following me.
MRS. SCOTT And he commented on your clothing?
MISS BARTLETT Yes. And he asked who I was meeting. I told him no one he knew. He said I was lying, it was someone we both knew very well. I knew he was watching us.
MRS. SCOTT What did you do?
MISS BARTLETT I left. I thought if I could leave Catherine behind, she would be safe. I thought he would follow me rather than her.
MRS. SCOTT And is that, in fact, what happened?
MISS BARTLETT Yes.
MRS. SCOTT Where did you go?
MISS BARTLETT I walked around for a while. I tried to lose him. I went to a gallery, I went shopping. When I finally went home it was nearly dark. He was waiting for me on the steps. I was terrified to see him. He was . . . very calm about it, almost reassuring. Then he said he wanted to show me something and he took me down the steps to the basement flat.
MRS. SCOTT Could you explain what you mean to the court? This is not your flat, is that correct?
MISS BARTLETT No. The basement flat in our building was empty. It was being renovated, I think. There was no furniture in it. I don’t think the electricity was switched on.
MRS. SCOTT What happened when he took you into the flat?
MISS BARTLETT I’m sorry, I just . . .
MR. JUSTICE MCCANN Miss Bartlett, do you need to take a break?
MRS. SCOTT In fact there are just a few more questions, if the witness is able to continue.
MISS BARTLETT I’m all right. I’m sorry.
MRS. SCOTT Are you able to tell us what happened when you went into the flat?
MISS BARTLETT He punched me and kicked me. He shouted at me, told me I was stupid over and over again. He told me I didn’t deserve to live.
MRS. SCOTT How long did this attack last?
MISS BARTLETT I’m not sure. It felt like a long time. He dragged me into the bathroom. There was a toilet and basin there, and fittings for a shower, but otherwise it was bare. No windows; it was a small room. Then he locked the door behind me.
MRS. SCOTT And was that the last time you saw him?
MISS BARTLETT No. He came back some time later. He was wearing gloves. I thought he was going to kill me.
MRS. SCOTT Did he attack you again?
MISS BARTLETT No. He told me he was going to find Catherine, said he wanted to sort things out.
MRS. SCOTT And what did you think he meant by that?
MR. NICHOLSON Your Honor, the witness is being asked for her opinion.
MRS. SCOTT Your Honor, I feel that the witness was in a situation where she could have interpreted what was meant by the words spoken by the defendant.
MR. JUSTICE MCCANN I understand what you are saying, but I would prefer it if Miss Bartlett were directed to stick to the events in question. Please continue.
MRS. SCOTT Mr. Brightman came into the room and told you he was going to find Catherine. What happened after that?
MISS BARTLETT He went. He locked the door behind him and he went. He left me there. I tried to get out, I tried banging on the door but nobody could hear me. I couldn’t get out.
MRS. SCOTT I believe you were there for four days, is that correct?
MISS BARTLETT Yes.
MRS. SCOTT So you had access to water but he left you no food?
MISS BARTLETT No.
MRS. SCOTT Thank you. Your Honor, I have no further questions.
MR. JUSTICE MCCANN Thank you, Mrs. Scott. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take a break at this point. We will reconvene at three o’clock.
—CROSS-EXAMINATION—
MR. NICHOLSON Miss Bartlett, how did you and Mr. Brightman first meet?
MISS BARTLETT Catherine introduced us.
MR. NICHOLSON When you commenced your relationship with Mr. Brightman, was he still romantically involved with Miss Bailey?
MISS BARTLETT Yes, but he told me—
MR. NICHOLSON Thank you. And you were aware that he was continuing his relationship with Miss Bailey while he was also seeing you?
MISS BARTLETT Yes, but—
MR. NICHOLSON Would you describe yourself as a truthful person, Miss Bartlett?
MISS BARTLETT Yes, of course.
MR. NICHOLSON In 2005, did you give a statement to police concerning your friendship with Miss Bailey?
MISS BARTLETT Yes.
MR. NICHOLSON Do you recall stating that in your previous years of friendship with Miss Bailey, you were aware that she had harmed herself by cutting her skin with a knife?
MISS BARTLETT Yes.
MR. NICHOLSON Was your statement truthful, Miss Bartlett?
MISS BARTLETT No.
MR. NICHOLSON You admit that you lied in