by Rhoda Baxter
"Here you go," Marsh handed her a wineglass. Moving the remote control, he sat down next to her, leaned back and put his arm round her.
His body felt deliciously warm and solid. She took a sip of wine, enjoying the moment. They were still getting to know each other and real life hadn't stepped in to spoil it all. She savoured the feeling of his arm around her and the gentle tug in her stomach that told her she fancied him.
Marsh placed a kiss on the top of her head, which made things just that bit closer to perfect. "What do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Don't mind," Jane murmured and half closed her eyes.
"I'll just check the weather. We could have a picnic in Hyde Park, if it's sunny."
"That sounds lovely."
Marsh flicked on the TV and turned on the text for the weather forecast over the screen. In the background was a chatshow. "We might be in luck."
On the TV, the show cut to the live band. A familiar voice sounded in song. Jane's eyes flew open. She sat up and reached for the remote control.
"Isn't that your ex?"
Jane stared at him. He knew? How long had he known? Who else knew?
Marsh returned her stare. "What's the matter?"
"I--" She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't think anyone knew, that's all."
Marsh looked embarrassed. "I looked you up on Google. There were lots of photos of you with him."
She had been so been so convinced that she could keep her past secret, but she had been wrong. What else was she wrong about? And who else knew?
"Jane?" said Marsh. "Are you okay?"
To her surprise, she felt tears prickle. She blinked them back.
He turned the TV off. After a long, mutual silence Marsh said, "It must have been exciting, being a pop star's girlfriend."
There was something in his voice that made her look up. It suddenly occurred to her that he might be worried about how he would compare to Ashby. Even though Marsh seemed confident enough, wouldn't he wonder about the glamorous world she used to inhabit?
She was about to assure him that she didn't draw comparisons when she realised that she had been doing just that all day. Admittedly, Marsh had come out better in contrast to Ashby, but that didn't alter the fact that Ashby had been in the back of her mind. Perhaps it was better to be honest. Marsh was a nice man and didn't deserve to feel like he was playing second fiddle to her famous ex. "It was okay. But it got a bit boring after a while."
"Boring?" He raised an eyebrow. "Hanging out with the rich and famous and going to parties doesn't sound all that boring."
"It was, really. I mean, that life can be fun to start with, but then it becomes a bit samey. You obsess over everything--the dress, the shoes, the jewellery, the lip-gloss. How's it going to look? Is it fashionable enough? Is it too fashionable? When you get somewhere, everyone gives everyone the once over. You never know who's going to try to stab you in the back in the next day's paper.
"Everyone's nerves are so stretched that they practically twang when they walk. The only way you get through it is to have a drink. So you have a glass of champagne, you try and chat to people and not make a fool of yourself. When it gets so late that you don't think you'll make it into work tomorrow, you call a taxi and go home. And then you get about two hours sleep and drag yourself into work. It's horrible."
"I only went because Ashby wanted me to. I didn't enjoy it much. I felt pretty inferior most of the time, to be honest."
Marsh was watching her intently. His expression was unreadable. "Inferior?"
Jane grimaced. "Everyone at those parties is either glamorous or talented or rich. Sometimes all three. Ashby used to sometimes wander off to talk to 'useful contacts'." She made air quotes with her hands. "And I'd end up talking to a businessman in a suit who was worth a fortune."
It suddenly occurred to her that some of Ashby's "useful contacts" may have been other women. What had he really got up to when he'd disappeared for long stretches of time?
The minute the thought occurred to her, she knew the answer. How could she have been so stupid?
Marsh was still watching her. "Sounds to me," he said, slowly, "like this Ashby guy is an idiot."
Jane couldn't help smiling. "That's your considered opinion, is it?"
"Trust me. I'm a lawyer."
Jane had to laugh.
When Marsh kissed her, she leaned into him and kissed him back, trying not to spill her wine. With her free hand, she reached up to touch his hair. He drew her closer. Just as she was about to abandon herself to his kiss completely, her stomach rumbled. Embarrassed, she wriggled loose. "Sorry."
When he simply looked into her eyes for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her again. Instead, he smiled. "You're right. We'd better get something to eat."
He leaned closer, until his lips were millimetres away from hers. "You can't do interesting things on an empty stomach." He placed the lightest of kisses on her lips and stood, leaving Jane to chide her stomach for ruining the moment.
