Page 13

“I hope you’ve not been spying on me.” Elda laughed.

“No comment!” Charlie pretended to look outraged. “But I have always wondered what’s behind the façade. Now I know.”

They were interrupted by Charlie’s phone ringing. She rummaged inside her jacket. “Hi, Jude. Can I call you back?”

“Sure, that’s fine. Wondered if you were free tonight, for another catch-up.”

Heat rose to Charlie’s cheeks. Jude’s voice was dripping with sexual intent, while Elda looked adorable, sat opposite. It was a juxtaposition Charlie couldn’t handle. “I can’t tonight, Jude, I’m busy. I’ll call tomorrow…about the case.” She hung up and returned the phone to her pocket. “Sorry about that. Work stuff. No one special.”

Elda frowned, and Charlie wished Jude hadn’t interrupted them.

“Is there someone special?” Elda raised her eyebrow. There was a hint of flirtation in the smirk that accompanied it.

“No, not really.” She fiddled with the teaspoon, tempted by the direction Elda was taking her. Charlie was drawn into her green eyes, the flick of her eyelashes, and the contours of her jaw. The lighting was softer than it had been at the hospital. She was attractive, and Charlie had to look away.

“So, there’s no one waiting for you at the end of a long day in court?”

Charlie laughed. “I don’t really do relationships.”

“Me neither.” Elda’s smile fell. “Well, I try to. But I never seem to pull it off. The night we met I’d just walked out of a brief relationship with a pretty awful woman,” Elda said.

“Really? I’m sorry.”

“I was in a bit of a state that night. It had all been a bit bonkers. But it was the right thing to do. I’m free, single, and looking forward.” Elda sipped her coffee. “I imagined courtrooms would be full of eligible bachelors, even if they do wear funny wigs.”

“I don’t really do eligible bachelors, either.” Charlie met Elda’s gaze, hoping she’d understand that Charlie was into women too. “And don’t knock the wig. With the right pair of heels, it can be quite sexy.”

A few crumbs of chocolate cake escaped from Elda’s mouth as she giggled.

“I’m changing the subject. I wasn’t expecting to be discussing legal fetishes so early in the evening.”

Grateful for the change in direction, Charlie nodded her consent with a broad smile. It was unusual, but she wanted to get to know Elda.

“You’d been at your parents’ that night? Do they live out in the sticks?”

“They have a house along the coastal road. My dad retired a year ago. He was a law professor. No wigs.” Charlie winked. “Their place is lovely. I don’t see as much of them as I’d like.”

“Are you close? Is it just you?”

“Yeah, just me. An adored only child. Don’t get me wrong, I had a few rebellious teenage years, but I think we’re closer now than ever.” Charlie frowned, thinking about the pain she’d felt when she was a teenager. “How about you? Your folks local?”

“No. I grew up with my mum and Nan down south. Mum struggled with holding down a job and my nan ended up looking after both of us. There was a lot of fish fingers and oven chips.” Elda sniffed. “Dad had buggered off. It was, you know, pretty miserable.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. He left when I was six, so I never really knew him.”

“You haven’t seen him since?” Charlie leaned in. She was used to stories of broken homes—they always came with broken hearts.

“He tried a couple of times to reach out, but my mum was adamant that he was bad news. She told me he left us almost destitute and if it wasn’t for my nan, we would’ve had nothing.” Elda took a sip of coffee. “I don’t really remember what he looked like.”

Charlie remained silent, unsure what to say.

“Feel free to change the subject again.” Elda laughed, graciously relieving the tension.

“So, you’re an artist?”

“I am. I was accepted for that exhibition I ranted about at the hospital.”