through. I’m tempted to hang up, but I didn’t withhold my number.
“Hi George,” I start, “It’s Lauren. Lauren Chase. How are you?” There’s a long pause and I check the display to make sure we’re still connected. His deep voice is sharp and devoid of any conversational pleasantries.
“As I’m sure you now know, I could be a great deal better, but what’s done is done. I expect you to be fully conversant with all aspects of the evidence by Friday at the latest and ready to draft any amendments to the case summary by Monday as I want it faxed to me before midday.”
I gulp. He continues.
“Further, when you get to the agreed facts can you cross-reference them with all of their corresponding exhibits? I need to be confident they’re word and number perfect for the jury. I’ll see you in Chambers next Thursday so if you have any questions I trust they can wait until then.”
I’m speechless. He seems to be waiting for some sort of response.
“Of course!” I say, my voice sounding impressively calm “Not a problem.”
“I should hope not” he replies before hanging up.
Right, well today is Wednesday, so I have two days to read twelve folders full of papers and digest them enough to understand everything about this brief. I’m sure it’s not impossible. That’s it, positive mental attitude. That’s all this’ll take.
I send Sebastian a text letting him know what’s going on and tell him that I won’t be home for dinner. I know that I’ll need shed loads of caffeine to get through this so I go to the kitchen and put the kettle on, happily remembering my secret stash of pro-plus somewhere in my bag.
Chapter Eight
It’s Tuesday evening and I know that I look like something the cat’s dragged in. I’m convinced that people in Chambers are actually walking past my room on purpose so they can get a glimpse of me in my bedraggled state. I can hear the sniggers as the progress down the corridor.
I’ve managed to nip home to grab the odd shower and a clean outfit, but without the usual hour spent with my ghd’s and liberal application of grooming products, I’m really a sight to behold. To be honest, I’m not overly concerned with the state of my hair at the moment, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Having spent the entire weekend reading all of the witness statements, interviews and experts reports in the Hobbs trial, I’ve just been handed my trial for tomorrow, Ms Goodridge and her benefit fraud. I could really do without it, but it should be finished in a day. The good news is that Serena is prosecuting me; I haven’t had time to answer any of her calls or meet her for drinks since last week so it’ll be good to catch up.
It’s funny being against each other, you have to temporarily put your friendship to one side and focus on your side of the case. Luckily, we always manage to laugh about it afterwards and the loser buys the first round.
I re-read Ms Goodridge’s case and jot down a few questions that I need to ask her when she tells her side of the story. In essence, it’ll all come down to whether or not the jury believe her explanation of things and in theory, should be quite a simple trial. Enough is enough. I throw a few papers into a travel bag I keep in the bottom draw of my desk and switch the desk lamp off. Outside I can see people packing into bars, couples going into a nearby pizzeria and all-round general merriment. I’m tempted to wander down to the bar and see if anyone’s about but I know it’ll end in tears if they are. The last thing I need tomorrow morning is a hangover.
I double check that I’ve got everything I need from the Hobbs case and shut the door. I hope Corr was satisfied with my case summary that I sent to him yesterday. I haven’t heard anything from him, but I guess that in this case, no news has to be good news.
By the time I’ve driven home, gotten undressed and crawled into bed it’s after eleven. Sebastian is
“Hi George,” I start, “It’s Lauren. Lauren Chase. How are you?” There’s a long pause and I check the display to make sure we’re still connected. His deep voice is sharp and devoid of any conversational pleasantries.
“As I’m sure you now know, I could be a great deal better, but what’s done is done. I expect you to be fully conversant with all aspects of the evidence by Friday at the latest and ready to draft any amendments to the case summary by Monday as I want it faxed to me before midday.”
I gulp. He continues.
“Further, when you get to the agreed facts can you cross-reference them with all of their corresponding exhibits? I need to be confident they’re word and number perfect for the jury. I’ll see you in Chambers next Thursday so if you have any questions I trust they can wait until then.”
I’m speechless. He seems to be waiting for some sort of response.
“Of course!” I say, my voice sounding impressively calm “Not a problem.”
“I should hope not” he replies before hanging up.
Right, well today is Wednesday, so I have two days to read twelve folders full of papers and digest them enough to understand everything about this brief. I’m sure it’s not impossible. That’s it, positive mental attitude. That’s all this’ll take.
I send Sebastian a text letting him know what’s going on and tell him that I won’t be home for dinner. I know that I’ll need shed loads of caffeine to get through this so I go to the kitchen and put the kettle on, happily remembering my secret stash of pro-plus somewhere in my bag.
Chapter Eight
It’s Tuesday evening and I know that I look like something the cat’s dragged in. I’m convinced that people in Chambers are actually walking past my room on purpose so they can get a glimpse of me in my bedraggled state. I can hear the sniggers as the progress down the corridor.
I’ve managed to nip home to grab the odd shower and a clean outfit, but without the usual hour spent with my ghd’s and liberal application of grooming products, I’m really a sight to behold. To be honest, I’m not overly concerned with the state of my hair at the moment, I’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Having spent the entire weekend reading all of the witness statements, interviews and experts reports in the Hobbs trial, I’ve just been handed my trial for tomorrow, Ms Goodridge and her benefit fraud. I could really do without it, but it should be finished in a day. The good news is that Serena is prosecuting me; I haven’t had time to answer any of her calls or meet her for drinks since last week so it’ll be good to catch up.
It’s funny being against each other, you have to temporarily put your friendship to one side and focus on your side of the case. Luckily, we always manage to laugh about it afterwards and the loser buys the first round.
I re-read Ms Goodridge’s case and jot down a few questions that I need to ask her when she tells her side of the story. In essence, it’ll all come down to whether or not the jury believe her explanation of things and in theory, should be quite a simple trial. Enough is enough. I throw a few papers into a travel bag I keep in the bottom draw of my desk and switch the desk lamp off. Outside I can see people packing into bars, couples going into a nearby pizzeria and all-round general merriment. I’m tempted to wander down to the bar and see if anyone’s about but I know it’ll end in tears if they are. The last thing I need tomorrow morning is a hangover.
I double check that I’ve got everything I need from the Hobbs case and shut the door. I hope Corr was satisfied with my case summary that I sent to him yesterday. I haven’t heard anything from him, but I guess that in this case, no news has to be good news.
By the time I’ve driven home, gotten undressed and crawled into bed it’s after eleven. Sebastian is
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