Looks Unimportant...Sense of Humour Essential

by Evie Evans

  “Sure, I can do that. Lead on.”

  Once they’d settled in at one of the local cafes, David started telling her about his week with his granddad. “We haven’t heard any more from the Fryers, I think that was just hot air.”

  “Good,” she told him vaguely, nibbling the edge of a sandwich she had no appetite for. “It was probably the upset. She was probably just upset.”

  “Gramps doesn’t get out of the house much, that’s the problem.”

  “Right,” she was trying but she could concentrate on what he was saying.

  “Well that’s my week so far, what about yours?” he asked.

  “Had better to be honest. How about yours?” she asked not realising he’d just told her.

  “Uh, well doing some odd jobs round the house for him. Other than that not much. It’s nice to get out into the city.”

  Lucy attempted a smile.

  “Are you okay? You seem a bit distracted.”

  Lucy put the sandwich down guiltily. She was hoping he wouldn’t notice. “Just a lot on my mind, sorry.”

  “Difficult case?”

  “Something like that.”

  “You know what they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Why don’t you tell me about it?”

  What? she thought. The fact that I got personally involved with my most important client and now it’s blown up in my face. Oh, and I may have to step down from the case which will not help my career one bit. She could feel the tears well up behind her eyes as she thought about it.

  “Here now,” David told her seeing the tears threatening to fall. Shuffling his chair nearer to hers, he put an arm round her. “Come on, I know things can seem awful sometimes but usually they turn out okay in the end.”

  “You’re right,” she told him, fighting back the tears. “Ignore me I’m just being silly.”

  “No, you’re not. Come on, tell me all about it.”

  “I’ve just been jerked around by some guy,” she told him.

  “Ah. I know that feeling,” he sympathised. “Some people feel they can just walk all over you don’t they? Was it someone you were… involved with?”

  Was it that easy to read from her face? “Yeah, it was,” she admitted. She hadn’t really sat down and thought about her feelings for Leander.

  “But it’s over now?”

  “It never really started,” she told him. It hadn’t. They’d only had one date after all. “I just feel a bit of an idiot about it that’s all.”

  “I’m sure you’re not,” David told her. “He’s the fool. I don’t even know him and I can tell you that.”

  “Thanks. This is the second time it’s happened in the last few weeks though.”

  David looked at her questioningly.

  “Finding out people have been lying to me.”

  “Isn’t that an occupational hazard?”

  “Yes.” Lucy laughed. “You’re right, I should know better. I expect it from clients. Well, not expect…” she quickly corrected herself, “…just not surprised. These were guys I had dates with.”

  “What were they lying about?”

  “Being single.”

  “Hm. That’s rough.”

  “Yes.” Lucy looked down into her cup of coffee again.

  “Not something you have to worry about with me.”

  Lucy looked up again. She’d been hoping David wouldn’t think of this as a date.

  “Footloose and fancy free I am. You can even ask my granddad,” he pointed out.

  Lucy smiled vaguely.

  Their unfinished sandwiches sat congealing unappetisingly on the plates. “Look let’s get out of here, David suggested.

  Lucy didn’t argue. “Sorry,” she told him as they went out the door. “It wasn’t a very fun lunch. I guess I just feeling a bit upset. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay, these things happen.”

  They stood awkwardly on the pavement outside. Lucy didn’t feel like rushing back to the office.

  “Why don’t we walk to that park round the corner? It’s a lovely afternoon?” David asked. “Or do you need to go back?”

  “I suppose I should,” Lucy told him, looking back in the direction of her office. “I don’t really feel like it though.”

  “Come on,” David persuaded her, “fresh air’ll do you good.”

  He was right, the park would definitely help her frame of mind. They walked round slowly, David telling her about his stay in London as they went.

  “Is that better?” David asked after they’d walked halfway across the grass.

  His talking had distracted her, making her feel a lot lighter. “Yes much, thanks. I’m sorry you came across me at the wrong moment earlier,” she apologised again.

