He lay down beside her and started nuzzling her neck, but her
mind was still on the letter.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“Yes, a bit.”
“Would you get me something? I’m famished.”
“I’m not surprised. That was really something this morning.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I certainly did. But right now
I really need a coffee and a bacon sandwich.”
“Certainly. What madam wants madam shall have.” He leant over and
kissed her full on the lips, then left the room.
To her relief, he left his jacket. She hesitated for a moment,
then swiftly pulled out the envelope. Surely it would offer some
clue to Jaspar’s identity. Unfolding the thick creamy paper, she
read.
Dear Jaspar,
Thank you for your postcard. Byron Bay sounds like an
interesting place but I fear that the drugs that you are smoking
have addled your brain. Unfortunately, I must decline your
request to lend you ten thousand pounds. I can’t imagine what
you need it for. Surely you haven’t spent your inheritance
already? If you have squandered your father’s money within six
months you have only yourself to blame. May I suggest that you
get yourself a job? I hope that the prospect of working will not
prove to be too much of a shock to the system.
John
That Jaspar had money worries came as no surprise to Chloe, but
what really interested her about the letter was the fact that
Jaspar’s uncle worked at this firm. To her great shame, she had
not yet managed to secure a position, although a small firm in
Oxford had asked her to contact them when she returned. She
would have to start the long climb to the top from there.
Folding the letter, she carefully slid it back into the envelope,
placed it in the jacket and waited for Jaspar to return.
That evening, after spending the day together, they lay on the
beach, looking up at the stars. She could sense that Jaspar’s
mind was full of his own problems but she didn’t want to pry. She
wanted to keep things casual. Soon they would go their separate
ways, and she sensed that getting involved with Jaspar could only
spell trouble.
She was lying across his chest as he lay sprawled out on the
white sand, running his fingers through her hair.
“I’ll have to be going tomorrow.”
“Where to?”
“I can’t really say.”
“What’s the big secret?” He continued to run his fingers along
her scalp, but then abruptly he yanked a lock of her hair. “Ow!”
He continued to tug at her hair so she shook him free, and sat
up. “What the hell was that for?”
“For being nosey.”
“Are you crazy?” She rubbed her head. Suddenly she was glad that
he was leaving. He was definitely a little unhinged. “I only
asked.”
“I’ll ask the questions if you don’t mind.”
There was an awkward silence.
“What do you do back in England?”
“I’ve just finished law school. When I get back I need to find a
job as a trainee solicitor.”
“Nothing lined up?”
“Nothing worth talking about,” she said sulkily.
He became silent. Chloe turned and looked down at him
quizzically.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking.” He took another moment to
process a thought. “I know someone who works at Clancy and
Durham, my uncle.”
“Really!” she said with commendable deceit. “They’re in a league
of their own.”
“Yeah? He’s the big boss man. Heads the Corporate Litigation
Department. How about I put in a good word for you?”
“Oh, I don’t know if I’d fit in at a place like that,” she said,
turning away. Now that the possibility of getting a job there
had suddenly presented itself she started to feel anxious. Would
she fit in?
“Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Well, I don’t know, they’ve probably filled all the trainee
solicitors positions by now, but I’d be happy to start as a
paralegal.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do. My sister Felicity works there as
a paralegal. She’s been there for a year now. But like you,
she’s desperate to become a solicitor.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind. That would be great.”
“No problem. I’ll phone him as soon as it’s nine am in London.”
She buried her head in his neck, murmuring, “Thank you Jaspar,
thank you.”
A wave of optimism flooded through her. Suddenly all her doubts
left her. She would make it as a solicitor, that she was sure of.
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