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Chapter 13
Holly passed the shop ‘Something Special’, her insides churning as she remembered seeing Tom standing outside with Grace. It seemed like a lifetime away. Luckily, Nina was not visible. She was probably helping someone with a dress fitting. Nina often joked about downstairs doing the weddings and upstairs sorting out the mess when things turned sour. Holly wondered how many other customers from the bridal store had walked up these stairs.
Opening the glass-filled door etched withDawkins & Co, Solicitors,she felt as if she was stepping back in time as she entered the reception. It was furnished with an array of polished antique furniture, including a huge desk where a young guy sat, reading a celebrity gossip magazine. The sort of thing she only read in the dentist’s waiting room.
He raised his eyes and smiled. ‘Hi, is it Holly Loveland?’
‘Yes, I’m a bit early.’
‘Early is great. I’m Oliver,’ he said, standing up and pulling a file from a cabinet. He took out a sheet of paper, handing it to Holly. ‘Can you fill this in, please? All the usual particulars. Jill’s free, so as soon as you’re done, I’ll take you in.’
Holly sat on a large leather Chesterfield and filled in the form. Name, address, date of birth, status? She paused.Separated, I guess?she thought as she heard the tick tock of a huge grandfather clock, standing to the side of the door like a sentry post.
‘Have you worked here long?’ she asked Oliver.
He tapped away at his keyboard. ‘I came here last summer for a job between college and university. I never left.’
Holly handed him the completed form. ‘You must like it then?’
‘Yes, Jill’s my aunt. We’re on a better wavelength than I am with my parents.’ He smiled. ‘Well let’s take you in, shall we?’
Oliver opened the door for her. Jill stood up from her desk with her hand outstretched. She was mid-forties, her dark hair, streaked with grey, was cut in a stylish crop. She wore a blue pinstripe shirt and navy tailored trousers.
Holly took her hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
Jill’s grip was quite firm. ‘Likewise. Do have a seat.’
Holly heard the door close behind her and passed over the letter she had received from Tom’s solicitor. ‘I received this two days ago.’
Jill donned a pair of metal-framed glasses and read the letter. At times she raised her shaped eyebrows, then pursed her lips. Placing the letter on the table she brought her hands together as if praying. ‘Really and truly, they’re trying it on. Ballsy lot. Well known for this sort of approach.’ Jill leaned back in her chair. ‘They go on the offensive, hoping for a settlement, but rarely go to court. I’m not fond of their methods and that goes in your favour.’ Jill peered over her glasses at Holly. ‘I will not let them ride rough-shod over one of my clients.’ Jill picked the letter up again. ‘I propose we stick to our guns. Tell them to jolly well get lost and see what happens.’
‘Right. So, he isn’t entitled?’
‘Well, you can argue anything in law. But given the short marriage, the adultery, and that this is your business and only means of support, it’s unlikely. We’ll fight it. Send him off with the bare minimum.’
‘Okay.’
‘The way his solicitor works is to run you down until you cave in to at least a small offer. But this bunch of cowboys don’t really have the expertise to back up their arguments at a full hearing.’
‘I don’t think I owe him anything. In fact, he borrowed a large sum of money from me to start up his own business and is refusing to give it back.’
‘Is that so? I’ll draft a letter, telling them point-blank we do not accept that he has a claim against you. I warn you, the response won’t be pretty. They’ll hit you hard and bring in all sorts of accusations. But we’ll deal with that at the time. The big question is. Do you want me to act on your behalf?’
Holly nodded.
‘Excellent. I’ll get Oliver to put a date in the diary and we’ll meet again in order to gain a full run-down of the relationship.’
‘Thanks. I definitely want you to deal with this for me.’
Jill smiled. ‘Super. I’ll ask them to correspond with me direct in future. That way, you won’t be bothered by anything at home. It’s a tough time, considering the distress you must feel after the fire. But it will pass.’ She pushed a document forward. ‘Now here’s my letter of engagement. Read it through carefully and I’ll ask Oliver to bring us coffee.’
Holly read through the document smarting at the hourly rate, but she liked Jill. She made the whole messy situation sound like just another day at the office. Holly drank her coffee and signed the form. Jill asked her not to discuss the position directly with Tom. That would be easy – she never wanted to speak to him again.
Once outside, Holly walked in the direction of the bakery, ducking her head to avoid Nina’s gaze as she passed the front of the bridal boutique. Hearing rapping on the window, she turned her head and Nina beckoned her in but Holly shook her head and mouthedI can’t.Nina made a heart shape with her fingers before placing her hands to her chest. Holly forced a smile and walked away. She could not face the pity. Whilst Nina was not her favourite person on the planet, she knew she was being sincere. She also knew that, in Nina’s world, no woman’s life was complete unless she had a man in it, even though Nina herself was single. Whilst Nina always seemed to be surrounded by men, Holly had never known her to have a serious relationship. She always said she was waiting for ‘Mr Right’.
At the bakery, Holly picked up three slices of lemon drizzle cake. She was off to Val’s with her laundry.
‘Come here, young’un.’Val opened her arms wide at her front door. ‘I feel so much better to see you. I hate being cooped up in here, without me job to go to.’