  “If it made you feel better it was the right moment.”

  “You’re right, it was.” They turned to walk another lap around the grass. “I’m sure I asked this earlier and I didn’t really take in your answer, sorry” Lucy admitted, “how’s it going with the parrot?”

  “It’s definitely quieter now. I think whatever she’s doing has been working. I saw Mrs Fryer in her back garden earlier. She managed a frosty hello.”

  “Well I’m glad it’s not world war 3 and I’m glad the noise is turning down a bit. He was very loud.”

  “Yes, granddad’s really pleased with the way it’s going. Thanks.”

  “No problem, all part of the service. I hate to tell you this but Mrs Fryer was thinking of getting another bird.”

  “Oh no,” David moaned.

  “I didn’t want to tell your granddad in case it upsets him. He seems a lot happier now their parrot is gone.”

  David seemed to think about it for a few seconds. “I won’t tell him, I don’t want to stress him out. Perhaps I should persuade him to get a cat?”

  They’d been in the park for almost an hour before she realised the time. She knew she was going to have to face reality sometime. “I really must get back now. Thanks very much for talk.”

  “You’re welcome, thanks for coming out. You couldn’t have felt like it earlier.”

  “No,” Lucy admitted. “But it really helped. Thanks.”

  “I’ll give you a ring shall I?” David asked as he walked with her to the park entrance.

  Lucy hesitated slightly. David had been really great but she didn’t want to get involved with anyone else at the moment; she had enough on her plate coping with Leander without setting up anymore liaisons at the moment. It didn’t feel right to brush him off though, he’d been so good to her this afternoon. “Yes,” she told him non-committally and started off before David tried to set a date. “Bye.”

  She wondered what would greet her as she entered the office. She knew she shouldn’t have run off like that but she couldn’t handle any more Leander Brooke today. Suddenly the file repository looked very attractive, that’s probably why the secretaries were so protective of, it was a little haven when partners were on the warpath. If she couldn’t get away with going home early maybe she would hole up there for a while. Before she’d reached her office door Katherine came thundering down the corridor.

  “There isn’t any point having a mobile phone for work if you don’t take it with you when you leave the office,” Katherine told her none too happily.

  “Sorry, I left in a bit of a rush. What’s up?”

  “All hell’s breaking loose here, that’s what.” One of the receptionists ran up with a message for Katherine.

  “What’s happened?” Lucy asked as Katherine scanned the note.

  “Leander Brooke saw that newspaper story,” she told her when she’d finished reading. “He’s been in here insisting we get an injunction against the woman in the photo gagging her from saying anymore to the press.”

  “Oh yes?”

  “He claims there’s no truth to it. He reckons she’s trying to ruin some business deal by making it sound like he’s leaving the company. Clients are already asking questions apparently. He was asking to see you too by th
e way. Oh and he thinks maybe she’s the one spreading the rumours about him.”

  Lucy felt a sinking feeling starting. She knew Leander was involved in a big deal at the moment. Had she just made a huge mistake?

  22 Judgement day

  “I’ve filed the paperwork for the injunction with the court,” Katherine told her as they walked back to her office. “We’re just waiting for the judge to decide if he’ll grant an emergency hearing or not.” She glanced down at her watch. “Don’t know if it will be today now, Mr Brooke may have to wait until tomorrow.”

  “Do you believe him then?” Lucy asked, not really taking in what Katherine was saying. “Mr Brooke, I mean.”

  “It’s not our place to believe him or not. As his lawyers our job is to give him the best representation we can.” Katherine saw the anxiety on Lucy’s face and softened. “He came across as quite genuine if it helps.”

  Lucy felt as if she’d been dealt a blow to the chest. “Oh crap.”

  “I hope you haven’t rocked the boat too much, he is still a valuable client. This is the sort of complications that can arise when you mix business with pleasure.”

