A Hallowed Place Read Online Free PDF Page A

must go and have my shower, so that I’m ready in time for your taxi.’

    While Sarah was making her leisurely way into chambers for her first day as a pupil, work was already well under way at 5 Caper Court.
    As Leo came into the clerks’ room to pick up his mail before going over to court, David Liphook accosted him. ‘Leo, you know that award that was handed down last month against those Greek scrap metal merchants?’
    ‘That Vourlides lot? I know them well.’
    ‘Well, Bill Tate has just rung to say that they’re contesting the arbitrators’ award on the grounds that the arbitrators misconducted themselves and that Ken Lightman was guilty of bias. Can you believe it?’
    Leo grinned. ‘That bunch will try anything. They once tried to have me removed from a case on the grounds that I was in the pay of the Turkish government.’ He glanced at the two sizeable piles of documents and books ranged next to David. ‘Where are you off to with that lot?’
    ‘I’ve got an arbitration. Which is why I suggested to my new pupil that today might be a good day to start her pupillage. Thought it would be interesting for her to see something through from scratch. And useful to me. Not,’ he added, glancing at his watch, ‘that it’s going to be particularly useful unless she shows up in the next ten minutes. I’m going to be hauling this lot in and out of taxis myself, at this rate.’
    ‘Ah, yes - your new pupil. Sir Vivian Colman’s daughter, if I’m not much mistaken?’
    ‘That’s right. Do you know her?’
    Leo hesitated. ‘I’ve met her a few times. I think you’ll find most people have.’ He could hardly tell David justexactly how well he knew Sarah, or just how much havoc her exasperating behaviour had wrought in his life. ‘Yes, Felicity?’ Leo glanced over at Felicity, the junior clerk, who was waggling her hand to attract his attention.
    ‘Sorry to interrupt, Mr Davies. It’s Fred Fenton for you. Says he needs a quick word.’
    ‘All right. Put him through to the waiting room. I’ll take it there.’
    Felicity came over to where David stood drumming his fingers. ‘You look like a man who’s been stood up, Mr Liphook,’ said Felicity, leaning her elbows on the counter and making even more of her already ample cleavage. She was a pretty, bubbly type, an East Ender with a sharp wit who had been a clerk for only a year. Under Henry’s tutelage, she was developing into a thorough professional, with a naturally maternal care for the interests of the barristers in chambers.
    ‘I don’t much care for being kept waiting around by my pupil, to be honest. I’d heard that having one can be more trouble than it’s worth. Still, at the time, taking her on seemed like a good idea.’
    ‘What’s she like, then?’ asked Felicity. ‘Be nice to have a few more women around here.’
    David shrugged. ‘Very pleasant.’
    ‘Nice looking?’
    ‘Oh, definitely.’
    Felicity sighed. ‘I thought she might be.’ She nodded towards the window. ‘There’s your cab. What do you want me to do with this Miss Colman when she gets here? Send her on?’
    ‘No. Yes.’ David glanced at his watch again. ‘Yes. She should be able to find MFB under her own steam - justgive her the address. It’s a bloody nuisance. I was relying on someone to help with all this.’ David began to pick up bundles and stuff them under one arm.
    ‘Ta-ta,’ said Felicity.
    Leo reappeared from the waiting room just as Cameron Renshaw lumbered downstairs.
    ‘Leo, can you do something for me?’ asked Cameron.
    ‘Depends what it is,’ said Leo. ‘I’m due in court in ten minutes.’
    ‘Just a minute of your time. The thing is, I’ve got those people from the Lincoln’s Inn Estates Committee coming over late today about the new chambers we’ve been looking at. The ones in New Square.’
    ‘Oh. Yes,’ said Leo flatly. He wasn’t exactly keen on this idea of moving out of Caper Court to larger premises.
    ‘Well, I don’t