‘Got it,’ I said, my AI Otter transcribing as he spoke.
‘Innocent of course,’ Danny added.
‘Of course,’ Antony said. ‘Thanks for recommending us. We’ll take it from here and be back in touch once we’ve got the measure of the situation.’
‘Sure. Then we can talk real money. Mick’s a mate, so I want your best people on it.’
‘Understood.’
‘And by that, I mean you two.’
*
Whether it was divine intervention or pure luck, this was too good to be true. I gleefully slammed my laptop shut and ran down to Antony’s office.
‘No!’ he said, resolutely. ‘Not a chance. Cheryl will have my bollocks for Christmas baubles if you take on any more cases.’
‘But he specifically requested me! Well…us. And this is exactly the kind of case that will help me make partner. You can’t say no to Danny, surely?’
‘I can say whatever I like to whomever I like – I’m the boss around here, remember?’ Antony said. ‘You’ve already got far too much on your plate and you’re on leave next week.’
‘I’ll cancel it. I’m not going anywhere anyway.Please?Let me take this one. Whoever this Micky guy is, I’ll get him off. I promise.’
Antony leant all the way back in his leather chair and folded his arms. ‘Absolutely not and that’s my final answer.’
‘Who’s getting who off?’ Our HR director appeared in the doorway in a skin-tight minidress, all lithe-limbs and knee-high leather boots. She needed to have a word with herself about dressing appropriately for work.
Antony jumped. ‘Cheryl! Your ears must be burning. I was just reinforcing your, I mean,ourparty line when it comes to duty of care and making sure staff take time off.’
Staffwas a bit rich.
‘Mm-hmm…?’ Cheryl eyed the pair of us, suspiciously.
‘In fact, Sara was just saying how much she’s looking forward to her holiday.’
What a lie.
‘Then the rumours are true,’ Cheryl said, tapping a hot pink nail on the door frame. ‘Where are you off to?’
‘Half-true. I’m not so sure I can go anymore – we’ve had a request in, haven’t we, Antony?’ I flashed him a pleading look. I was desperate to take this case.
‘Of course you can go. We’re a law firm, Sara, not A&E. A fortnight will fly by, and Bobby will watch over your cases while you’re away.’
Urgh. Thatsnake! Always lurking around, waiting to open his big mouth and eat the rest of us. He’d be wrapped around Antony’s neck the second I was gone, then slithering all over my clients. I couldn’t bear it. My breathing went shallow, and I plastered on a smile, afraid I might cry.
I didn’twantto take time off; I wanted to work.
‘Bobby’s got enough on his plate. Honestly, it’s better if I stay and do it – I don’t mind rescheduling my leave.’ The air started to flicker, and my throat felt hot as I clutched Antony’s desk to steady myself, sinking into the chair across from him.
‘Sara?’ He jumped up. ‘Are you OK? Cheryl – grab Pete, will you?’ I scoffed. He couldn’t do anything on his own.
‘I get like this sometimes – it’ll pass,’ I said, dropping my head between my legs and regretting the raw fish. ‘I skipped breakfast this morning, so it’s probably that.’
Pete came rushing in with a glass of water and hovered by my knees.
‘Get her a couple of biscuits as well, will you? She hasn’t eaten.’
This was a disaster. I didn’t want Antony thinking I couldn’t handle any more work. I absolutely could. I was FINE. I sat up and smiled, but my heart was pounding and my head hurt.
