A/N: Rare guest character POV. Full credit to Sian Brooke for her performance in this episode.
Annie wraps a towel around her as she runs from her bathroom to the bedroom. The box of Alan's things is still on the floor next to her bed. "Shit," she mutters, seeing the time on her clock. She goes to get dressed, but then the doorbell rings downstairs, a long, insistent ring. She grabs some pants from a drawer and pulls them on under the towel before hurrying downstairs.
When she opens the door, Alan takes in her appearance. "Sorry," she says, feeling as cowed by him as ever. "I lost track of time."
"You said you had some of my things?"
"Yes, they're upstairs. Just give me five minutes to get dressed and I'll bring them down."
"No need, I'll come up and get them." Alan's tone leaves no room for argument.
"OK." Annie turns and leads him up the stairs to her bedroom, where she gestures to the box on the floor.
Alan doesn't pick up the box. "So that's it? Two years of a relationship, and you think you can just dismiss me with what's in there?"
"I'm not dismissing you. I just wanted to give you back what was yours."
"Why did you invite me over here?" Alan takes a step towards her. "To flaunt yourself? Show what I was missing?"
"No!" Annie steps back, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "I think you should go."
"You can't just kick me out." Alan has hold of her wrists now, he's pushing her back on the bed. She wants to shout for help, but the look of pure fury on his face stops her.
That's how she comes to be in a witness box, testifying in front of Alan and a room full of strangers about the most shocking, personal thing that ever happened to her. Having Mr Reader take her through what happened in detail and then being torn apart on the stand by Martha Costello, who paints her as a seductress, a bitter ex, someone who wanted to trap Alan with a pregnancy.
At one point Martha says, almost gently, "I have to finish this now."
Annie nods, tears streaming down her face. "I know."