  “Yes,” Lucy agreed forlornly. It didn’t seem that was going to be an issue any longer.

  “Never mind that now, I need you to go check other precedents in case we need them when the judge hears arguments. Lucy?”

  “Sure,” Lucy told her, snapping herself out of her reverie. “I’ll get started right away.” She was glad to have something to do to keep her mind off whether she had made a big mistake with Leander. What if he was telling the truth? She supposed it was possible the woman had set him up, hired the room in his name, gave the story to the press. But there was the photo of the two of them. She couldn’t have set that up on her own.

  She threw herself into the research and had come up with a couple of good references by 6 o’clock. “Here,” she told Katherine, handing over her notes. “There are a few other cases but these are the best two.”

  “Great,” Katherine told her taking the page. “I’ve written up the main points to present to the judge,” she handed Lucy her legal pad. “What do you think?”

  Lucy was flattered Katherine was asking her opinion and studied it carefully. “I thought the Simmons case was 1998?” she queried.

  Katherine checked one of her reference books. “Yes, well spotted.”

  “Otherwise it sounds really good,” Lucy told her handing back the notes. “You’ve got me convinced.”

  “Right, it doesn’t look like the case is going to be heard today,” Katherine told her checking the clock. “We’d better be in early tomorrow in case we get an early call. About 8?”

  “Yes, sure.”

  “We should let Mr Brooke know we’re clocking off for the night. Do you want to ring him or shall I?”

  Lucy blushed. “I think it’d be better if you rang him.”

  “Alright, see you tomorrow then.”

  Sleep didn’t come easily to Lucy that night. Had she got it all wrong? Was he innocent? She toyed with ringing him a couple of times and just asking him straight out but didn’t. She was afraid of what he might say. Or that maybe she wouldn’t believe him. Her phone rang a few times but she ignored it. She’d see him in court the next day anyway, then she could look him in the eye when she spoke to him. Perhaps that would help her decide if he was telling her the truth or not.

  The next morning she was groggy and muzzy-headed. Not the great start to a long day with a potentially important court case in it, she mused. She got herself ready for work with a sense of dread. Today she would find out if Leander was a cheat and a liar. At the moment she still had some hope that he wasn’t but soon she would find out one way or the other. One way, she knew she would feel broken-hearted, the other way she would feel a fool for blowing her chance with him.

  Her heart was pounding as she walked up the steps to her office. In some ways she’d like to stop time right here and never find out the answer. Think positive! She told herself as she went through the front door. She noticed Katherine’s light was on as she walked down the corridor.

  “Morning,” Lucy called out as she got to her door.

  “Oh, great. We’re in court at 9. We’re meeting Mr Brooke there. Can you look through the papers and just make sure there are no more stories about him?”

  “Sure,” Lucy told her wishing she hadn’t been asked. Looking for stories about the man she loved swanning around with another woman was just what she needed right now. The man she loved? Where had that come from? Was that how she really felt about him? She sat down at her desk feeling more confused than ever.

  She was still flicking through the papers when Katherine appeared at her door looking calm and collected as usual.

  “Time to go,” Katherine told her.

  Lucy tried to fold up the last paper but suddenly found she was all fingers and thumbs and had to leave it open in the end.

  “Did you find anything?”

  “No,” Lucy told her as she picked up her bag and tried to think if she had everything she needed. “I couldn’t see any more stories.”

  “That’s something. Hopefully that will calm Mr Brooke down a little. You ready?”

  “Yes.” Lucy gave up trying to remember what she needed and followed Katherine out of her office. Her brain suddenly seemed to feel like mush and her legs weren’t feeling that steady either. She smiled at Katherine and tried to pretend everything was okay.

  Her heart started beating faster and faster as their taxi approached the courthouse. She tried not to search for Leander but couldn’t help looking out the window as they pulled up. He was waiting on the steps for them. Lucy let Katherine get out first.

  “Good morning Mr Brooke.”

