by Jade Winters
Abi buried her face in her hands. ‘It just feels like every time I take one step forward I get pushed back ten. I just wish I could get out of this pit.’ Her words were weighed with regret and defeat. ‘It’s not even like I’m a spring chicken anymore …’
‘What? Don’t they say life begins at forty? Once your divorce is behind you, things will be different.’ Harper smiled and playfully tapped Abi’s hand. ‘And look at you. Anyone with half a brain can see you have a face that would turn any woman’s head.’
‘You’re very sweet, Harper.’ Abi dropped her hands and smiled, but it was vacant.
Harper could see Abi didn’t believe a word she said, and realised that Abi’s immediate future looked bleak. Without her extra job at W.H. Smith, there was no way to cover her and Jake’s food expenditure. Now she could only manage, barely, the rent for the small cramped flat.
They rode in silence for the next few minutes before Harper gave in to the nagging questions that needed to be answered. ‘I need to ask you something, Abi. And I want you to be truthful with me.’
‘Of course. Anything.’
Harper rested her chin slightly on the steering wheel. ‘Have you ever had a nanny?’
Abi burst out laughing. ‘A what? Do they work for free, or do you have to pay them?’
Harper frowned. ‘Please, just answer me.’
‘No, Harper. I’ve never had a nanny.’ She looked at her quizzically. ‘What made you think I had?’
Harper didn’t answer her question; instead, she said, ‘Did Robyn ever take you to see a doctor about your depression?’
Abi snorted. ‘Like that was ever going to happen. She said I wasn’t depressed; I was just plain lazy.’
The joke’s on me it seems. What a lying bitch. And to think I fell for it. As Robyn had lied to Dylan about Abi, she wasn’t even going to go there with the sex or alcohol issue. It was irrelevant now, anyway. Harper let out a breath. And to think Dylan actually believed Robyn.
‘Do you think I should take Robyn’s offer?’ Abi didn’t stop to draw breath. ‘I don’t think I have it in me to fight anymore, Harper.’
Harper glanced at her before returning her attention to the road. Should Abi accept the offer? The deal Robyn had put forward was lousy when her huge wage was considered. £1000 a year to raise a child? Would that even cover nappies and clothes for a growing baby? She wanted to tell Abi to find the strength from somewhere to fight on. Not to let Robyn walk away the victor. But if Abi wanted to throw in the towel, so be it.
‘If that’s what you want, I can inform the other party on Monday,’ Harper said with her solicitor’s hat on.
Harper brought the car to a standstill outside a block of flats that looked as if they’d been built in the sixties. Graffiti covered the dark brick walls, and rubbish was overflowing from the bin area. The place had a menacing feel too. Now that gave her the instant shivers. How could Robyn see the woman she once loved and a baby live in such conditions? It would have been fine if there were no other choice in the matter, but Robyn had the means to lift Abi and Jake off of the poverty line, at least until Abi got on her feet properly. Despite her earlier thoughts, Harper said, ‘I think you’ll be selling yourself short. I know I can get you a better deal.’ Looking firmly at Abi, she added, ‘But it’s up to you. Have you heard back from the Child Maintenance Service?’
‘Only that they are waiting for Robyn to respond. I’m sure she will drag it out as long as possible.’
‘She won’t be able to drag it out forever, and they will demand back payments so I wouldn’t worry too much. You should get some money soon.’
‘What would you do about the offer if you were me?’
Harper looked at the flats again and remembered a time when she had lived in such a place. It was something she didn’t like to think of often. ‘I’d fight for justice and what was rightfully mine.’
Abi lowered her voice, and Harper could hear the shakiness in her tone as she asked, ‘What about my arrest?’
A plan started to formulate in Harper’s mind; fixing Abi with a thoughtful gaze, she asked, ‘There’re security cameras in W.H. Smith, aren’t there?
Abi looked at her curiously and nodded.
She felt a sense of excitement. ‘On every aisle?’
‘Yes, why?
