“This is where we have to be quiet, isn’t it?” she whispered.
I turned to her and saw the glimmer of a smile that I recognised from when we were students. There had been more than one occasion when we had been out drinking with Max and Jackson and other mutual friends, no way of spending any time together alone, so we would disappear into store cupboards, toilets, wherever we could find that would give us half an hour’s privacy.
“You remember?” I said, surprised.
“Yes. I’ve had a couple of drinks. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bring it up,” she said, and moved away towards Sophie. I brushed her arm with my hand, making her turn towards me.
“Nothing to be sorry for,” I said. “I was remembering too.”
The bar doors swung open and a range of greetings filled the air as my brother entered. He looked dishevelled and his expression was serious, his forehead creased. I stood up immediately, catching his eye.
“Guinness,” he said, glancing from me to Claire. “And you two for a minute. Sorry to break up the party.”
Max ordered his drink and we slipped to a table near the window, Claire bringing Nick’s Guinness and what looked like a gin and tonic for herself.
“Is everything okay?” she said, sitting down next to me. She looked concerned, her dark eyes wide, cheeks slightly flushed.
Nick took a long swig of his drink, clearing more than half the pint. “Katie’s house was broken into the early hours of this morning,” he said, wiping the white froth from his beard. “No signs of a forced entry but the house has been turned over. Drawers opened, cupboards ransacked, furniture slashed. It’s a mess. Her mattress was pretty much ripped open which is more than a bit disturbing.”
“How did you find out?” Claire said, gripping her glass. “Did a neighbour call the police?”
Nick shook his head. “I sent two of my men round to have a look at the place to sort out security. The police have been by, taken photos, and done a cursory investigation but have pretty much put it down to addicts or petty thieves who got lucky with the door or a window. Katie’s looked around through Facetime but I’m not having her go over there.”
“You think they were after her?” I asked, my fists clenching. I knew the answer to that.
Nick shrugged. “Her place is set upon the first night she’s away – my guess is that they were expecting her to be home. Needless to say, the cottage and Claire’s parents are being thoroughly kitted out security wise. I've got the private forensics firm we use to go through Katie’s place before a clean-up crew gets in there. Our plans don’t change with regards to where Katie’s staying.” He looked at Claire long and hard. “You going to stay here for an extra few days while we sort out your living arrangements? Killian can keep an eye on you.”
“There’s nothing to suggest that they’ll take an interest in me,” she said calmly. “You’ve already installed extra CCTV and panic alarms in my apartment and at the offices. I’ve had someone from your firm lurking around me for a few weeks, since I agreed to take this case on. Is there really any need for any more?”
“Is there any reason not to?” I said. “Katie’s trying to divorce one of the most powerful men in the country and we know she has fairly strong evidence against him. Dean Lacey’s going to want those photos and the video footage she has that could end up with him serving jail time. There’s no way he’s not going to intimidate you.”
She sipped her drink, looking at the table. “I know. And part of me thinks that this case is too much trouble and not worth it. There’s no way we can get any better than a settlement out of court. He’s out to take everything from her so she’s left with nothing. If she’s pregnant and he finds out…” She visibly winced. “Yes. I’ll stay here for a couple more days. I need to spend some time with Katie anyway and I’ve brought all the case files here.”
“Because you didn’t want to leave them at the offices?” I said, my knee nudging her leg. I was conscious of our closeness, of the heat coming from her body.
Claire nodded. “This isn’t fair,” she said quietly. “Why should a power hungry, fuckwit of a man be allowed to dominate someone’s life just because he’s wealthy?”
“Why won’t Katie take her evidence to the police?” I said, emptying my beer.
“Because Lacey has enough influence to be able to bury it. She doesn’t trust the police to investigate it properly. She’s paranoid,” Claire said, taking a large mouthful of her drink.
“There’s more that you don’t know about,” Nick said, glancing at me. “But you don’t need to know it. She should go to the police but I can understand why she won’t. Not yet, anyway.”
Claire nodded, looking almost upset. “I understand. I just need to do my job, Nick, because if I get too involved with what she should and shouldn’t do I’ll lose sight of what we’re trying to achieve legally. She needs a friend and unfortunately because of Lacey’s games that’s what she doesn’t have.”
Nick looked serious. “I’ll keep an eye on her. She’s over at the big house with your mum and a couple of our security guys are there too. Your mum was making a huge stew when I left which might be good for warding off hangovers when we get back.”
“Those of us who are tame enough to get one,” I said, casting an eye at Seph who was carrying two bottles of trendy ale. “Everything that can be done is being done for now, so let’s just enjoy ourselves.” I held up my almost empty glass. “Cheers.”
They both tapped their glasses to mine, muttering cheers, then Nick got up and headed towards Jackson and Vanessa, making the first of what would be a lot of inappropriate comments about wedding nights and bride’s nighties. Claire’s leg was still next to mine, setting my lower limbs on fire. I put my glass down and placed my hand on the small of her back, aware that the gesture would be noticed as we were both sat on stools. I pressed my thumb in softly to a spot that used to make her quietly moan and felt her relax a little.
“I owe you an explanation at some point soon,” she said, turning to me, wide eyed and beautiful.
“You don’t owe me anything,” I said truthfully. “I’d rather start afresh.”
She shook her head, thick hair shimmering under the lights. “No. I get that you need to know why I stopped speaking to you and cut you off. But I don’t know how. I don’t have the words yet. Give me a few days to think about it.”
“I’ll give you as long as you need,” I said, the truth of the words thickening the air. “But you always knew that.” She leaned back into me slightly and turned her head towards me.
