Court Out - By Elle Wynne Page 0,70

alone for about a minute and sits in the chair opposite me. I wait for him to speak and he removes his glasses, putting them on the table between us.

“I just wanted to tell you how impressed I’ve been with your efforts in this case. Your intuition has really paid off.”

“Wow, thanks” I stutter. “It’s very kind of you to say that.”

“Nothing is ever certain with these thing but I’m confident that this trial has gone as well as it could have.”

We continue to talk about the trial and I’m amazed by how easily we can converse. He seems genuinely relaxed and happy about how things have developed. The conversation turns to other work and he tells me all about a murder trial he’s doing in a couple of weeks. We’re interrupted by the arrival of Roger who knocks on the door and enters. We both stand to greet him.

“Sir, Miss.” he acknowledges in his usual raspy voice. “Phone call for you Sir, your senior clerk.”

“Thank you Roger,” says Corr “I’ll see you in the morning Lauren. Again, good job.” He exits the room, leaving me alone with my clerk.

“So Miss, how have you found it working with the great man?” he asks, taking a deep draw on the ever-present cigarette.

“It’s been, well, amazing I guess!” I gush. “I’ve learned so much. I just hope the jury convict the bastard!”

Roger laughs, exhaling smoke.

“Remember Miss never to take these things personally. If you win you win, if not, then that’s just how it was meant to be.”

“I know” I sigh “But I just couldn’t bear it if they acquitted him. He’s so totally guilty!”

“That may be so Miss, but remember to leave the case here when you go home.” I nod, trying to look like I agree with him. If he had any idea how much time I’ve spent on this he might be a little concerned.

“Go home now Miss. Get ready for the drama of tomorrow.”

“Quinn’s speech?” I laugh, “It’s going to be epic!”

I bid him farewell. I can hardly wait.

Chapter Fourteen

I’m having the most amazing night. I got home in good time to find Sebastian busying himself in the kitchen, whipping up an Italian feast for dinner. A bottle of decent white wine had been opened and a large, ice-cold glass was waiting for me on the side.

Sebastian swept me up in a huge hug and we spent ages lingering over our food, just talking about what was going on with each of us. As I forked up yummy mouthfuls of salmon linguine I felt wholly content, wrapped up in the warm bubble of his company. I told him all about the trial, about how pleased I was to have been trusted to chief a witness and how completely amazed I was that Corr thought I had done a good job. To his credit, Sebastian nodded in assent.

“Lauren, you always do this. You panic and get all stressed that you’re not up to the job, but you always kick ass!”

I laughed.

“You have to say that!”

“No, I don’t,” he replied, stealing a piece of garlic bread from the side of my plate. “You’re going to have to get over it, you’re a pretty good barrister!”

“Just pretty good?” I exclaim in mock horror.

“Yep, that’s all you’re getting from me so stop fishing.” He laughed.

“Ok, I’m putting my rod away now,” I grumbled, finishing the remains of my creamy pasta.

Sebastian disappeared from the room and returned with a totally calorific pudding: chocolate profiteroles with lashings of double cream.

“Oh my God. I can’t eat this!” I squealed, “I’m not going to be able to zip my dress up as it is!”

Somehow however, I managed to eat the whole bowl and practically scraped the pattern off the china in scooping up the last few crumbs.

Sebastian’s firm has just got the contract to design a new shopping centre so he kept bouncing ideas off me as to what I thought should be included. I thought I came up with some good ones, such as having special designated parking spaces for high heel wearers, but given the look of complete bemusement on his face when I suggested it I doubt he’ll forward it to his boss.

I swear, there are so many potential ways to make women spend more money when they go shopping, as in my opinion it all comes down to comfort. Why don’t they have special foot care stations, so when your feet are burning from the pain of walking around on the balls