Breath of Corruption (18 page)

The chambers’ meeting was to be held in one of the conference rooms, and barristers began to drift in shortly before the appointed time, chatting and finding seats. Leo was just about to leave his room to chair the meeting, when Henry knocked. He handed Leo an envelope. ‘Mr Faber asked me to give you this, sir.’

‘Thank you, Henry.’

When Henry had left, Leo opened the envelope and read its contents. Then he folded it up, slipped it into his jacket pocket, and went to the conference room.

‘Are we all here?’ asked Leo, taking his seat and slipping on his spectacles as he glanced round the long oval table.

‘All except Maurice,’ said Simon.

‘Maurice won’t be joining us,’ said Leo. He took the letter from his pocket. ‘I received his letter of resignation just a moment ago.’ A murmur of consternation rippled round the room. ‘I shall read it to you.’

Leo read out the letter; its contents were perfunctory, and
its tone amiable and unapologetic. Maurice said that in the light of recent events he had decided that in the circumstances it would be best if he were to leave chambers, that he had much enjoyed his time at 5 Caper Court, and that he wished everyone well for the future.

Leo folded the letter up. ‘In the light of this I don’t see any point in dwelling on the events of the past few days. Suffice to say that the relevant committees will meet to deal with outstanding issues relating to Maurice’s finances. In the meantime, there is the matter of the unauthorised access by one member of chambers of another member’s computer.’ Leo cast a glance in Roger’s direction. ‘Roger, I think you have something to say to us?’

Henry and Felicity glanced up expectantly as Leo came into the clerks’ room half an hour later. He came over to where they were working and sat on the edge of Felicity’s desk.

‘Well, that’s that,’ he told them. ‘Maurice is leaving chambers.’

‘What? He announced that at the meeting?’

‘He didn’t attend. He gave Henry a letter.’

‘I had a hunch about that letter,’ observed Henry. ‘He gave it me as he was going out at lunchtime. I said, “By the way, sir, are there any other matters we should know about?” He knew I was talking about those fee notes. He gave me such a look.’

‘Cheeky sod,’ said Felicity. ‘I’m surprised he’s leaving, though. I thought he had all kinds of excuses?’

‘All kinds, and all somewhat bogus,’ said Leo. ‘I think he knew his position was untenable.’

Felicity leant her chin on her hand. ‘He’d got a nerve, billing direct like that. Then again, I’m sometimes amazed you lot don’t do more of it. I mean, if Mr Fry hadn’t done what he did, no one would have known. How much did it all add up to? Half a million nearly, wasn’t it?’

‘If we all just looked out for our own self-interest, the whole point of chambers would collapse. It’s a team game. Maurice forgot that.’

‘He was a stirrer, anyway. He made more trouble round here than you know about, Mr Davies,’ said Felicity darkly.

‘Well, he won’t make any more. By the way, what happened to that application notice I gave you earlier? It needs to be served by Monday.’

‘Right on top of it, Mr D,’ said Felicity briskly.

A few moments later Leo was checking the contents of his pigeonhole when Anthony came into the clerks’ room.

‘That was an interesting little meeting, wasn’t it?’

‘Something of a surprise, Maurice departing so quickly,’ said Leo.

‘Someone said there have been rumours that he’s been in talks with Matrix Chambers for a while now.’

‘Double hearsay, Anthony – you know how unreliable that is.’

‘I’ll bet it’s true, though. He hasn’t been happy since he lost the vote on becoming head of chambers.’

‘He’s been a difficult man to live with, certainly. But I’ll miss his expertise on the marketing side of things. We’ll need to find someone else to take that on.’ Leo reflected for a moment. ‘Do you suppose Roger and the others would have become so restless if it hadn’t been for Maurice?’

‘I don’t think it would have made any difference. They’re pretty much set on this virtual chambers project. I hadn’t expected Roger to lay his cards on the table at today’s meeting, though.’

