“Don’t you have anything better to do? No hearing to prepare for?”
“Not today. I’m all yours.”
“I don’t need any help.”
“You never do.”
“Are you flattering me now? Hmm… What did I miss?”
“Your client, I presume.” He glances at the watch on his wrist. “Where is he?”
I look at the time, too. “I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.”
At least, I hope so. Our last meeting didn’t go well. Let’s say I went too far. Or maybe he overreacted. In any case, now I find myself here alone, waiting for a hearing to begin that I may have to conduct without my client.
“The opposition is already looking ferocious.” Paul points to Mrs McCormack’s lawyers sitting on the opposite bench. “Have you met the client?”
“Yes, and it was not pleasant.”
“What do you mean?”
Just then, Mrs McCormack rejoins her lawyers after stepping away for a few minutes. She has instructed Banks, Green & Campbell LLP to represent her. Let’s just say it couldn't get any worse.
“Ah,” Paul comments after a glance at her.
Mrs McCormack is the perfect client: calm and composed; she exudes confidence and determination. She is well-off, both socially and financially. She seems to be someone who knows exactly what she is doing and is sure she will win.
“I’m beginning to regret taking this case.”
“Didn’t you come here for encouragement?”
“That was before…” Paul’s attention moves elsewhere. “Oh, shit.”
“What?” I turn immediately to see Seth running up. His shirt is off, and his jacket is crumpled; he looks like someone who hadn’t slept last night and was sent here by mistake.
I sigh heavily.
“He doesn’t even wear a tie,” I say through my teeth as Seth joins us.
“I know, I know, I know.” He waves his hands in front of his face. “I’m terribly late, but we came by bus, and it took forever, and then Emily had to go to the toilet, so Ross took her, and Mason and Logan hadn’t had breakfast, so Mr Yang took them to the…”
“Good morning, Seth.” The children’s grandmother approaches us, making Seth jump.
“Oh my God, Shonda.”
“I find you…” her eyes move down Seth’s body, top to bottom, of course. “Agitated. Like always.”
“I don’t… What…”
“I see bad habits persist.”
“What do you mean…”
Mrs McCormack gives me a quick look, then turns back to Seth. “We could have spared the children all this.”
“You’re telling me?” Seth raises his voice.
I put a hand on his shoulder, hoping to calm him down.
