“Pardon?” My insides shrivelled. She can’t know. I carefully kept my face blank.
“I know you know things. You tried to hide it, but I figured it out when you had nightmares. You told me to take a different route to visit my dad one day. It was a really off-hand comment. I don’t think you were aware you’d said it aloud. I ignored you. There was a nasty accident that day, and I got stuck in traffic for two hours. When I finally made it to the office, I—my father wasn’t happy.”
She jabbed her manicured finger into my shoulder. “You’re a freak. I couldn’t be happier that you finally got the hint and moved out. Stay. Away. From me.”
Spinning on her sensible heels, she stalked away. I didn’t have any time to process the gravity of the situation because Beverly appeared, looking concerned. Her pale blonde hair glowed under the lights. “Ronnie. Is everything okay back here?”
My mouth stretched into something resembling a smile—I hoped. “Just an unhappy customer. The photocopiers are playing up today.”
“Oh well, must be the day for it. I’ve got a young fella out here telling me you called him a twit.”
I seriously wanted to groan and slap my forehead repeatedly. “I believe I called him an inconsiderate twit, and he deserved it.”
“Now, Ronnie. We can’t go insulting the students. Unfortunately, this bloke knows people in high places.”
Of course, he does. “I’ll go talk to him.”
“If you would.” She inclined her head. “Thank you. I trust you’ll deal with it professionally.”
I walked to the desk with Beverly following. “You have a complaint?” I asked the inconsiderate twit watching me with cold indifference.
“Yes, I do. You insulted me, and rudely interrupted my study session.” He placed his hands on the desk and leaned forward.
“Your study session was taking place in a room that had been booked by another student. Your refusal to leave was interrupting her study session.”
I grabbed my phone and opened the picture. “You see this, Beverly?” She nodded, resting her hands on the desk. “Notice the location of the study pod in question?”
“Yep. That’s six H.”
“Would you mind checking the bookings for that room, please?”
“Sure.” She tapped on the keyboard.
“This picture was taken at 11:05 this morning. Who had booked the room at that time?”
“Unless your name is Theresa, it’s not you.” Beverly’s expression was serious, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
“I didn’t say I had the room booked. I’m not complaining about being told to leave. My issue is her unprofessional conduct.” Twit waved his hand in my face. Like a red flag. My eyes speared into his, making sure he didn’t look away.
“Are you saying that you left willingly, without insulting a fellow student? That you didn’t deliberately ignore the rules, which resulted in the obstruction of learning for said student?” After that spiel, I needed a deep breath.
The twit squirmed on the spot. “I wasn’t the one doing the insulting.”
“Oh really? It’s a good thing I recorded it, then. Beverly, would you like to listen?” I turned to my boss with a smile before pressing play on the recording. Twit eyeballed the phone with contempt. When the recording finished, it confirmed his use of the word, ‘bitch’. Twit.
Turning back to the student, I began my closing argument. “I apologize for saying twit. My understanding of the definition is, ‘someone who is behaving in a bothersome or foolish manner.’ I think it’s fair to say that was an accurate assessment at the time. However, you referred to me as a female dog. Would you say that’s a fair assessment, Beverly?” I tilted my head towards her, but kept my eyes on the scowling pretty-boy.
“No, I’d say that’s actually pretty insulting and you could file a complaint.” Her lips quivered with her effort to stop a smile. “If there’s anything else you’d like to add, feel free. Otherwise, you’d better get back to work.”
The student turned abruptly, moving back to his desk with his shoulders stiff and his ego in tatters.
“You missed your calling.” Beverly’s parted red lips showed her white teeth in stark relief. My cheeks flushed. I felt chuffed that I’d pleased her.
“Nah. You have to enjoy putting on a show to be a barrister,” I joked. Having a courtroom full of people staring at me—no, thank you.
“That was one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve watched in a long time. It’ll do that young man some good to be knocked down a peg or two. I don’t understand the attitude of some of these young kids these days. If you want respect, you have to give it first.” Her gaze was unfocused. She seemed lost in contemplation. But her lowered eyebrows and crossed arms told me that she was getting ready to get things off her chest. Thinking about Beverly’s chest just reminded me of my failure to help her. But I’d said more in the last fifteen minutes than I had in the last day, and I wasn’t in the mood for a get-to-know-you chat.
“Do you mind if I grab some lunch? I’m feeling a bit faint.”
“Sure thing. Take an hour, you earned it.”
“Thanks.” I headed back down the hallway where Flick and I had our altercation. My eyes followed the striped pattern on the carpet. Applause joined the muffled sound my shoes were making.
Letitia. I was really starting to hate this spot. With her hands clasped under her chin, her face showed a bright smile. Her outfit hadn’t changed the entire time I’d known her. Yellow tank top and denim cut-offs.
“That was brilliant. I could almost rest in peace now.”
I snorted. “Go ahead, that’s fine by me.” I kept walking and collected my purse from the office.
“Ooh, nasty.” She stuck her bottom lip out and batted