  Leander came down the steps to meet them. Lucy thought her heart might leap out of her chest and took her time getting a receipt from the taxi driver hoping the couple of minutes would help her catch her breath.

  “Mrs Lake, Miss Davenport.”

  He was at the taxi door, she couldn’t put off speaking to him any longer. “Mr Brooke,” she said formally as she got out, wishing her hands weren’t trembling.

  “Lucy, I need to speak to you afterwards,” he told her urgently. He looked like he hadn’t been sleeping much lately either.

  “Let’s get the case over with first shall we?” she told him and strode across the pavement to join Katherine.

  *

  “Your Honour my client’s livelihood is being deliberately attacked,” Katherine argued. “In an attempt to sour an important business deal he is currently forging, false stories are being spread that he is leaving his company.”

  “I take it Mr Brooke has no plans to leave?” the judge asked.

  “No, your honour. Brooke and Son is a family business which he has inherited from his father. He has no plans to leave his very successful business to work for somebody else, the story is completely groundless. This woman has even gone to the extent of renting a hotel room in his name to spread a story in the press that he is staying there with her.”

  “Hmm. Mr Brooke, take the stand please,” the judge asked.

  Lucy watched as Leander stepped up to the box and took the oath, marvelling at how calm he looked. She’d be shaking at the knees in his position.

  “Mr Brooke, you claim this woman’s stories are affecting your business?”

  “Yes your honour. She’s a direct competitor of mine and this isn’t the first time she’s stolen clients from me…”

  Lucy’s mind raced as she heard these words. Katy Towers had mentioned the woman who’d stolen Leander’s business had been in America, the woman in his hotel room had spoken with an American accent, was she the famous one who had broken his heart? It all seemed to fit. If she was trying to discredit him, smearing his name in the papers was one way to go about it.

  Leander was still talking, “…although Brooke and Son is not a one man band, I am the main…” he seemed to struggle to think how to describe
himself, “…contact. I am in the middle of negotiating a large deal at the moment which could be jeopardised if the other party thought I was bailing out.”

  “I notice Miss Golding has chosen not to defend herself here today,” the judge continued indicating the empty desk on the other side of the courtroom. “I don’t know if that sends a message. I’m not a fan of these gossip pages myself but that doesn’t mean editors don’t have the right to publish them.”

  Lucy’s heart sank, was he going to turn them down?

  “It also doesn’t mean that stories that are without fact should be printed. In the absence of Miss Golding this case is a little one sided but I will grant an injunction to prevent her from discussing this any further in the press. A judgement will be worded likewise. If Miss Golding wishes to contest this at a later date she may do so. That’s all.”

  “Thank you your honour,” Leander told him, visibly relieved.

  “Well done,” Lucy told Katherine.

  “Yes, good job,” Leander echoed. “Now, what do I need to do to get a retraction printed?”

  “We can get in touch with the editors again. Problem is they were only printing what Miss Golding said, they weren’t making the claim themselves so there isn’t much to go on.”

  Leander looked disappointed.

  “We’ll see what we can do. So you have a theory, about the Torey Lincoln rumours?”

  “You know we couldn’t work out why her husband had given my name as his wife’s lover? I’m sure Melanie was behind that as well. Somehow she’s persuaded him to put the finger on me as part of this smear campaign.”

  “It would explain why your name is on the divorce papers,” agreed Katherine.

  Lucy was still finding the smear campaign a little hard to believe. “Would someone go to that kind of length just to ruin a business deal?”

  “This is a multi-million pound deal,” Leander explained to her, “people will go to greater lengths than that for that amount of money. It’s just the devious sort of thing she’d set up and make sure the press got hold of at the worst time. Her company’s been in the running for this contract as well. She likes to play dirty. The people in the business deal are strict Mormons. If the rumour of my leaving the firm didn’t work perhaps she hoped dragging my name through the mud and painting me as a homewrecker would sour the deal. Of course, it was all her. That lying cow, wait till I get my hands on her…”