Chapter 12

Matt sat at his new desk in the law offices of Marsden & Walker. He picked up the phone, put it down and picked it up again. He checked the number and then dialled. A receptionist answered.

'Jerry McTaggart, please.'

'Who's calling please?'

'Tell him it's an old friend.'

'One moment.'

Tinny music played until Matt was put through.

'Hello?'

'Jerry. It's Matt.'

'Matt? I didn't except to hear from you after what I did.'

'It's water under the bridge, Jerry. Actually you did me a favour.'

'I heard you and Ruth set up your own firm. Her leaving wasn't unexpected, but still... '

'It's the best move I ever made.'

There was a brief, uncomfortable silence before Matt continued. 'I was sorry to hear about the partnership. I feel somewhat guilty.'

'It wasn't your fault, Matt. No need to feel guilty. I had to talk fast, and called you some unpleasant names but we managed to keep the client. I stuffed up, that's all. I should never have let him go to court; I knew we'd get hammered.'

'You have to do what the client wants, Jerry. Even if he is an overweight idiot like Roy Lakeland.'

'I know. Wish the partners saw it that way. How's Kelly, by the way?'

'She's fine. Heavily pregnant and worried about getting her figure back for the big day, but fine.'

'You're getting married then?'

'As soon as her divorce comes through. I don't suppose you could have a word with your client, could you? Ruth's doing her best for Kelly, but Roy's an awkward bastard.'

'I heard she was trying to take him for everything he had.'

'Come on, Jerry. You know what he was like, don't you think Kelly deserves her fair share. Besides, if it weren't for Kelly, he'd have nothing. Did you know that when they both submitted a schedule of assets to the court, Kelly's list of Roy's assets was more accurate than his own? She knows better than him where all his money is because she put it there.'

'I didn't know that.'

'And she's happy to leave him his precious business, ' Matt said.

'Which is falling apart around his ears. The share price started to fall after Kelly resigned, then collapsed after we lost the trial.'

'I know. He's using that as an excuse to delay proceedings. Are you sure you can't have a word in his ear, Jerry?'

'He's not my client any more, Matt. Even Maurice has fallen out with him. I told you Maurice was only friends with his money.'

'Never mind, it was worth a try. Actually, the wedding is one of the two reasons I called you.'

'Yeah?'

'Well, the thing is ... How do I put this? I need a best man. And you're still the best man I know. What d'you say?'

'Matt, I'd be honoured. But are you sure?'

'Sure as anything. Come on, it won't be right if you're not at my side.'

'Okay, I'll do it. And I'll give you a stag night you'll never forget.'

'Make that a stag weekend. Amsterdam sounds like a nice place.'

Jerry laughed. 'Yeah, right. I'll be sure to take a camera so I can blackmail you later.'

Matt laughed with him. It was as if the argument had never happened, they were simply two friends who worked in different cities and hadn't spoken in a while.

'Thanks, Jerry. It means a lot that you'll be there.'

'Well, I couldn't miss it could I? What was the second thing?'

'The second thing. Yes. Jerry, you know how tough it is in today's market. We're expanding quickly and it's risky taking on people who you don't know.'

'Very true.'

'I'm surrounded by women up here, Jerry. Ruth is a great partner, and Betty and Jill are fantastic at what they do; but I'm outnumbered. Even our office manager is a woman. And I still feel guilty over you not getting your due down there... '

'Are you asking to come and work for you?'

'No. I'm asking you to come and work with me. You and me, Jerry. Partners. Just like we talked about when we were at college.'

'I thought you said that Westhampton was the dead end of the universe?'

'It was, but it's a regeneration area now. The local government is throwing money around like you wouldn't believe. Take this building we're in '" it's state of the art. Environmentally friendly air conditioning, built-in wireless networking with a secure room for the server, it's got the lot. It was built by the local development agency, and we've got it on a three year lease at subsidised rent, with an option to purchase at the end of the term.'

'Really?'

'Yeah, there're so many new businesses up here, Jerry. And they all need a good company lawyer.'

'I don't know, Matt.'

'Think about it, okay?'

Matt's secretary knocked on his door and entered.

'Hang on, Jerry. What is it, Doris?'

'You know I wouldn't normally interrupt Matt, but you said... '

'Yes, what is it?'

'Your friend Laura has called. Kelly has gone into labour.'

'When?'

'Not long ago. Laura's taken her to the General.'

Matt spoke into the phone again, 'Jerry, I have to go. I'll call you in a couple of days. Think about what I said, okay?'

'I'll think about it. Good luck, Matt, and send Kelly my love.'

'Bye, Jerry.'

Matt put the phone down and searched his desk drawer for his car keys. Doris assured him that she would be able to cope, and Matt raced to the hospital for the birth of his children.

Westhampton Hall, the former home of the Earl of Westhampton, was built in the eighteenth century. It survived the industrial revolution and now sat in the heart of what was left of the Westhamptonshire countryside. Its landscaped gardens covered almost two hundred acres.

Kelly had attended a wedding there when she was fifteen, and decided that was going to be the venue for her wedding day too. But falling pregnant with Roy's child had prevented it. When her divorce finally came through, and Matt and Kelly could start to plan a day to remember of their own, she had insisted that Westhampton Hall was the only venue under consideration.