‘I think he felt it was timely,’ said Leo. ‘More than a few members of chambers thought that going into Maurice’s computer was pretty reprehensible. Personally, I thought it was merely daft.’ He glanced at Anthony. ‘You haven’t had second thoughts about joining them?’

Anthony met his gaze. ‘You know I haven’t. I’m happy here.’

‘Good,’ nodded Leo. ‘Good.’ There was a pause. ‘Free for a drink?’

‘Absolutely.’

That evening Anthea went to see Lola. She hadn’t heard from Leo since Wednesday evening, when she’d hung up on him, and although she’d told him that she never wanted to see him in her life again, she had expected him to make a bit more effort. But there had simply been silence. She’d had thoughts of going round and gouging Lucy’s evil eyes out with one of her school pencils but, cathartic and pleasurable as such an act might be, it would also constitute an acknowledgement that her own younger sister had managed to rob, crush, humiliate and hurt her, and she was not prepared openly to concede this, certainly not in front of their mother.

So she repaired to Lola’s in search of the customary comforts, and took as a present for her friend a nifty Marc Jacobs dress which she’d been given as a freebie at a fashion shoot that day. Possibly a little on the small side, but Lolly might as well try it on.

She arrived at Lola’s penthouse to find Lola and a very pretty dark-haired girl watching a rerun of
Project Catwalk
on Sky.

Lola kissed her friend, then made introductions. ‘Ant, darling, this is Irina. I met her at Leo’s house. She’s staying with me for a couple of days. Irina, this is Anthea – she’s Leo’s girlfriend.’

Irina shook Anthea’s slim, cool hand. ‘You are lucky,’ she said tentatively. ‘He is lovely man.’

‘Not the word I would use,’ said Anthea, still busy unravelling Lola’s introduction. ‘And I’m not his girlfriend – not any more.’ She turned to Lola. ‘What d’you mean, you met her at Leo’s house? Is this another one he hasn’t told me about?’ Anthea gave a little sigh of confusion and despair and handed Lola the Marc Jacobs bag. ‘Here, this is for you. Have you got any wine open? I need a drink.’ She sank down on a sofa, kicking off her shoes and stretching out her legs.

‘Darling, thank you – I’ll open it in a moment. I thought you’d have spoken to Leo by now. He said it was all sorted out.’ Lola disappeared in the direction of the kitchen, calling out, ‘Shall we have some champers? It is Friday, after all.’ She reappeared a moment later with a chilled bottle of Taittinger, one of a stack she kept in the fridge. Irina stared in astonishment. How rich this girl was! She’d already had a tour of Lola’s enormous walk-in closet and marvelled at the racks of expensive clothes and shoes.

‘What do you mean – all sorted out?’ said Anthea. ‘I haven’t spoken to him since I saw you. When did you see him?’ Her eyes strayed in the direction of the television. ‘D’you think Liz Hurley’s had a boob job?’

‘No – not perky enough. Last night. Hold on – I’ll get some glasses. You pop the cork.’

Irina watched as Anthea wedged the bottle between her
slim thighs and prised the cork out with practised ease. Lola came back with glasses and set them out on the coffee table, grinning at Irina. ‘Isn’t this fun? Anthea and I find any old excuse for champers.’ She poured the champagne, continuing to Anthea, ‘Leo told me Lucy had admitted to him she’d been lying her head off – like
that’s
unusual – and that he’d sent you a text. Haven’t you spoken to her?’

‘I haven’t spoken to anyone. I’ve been too miserable. My God, I was a wreck today – the make-up artist had to use about a gallon of Touche Éclat. Anyway, I deleted his text without reading it. I knew it was just him trying to get off the hook.’

‘Well, give the man a chance! He said you should talk to Lucy.’

‘Talk to that little bitch? As if.’

Irina had been sitting mystified, unable to follow the speed of their chatter. Anthea caught her dazed expression and lifted her glass in Irina’s direction. ‘Cheers, sweetie. Don’t look so stunned. What’s her name again? Irina. OK, here’s to you, Irina.’ Then Anthea turned to Lola. ‘You still haven’t told me how you came to meet her at Leo’s.’

