer’s entry for that evening.

Sherwood 7.30 The Real Thing.

Kersley Yes, but do read on, Mr Sherwood. Isn’t there another entry below that?

Sherwood (hesitates) P.S. at the Albery Theatre.

Kersley P.S. Patrick Sherwood, I suspect - unless, of course, Jennifer had an assignation with Peter Stringfellow.

Sherwood Post script seems more likely, Mr Kersley.

Kersley But she stated unequivocally that it was you.

Sherwood She also stated unequivocally that I drove her home when I don’t own a car or even have a driving licence.

Kersley No. No, Mr Sherwood, Ms Mitchell never claimed that you drove her home. Her exact words in reply to your learned counsel were, (Picks up a sheet of paper.) ‘He always took me home’ and if you would like her to explain what she meant by that, Mr Sherwood, we can always call her back as she would still be under oath.

Sherwood Why bother, when the oath means nothing to her?

Kersley Are you suggesting that Jennifer committed perjury?

Sherwood Your words, not mine, Mr Kersley.