There was a muffledfuck off.
“But yeah, they’re selling the business and David wants to sue Ron for, well, everything you can think of. Probably for getting a certain toy at Christmas when they were kids or marrying the girl David wanted, or something.” Seph made a gesture with his arms that nearly overturned his coffee mug.
Claire laughed. She was feeding Niamh, although no one seemed to have noticed, and if they did, they didn’t care. A muslin was placed over her and I could just about hear contented little baby slurps.
“That’s going to be the gift that keeps on giving,” she said. “Everything we’ve done for the Hartfords has been made ten times worse because they’re both complete arseholes.”
“Thanks,” Seph said, still grinning. “It’s going to be technical as well. Good thing I’ve a new technical lawyer to help.”
He gave me a salute and a look that told me this was going to involve late nights and weekends.
I responded with a smile. He had no idea that there wasn’t anything now that scared me. I’d faced my worst fear and met it head on. Somehow, I’d won, just a few scars left hanging from my heart.
Seph’s update was last, Jackson ending the briefing with a quick memo about office tidiness and the delicate nature of the photocopier, asking everyone to speak to Jean in admin if it was playing up and not attempt any repairs ourselves. Every office needed a photocopier whisperer. I’d long since learned that if I stood too close to one, it would stop working.
“That’s it, everyone. We have a full partners’ meeting on Thursday at four, with a strict agenda, as I have to be home by seven.” Jackson stood up and stretched.
Max tipped back on his chair. “Is that because Vanessa has you whipped?”
“No, it’s because she has drinks planned with her friends and we have a small child. You’re going to learn all about this soon. Then you’ll know how luxurious it is to think that you’re whipped by your woman. That kid owns us.” He sat back down again. “You got ten minutes, Georgia? I can start your induction.”
There wasn’t really the option of an answer, was there?
“Of course. I’ve let my clients know I won’t be in touch today as I know I’ll need to get settled in.” I fiddled with my hair. For the last forty-five minutes I’d been desperate to loosen it. My hair was long and thick, with a natural wave that my sister, Olivia, constantly threatened to kill me for. It was also a deep red that meant I’d never been able to go unnoticed. To make a professional impression, I’d fixed it up in a pleat, but by now the pins were digging into my scalp and I knew there was no way I’d last any more than another half an hour with it like this. I was also aware that messing with my hair wasn’t supposed to be done at work either. When I was a trainee solicitor, one of the older women had accused me of trying to get one of the male partner’s attention by playing with my hair. I found out later that she’d been involved with him at one point and he’d ended it for one of the secretaries in the pool, who’d been a lot younger than her.
It had bothered me, because I’d never thought it could come across that way, so since then I’d kept my hands off my hair, until now.
“I’m so sorry, I think I have a pin that’s been put there by some voodoo queen.” I felt my face flush and my fingers turn into sausages, any dexterity I had disappearing quicker than prosecco at a twenty-first birthday.
Max laughed. “You should speak to my wife. She has thick hair and if she tries to wear it tied up it lasts about two minutes.”
Jackson shrugged. “Try having a toddler. Van’s hair is constantly in Teddy’s hands.”
The rest of the partners had disappeared, leaving the room empty apart from the three brothers and me.
“How old’s Teddy?”
“Eighteen months. I think we’ve aged about half a decade since he stopped sleeping though.” Jackson rubbed his eyes.
“Don’t listen to him, Georgia. He’s just trying to get sympathy.” Max shook his head.
“You’ll understand in a few months.” Jackson shook his head. “And don’t start, Seph. I haven’t punched anything for about a week and I might mistake you for a punching bag.”
“This is because when I baby sat on Friday night, Teddy slept all the way through.” Seph smirked, looking incredibly pleased with himself, hands behind his head, tilting on his chair in a manner that would’ve caused a teacher to give him detention. “Just call me the baby whisperer.”
I looked from Jackson to Seph. “Does Teddy not normally sleep through?”
“No.” Jackson’s answer was immediate. “And it’s starting to worry me.”
“But he slept through on Friday?” I looked at Seph.
Seph nodded, his grin broader than ever. “From eleven through till six. Then we got up, had our first breakfast and watched cartoons. Perfect Saturday morning.”
“Where did you sleep with him, Seph?”
Jackson’s head snapped round to stare at his brother. “In Teddy’s nursery. Where Teddy should’ve slept.” He frowned.
Seph’s smile waned.
