Witness for the Defence

Henry Thresk grows up under his mother’s blunt admonitions, reminded constantly that he is a dependent with no right to speak for himself. Determined to escape that label, he maps out a precise career path, aiming for the Bar as the only profession that can lift a man of modest means into public respect. When his father’s bank collapses and the family’s fortunes crumble, Henry claws his way into law through odd jobs, journalism and election work, slowly building a reputation for tenacity.

At twenty‑eight, a summer holiday in Sussex offers a brief escape from his relentless ambition. Riding the South Downs, he meets the striking Stella Derrick, whose lively curiosity and keen eyes awaken a new perspective on his carefully plotted life. Their encounter on the ancient Roman road hints at possibilities that could challenge the rigid scheme Henry has long followed.