“Stop worrying. We will manage as always.”
“I have no doubts about you.”
I have doubts about myself.
The only disaster in this whole thing is me. I know it, and they know it too, but they are so polite and kind that they don’t point it out to me too often.
Rowan
I read through all the documents relating to the Graham case while I ate my dinner, which tonight consisted of a grilled chicken salad I ordered from Chopped and picked up before I left work. Luckily, this takeaway opened a few months ago, saving my life.
I don’t mind cooking. I’m not bad at it either, but this way, I don’t waste time in the kitchen. I can put my heart and soul into my work, especially when my dear friend Paul entrusts me with cases like this, which border on the impossible.
There is no way for this single father to win this case, but I will find it if there is one.
I’m fiercely competitive. Losing is not in my blood. Paul often challenges me with these pro-bono cases, which, nine times out of ten, are a waste of time and money for the firm. But I’m not one to back down from a challenge.
I turn another page and shove another forkful of salad into my mouth. This guy is a mess.
Who would ever bet on him? And more importantly, what judge would ever trust him with children?
I shake my head and turn another page, stabbing a piece of chicken and swallowing it, almost choking.
“What the hell…” I take a sip of water, then quickly pick up the phone and dial my client’s number, which is right on the first page of the file.
The phone rings four times before he decides to pick it up.
“I’m Rowan Kennedy from Lauren & Kennedy… But what’s that noise?”
“What did you say?”
“What’s that…” I huff impatiently. “Are you in a nightclub, by any chance?”
“Wait a minute!” More noise, more disappointment on my part, then finally some peace. “You were saying?”
“I’m Rowan Kennedy from Lauren & Kennedy LLP.”
“Oh, fuck!”
“Excuse me?”
“I mean… I’m sorry about the noise. I’m at work.”
“I suspected that.”
“What can I do for you, Mr Kennedy?”
“We have a problem.”
“A problem? Oh God, should I sit down?”
“We should talk about it in person.”
“Is it that bad?”
“We’d better talk about it tomorrow. How about we meet in my office at…” I consult my diary. “9.45 a.m.?”
“Are you saying I have to wait until tomorrow?”