Lola swallowed a hasty mouthful of champagne. ‘You are
not
going to believe this story!’ And she recounted everything which Leo had told her, with a few embellishments, with Irina nodding away in confirmation of such parts as she could understand.

When Lola had finished, Anthea gazed at Irina in shock and pity. ‘Oh, you poor girl! That is so horrible! What did Leo say he was going to do?’

Irina shrugged. ‘He say he get my passport.’

‘I can’t imagine how he thinks he’s going to do that,’ murmured Anthea.

They discussed the matter for some time, pouring out glasses of champagne, asking Irina questions about her home, and her life before London. ‘Darling,’ said Anthea, ‘you truly don’t want to work as a cabaret dancer. I mean, truly,
truly
.’

‘Is lot of money,’ said Irina. ‘I need money to study.’

‘What were you studying – before you came here?’

‘Medicine. Is very expensive. I cannot buy books.’

Lola and Anthea exchanged glances. ‘Well,’ said Lola, ‘books can’t cost much more than champagne. I think you should go back and try to finish your studies.’ She picked up the empty bottle and shook it, then noticed the Marc Jacobs bag. ‘Oh, let’s see what you brought me!’ She took out the dress and held it up. ‘Ant, it’s divine! What size is it? Oh God! I can’t get into a ten, you know I can’t.’ She glanced at Irina. ‘I’ll bet you’re a ten, Irina. Would you like to try it on?’

Irina smiled and nodded. ‘Go on, then – hop off to the bedroom and slip it on.’

A few minutes later Irina came back in the dress, which fitted beautifully.

‘Baby, it’s yours,’ said Lola. ‘In fact—’ She got up. ‘Come on – I’m going to raid my wardrobe and give you every size ten I’ve got. Time I gave up pretending I’m going to diet and get into them one day.’

They went through to Lola’s closet and spent some time culling Lola’s vast wardrobe of items bought in her many optimistic moments. ‘There you are,’ said Lola to Irina, who stood with heaps of garments over either arm. ‘The triumph of hope over experience, that lot.’

‘For me?’ asked Irina.

‘Most definitely. I’ll find you a suitcase to take them all back home in.’

She glanced at the rails of her closet. ‘All I have to do now is go shopping and fill the gaps.’

‘What are you going to do about Leo?’ asked Lola, when they were back on the sofa once more.

‘I don’t know,’ said Anthea. ‘Do you really think it’s possible Lucy was making it all up?’

‘Darling, she’s admitted it!’

‘Not to me.’

‘Well, that’s why you should talk to her. I’m surprised you ever believed a word she said. Certainly Leo seemed pretty calm about it all. Go and see her.’

‘Yes?’

‘Yes.’

‘Right, I will.’ She picked up her bag and her jacket. ‘What are you two going to do?’

‘Have supper, Ukrainian style. Irina is going to make
nalysnyky
– that’s crêpes. Possibly accompanied by some chilled
horilka
.’

‘
Horilka?
’

‘Vodka – what else?’

‘Crepes and vodka. Yuck.’ She turned and smiled at Irina. ‘Well, look, if I don’t see you again – best of luck.’ She leant down and gave Irina two light, fragrant kisses, then went home to try to comb out the tangles of her love life.

Anthea went round to South Kensington and found Lucy at home alone, as usual, dressed in an old pair of combats, a baggy sweatshirt, and slipper socks.

‘Where’s Mother?’ asked Anthea.

‘She’s out with her new man.’ Lucy regarded Anthea with sullen apprehension. She’d been meaning to talk to her, after the things Leo had said, but she hadn’t had the guts. It looked as though there was no avoiding it now.

Anthea folded her arms and gazed at Lucy. ‘I understand you have something to tell me.’

Lucy said nothing, but turned and padded through to the kitchen. Anthea followed her. Lucy perched on a stool at the breakfast bar and began to pick at a bowl of nuts.

‘Well?’ asked Anthea.

