Page 14 of Behind Frenemy Lines

Charles looked resigned. “Pretty much. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to lose your evening. I’m not very keen on networking events. As I’m sure you are astonished to hear.”

There was something endearing about how terrified he was at the prospect of having drinks with a bunch of twenty-year-olds. I’d always liked men who weren’t afraid of showing their emotions. That was one of the things I’d liked most about Tom, his open-heartedness.

Well. That hadn’t stopped Tom from sticking the knife inmyheart.

At least I didn’t have to worry about that with Charles. I had thought him good-looking, once upon a time, but that was before he’d become Kawan Baik.

But the better I was getting to know Kawan Baik, the more I found myself liking the man beneath the nemesis. It had been nice of him to try to claw back my evening for me.

“It’s fine,” I said. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see.”

CHAPTER SIX

Charles

Moot went offwithout a hitch. There were a couple of decent arguments run, one or two good speakers, and one genuine entertainer among the cohort. Might not make a lawyer, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in a film some years down the line.

Could have stayed on for dinner, but I’ve had enough dinners at the firm’s expense. Crept away to check my emails instead, until the Graduate Recruitment lady messaged that the students were done with dinner. It was time for Kriya and me to do our duty as hosts.

It was awkward to start out with—contrary to Kriya’s assurances, but entirely consistent with my expectations. Stood staring at the university students while they stared back at us. After a while, one of the students said:

“So… do you guys do any human rights law?”

CG: “No. It rarely comes up in my practice.”

Student: “Oh. Right.”

She looked a bit squashed. Didn’t mean to squash her. Remembered her from the moot: Razia, British Bangladeshi, first girl in her family to go to university. Round, earnest face undera black headscarf. Reminded me a little of my oldest half-sister, though Teo’s younger.

CG: “I have done a case where we sought to rely on the EU Charter freedom to conduct a business, but it didn’t take us very far. The limitations on the right are such that—”

Kriya: “But you do a lot of pro bono work, right, Charles? Like that CICA case you’ve got on.” To the students: “That’s a government scheme that allows victims of violent crime to seek compensation. Charles has got a tribunal hearing—is it next month? He’s representing a woman who was trafficked.”

CG: “Yes. But that’s a statutory scheme. It’s got nothing to do with the Human Rights Act.”

Razia, perking up: “It sounds interesting. What does CICA stand for?”

Turned out she was doing her dissertation on how the Human Rights Act 1998 has shaped litigation. Interesting topic. When I’d explained the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act to her satisfaction, we went on to discuss the deployment of rights-based arguments by corporates.

Evening was significantly less painful than expected. Was surprised when I glanced at my watch and saw it was past nine. Hadn’t noticed the time passing. Never happened at a social event before.

The difference, I concluded, was Kriya, even though she’d moved away to mingle. Her presence seemed to make the whole thing easier. Couldn’t tell how she did it.

Watched her surreptitiously, trying to figure it out. She talked a lot, but not too much. Asked questions. Looked people in the eye while listening. Smiled and laughed at the right times.

I went through a phase of trying to make eye contact, early in my career. Resulted in supervisor telling me people found me “a bit intense.” Allowing for softening effect of British corporate speak, what that meant was I was coming off like a serial killer.

Probably helped that Kriya was attractive. People are nicer to attractive women. I read an article about it, there are studies.

Was mulling on this when Razia said:

“Can I ask you a question? It’s a bit personal.”

CG: “Yes?”

Razia: “To be honest, I feel like some of the lawyers I spoke to today, they were fronting when they talked about enjoying their work. But you seem to really like your job. Like, genuinely.”

CG: “I suppose so. It can be demanding, but it’s interesting work. And it’s well paid.”

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