David frowned, looked at me, then back to Amelie. “I’m sure your manager would expect you to take our order before you go on a break.”
It was all I could do to not burst out laughing.
“The manager – which is me - is on her way to a meeting,love.And in case you’re considering making a complaint, I’m also the owner.” The smile was the prettiest she had. “Have a good day.” She swept away, her head held up high and for David’ sake, I was glad she wasn’t making his next drink, which would probably have some added additional ingredient.
He looked at me and shook his head. “Back to what I was saying; I’m sure your father would want me to continue to use Callaghan Green in the future. I feel I need some assurance that this case will be in good hands and maybe a more preferable hourly rate given your inexperience.”
“The rates are fixed, which you’ll know is standard for our practice. Max has gone through my credentials and I can send you a list of the cases I’ve led which are similar to this. Other than that, the decision is yours.” I stood up, picking up my phone which I’d placed on the table.
This was exactly what I’d thought would happen, Jackson too. I would be more than happy if David took his case elsewhere. I had enough to do.
“I’ll give it some thought, but I’d appreciate the list of your successful cases. Are you getting the bill?” He looked over at the till.
I was surprised he hadn’t suggested we discuss what I thought of his chances of suing his brother and winning were over dinner – with the firm paying. “It’s on my account.”
“You have an account here?” He looked surprised, as if this place should be beneath me.
I nodded. “I’m friends with the owner.”
He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Enjoying perks other than the coffee, eh?”
“No.” He’d pushed one button too hard. “Amelie’s a family friend and I wouldn’t be so crass to say that of a woman or assume it.”
His face hardened and I figured I’d be speaking to my father later and explaining that David Hartford was no longer a client. Not that my father wouldn’t back what I’d said and agree with it.
“I’ll be in touch.” He had taken his phone out and was looking at the screen.
I nodded and wished him goodbye, not bothering to walk outside with him.
I wouldn’t bother to follow up our meeting with a phone call either.
“He said what?”
Maxwell folded his arms and sat back, his beer still untouched. Max had needed pulling away from his desk just about the time I needed feeding, and I was keen to avoid my office for the time being. There was a redhead inside it and I needed to prepare myself for speaking to her.
She wasn’t what I was expecting.
“He suggested that I had an account at Amelie’s because I was sleeping with her. He also assumed she was an employee and wouldn’t be the manager.”
“Because she was a woman? He’s up to his old tricks again. I thought he’d snapped out of that.” He leaned forward and picked up his pint, taking the first mouthful.
“What do you mean? Old tricks?”
“He got slapped with a lawsuit about ten years ago for sexual harassment. He managed to get off and settled out of court, and from what Dad said, that did calm him down a bit.” Max had managed to drink over half a pint in one go.
Must’ve been an intense morning.
“What sort of sexual harassment?”
“Verbal. He made innuendos to one of the assistant managers, hinted that she’d get further if she was moreavailableto him. There were various inappropriate comments that you’d associate with three decades earlier. He wasn’t hands on, if that makes it any better.” Max nursed his pint. “Might need a second one of these.”
I felt the same.
“Not sure it does and I hope he goes elsewhere with this case.”
Max shrugged. “He won’t. This is how he usually behaves when we open a file for him. We didn’t represent him for the harassment suit; Marie told him where he could stick that. You can turn him down though.”
“I know.” I hadn’t discounted doing that.
