On the Bright Side by Carter Nell

Author:Carter, Nell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Welbeck Publishing
Published: 2021-08-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

I’m temporarily back at my old desk in chambers and Mabel comes in with a cheery smile.

‘Your gentleman is outside,’ she says. ‘Shall I show him in?’

‘Give me two minutes,’ I tell her, ‘and don’t offer refreshment. He’s no gentleman and won’t be here long.’

Exactly two minutes later she ushers Tim Bryanson, with his ironed jeans, into the office. I don’t stand.

‘Take a seat, Mr Bryanson,’ I say, without looking up, from various pieces of paper. When I do, he’s trying to wither me with one of his death stares. ‘You wanted to see me,’ I say.

He tosses the injunction papers onto my desk. Within moments of receiving it, he’d been on the phone demanding a meeting. ‘This is a crock of shit,’ he hisses.

I cut to the chase. ‘Do you deny being violent towards your ex-wife, Mr Bryanson? Because I urge caution. Your daughter called me on the night of the last incident and I myself drove them both to the hospital. I have several witness statements from medical staff relating to the event and Ms Bryanson’s injuries.’

‘You’re loving this, aren’t you?’

‘I’m not sure what you mean.’

‘You! Sir Galahad on the white steed. You whisk her away to Camelot—’

‘I think you know exactly how and why Ms Bryanson and I met.’ I let the statement, the truth of their divorce, and her circumstances and involvement with the charity afterwards, marinate.

‘You build her a dance studio . . .’

I bite my tongue.

‘You behave as if—’

‘Why exactly are you here, Mr Bryanson?’

He picks up the paperwork. ‘I’ll be taking my own legal advice.’

I eyeball him. ‘That’s your prerogative. In the meantime—’

‘What is it you want, Tate? My wife, or my family?’

I can’t help myself. ‘What is it you want, Mr Bryanson? Your wife divorced you. She wants to move on with her life. It could be a great life. You could choose to let her live it. You could choose to let them love it.’

‘What the fuck do you know about my family, you sanctimonious prick?’

I’ve been called worse.

‘It would suit you, wouldn’t it? It would suit you if I just went away.’

Yes, it would. God help me, yes it would. I’d love to head off on my trip without thinking about you, you obnoxious man.

With my hands flattened on the desk in front of me, I watch him take a seat on the opposite side.

‘I want to see Grace.’

‘According to the terms you can see Grace, up to twice a month, which is what Grace has agreed to for now. However, you need to not go near Clare. And Grace is sixteen shortly, should she decide at any time in the future not to see you at all . . .’ I shrug for dramatic effect.

‘Grace will always want to see me.’

‘Maybe, or perhaps she’s a little bored of seeing your fists at work. Have you ever thought how hard it might be for her to witness your handiwork?’

‘Do not presume to know anything about me and my daughter.’

‘I know she’s an amazing

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