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“You’re a mind reader.”

“So I’ve been told, miss.” He faltered at the desk. “Anything I can do?”

“I just had a rough night. Nothing to worry about.” After he left, she grabbed her mirror and inspected the dark circles under her eyes. She looked a state. There was a knock on her office door, and she shuffled back into position. “What’ve you forgotten?” She looked up to see Maureen at the door. “Sorry, I thought you were Joshua. Please, come in.” Charlie stood to receive her visitor, her mind racing. It was unusual to have a KC grace her office, even as a senior barrister.

“I won’t stay long.” Maureen sat in the chair opposite. “Are you working on the Kendrick case?”

“I am.” Charlie’s shoulders relaxed. At least this was about work.

“Watch out for the solicitor. He’s a creep. As well as being a bit of a know-it-all.”

“I got that impression yesterday. We met to discuss the brief.”

“Just take care with that one. Have your clerk with you and keep records.”

“Understood.” Charlie furrowed her brow, grateful for the concern. “While you’re here, can we discuss something else?”

“I don’t have much time.” Maureen stayed put, giving permission to go on.

Charlie shifted her weight. She wasn’t sure what to say, but this was an opportunity she had to take. She blocked the thought of Elda from her mind. “I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about my future a few weeks ago. I do want to progress, and I’m willing to do what it takes. I’ll put the hours in, take on the pro-bono cases, attend the functions. Just throw it all my way.”

Maureen pursed her scarlet lips. “Good to talk. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Charlie was in fight mode. She’d encouraged Elda to follow her career path, and now she had to do the same. She had nothing else to keep her busy.

***

Charlie pushed the revolving door and scanned the humming crowd at the bar. She spotted Jude nursing a half empty glass of wine.

“Charlie, darling. How are you?” She delivered an air kiss to both cheeks.

Charlie fixed a smile. “We should meet at the office.”

Jude gave a dismissive wave. “Sweetheart, I just wanted to catch up. I’m not on the clock.”

“Well, I am.” Charlie laughed, which took her by surprise. She hadn’t thought she was capable of laughing today. It had been a long and tough one.

“You’re always bloody working, lady. You look tired. Have a night off; it’ll do you good. I ordered your fave.” Jude poked her in the ribs.

Charlie’s phone buzzed. Her heart skipped at Elda’s name, but her brain caught up and she frowned.

Hey. Fancy a drink tonight? It’s my shift at the gallery but I’ll be done by 7pm. E

“Sorry, Jude. Let me just reply to this message.” Torn between the thrill of seeing Elda and the dread of it being one of their last times together, she kept her reply short.

Can’t, sorry. I have a work thing.

“Tell me, what have I missed?” Charlie turned back to Jude and gestured to the waiter for another glass.

Jude rested her chin on her hand. “Not much. Judge Bingham is retiring.”

“Judges don’t retire. They die.”

“Well, either way, Sandra says he’s on his way out. Which is rubbish for us. He was one of the good guys.”

“Depends which side you’re on.” Charlie squinted up at the bar’s twinkling lights, remembering the cases that had gone her way. “Yeah. He was a fair judge.” She stared at her phone, willing the screen to illuminate. She couldn’t settle knowing that Elda wanted to see her, and she’d said no. She looked around the bar to distract herself. Glasses clinked and people talked over each other.

“You okay?” Jude frowned.