A Case in Question by Herb Hamlet

Author:Herb Hamlet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Duty of Care, court, justice, jury, Constitution, legal argument
ISBN: 9781785386527
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2017-06-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It was a bitterly cold winter’s morning when the plane touched down at Canberra’s domestic airport. Emerging from the warm atmosphere of the terminal, the chill hit Elaine with a shock, anchoring her to the spot for a few moments. She shivered and began buttoning up the front of her thick dark grey top coat. She withdrew a pair of black kid gloves from a side pocket and drew them on as Henry placed their suitcases on the damp bitumen at the rear of a taxi.

The comfortable, moderately priced motel was situated just a short stroll from the High Court of Australia. After unpacking and hanging up his suit bag, Henry strolled across to the window to admire the spray emerging from Captain Cook Memorial Jet at the centre of Lake Burly Griffin, a gushing well, high up into the sky. Mist drifting from the spray created a rainbow effect around the water display, an aura.

That night they sat at a table in the motel suite, going over their notes, looking for any flaw, however minute. It was almost midnight when she put down her folder, looked across him and yawned. “I don’t think we’ve missed anything, Henry.”

“No, love, I think we’ve got everything covered.” Tired lines creased his brow. “At least, I hope so.” He noticed her drooping eyelids and smiled. “Let’s go to bed.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Is that an offer, counselor?” She could barely hold back the mischievous smile.

He looked up, surprised.“If you like, my gorgeous member of staff.”

“I like.” She threw her arms around his neck

***

The following morning as Henry and Elaine walked across the High Court’s immense public atrium overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, she gazed around in wonder. “What a magnificent building. Simply beautiful.”

“Yes, it certainly is a beautiful building, Elaine.” A critical tone crept into his voice.

“Remember though, it cost a bloody king’s fortune to construct. The bastards didn’t deny themselves anything,” he spat in disgust. “Especially that old fart, Garfield Barwick, who had so much to do with its construction.”

“Your working class values don’t do you justice, Henry, decked out in your barrister’s wig and black gown.” She laughed lightly. “Despite that fact, you look very handsome and distinguished.”

“One can’t forget one’s roots, can one?” He shrugged. “Society’s bloody elites. They make me sick.” He smiled at her to soften the harshness of his words. Her loveliness had been evident to him from the first time he set eyes on her. It had certainly distracted him as he interviewed her for the administrative position. The truth was her beauty had taken him by complete surprise. Letting his mind drift back to that occasion, he knew what the difference was now. Right from the start, he knew Elaine to be a good-natured and sensitive person. Nevertheless, there had been something else about her that was difficult to define, a reserved detachment, most likely born out of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband, and a need to maintain strict control over her life.

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