‘Tell her to come up. She knows the way.’
Leo went to the landing to meet her. As soon as he saw her he could tell, despite her smile, that she was nervous about something.
‘Come in,’ said Leo. ‘This is a bit of a surprise.’
‘I had a con with Geoffrey Dempsey, so I thought I’d come and see you.’ She sat down, glancing round the room. ‘I haven’t been here in ages.’
‘A special visit means you must be here for a special reason.’
A slight flush touched her pale cheeks. She smoothed down her dark hair with one hand. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Coffee?’
She shook her head. ‘No, I won’t stay long. It’s something I need to tell you. I thought I’d rather do it face-to-face than over the phone.’
‘Is it about Simon?’
She looked momentarily surprised. ‘Yes. Yes, it is. Just after Christmas he asked if Oliver and I would like to go away on holiday at half-term. Just the three of us.’
‘I have no objection.’
‘Well, it’s more than that. Simon has been staying off and on at mine for a while now. More on than off. And we’ve decided it would be a good idea if he moved in. Give up his flat. It makes more sense. And it means life is a bit more settled for Oliver.’
‘I see.’
‘And if it works out – that is, if we’re still together in a few months’ time, we plan on finding somewhere of our own. I mean, the house is part of the divorce settlement, and I don’t think Simon likes the idea of staying there long-term.’
‘That shows a commendable sensitivity.’
‘Anyway, I felt you should know before it happens. Oliver is involved, after all.’
‘Oliver’s really fond of Simon, isn’t he?’
‘Yes, he is. They get on really well together.’ She gazed at him. ‘But you’re his daddy. There’s no question of Simon taking your place. Simon would never try to. And anyway, Oliver worships you.’
Leo got up and strolled to the window and stood staring down at the courtyard for a few moments. Then he turned round and gave her a smile. ‘Well, thanks for telling me. I hope it all works out for you. Really I do. I wasn’t a great husband. You deserve better. If everything Oliver says about Simon is true, he sounds a first-rate chap.’
‘He is. But even though he and I are together, everything to do with Oliver goes on exactly as before. He’ll come to you next weekend. Nothing changes.’
Everything changes, thought Leo. Rachel would only take this step if the relationship with Simon was truly serious, and they intended to settle down together. In a few years’ time Oliver would probably have a baby brother or sister, maybe more than one. A family dynamic would develop, an ever-growing sphere of influence which would inch Leo further and further to the edge of Oliver’s life. It was to be expected.
‘I know. I’m sure it will all be fine. I want you and Oliver to be happy.’
Rachel glanced at her watch. ‘I have to get back to the office. I just needed to tell you what’s going on. I haven’t told Oliver yet, but I will have by the time you next see him. Perhaps you could – you know, talk about it with him. If he wants to.’
‘Of course. Come on, I’ll see you out.’
They went downstairs, and after he had said goodbye to Rachel, Leo wandered into the clerks’ room. Liam and Robert were playing an impromptu game of cricket with a ball of paper tied with pink legal tape and a rolled-up copy of the Law Society Gazette. Robert whacked the ball towards the door, exclaiming, ‘Howzat!’
Henry, coming in, fielded it deftly. ‘Enough, children,’ he said, tossing the ball into the waste-paper basket. ‘Liam, have all those Treasury fee notes been sent out yet? I thought not. Snap to it.’ He glanced across at Felicity, who was trying to wedge a very large copy of Chambers Legal Directory beneath her computer monitor. ‘Felicity, what are you doing?’
‘My new monitor’s too low. It’s driving me nuts.’
‘Well, that’s no good. What if someone needs to consult the directory? Anyway, there’s a thing at the back that slides it up and down. See?’
Michael came in at that moment, holding his umbrella.
‘Felicity, I need a plaster. I cut my hand on my umbrella.’
‘On your umbrella? Honest to God – I don’t know how you manage to get through the day, Mr Gibbon, I really don’t. Just a minute while I sort this monitor out, then I’ll find the first-aid box.’
Henry wandered over to where Leo was standing by his pigeonhole, reading a letter. ‘You look a bit grim, Mr D. Everything OK?’