Yes! Let’s hope we strike gold. ‘I’ll call Marc and see if he can arrange for someone to look at the footage from earlier today. There just might be enough evidence to vindicate you. As for the offer. It’s time to get tough. Your level of hardship means we can bypass mediation and go straight for a financial order. I’ll file it on Monday.’ Let’s see what Dylan’s response is to that.
Harper’s mind wandered back to Abi’s theft arrest. Would she really have put her livelihood on the line, and risked losing her job by blatantly stealing a customer’s card right in front of her? Harper didn’t think so. Something just didn’t sit right with her. Who else knows Abi is desperate for money? Harper’s thoughts went around in circles, and then something Shay had said earlier that day came to mind. ‘Someone who wants her out of the way or to make her look unstable.’ The realisation hit her like a thunderbolt. Jesus, Could this be the handiwork of Robyn or am I starting to get paranoid?
Chapter Twenty-One
Without the TV blaring noise from Tiffany’s reality shows, the living room was eerily quiet. Robyn sat stiffly on the sofa, her eyes roaming over the bomb site the room had become. After Abi had dropped Jake off, Robyn had gone shopping in Mothercare for additional things she thought the baby would need. Admittedly, she’d gone overboard, but only because she didn’t want to come up short and find herself needing something in the middle of the night. That would mean having to phone Abi, which was the last thing she wanted to do. Little feet prodded her side causing her to turn and look down. Jake’s podgy little face was in stark contrast to his skinny body. Dark curls coiled into his neck and over his forehead, and big blue eyes with long lashes that gave him the appearance of a mischievous cherub stared back at her.
‘I don’t know what you’re smiling at, gummy?’ Robyn said to the small squirming bundle on the sofa beside her. ‘Is that all you’re going to do all weekend—poo, piss and dribble.’
Despite the hardness in her voice, Jake kept smiling, revealing his pink gums in the process.
Robyn narrowed her eyes. ‘Don’t even think about getting used to coming here. This is a one-off, do you hear me?’
Jake’s eyes widened, and his tiny hands grappled in the air. Robyn instinctively held out her finger for him to grab. She was surprised by his strength.
‘You’ve got quite a grip haven’t you?’ For a moment, she wondered what Jake would look like when he was older. Would he have Abi’s once good looks? Her kindness and compassion? She peered closer, studying his little fingers as if seeing a human hand for the first time in her life. She watched his expression change from curiosity to joyfulness and was intrigued by the little boy’s range of emotions. No wonder your mummy loves you so much. You’ve got such a beautiful smile.
For the next hour, Robyn found herself lost in his gaze. If it hadn’t been for the whiff coming from his nappy, she would have stared at him all night.
‘Come on then, gummy,’ she said, lifting him gently and holding him against her chest. His head bobbed against hers, and she drew her head back slightly so he wouldn’t hurt himself. In that instant, their eyes met close up, and she felt an immediate connection. The self-assured twinkle in his eyes enthralled her. It was as if she had known him a lifetime. Robyn buried her face in the crook of his neck and inhaled his baby powder scent.
A lump formed in her throat. Would she ever be able to forgive herself for wanting Abi to abort this amazing ray of light? How could Robyn even bear to look Jake in the eye?
What would you say if you could speak? If you knew the truth. Would you still smile at me, knowing what … what I wanted to do to you? She placed her hand on the back of Jake’s head and made a promise
that only God and herself could hear. It was a promise that in her heart, she knew she’d never break.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Harper stared down at the phone when it began to ring. She considered ignoring it. Her head was pounding. The case files on her desk were mounting, but all she could think about was Abi and what the poor woman must be going through. The stress of divorce was bad enough without an arrest hanging over her head. Thoughts still lingered in her mind about Robyn and her possible connection. Would she really stoop that low? The incessant ringing of the phone made her headache even worse. She reached down and reluctantly picked up the receiver.
‘Yes?’ she said in an uncharacteristically sharp tone.
‘Harper, it’s Marc.’
She gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘Marc? Oh, I’m sorry—’
‘—Bad day aye?’