* * * *
Sunday evening, when Marsh offered to see Jane home, she hesitated. Much as she enjoyed herself with him, she didn't really want him to come to Polly's flat. Her relationship with him was too new and she didn't want Polly to meet him yet. She liked the fact that no one knew about them. She wanted to keep this relationship her precious private secret for as long as she could.
When she didn't reply immediately, Marsh shrugged. "If you'd rather I didn't, that's okay too."
"It's not that I don't want you to see me home. It's just that it's Polly's flat and it'd be a bit awkward. I'm really sorry."
"I understand. Really." He kissed her. "I guess. I'll see you at work."
"That's going to be weird."
"Yes. Very. It's so hard to be near you and not being able to do this." He pulled her toward him with his hands at her waist and kissed her just below her ear. Slowly he worked his way down to her collarbone, kissing all the way.
Jane melted. How was she ever going to be able to think about anything at work tomorrow? She wriggled in his grasp. "Stop it," she said, half-heartedly. "That's too nice."
Marsh pulled away, grinning. "You're sure?"
Jane sighed and laid her head against him. "Yes. It's getting late. I should go."
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged. "See you tomorrow then. I shall do my best to pretend I haven't seen you since Friday."
* * * *
From: Valerie Fenwick
To: Sally Thomas
I think there's something going on between Marsh and Jane. I just went into his office and you could feel the pheromones crackling. Not that they were doing anything, I hasten to add. It was just the way they were so jumpy.
Val
##
From: Sally Thomas
To: Valerie Fenwick
Well, it would be about time Marsh found someone, wouldn't it? Jane seems nice enough. Certainly better suited to Marsh than Dominique.
I imagine Marsh would be a bit quiet after the Northern boys she must be used to.
##
From: Valerie Fenwick
To: Sally Thomas
Maybe she had her bit of rough and fancies going for the quiet, reliable type for a change. You don't get much more reliable than Marsh.
I think he likes her. I tried to quiz him about Jane, but he changed the subject really fast and the tips of his ears went red, you know, like they do when he's embarrassed.
On the other hand, he's worried about his little sister. Do you remember little Stevie? She worked in the post room a couple of years back before she went to uni. Apparently, Marsh doesn't like her new boyfriend. Poor boy. Having to look after his sister has really messed with his perspective.
It can't have been easy working,
studying for his exams and looking after a teenager. You've got to admire him for managing to pass his exams!
##
From: Sally Thomas
To: Valerie Fenwick
Oh, I admire him for a lot more than that, especially when he's in his little running shorts. Why do you think I come in so early?
##
From: Valerie Fenwick
To: Sally Thomas
Stop it. He's young enough to be your son. You have furniture older than him.
##
From: Indira Somasundara
To: Valerie Fenwick
I overheard Eric talking to Keith and I'm worried that they're up to their old tricks again. I hope Keith's not after Jane--she's the only new girl I can think of.
I'll try and think of a way to remind Eric that he's been warned against that sort of thing before.
Indra
Chapter 17
From: Aunty Caroline
To: Marshall Winfield
Dear Marshall
I had an email from Stevie asking me for money from the Trust fund. Since you normally deal with the fund and I just sign the relevant bits of paper, I was a bit surprised to hear from her directly.
I hope you two haven't fallen out? Is there anything I can do to help?
We haven't seen you two in ages. I hope you are both well. You must come and visit us. We always have plenty of space--especially in the winter, when the tourists aren't around. I'm sure you could do with a break from all that work and pollution in the city.
Uncle Frank sends his love.
Aunty Caroline
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: Aunty Caroline
Oh dear. Thanks for letting me know. She's lent money to her boyfriend and it seems he's not going to pay it back in a hurry. I'll sort something out.
How much did she ask for? Just so that I've got an idea of how much this guy is taking from her.
I'm fine. So is Stevie. Hope the B&B side of things is going well and the cows are behaving themselves. We'll try and sort out a time to come visit when it's Stevie's holidays. It would be great to see you again and get some fresh air.
Love to you both
Marshall.
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
Explain to me again, on what evidence do you base your theory about Stevie's boyfriend?
Jim
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
He owes Stevie money. Has done for 3 months. No sign of him paying it back.
They came down to London. Stevie paid.
They went to a concert. Stevie paid.
They had food. I paid.
He looked round the flat with great interest and quizzed me about what it was worth.
