Page 31

I found myself awkwardly squirming in my seat the next morning, being served up perfection in a cup by a discreet waiter, who seemed to slide in and disappear again before I could thank him for his service.

It made me a little uncomfortable on top of the discomfort between my cheeks. The lower ones.

So. Sex. Awesome. I hadn’t been lying when I had told Stewart how much I had enjoyed our interactions. All of them, actually. And that it truly didn’t matter if I orgasmed or not, because what I needed was exactly what he gave me. Over and over again.

Calm. Want. Need. All in one silvery-weathered-man package.

It made me smile, and Gun snorted.

“You’re distracted, and my time is limited,” she said, and took a sip of her espresso, the distinctly comforting scent filling the air. The coffee here was exceptionally good; I had to give them that.

“How’s Mr Schiller?”

“Very well, thank you.” This was business. In public. I had no idea why I was smiling.

“I’m assuming he’s been offered the use of the driver’s lounge. He is more than welcome to come up here as my guest.”

“Thank you.” This was, again, business, not a family gathering. How weird that I was thinking that.

“I have a few things to go over with you, now that our plan is in motion. We’re almost there, and I am most pleased. As I said, these kinds of frivolities amuse me to no end. ”

“I wouldn’t call it a frivolity,” I said, leaning forward. What was I doing? Standing up to Gun Larsen of all people?

“I am not immune to your upset, at me using language like that, but I know you, Dylan. And it has been an absolute pleasure for me to pick this mess apart on your behalf.”

A small snort. I wasn’t disagreeing with her. Not at all.

“Who would have thought? We were once young university students,” I started, as she laughed.

“I remember you well. And yet here we are. I’m so happy Stewart rang me. I owe him a lot.”

“How so?”

Personal questions. Who was I, and what had happened to me? Sitting here conversing with a woman who should be frightening the life out of me, the woman who held my future in her very delicate-looking hands.

“Well, someone like me. I chose very early on in life to remain independent and childless. I never craved a home or a family. I married the law, and he has been a very fruitful partner. But we all need something in life. A little kindness now and then. Stewart Schiller was the sole reason I spent over two hundred nights in that hotel of his. Because he cared. He welcomed me home, ensured I had what I required, and never once declined any of my requests. I have to tell you, some of my requests were unconventional, but you know me. I require the finer elements in life. I like to spoil myself. Did he tell you I once needed a handbag to exactly match my suit? I had a client who was doing my head in with her need for fancy handbags and matching jewellery, so I decided to play her at her own game. She kept complaining that she was on a waiting list for a certain bag in a certain colour, which, by the way, was the exact shade of my fancy suit, and that her husband—well, by then ex-husband—wasn’t providing enough of a settlement to cater to her whims. Ridiculous woman, but she rubbed me the wrong way.

I like a game or two. I like a little amusement.

Life would be awfully dull without it, don’t you agree? ”

I liked how we sat here, sipping coffee on a Monday morning, my stomach in turmoil, my arse itching, but still I had a smile on my face.

“I agree,” I said. I meant it. I liked a little amusement myself. New amusements. Very entertaining…encounters.

“So, I tried my usual concierge service. No luck. Tried the designer. Not a chance. Didn’t even entertain an appointment so I could get my claws in that lowly sales assistant.

Did you know you have to butter up your sales assistants in some shops to even set foot in their showroom?

I had enough money in the bank to buy the bloody building, let alone put that place out of business.

Ridiculous. But then, money can’t buy you everything. You and I both know that.”

I nodded.

“So I rang Stewart, blurted out my frustration and needs, and he told me to leave it with him. Stewart was no ordinary doorman at that place. He knew every guest, knew our whims, and was very well connected. Not bad for a boy who grew up on a council estate in Peckham.”

“How did you know that?”

Silly question. Of course she knew.

“I background-check everyone. I have people. They have people. I don’t allow myself to associate with anyone who could flip a case for me.

Reputation and integrity are everything.

I even know about his son’s little escapades.

