“And if I lose?” Tina asked raising an eyebrow questioningly.

“Well, you could buy me a drink at El Vinos.” I would still buy you dinner win or lose Bette thought to herself.

One hour and twenty minutes later the usher came to tell them that the jury was ready and had reached a unanimous verdict.

The lawyers put their wigs back on an entered the courtroom.

“Well, this is it.  Perhaps my closing speech was too sentimental. But I think we presented Edward’s case well. It’s such a big thing being an advocate, strangers trusting you to argue their case for them.  If we lose today Edward could face up to 5 years in prison.  The rest of his life and that of his family based on my performance” thought a worried Tina.

Bette turned to her left supposedly to look at the jury but in reality to watch Tina.

This wasn’t too difficult to do as his Lordship had instructed Tina to move to the front bench even though she was only a junior barrister and should really be sitting a row behind the silks.  She was watching Tina’s mannerisms.  The shuffling of her papers, tucking a few wayward strands of beautiful blonde hair behind her ear, biting her bottom lip and even with her furrowed brow she was a vision.

The Clerk of the Court instructed them all to rise as the Judge entered the Courtroom. She then asked the jury if they found the defendant Edward Stuart Timmons guilty or not guilty.

The foreperson answered, “Not guilty”

Tina turned towards the dock and beamed at Edward Timmons.

Bette willed Tina to look at her, when Tina turned towards Bette there was no smugness present but she held Bette’s gaze with those eyes.  It was all Bette could do to bow her head graciously towards Tina accepting defeat in the time honoured fashion. It was only when Tina returned the acknowledgment that Bette felt she could look away and turn her attention to the judge who was releasing Edward Timmons.

Outside the courtroom there was congratulations and backslapping all around.  Bette wanted to go over and speak to Tina but felt it inappropriate with her client and his family there so she slipped away.  Tina had seen Bette out of the corner of her eye but when all the fuss had died down and she looked around for Bette she was nowhere to be seen.  She had forgotten about the prize for winning she was just hoping to make an appointment to discuss a few legal points with Bette as she was considered one of the finest legal minds at the bar.  After accepting their thanks and not finding Bette Tina sped back to chambers to let them know the result and to enquire after Eric’s health.