Harper looked down at Abi’s file on her desk. ‘You could say that.’
‘Maybe this news will cheer you up. The security guard from the shop took a close look at the CCTV footage, and it’s as clear as day; Ms Massey didn’t lift that credit card, the woman planted it on her. Anyway, he took the recording to the police, and I’ve just been informed they’ve dropped the charges. They tried to contact the woman but she’d given a false address.’
Harper leapt to her feet nearly dragging the telephone off the desk with her. She stared upwards. ‘That’s fantastic.’ Thank you, God. ‘Marc, I can’t thank you enough for your help.’
‘Only doing my job. Let’s meet up for drinks soon.’
‘Definitely.’ Harper replaced the handset. Without a minute to lose, she dialled Abi’s number. She was so elated she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face.
Harper could hear the relief in Abi’s voice when she shared the news. ‘So there won’t be any charges against me?’
‘None whatsoever,’ Harper said still smiling.
Silence.
‘My gut is telling me Robyn had something to do with this. I mean how did that card get in my pocket? That girl must have put it there,’ Abi said.
Harper kept her opinion to herself. ‘Yes the CCTV showed her putting it there, but there’s no proof it had anything to do with Robyn. I think we should just be grateful the truth has come to light and move on to the next step.’
Abi’s voice was barely audible when she spoke. ‘With the run of bad luck I seem to be having, I’m starting to think my life would have been easier if I just accepted her offer. ’
‘Nonsense. This is exactly what Robyn wants. To push you into a corner so you’ll accept an unfair settlement. We have to fight fire with fire Abi. Are you with me?’
‘Okay, whatever you say,’ Abi replied wearily. ‘I’d better go, I’ve got something on the hob.’
‘Okay, I’ll be in touch soon,’ Harper said feeling more determined than ever. ‘Take care of yourself.’
As Harper sat there contemplating the situation, the angrier she became. She wondered if Dylan knew anything about the arrest. Maybe Robyn told her what she’d intended to do. If that was the case it would give her more ammunition to fight with. Boy do we need it! But I need to find out the truth? There was only one thing to do. Call Dylan.
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘Dylan, did you know?’ Harper said in a raised voice down the phone.
‘Know about what?’ Dylan asked coolly. She was sitting at her desk in her office miles away, but she could almost feel Harper’s hands lock around her neck.
‘That Abi got arrested,’ Harper’s voice was thunderous, ‘and I know your client had something to do with it. I promise you, that piece of scum you’re working for is going to get what’s coming to her tenfold.’
‘Whoa there. You need to calm down and tell me exactly what you are talking about. Because I really don’t have a clue,’ Dylan said, smiling at Cathy and taking the files she had asked for.
‘You really don’t know? Abi was arrested for theft. Someone planted a credit card on her and accused her of stealing it.’
‘And you think my client set her up? That’s ridiculous.’ Dylan hoped she sounded convincing. If Robyn did have her hand in this mess Dylan had obviously failed in her bid to bring Robyn and the baby closer together. She had hoped by spending time with him they would have bonded and Robyn’s view on a fair settlement may have softened. Robyn’s a lot colder than I gave her credit for. But that was beside the point. It was Dylan’s job to handle the divorce—that’s what she was being paid for. The last thing she needed was Robyn trying to get Abi thrown in jail. If Robyn fully trusted Dylan’s abilities, she would know she didn’t have to go to such drastic measures. Though she wasn’t about to tell Harper any of that, of course.
‘Is that all you have to say?’ Harper said. ‘You do know Abi could have gone to court for this, and had a conviction on her record, right? A criminal conviction!’
‘If what you say is true, it has nothing to do with me, or my client,’ Dylan said nonchalantly. Her flippant attitude was having its intended response. Harper was so rattled she didn’t know what was going on. Now was the time for Dylan to go for the jugular. ‘I think it’s best for everyone if we settle this as quickly as possible. Tell your client to accept the offer now, before things get worse for her.’
‘That’s you all over isn’t it? Strike while the iron’s hot, despite who might get hurt in the process.’