Lucy glanced at her sister, wishing she didn’t have to stand there looking so bloody immaculate, all tall and sleek and lovely, giving her dagger looks, waiting. She toyed briefly with the idea of sticking to her original lie, but the
idea faded as quickly as it had come. She shoved a hazelnut in her mouth and said, ‘That stuff I told you about me and Leo, it wasn’t true.’

‘I can’t hear you, mumbling with your mouth full of nuts.’

Lucy swallowed. ‘I didn’t sleep with Leo.’

Anthea took a deep breath and sat down on a stool at the breakfast bar next to Lucy. ‘I see. Well, that’s a start. But something happened. I want to know what, exactly.’

Lucy slumped forward, elbows on the breakfast bar, and gave a groaning sigh. After a moment she said, ‘I got pissed at a club. Mum was away, and so were you. Georgia found Leo’s number on my mobile and rang him, asked him to come and get me.’

‘How did you happen to have his number?’

‘I don’t know. I just did.’ Lucy paused. ‘Actually,’ she admitted, ‘I got it off your phone.’

‘Why?’

Lucy shrugged. ‘I dunno.’

There was a long silence, at the end of which Anthea said, ‘Did you set it up? Did you deliberately get Leo to take you back to his house?’

Lucy leant her chin on her forearms. This was so humiliating. She frowned at the bowl of nuts, unable to look at Anthea. ‘No. Sort of.’

‘I think I’m beginning to understand.’ There was another long silence, during which Anthea tapped her long nails on the breakfast counter.

Suddenly Lucy said, in a low, sulky voice, ‘And I only knew what his sheets and stuff were like because I went and had a look. OK?’

Appalled though Anthea was at the thought that Lucy had deliberately set out to seduce Leo, she also felt a little sorry for the kid, being so infatuated and going to such lengths. And all for nothing. She felt dreadful that she hadn’t believed Leo, but immensely relieved that Lucy had made it all up. There was definitely something about Leo which had made it all horribly believable.

‘Lucy, you’ve made so much trouble – do you know that?’ Anthea sounded sad and exasperated, rather than angry.

Tears welled up in Lucy’s eyes, and she wiped them on her sweatshirt sleeve. ‘Soz,’ she mumbled. ‘Sorry. Whatever.’

Anthea got up and went to make coffee for them both. She came back to the breakfast bar and set a cup down in front of Lucy, who was still sitting in her attitude of utter abjection. ‘Look,’ said Anthea, ‘the best thing is if we both forget all about it. It was a stupid thing to do, and a stupid lie to tell, but I don’t think you’ll ever do anything like it again. Will you?’

Lucy shook her head.

They sipped their coffee in silence for a few moments, then Anthea said, ‘So, do you want to tell me how everything’s going at school?’

For half an hour Lucy let Anthea play the role of concerned, caring older sister, until a kindly balance had been restored – one in which Anthea felt pretty much back in control, and Lucy’s sense of humiliation had receded.

‘I have to go,’ said Anthea, when she had finished her coffee.

She was going to see Leo, Lucy knew, and they were going to talk about her and the lies she’d told. The thought was
utterly mortifying. ‘Listen,’ she said, following Anthea to the front door, ‘don’t talk about me to Leo – OK? I can’t bear the idea. I mean, I’m really sorry and everything. Please don’t.’

‘Oh, heavens,’ said Anthea, running her fingers lightly through Lucy’s messy hair as she gazed at her. ‘Look at you. Your hair’s a mess, your clothes look awful. How would you like to come up to town with me next week, and have a makeover? Oh, and I can blag some tickets for London Fashion Week, if you and Georgia want to come. Would you like that?’

Lucy smiled and nodded. ‘And Ant?’ she said, as Anthea opened the door.

‘What?’

‘Can I still come round to yours after school sometimes?’

‘Sometimes. But only if you leave my vodka alone. Promise?’

‘Promise.’

Anthea dug in her bag. ‘Here’s your key back. And be good from now on.’

Lucy nodded. She watched Anthea go, then closed the door and went to ring Georgia and tell her the good news about the tickets for London Fashion Week.