I always had a soft spot for Reuben, even though the boy was terrified of me. Silly, really.”

“You are terrifying, Gun.”

On first-name terms then. She didn’t seem to mind .

“Anyway, my time is limited. Let me wrap up so I can get on with what we need to agree on today. I got back to my room that evening, the right brand of cognac by my bedside, along with a polished crystal glass, placed upside down on a coaster. I can’t bear dust. Next to it was a particularly lovely shopping bag.

The correct bag inside. Right shade. I was most pleased. ”

“Very nice.”

“He is extremely reliable. Kind. Understanding. The sort of man who should have someone treat him right. I doubt he ever had, and it was always something that annoyed me.”

I had no words, so I just nodded.

“Anyway. As I said, I am not the kind of lawyer who takes children away from their mother. I am not the kind of lawyer who believes in tit for tat. But I am the kind of lawyer who absolutely detests dishonesty and blatant greed. Period.”

More nods. I was not a child, but my earlier bravery was fading fast.

“You’re down to a worrying amount of disposable income, Dylan.”

“I’m aware of that. There is ten thousand pounds left in my current account. My savings are negligible, and the value of my home is the only thing I have left. I’m aware I need to sell, but this is a very bad time to try to do that.”

“Agreed. And your current account is sat at eight thousand nine hundred and fifty-two pounds as of this morning. I am your lawyer, and I pull those figures daily.”

“Shit.”

“But! Your child support payments were skewed from the start. Also, you paid for Veronica’s health insurance, as well as the children’s.

You paid all of the school fees, which should never have been included.

There were free public schools—very good ones—around, and if Veronica couldn’t manage the payments, they should have been split in half.

That’s just the beginning of the ridiculousness you put your name to.

Veronica owes you a large amount of money in back payments to equalise this out.

And you will also have the children living with you now. ”

“For a few weeks.”

“I don’t see it like that. The children need to be at school, so we will enrol them, ensure we set up a good, structured routine for their needs and keep the costs manageable.

The money in your bank account will suffice for the first month, and I expect you to be frugal until I can get Veronica’s team on board with my financial plan. ”

“And?”

“Now we structure. We won’t go to court on this because there’s no need for it.

My demands will be low key. My agreements are very reasonable.

The children belong here, where they are cared for by both their very capable parents.

I had a very, very good phone call with Miss Constance, who made her thoughts clear.

I agree with her. I also agree with the social worker on Veronica’s team, and the medical reports point at the same solution.

The children are not faring well being left alone with nannies for weeks on end, and that is not pointing fingers at the household staff Veronica employs.

It’s simply not the ideal solution. That said, she will have shared custody.

I just believe she needs to travel here, since she has put enough trouble in your way.

Your American visa is revoked. I can’t undo that.

Hence you cannot travel to see the children, so this is the only way.

She did this. She created this situation, and now you will both have to live with it. ”

“So what are we going for?” My head was spinning.

“I have a meeting with her team on Friday. I plan to have it all laid out by then, pushing the agenda of Veronica’s need to pursue her professional commitments knowing her children are safe and cared for.

She will have free access to them at any time she wishes to visit, and you will agree to that.

But the children will remain in Britain, until they choose otherwise. As adults.”

I gulped air. Tried to swallow.

“And I am well aware of the issues at hand. We have your past. We have your rather complex medical history. We also have a small issue with you just starting a new relationship with Mr Schiller. One I perhaps approve of, but a courtroom might not. I suggest you put that on the backburner publicly until we have this new agreement put to bed. Agreed?”

I got that. Absolutely.

“But on the positive side, Mr Schiller is fully DBS vetted, has qualified as a foster carer, went through all the training when his grandchildren were placed, and has kept up his first-aid qualifications. His background checks are reasonable, and I will overlook his past alcohol issues and a few misdemeanours with the law with regards to…some past unlicensed lending. The past is the past. Currently, Mr Schiller waves no red flags in my book. Just concentrate on those children. And Dylan?”

“Yes? ”

“Keep on the straight and narrow. Keep that mouth shut when needed. And do not cause your ex-wife to ring me in the middle of the night. Just keep this simple.”