Stevie is now asking Aunt Caroline to release some money from the trust fund. I've just paid for her MOT, so I don't know what other expenses she has that her allowance won't cover. All I can think of it that subsidising Buzz is making her spend extra.
On a personal level, I dislike the guy anyway. He scorned my Buffy collection.
Marsh
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
I scorn your Buffy collection.
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
Well, you're ginger. That sort of thing is bound to have repercussions.
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
Tsch. Gingerist comments are beneath you Marshall.
Anyway, it may have escaped your notice, but Stevie is a grown up now. She will have to learn grown up lessons by herself. You can't protect her forever, you know. Much as you'd like to.
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
I know that.
But, no matter how old she gets, she'll still be the little kid that used to come to my room in the middle of the night to check that I was still breathing. She was so afraid I'd die too and leave her all alone.
I know I should let her make her own mistakes and stop interfering in her life, but I just can't help myself. You'll know what I mean when Molly and the boys are older. Trust me.
Marsh
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
Did she really do that? Jesus, that's the most heartbreaking thing I've ever heard.
##
From: James Edwards
To: Louise Edwards
Lou, I love you. And I love the kids.
I know I don't say it often enough, but I do.
Just so you know.
Jim x
##
From: Terence Wattley
To: Discipline sub [email protected]
Intra office relationships
In the matter of the complaint made against Mr. Marshall Winfield and Ms. Jane Porter. Whilst intra office relationships, especially between qualified fee earners and trainees, are undesirable from the point of view of company morale and image, there is no real way to prevent such relationships between consenting adults. The best we can hope for is to for one of the senior partners to have a word with the offending pair about discretion.
In light of the fact that Mr. Winfield and Ms. Porter have so far conducted their relationship out of office hours and have in no way embarrassed the company, I believe no further action is necessary.
However, as Mr. Winfield appears to be prone to these liaisons--ref. Ms. Dominique DeVale--it should be borne in mind when considering his possible appointment as a partner.
Terry Wattley on behalf of the discipline subcommittee
##
From: Human Resources
To: ALL
Memo: On behalf of the partners
Dear everyone
Staff members are reminded that we are all responsible for the company image. It is expected that everyone will maintain a professional demeanour within the work environment and keep private and professional life appropriately segregated.
Human Resources
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
Did you see the email from HR? That's the same one they sent out after they hauled me over the coals because of Dominique's theatrics!
I'm not sure what to think now. Jane and I have been as discreet as we could possibly be. We barely look at each other when we're at work--which is not an easy thing to do, incidentally.
Yours in ****
Marsh
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
I did some snooping for you. Rumour has it that our favourite junior partner ratted on you to Susan and Terry. He asked to remain anonymous as he was making an 'informal observation' rather than a formal complaint.
He's a nasty piece of work. He REALLY doesn't like you. I'd watch your back if I were you, mate.
&nbs
p; Have you heard from Terry or discipline committee yet?
Jim
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: James Edwards
No, not heard anything--yet.
That's a good thing, I suppose. Although, they're bound to consider it when they discuss the new partners on Wednesday.
I hate Keith, I really do. I don't know what I've done to annoy him so much. What a complete git to go to Susan and Terry. And how does he know about me and Jane anyway???
Marsh
##
From: James Edwards
To: Marshall Winfield
How does he know about you and Jane? For a clever bloke, you do ask some stupid questions. He works in the same team as you. He'd be blind not to figure out what's going on.
He's probably tried asking Jane out--like he does with most new blood around here. She probably turned him down.
I know you and Jane try not to talk to each other, but the tension between you when you're in the same room could cause fires...or friction burns ;-)
Jim
Chapter 18
From: Keith Durridge
To: Susan Jameson
Susan
I've just had a call to say my mum's been taken to hospital. I'm going over there as soon as possible.
I have an opposition hearing the day after tomorrow. Just in case I can't go, I shall brief Marshall on it so that he can go in my place. He did some earlier work on the case.
I don't think there's anything else urgent.
Keith
##
From: Susan Jameson
To: Keith Durridge
That's fine Keith. Take as long as you need. I hope your mother is okay.
Susan
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: Valerie Fenwick
Val, can you book me in for flights and overnight accommodation for the hearing in Munich. Details below. If you can transfer Keith's booking across, so much the better.
If you need me, I'll be in Keith's office.
M