to offer some words of comfort.
“Everyone in your shoes feels like this now, I promise. It’s a horrible feeling to think that people are going to discuss you behind your back, but you’ll be fine. I’ve only ever seen people be turned away if they’ve done something truly terrible.”
This doesn’t seem to help as she starts crying again.
“Not that you have!” I hastily add, patting her on the shoulder. “Just keep at it. In a few weeks you’ll be wondering what you were worried about. You’ve got six months but when you are taken on, the champagne’s on you!”
She lifts her head and smiles. I hope she realises I’m not joking about the champagne.
“I’ll be fine, it’s just I keep thinking people are bitching about me behind my back, making lists of reasons not to take me on permanently.”
Welcome to my world I think. Whilst they probably are dissecting every aspect of Cassie’s personality, I try to look reassuring.
“For you, it’s the biggest thing in the world at the moment, but I’ll be amazed if anyone else has registered it to be honest. Tell you what, I’ll put the kettle on. Tea? Coffee? If you’re lucky there might be a stray Jaffa Cake lurking about somewhere in the kitchen.”
She nods and blows her nose. I walk to the kitchen, put the kettle on and rummage through the cupboards. Ah ha! There’s a packet of Jammie Dodgers that have gone unnoticed and have been left over from the last Chambers meeting.
I make the drinks and wedge the packet under my arm to carry back to Cassie. She’s perked up and is reading through what I assume to be her work for the day. We both sit in companionable silence, dunking biscuits and highlighting our respective briefs.
I’m miles away when Robert walks in with Serena close behind him. He ruffles my hair as he walks past and I hear Serena make a tutting noise. She addresses him loudly as they pass.
“It’s a total travesty. Roger said they won’t instruct me anymore. I’ve tried to explain but they just won’t listen.”
Whilst I internally reason that she could be talking about anything, I know that she is still blaming me over the loss of the trial last week. I’m so tempted to stand up now and tell her that if she’d have spent less time with her head up her arse she might’ve seen her mistake, but just about stop myself from doing so. I’ve got enough on my plate today without starting a fight in Chambers. Anyway, what sort of example would that set Cassie?
I look over at the younger girl to see that while she is still looking down at her brief, her eyes are no longer following the path of the text on it.
“I’m sure I can appeal it. I’ve already written a full note detailing what happened so when they read it, they’ll know who’s to blame,” Serena continues.
Although my back is to her, I can feel her eyes boring into the back of my head. Robert cuts her off with his usual flirtatious tones.
“Anyway, not long now until the big day! Sure you’re not getting cold feet? Anything I can help you with? How about a nice stress-busting massage?”
Serena giggles.
“Oh Robert, don’t joke as I might take you up on that. I’ve just ordered the most amazing fresh fruit arrangements for every table at the reception. They’re huge, like four feet tall. You’re going to be so impressed!”
“Well I always did want to interfere with your melons-”
Serena cuts him off with a playful slap and the pair walk towards the lower part of the suite. Serena hasn’t said a word to me. The phone next to the computer rings and Cassie rushes to answer it. She makes a few noises of assent before hanging up the receiver.
“Lauren, you’re needed downstairs. Roger wants a quick word before you go to court.”
“Thanks,” I say. “Best of luck with whatever you’re up to today.”
If this impromptu meeting is as a result of Serena making some form of complaint about me, I swear I will kill her with my bare hands. I go into my room and pack all of the items I need for court into a small suitcase: wig, gown, Archbold, notes, laptop and the now familiar lever-arch files. The case now probably weighs more than I do. I manage to drag it to the lift and make my way to the clerks room on the ground floor.
Without waiting for an