“I can do that,” I promised, hoping I wouldn’t cry.

“And also, that devil of a psychiatrist? His report was very thorough. I was most pleased with that. He called you a nightmare client. Told me you’re an absolute mess but rather amusingly sane. That is good stuff. I was chuffed to read his report.”

My heart sank again.

“The report ticks all the boxes. He’s right. You’re absolutely sane. Human. Full of empathy.”

I laughed. And suddenly, I had another cup of perfection in my hand.

“I never finished my story. That client with the handbag issue? I waltzed into that courtroom and placed the handbag on the table. I still laugh about that. Then I made her agree to a reduced alimony settlement while she gulped air and hated on me. It was most amusing. I got a hefty bonus off that job and gave the bag to one of the court marshals. She was a thrifty little thing. Sold it and paid off her mortgage. She sent me a letter thanking me. Those, Dylan, are the little things that make me happy. ”

Ten minutes later, I was dismissed and once again deposited into Stewart’s car, the passenger seat, the door being held open for me as I got in.

Funny how these things worked. How the doormen here knew exactly what to do. Knew my likes and dislikes and remembered them, which made me smile as Stewart shook their hands, depositing bills discreetly.

“You tipped them?” It wasn’t always the done thing in this country. Not really. Or was it? I hadn’t been part of the outside world for so long; I’d forgotten things. How to behave. How to act, when all I seemed to have done was act.

That thought was a hard one to swallow. Because…

For the first time in my life, I felt loved. I really did. His hand landed reassuringly on my thigh, giving me a little tap.

“Look,” he said, indicating as he took a wide turn onto the road, smoothly changing lanes.

“These men? They know full well who I am and where I come from. I’m one of them.

A colleague. We don’t piss on each other’s doorstep.

And even though I no longer have a doorstep as such, I still have a reputation.

A faded one, but yeah. Respect is big. And if I start turning up and not appreciating them freezing their asses off out here in the pissing rain so my car turns up on time, unscratched? ”

I could see his point.

“These guys wouldn’t dream of doing anything, but neither would I. I look after them, and in return, my coffee is hot, and my croissant was excellent this morning, as was the poached egg. I quite enjoy my visits here.”

“Did you see your friend?”

I liked this, just riding along in his car, talking, a smile on my face. I didn’t get a poached egg. I quite fancied one.

I placed my hand gently on top of his, a surge coming through me that was in no way sexual. Just peaceful. Support. How I’d needed this. All of this.

“No. Away meeting wine merchants, apparently. That place has won awards for its excellent wine cellar. Not that anyone can sample it, unless you’re a member.”

“Veronica wanted to be a member. Couldn’t get anywhere close.”

“Nobody can. Invite only. I got a lot of info from another driver sat in there. Works for some diplomat.”

“Interesting. ”

I needed to start looking around, should I ever get to set foot in there again.

“This…thing with the kids,” I started, once again realising I was jumping the gun. They weren’t even on a plane yet.

“It will be fine. And I know. I will step back and let you parent. You will be busy, and Jean.”

“I will need…”

I had no idea what I needed. Everything. Him to hold my hand. Have my back through all this.

“I will be right here,” he said, turning his hand palm up and entwining our fingers.

“We’ve got this. And I have to take Jasmine to her school assembly on Friday at nine, because Reuben has tutoring, then their full weekly schedule kicks in on Monday.

I need to apply for jobs. No idea when I will have time for that. Oh, I forgot to tell you!”

“What?”

“I love you.”

I smiled. I had no idea what my life would look like from now on, but I smiled. God help me.

“I love you too. Without you, where would I be? ”

“Filthy.” He laughed. “Sleeping on those dirty sheets. Don’t ever let them become like that again.”

“Bossy,” I teased.

“Well. I’ll make sure they don’t. And in return…”

“What?”

“Fancy a cup of tea? I’ll make it. I’ve got some nice biscuits in.”

I couldn’t say no to that, could I?