Page 47 of Always Beth
‘Beth, take a seat over there, I’ll let them know we’re here.’
She clutches her papers tightly to her chest. There’s not even a hint of anger in her, only hurt. I would do anything to take it away, but I can’t. I can only show her the respect she’s deserved all along.
‘We’re here to see Caroline.’ Her assistant double takes as she looks up at me and I stare back at her, shaking my head in warning.
‘Er, yes, Mr Taylor, of course.’
The office is busy and for a second I miss it, then I remember this will still be here for me when I’m ready. Lauren, on the other hand…
‘You can go straight in.’
‘Beth. Come on.’ Without thinking, I reach out for her and she takes my hand. I glance quickly around at my employees, who drop their heads as soon as they see me. This is going to be talk of the office.
‘James.’ Caroline smiles up at me from her desk. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
‘You too. This is Bethany Cross.’
‘Hi, Bethany, lovely to meet you.’
‘Oh, call me Beth, please.’ Dropping her bag to the floor, she sits nervously in her chair. It’s almost as if she thinks she’s about to be interrogated.
‘Your new solicitor has sent your file over from that last waste of space you hired. Your case is an interesting one, I’ll admit,’ Caroline says, reclining back.
‘I’m not interested in his money. I just want my dog and I…’ her voice breaks and Caroline glances in my direction, unsure how to proceed. I nod and she knows this is down to her, I’m not here as a partner today, this is her call.
She passes her a tissue from her desk and leans forward in her chair.
‘Sorry,’ Beth whispers.
‘Beth, rule number one, never say the phraseI’m not interested in his money.’
‘But I—’
I place my hand on her arm to calm her and Caroline’s eyes flick back and forth between us.
‘No buts, Beth, it isn’t his money, it’s your money. He wasn’t thinking about that when he was wining and dining another woman, was he? He owes you. If you want me to do this for you, I won’t negotiate anything less than a fifty-fifty split.’
Beth swallows hard and wipes the tears from her eyes, her posture immediately changing as she sits upright. I smile at Caroline.I knew she was the right partner for this.
‘Now, I’ve a list of your joint assets and it’s quite simple as far as I can see. Of course the other things you’re asking for are slightly tricky. The dog…’
‘Poppy.’
‘Yes, Poppy…where’s she living now?’
‘With me.’
‘Good. I can probably pull some case studies on emotional distress in animals for this.’ Caroline muses over the papers in front of her.
Was that a question? Is she asking me?Family law isn’t my thing. I clear my throat and Caroline switches out of her train of thought. Perhaps she was thinking out loud.
‘I take it there are no children involved?’
Beth’s lip quivers. It catches me off guard and I have to look away to stop myself from pulling her into my arms.
‘No. No children,’ she whispers.
‘So, we’re proceeding on the grounds of adultery. Is he likely to contest the fact?’
