Chapter 1
A crowd was starting to gather on Goldgate Square. This leafy quarter of north London, with its artisan shops, deli, wine bar and even barristers’ chambers, was certainly not accustomed to such vulgarities as a ‘demo’. The activists remained huddled together united, brandishing banners of ‘save the earth!’, ‘stop the emissions!’ and ‘tunnel to triumph!’
Interest in the spectacle was quickly building momentum, as news reporters started to land on the scene. A transit van pulled up. Two people scurried out, a man carrying a TV camera, the other a lady holding a furry microphone. They hustled to the centre of the commotion, elbowing their way through, only to come to a sudden stop at a well-dressed man standing confidently in front of the otherwise motley crew of protesters. He was tall, broad-shouldered and had unmistakeable presence. Dark, unruly curls covered his bright blue eyes, which he kept sweeping back as he spoke clearly, eloquently and with passion.
‘These people are defenders of the earth. They are not intent on martyring themselves. Their sole intention is delaying, or even stopping the dual carriageway project.’
‘The Transport Secretary calls them reckless, irresponsible and deeply concerning!’ one reporter called out. To this, the man turned his blazing eyes on the reporter in question.
‘By the government’s own admission, it will be heavily polluting and carbon intensive, while demand for mass transit is falling and home working is the new norm for many people. It simply cannot ignore the climate crisis.’
‘So will you be in the tunnel with them?’ asked the lady with the microphone, shoving it in the man’s face.
‘No,’ he replied calmly, ‘I’ll be in court defending them.’ He pushed his way through the throng of people and, with his head held high, walked calmly into Goldgate Chambers, leaving the reporters all gobsmacked.
He was greeted with cheers and claps by a few barristers, while others kept quiet, exchanging anxious looks between themselves. It was all well and good being the saviour of the earth, but how would this debacle make their chambers look? Goldgate Chambers held an extremely high reputation. It represented the rich and famous, the great and the good (and the not so good). What light would this young maverick of a barrister cast on them?
‘Well said, Rory!’ shouted one. Another slapped him on the back. He took it all in his stride, just nodded his head in acknowledgement, then strode into his office.
Once inside he sat down and buried his head in his hands. Damn. What had he done? Had he sacrificed his entire career, one which he had worked so bloody hard to achieve, for his principals?
For Rory Molloy was indeed a man of principal. He had morals and, up until now, had no problem at all in standing up for them. He had honour, and was ready to fight for it. But had he gone too far this time? Had his mature, more experienced colleagues been right when they’d warned him against representing the activists? At the time he’d laughed it off, claiming he was actually one of them. But he wasn’t laughing now. Far from it.
It had always been this way with Rory. He was impetuous, passionate and a doer. He’d headed the student union at university, his strong, persuasive voice often forcing change where it was needed. He spearheaded rallies and was often seen plastering some flyer or other in public places. Rory knew how to attract interest. His good looks and charismatic personality made him forever popular with the ladies – not that he craved that kind of attention; he simply wanted his voice to be heard. He wanted to make a difference.
He laughed to himself; he was most definitely making a difference today. Who would have expected a well-groomed, well-spoken young barrister to speak up and defend what some would call a bunch of hooligans? And for free, as Rory wasn’t charging the protesters. He was acting for them because he believed in what they stood for. To him they were defenders of the earth. They did have a point – and a very good one at that. So, it wasn’t costing them a penny. But would this cost him? Would his wise, older counterparts be proved right? Had he in fact pushed the boundaries with too much vigour?
‘Typical Rory,’ said Adira, turning the laptop on the breakfast bar to show her fiancé. Jasper bent his head to see for himself. He took in the scene at Goldgate Square and chuckled. ‘He was always one to support the underdog.’ She shook her head. ‘I hope this isn’t his undoing though,’ she added quietly. Adira had worked in Goldgate Chambers as a barrister alongside Rory. They’d hit it off immediately, both being the most down to earth of them all, and Rory had proved to be the biggest friend amongst a nest of vipers when she had had the guts to finally follow her dream and ditch the rat race.
After several years of running the fast-paced legal treadmill, Adira had opted out and taken off in a campervan, making her, if not the most enviable, then the most puzzling of colleagues. She’d received mixed reactions from, ‘Good on you!’, ‘Wish I had the back-bone,’ to ‘Why?’ To some, quitting a high salary, prestigious career and bountiful future was absolutely insane. Wasn’t she now reaping the benefits from those impressive qualifications she’d earned after years of hard work and long hours? They simply didn’t get it. When Adira had tried to explain how she desired time, space and freedom, they’d just looked blankly at her. Yet, for Adira, it had been the best decision of her life and she didn’t regret it. For, on her travels, she’d found love; she’d found Jasper. Glancing at him, she thanked her lucky stars – or rather, her gran for persuading her to buy the campervan. Jasper was the polar opposite to her, but that’s why they worked. He was her rock, her anchor, together with his uncle in whose house, The Laurels, they all lived.
The large Georgian country house sat on an estate in a beautiful, quintessential village, nestled in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. When Adira had practically stumbled upon this quaint place, filled with quirky characters, she’d instantly fallen under its spell. Lilacwell had bewitched Adira, and she’d grown to love the place and its inhabitants. She’d grown to love Jasper, too. In turn, Jasper had been smitten by the pretty young woman, with long blonde hair and beguiling smile, who had parked her campervan on his uncle’s land. And now, several months later, here she was, engaged to be married to him.
‘Do you think this could have repercussions?’ asked Jasper, nodding his head at the laptop still showing the mass of activists outside Goldgate.
Adira shrugged. ‘I hope not. But that chambers did have some very unsavoury characters and Rory was never one to keep his opinions to himself.’ She pictured Rory locking horns a few times with one or two of them. Richard, the office manager in particular. Not to mention the Head of Chambers, Nigel Kerfoot, who she had always considered to be a touch creepy.
‘Maybe he’s better off without them then,’ replied Jasper. He remembered first meeting Rory a few months ago when he’d come to their summer party. Rory had expressed how good it was to be back up north, as that’s where he was from.
‘Perhaps he would. Rory refuses to conform, that’s his trouble.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ grinned Jasper, ‘a certain someone seemed very interested in the old rebel.’ He was referring to Cassie, Adira’s friend, who worked at the local pub, the Inn at Lilacwell. They had struck up a bond immediately when Adira worked there temporarily.
Rory had sought Cassie out amongst their party guests and the two had seemed to hit it off. Somehow, though, nothing had materialised. Adira didn’t like to pry, but did think it a little odd that Rory hadn’t pursued her.
Jasper got up from the bar stool and hugged Adira from behind, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
‘He could always buy a campervan and clear off like you did, sweetheart.’
Adira lent back into his chest, loving the secure, warm feeling of his arms wrapped round her.
‘The best decision I ever made.’
‘It most certainly was.’ Jasper nuzzled into her neck and squeezed her.
Chapter 2
Cassie flicked off the TV and took a deep breath. Taking a few moments to steady herself, she glanced at the clock. She was due to start work soon so didn’t have time to dwell on what she’d just seen. Thank goodness.
