Court Out - By Elle Wynne Page 0,25
mobile again. This time it rings a few times then goes to answer phone. Maybe I’ll see her in Chambers later.
Chapter Six
I don’t see or hear from Serena until the following Sunday. Sebastian and I are sitting having lunch in our local pub: he’s stuffing himself with their legendary beer battered fish and chips topped with a mountain of creamy mushy peas, and I’m trying to be somewhat restrained with a grilled chicken and Mediterranean vegetable salad. I suspect that my hard work has been undone by the bottle of wine we’ve ordered, but it is the weekend after all. As I fork up another yummy mouthful of aubergine and peppers, I hear the strains of my favourite boy band coming from my jacket pocket and Sebastian rolls his eyes.
“Finally!” I exclaim, examining the display. I’ve been worried that I haven’t heard from her. If I hadn’t have been so busy I’d have gone round to find out what’s been going on with her. I chew my food, swallow and answer my phone.
“Serena! Where on earth-”
A cold, angry voice cuts me off.
“How could you let this happen?’
I drop my fork onto the wooden table. Sebastian looks at me questioningly.
“Eh? Let what happen?” I ask.
“I thought we were friends,” she continues.
She’s totally lost me and I tell her the same.
Her voice breaks.
“Lenihan. You could have stopped it from getting that far. Do you know how embarrassing that was on Friday? Having to explain to a packed court that no, I didn’t force him to plead guilty!”
I take a long swig of my wine and splutter as it goes down the wrong way. Still coughing, I try to explain.
“What was I supposed to do? He was adamant. Plus the judge knew something was up from the report?” I’m still coughing and decide that perhaps another attempt at the wine is a good idea. I can hear Serena breathing down the phone, planning her next line of attack.
“You could’ve told the judge that he wanted to maintain his plea and be sentenced despite what he’d told probation. We do it all the time!”
“Yes, when they do actually want to be sentenced! Lenihan didn’t and I wasn’t going to lean on him” I reply indignantly “That’s what started this problem in the first place! ”Shit. I think I just stepped over a line. “Look Serena, I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t have done anything underhand, but I was over a barrel. I’m not going to lie to the court. Can you imagine if that got out? I’d be toast. Plus, I didn’t think for a second that you’d be in trouble. How did it go anyway?”
“He’s been allowed to vacate his plea,” she replies forlornly.
“Well I’m sure that’s just to shut him up. Nothing to do with you. Please don’t think I did anything to make you look at fault or indicate that I believed him. Ask anyone there if you don’t believe me!”
Sebastian stands up and points at the now empty bottle of Sancerre which I interpret as ‘Do you want another drink?’ I nod, hoping that is in fact what he means and not in fact ‘You’ve got through that quick, don’t you think you’ve had enough.’
Serena sighs on the end of the line.
“Ok, I’m sorry, it’s just been a rough week. I was out of court until Wednesday then was left to deal with this mess.”
“You should have called me! You shouldn’t have let this fester!” I cry.
She pauses. “I was in the clerks room on Monday afternoon and saw your diary on the computer over Roger’s shoulder. I didn’t want to bother you as you’ve been so busy.”
“Don’t be daft. And, whilst on paper I’ve been busy, it’s been bitty things, hardly going to make me rich!” I exclaim. This is true; I’ve spent most of the week travelling around the Midlands doing odds and sods for other members of Chambers.
“Serena, you’re my best mate. I’m your bridesmaid! I’m never too busy for you.”
“Promise?” she asks.
“Promise, you Muppet. Anyway, it’s you who’s going to be to be run off your feet this time in a fortnight! You’ll probably blank me in the cafe when you’re sitting with your high flying friends and ignore me when I wave at you in the bar, of course you won’t be allowed to socialise with me anymore,” I joke. “When you’re on Midlands Today as part of the ‘Murder Defence Team’ you won’t want to be seen with a lowly barrister like me, prosecuting