Dylan had reached her breaking point. The moment of weakness at the food bank was now long forgotten. If Harper was going to brand her as a cold-hearted bitch, who was she to disappoint.
‘She isn’t going to get any more Harper, so—’
‘—I keep telling you the offer is an insult and you know it. I just don’t understand why you don’t strive for justice—’
Dylan’s smooth retort cut her off. ‘—I am not in this for justice, Harper. This is law, a practice that falls fucking far from justice. Police uphold justice. I’m a fucking solicitor, and I’m a bloody good one at that, for a reason. I don’t let my heart rule my decisions, and I certainly did not become a successful solicitor to put plasters on knee scrapes. If that’s your calling, you are in the wrong vocation. You should have become a doctor ... or a nun.’
‘One day, Dylan,’ Harper replied finally, her tone well-adjusted to indifference, ‘you’re going to need help, and no one will give a flying fuck, especially me.’
‘It’s a little too late for that, I’m afraid. Been there done that, worn the T-shirt, and you’re right, no one gave a shit or came to my aid. But guess what? I’m still here, and I’m still standing despite it all. So little hero, born and bred; save your speeches for someone who gives a shit.’
This personal attack got Dylan’s back up straight away. She didn’t know why she let Harper get to her like this, but she did. In a way, Dylan was hurt at how Harper had misjudged her. It was one thing to have a go at her about the case, but why did she always call her character into question? Did Harper go around abusing doctors who carried out abortions, vets who put animals to sleep? These were also jobs that carried a bad rap. Though the work wasn’t pleasant, what would happen if there was no one there to do them? Women would be forced to carry unwanted babies, and only God knew what fate would await them once they were born. Animals to live the rest of their lives in pain. Is that what Harper really wanted in her fantasy world?
‘Let’s see how this all pans out for you in court because that’s where this is heading. I'm done trying to cut a deal. Let’s leave it for a barrister and judge to sort out. You have a financial order winging its way to you as we speak,’ Harper said.
‘You know as well as I do that they have to try mediation first.’
‘Not with the level of poverty Abi is in, considering how much your client earns,’ Harper shot back.
‘Whatever. I can’t blame you for not knowing when you’re in too deep. Truth be told, I do think you’re good at what you do, but that ridiculous bleeding heart crap is going to get you nowhere in this business. It’s r
eally sad,’ Dylan said, calmly signing a stack of letters Cathy had just finished typing for her.
‘We are done discussing this case, goodbye,’ Harper sneered.
‘Miss you already,’ Dylan said, trying to get a final rise out of Harper.
‘Oh, one last thing. I’d put any idea of getting that partnership right out of your head. If this is the last case I ever practise, I will personally make sure you don’t win.’
‘Like I told you, nothing thrills me more than a challenge.’ Dylan forced a smile and hung up the phone. Cathy stood next to her, staring.
‘What is it, Cathy?’ Dylan asked impatiently.
‘I could be mistaken, but whoever that was, has you flustered. You still sounded normal, of course, but your hands are shaking a little,’ Cathy advised. Dylan could hear the glee in Cathy’s voice.
‘Rubbish,’ Dylan answered, but she did not dare lift her hands to disprove Cathy’s observation. ‘Don’t you have to draft the Corey correspondence I asked you for?’
Cathy smirked but didn’t bother replying. She turned on her heel and headed for her desk.
‘And close the door, please,’ Dylan asked evenly.
When the door closed, she looked at her long slender fingers. They exhibited a slight tremor she did not like. It was a sign of vulnerability, something that came from emotion, from the weakness of the opinions of others. She had not seen her hands do this since she was a late teen, waiting for her exam results. By this point in her life, such displays never surfaced anymore.
With her career in verbal altercation, emotional jousting and keeping cool even when the rage fumed around her, it was quite unsettling for Dylan to feel that nausea in her heart again. It was just like the nausea of a stomach, but worse. She had not felt it in years, even over a decade—a horrid cancerous condition of the esoteric heart that came from a guilty conscience or a regret of action.