Tina phoned Eric’s wife who told her that Eric was out of surgery and that everything had gone well. However, he was still sedated and he would probably not be up to seeing visitors for a couple of days.

Bette meanwhile was sitting at her father’s desk wondering why she was hesitant to phone Tina.  It was as if she felt that once the call was made a series of events would be put in motion that nobody or nothing could stop.  “Stop being such a drama queen Porter!  You want to see her?  Just make the call!”

“Hello, Rivercourt”

“I’d like to speak to Ms Tina Kennard”

“Whom shall I say is calling?”

“Bette Porter”

“I hear our newest junior thrashed the pants off you today Porter, just like I will at tomorrow night’s game!”

“In your dreams Bob, in your dreams.  As for  today’s result I think it had more to do with beginner’s luck, a biased summing up by a fool of  Judge besotted by your junior and her baby blue eyes and a case that should never have been prosecuted.  The defendant was clearly a sap that should have just been cautioned by the police.”

“I see you noticed her baby blues, I don’t think she bats for your team though Bette.”

“Bob, I’m shocked that you would think my interest in her is anything but professional! Anyway, is she there? I wish to give my opinion on a piece of law.”

“One moment Bette I’ll put you through.  Will you be in Chambers tomorrow, as I’ve got a nice fraud at Snaresbrook that will you busy for 3 weeks or a nice little murder at the Old Bailey?  Don’t forget we’re at Smithies tomorrow night – bring your cheque book”, both of them laugh.

“Ms Kennard, I have Ms Porter on the line for you”

“Thanks Bob, put her through”

Not normally a vain person Tina subconsciously hopes she looks ok, and then chides herself for her vanity and stupidity as she’s on the phone and no one can see her.  She’s worried about the sweaty palms though.

“Hello, Tina Kennard speaking”

“To the victor the spoils!”

“Uhhh, what?  Sorry, say again”

“I owe you dinner at the Ivy”

“Oh that’s ok, you don’t have to.”  

“Oh!” Slightly dejected by the rebuff, “It really was a marvellous win”

“The defendant was clearly a sap that should have just been cautioned by the police!”

“That’s what I thought”

“So you’re just humouring me, you don’ think it was a ‘marvellous win’ at all?”

“Now don’t get al bent out of shape, you will come to realise that any win is a marvellous feeling” she said cajolingly.  “I really did phone to congratulate you and to honour my offer of dinner.  So when are you free, is tonight too short notice?”

“Actually I am free tonight, but without wishing to be rude I don’t much fancy dinner at the Ivy, too noisy and full of boring stuffed shirts but I would like to see you”

Yes, she wants to see me thought Bette but her happy bubble burst when she heard the rest of Tina’s statement.

TBC