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Her mother slapped her hand on the desk. ‘You can’t tell me he cares two hoots about this firm now he’s withTiffany.’ She almost spat the word. ‘When was the last time he put in a day’s work and didn’t leave you to run the business alone, eh? Tell me that!’
It was true that her dad had lost focus of late. He was rarely in the office, he didn’t take on many cases, and instead he enjoyed long lunches, frequent golf afternoons and would often disappear at short notice in a flustered manner when his phone pinged.
The idea of her dad receiving a ‘booty call’ from his new lover was another horror she was fighting to ignore.
Taking a deep breath, she removed her glasses and wiped the lenses clean with the cloth she always carried in her suit pocket. Sometimes she wished she’d chosen a different career. Perhaps if she’d taken up acting, like her sister, or lazed about smoking weed like her brother, then she wouldn’t be expected to act as family referee. Her siblings never seemed to experience the same level of grief she did. The curse of being the oldest child, she supposed.
Replacing her glasses, Beth fixed her mother with a look. ‘It still wouldn’t be professional or ethical of me to offer you legal advice, Mum. You need to trust that any solicitor acting on your behalf would remain impartial—’
‘I don’t want impartial. I want blood!’
Beth clenched her jaw.
‘You know what he’s done to me, how he’s treated me. You witnessed it first-hand. I need you in my corner.’
‘But it’s not appropriate.’ Beth raised her hand when her mother attempted to interrupt. ‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority discourages any solicitor from acting for or against a family member. And they certainly wouldn’t be happy about me taking action against my business partner. I have access to financial information I wouldn’t normally be privy to.’
Her mother frowned. ‘You’re using legal jargon.’
Beth sighed. ‘The bottom line is, I’m not able to act as your solicitor, Mum.’
But her mother didn’t let up. ‘You could give me informal advice, though? You know, off the record, so to speak.’
‘It wouldn’t be fair on Dad.’
‘Fair! You want to talk about fair?’ Another thump on the desk. ‘After all that man has done to me? And you’re taking his side?’
‘I’m not taking his side.’
‘But you won’t take mine.’ Connie fanned her face. ‘Oh, the betrayal.’
Ouch.
Beth rubbed her temples. A headache was brewing.
What had she done to deserve this? She led a quiet life. She baked, she liked nature and long walks. She worked hard. All she wanted was a stress-free peaceful existence and not to be drawn into numerous family disputes. But fate, it seemed, had other ideas.
She took a deep breath. ‘Morally, I’m on your side, Mum. Please don’t think otherwise. I’m not happy that Dad’s having an affair, or that he’s instigated divorce proceedings without talking to you first. I don’t condone his actions, but that’s not the same thing as representing you in the divorce case.’
‘So you agree he’s in the wrong?’
‘Absolutely, but he’s also my dad. I love him. However appallingly he’s behaved, it would be impossible for me to cause him pain.’
‘So what am I supposed to do? Lie down and let him walk all over me?’
‘No, you need a solicitor who won’t be swayed by emotion or attachment and who will ensure a fair outcome. I can recommend several who would be ideal.’
‘And how am I supposed to afford them? I no longer have your father’s income, remember? I’m working as a flipping doctor’s receptionist. Reduced to begging for scraps so your father can indulge in his midlife crisis.’
‘Things are not that bad, Mum. You’re exaggerating. Dad hasn’t left you destitute.’
‘But he hasn’t left me with enough means to fight him in the divorce, has he? He’s a lawyer. He specialises in defending wealthy husbands. He knows all the tricks, all the arguments, all the ways to avoid paying a huge settlement. You don’t think he’s going to use all that experience to save himself?’
Her mother had a point.
‘All I want is an even playing field. Someone in my corner to ensure I don’t get cheated. Is that too much to ask?’
Beth felt guilty. ‘No, Mum. It’s not. Leave it with me. I’ll find someone willing to take you on. I’ll pay their retainer, so don’t worry about that. You can settle the invoice once the final settlement comes through. Okay?’
