Errors of Judgment(121)

‘The thing is,’ said Chay, ‘I invested Barry’s money in that fucking Ponzi scheme.’ He took off his glasses and ran a weary hand over his face. ‘You were clever enough to see the returns were too good to be true. Your money is still safe and sound in the bank.’ He replaced his glasses.

Anthony picked up his drink and drained half of it. ‘No, you didn’t.’

‘I didn’t what?’

‘You didn’t invest Barry’s money. You invested mine.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean …’ Anthony paused, leaning forward to pick up a few peanuts. ‘That you can regard the money in the bank as Barry’s, and the hundred grand you lost as mine. Barry has nothing. He needs that money. He’s working as a not-very-good stand-up comedian, and I don’t think we’re ever likely to see him in Forbes rich list.’ Anthony popped the peanuts in his mouth and chewed reflectively. ‘Mind you, you never know.’

‘But you were the one who was sensible, who decided not to let me invest. You were right. Why should you lose out?’

‘Because, Dad, if we’d had that conversation in the pub just one month later, I’d have happily told you to invest my money, every last penny. I would have let you gamble it on any old odds you cared to choose. Barry’s need is greater than mine.’ Anthony sat back. ‘I’ll always be OK. Do you know, I earned a hundred and twenty grand on a single case last year?’

‘Really?’ Interest flickered across Chay’s features. He picked lemon peel from his Martini, ate it, then drained the glass in two gulps. ‘I didn’t know you were earning that much.’

‘I am, and I intend to go on doing so. That money in the bank is Barry’s. OK?’

‘OK.’ Chay shook his head.

Anthony drank the remains of his vodka and tonic. ‘What will you do?’

Chay sighed. ‘Oh, it’s not the end of the world. I have the houses. I still sell paintings. I’ll recover. I just feel such a fool. Such a dupe.’ He leant forward suddenly, as though in pain. ‘All that money.’

Anthony, who hadn’t really felt sorry for his father till this moment, suddenly did. What Chay was regretting was not so much the loss of his wealth, as the loss of his shabby, discarded, idealistic old self. He had become the kind of individual whom he himself would have despised fifteen years ago.

‘You’re not alone. I’ve been doing some pretty stupid things myself lately. Mind you, eight and a half million is going it.’ Anthony signalled to the waiter for the bill. ‘I’ll get these.’

Chay nodded. ‘You seem to be earning enough. Thanks.’

When he’d paid for the drinks, Anthony stood up. ‘Come on, let’s go and have something to eat somewhere. I think you and I have a lot to talk about.’ He slipped on his coat. ‘My treat.’

As Anthony and Chay were leaving one cocktail bar, Leo was arriving at another. He was half an hour late, and was relieved to see Sarah at the far end of the room, sitting on a low sofa, texting on her phone. She looked up and smiled as Leo approached, tucking her phone in her bag.

‘I was just about to give up on you.’

‘Sorry,’ said Leo. He slung his coat on a chair and sat down next to her. ‘I got delayed in chambers. And the traffic gets worse every day. I took a taxi as far as Monument, and we sat there so long that I got out and speed-walked. I’m rather out of condition.’ He glanced at the two drinks on the table, one of them a whisky. ‘This for me?’

‘You usually drink Glenfiddich, don’t you?’

‘Indeed I do.’ He took a sip. ‘Cheers.’

‘Cheers.’ Sarah surveyed him critically, thinking he looked a little jaded. ‘How are you?’

‘So-so. I got a letter from the Judicial Appointments Committee today. Apparently I’m not quite ready for the High Court Bench. Or it isn’t ready for me. One of the two.’

‘Oh dear. I suppose you’ll just have to go on eking out a miserable living as a top QC.’

Leo smiled. ‘Thank you. You’re very good at putting things in perspective.’

‘Seriously – I’m sorry you didn’t get it. Any idea why?’

‘Who knows? Greg Hind may not have given me his full approval. I can’t think of anyone else with a reason to veto me. Your father’s on the committee, of course. I hope you haven’t been bad-mouthing me.’

Sarah suddenly felt cold inside. Could Leo’s chances have been affected by something her father had said to the committee? When she had sought to blame Leo, in her father’s eyes, for the break-up with Toby, it hadn’t occurred to her that it might have professional repercussions for Leo. In fact, she had forgotten entirely about his application to become a judge.