Scandalous by Tilly Bagshawe Page A

her.
    “TEENAGE LOLITA WRECKS GENIUS PROFESSOR’S MARRIAGE”
    “HOME-WRECKING FANTASIST STALKED DEXTER ‘FOR MONTHS’”
    Margaret’s only regret was having to add to poor Theresa Dexter’s anguish by publicly running through the litany of Theo’s student conquests. She needn’t have worried. Theresa didn’t believe a word of it.
    “I swear on my life, T, it isn’t true,” said Theo. “Margaret’s always had it in for me, the old battle-ax. She’s jealous of my success. She knows Sasha’s weakened me so she’s moving in for the kill.”
    After Margaret’s testimony, the court broke for an hour’s lunch. Not wanting to brave the hordes of press outside, Sasha and her family ate their sandwiches on a bench in the Senate House lobby. None of them spoke. It was pretty clear which way the congregation was leaning.
It’s like the condemned man’s last meal
, thought Sasha.
    And then Harold Grier showed up.

    Harold took his place on the dais. Anthony Greville, St. Michael’s master, was chairing proceedings. He read out some lines of Latin, and Harold replied.
    I’ll be gracious in victory
, thought Sasha.
I’m not interested in fame and glory. All I want is to be allowed to finish my research in peace.
    “Professor Grier, you worked as Miss Miller’s laboratory partner at the Cavendish during the Easter term, is that correct?”
    “Yes.”
    Throughout the proceedings, Sasha had resisted the urge to look at Theo. A few short months ago, just the sight of him across a room would make her heart race. Now his proximity made her physically ill.
He’s so fake. So vain and bland and…empty. What did I ever see in him?
But as Harold Grier began his testimony, she couldn’t resist stealing a triumphant glance.
I’ve got you now, you lying bastard.
    Feeling her gaze, Theo turned around. Sasha wasn’t sure what she’d expected. Fear, perhaps, at the prospect of his imminent exposure and disgrace? Guilt? Regret? Instead the look on her one-time lover’s face could only be described as…
pity. That’s odd. Why would he feel sorry for me? He must know what’s coming. He must know Grier’s testimony is going to blow his case out of the water.
    Harold Grier was talking. “She was very excited about working with Professor Dexter. She told me she felt inspired by him, and fortunate to have him as a supervisor.”
    “And how familiar were you with Miss Miller’s research work?”
    “Very familiar. We worked together over a period of weeks. It was an exciting time.”
    “You recognized the importance of the work she was doing?”
    “Oh yes. Absolutely. And so did she. As I say, she was thrilled Professor Dexter had given her the opportunity to work with him on it. Not many undergraduates would have been given such a chance.”
    Sasha cocked her head to one side. Had she misheard him?
    Anthony Greville leaned forward eagerly in his seat. “Miss Miller implied to you that the theory was, in fact, Professor Dexter’s? That he had invited her to assist him?”
    No!
    “Yes. Well, she didn’t imply it. She was quite explicit about it.”
    “That’s not true!” Sasha was on her feet, yelling from the gallery. The black-robed figures of the Regent House glared at her as one.
    “Sit down please, Miss Miller, or I will have to ask you to leave.”
    “But he’s lying! Tell them the truth, Harold, for God’s sake!”
    Sue Miller took her daughter’s hand and pulled her physically down into her seat. “It won’t help, love,” she whispered. Sasha sat down.
    Harold Grier kept talking, calmly, rationally, convincingly. Every word was a bullet in Sasha’s heart. She was too stunned to take in much of the master’s summing up, but the few words that sank in left no room for doubt…
tragic, unnecessary case…slanderous claims…overwhelming evidence to suggest…confused, troubled young woman…
    The black-robed men began filing out. All around Sasha, people were on their feet. She tried to stand up, but