The Devil in Disguise by Martin Edwards

time.’
    â€˜So MOJO have offered to take you on the staff?’ A wave of relief swept over him. What was all the fuss about? ‘Wonderful news. Congratulations.’
    â€˜It’s not as simple as that,’ she said. ‘As you know, the organisation runs on a shoestring. There’s no way that the North West branch could afford to take someone on to the payroll. The money simply isn’t there.’
    â€˜What, then?’
    â€˜The national headquarters is in London. The present chief executive has had a coronary and been offered ill-health retirement. They’ve asked me if I’d like to take the position in his place.’
    He caught his breath, trying to take it in. ‘So do you have to relocate?’
    She nodded. ‘I’ve discussed it with the Board. I wanted to know if it was possible for me to keep a base in Liverpool. The answer was no. Whether we like it or not, London is the centre of influence. The chief executive has to be there full-time. And it’s not just a Monday to Friday job. If I want it, I have to move.’
    â€˜And - you do want the job?’
    â€˜Very much.’ She paused. ‘I’ve wrestled with it night and day ever since they put the offer to me. But if I don’t seize the chance now, I’d always regret it. Even so, it’s a frightening prospect, making a fresh start in a strange city at the other end of the country. I’m settled here. Perhaps even in a rut. But I’m not like you, I’m not a native Scouser. All the same - it would be a wrench to leave Merseyside. And you.’
    She stroked his hand. Her fingers were cool. He was absurdly conscious of the sweatiness of his own palms and coughed to hide his dismay.
    â€˜Thanks. But - what about your business?’
    â€˜As you saw, I’ve been talking to Quentin. The reason is that, coincidentally, Windaybanks approached me a couple of months back. They wanted to know if I’d like to join forces with them. I said no and didn’t give it a second thought. I’ve no interest in being part of a big partnership. But when the MOJO job came up, I gave Quentin a ring, asked if he’d be interested in taking over my caseload without taking over me. They came straight back and made me an offer. He’s just been answering a few of the questions I asked. And he’s being very reasonable, he’s not insisting on an immediate response. One thing’s for sure. They are offering me the chance to walk away with cash in my pocket.’
    â€˜And will you take it?’
    â€˜I don’t know, Harry. That’s the truth. I simply don’t know.’ She paused. ‘What do you think I should do?’
    In another part of the room, someone guffawed. The mood of the legal luminaries had lightened. After a few gin and tonics, things never seemed so bad.
    He made up his mind. ‘You should have another drink, that’s what you should do.’ And draining his glass, he wandered over to the bar.
    â€˜Let me get those,’ Geoffrey Willatt said as the barman rang up the price on the till. Harry turned and gaped at his old principal. It was rather as if Bumble had offered an extra helping of gruel to Oliver Twist.
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜My pleasure. Glad you could spare the time to join us. We must all stick together, Harry.’ Geoffrey absent-mindedly adjusted his old school tie. ‘There are simply far too many people coming into the profession. We need to restrict the numbers. I like the idea of making would-be solicitors undertake a personality test to see if they are suited to the work.’
    â€˜Just as well that idea wasn’t around in my day,’ Harry said. ‘They would never have allowed me to qualify.’
    If Geoffrey Willatt privately agreed with him, he was too discreet to reveal it. He lifted his glass. ‘Cheers. Oh - and by the way.’
    â€˜Yes?’ Of course, there must be an ulterior