Free Winds of Change by Anna Jacobs Page A

too.’
    Sally Patel held the door open for Lou Rayne and his wheelchair. He was one of her favourite clients. She studied the woman whose cause he was championing with great interest. She might have known Lou wouldn’t fade away quietly.
    He explained the situation, bringing Miranda into the conversation at intervals until gradually she was speaking freely and he was keeping quiet.
    â€˜I’d be delighted to help,’ Sally said.
    â€˜You don’t think . . . it’s a waste of time?’
    â€˜It may or may not be, but I think you have a chance. And as Lou said, it’ll waste your brother’s time too. I hear Monsieur Fox has a heavy case load on at the moment. It’s a great time to hit him with something else.’ She grinned. ‘Though I’d deny saying that.’
    Sally wouldn’t put into words to anyone what she really thought of Sebastian Fox, with whom she’d crossed swords several times in and out of court. The nicest thing she could say about him was that he was quite a good lawyer, even if he was a cold fish. The worst that he was a covert racist and sexist.
    â€˜Can you come with us to see him today, Sally?’
    â€˜Sorry, Lou, I’m expecting a client I can’t put off. Also, I want to check a few things before I confront him. When I’m ready, I’ll make an appointment for us to see him together.’ She could see Miranda’s expression go apprehensive and felt sorry for the poor, cowed creature. ‘Don’t worry. I won’t let him eat you.’
    She watched them leave and thought Lou was looking much better today, more alive in the head, however much his body was playing up. She was glad he had this to take his mind off things. Lou Rayne wasn’t born to be idle.
    Her new client didn’t know much about Lou, that was clear, and he’d told Sally he didn’t want Miranda to be enlightened as to how rich he was, because it might frighten her away. Pity, that. It’d have been a useful weapon against Sebastian Fox to reveal exactly who he was butting heads with.
    To her horror, Miranda found Sebastian waiting for them at the flat, not his clerk. She took an involuntary step backwards.
    â€˜I had a client cancel, so I came myself to show you how good this place is,’ he said by way of greeting. He looked at Lou and then back at her questioningly.
    â€˜This is my . . . um, friend, Lou Rayne.’ She hated the way her voice fluted with nervousness.
    The two men shook hands, Sebastian clearly dismissing Lou as a nonentity. He began to stride round the living area pointing out its features.
    â€˜Just a minute,’ Lou said. ‘I can’t walk as fast as you.’
    â€˜It’s Minnie who needs to see the flat.’
    â€˜I thought her name was Miranda.’
    Sebastian made a scornful noise. ‘She’s never been called that in our family.’
    â€˜â€™Bout time you started then if it’s what she prefers.’ Lou turned to her. ‘There are steps up to the dining area. Bad choice, that, as you get older.’
    Sebastian answered for her. ‘There’s nothing wrong with Minnie! And she’s not exactly old yet.’
    â€˜There was nothing wrong with me two years ago.’ Lou winked at her. ‘Give me a hand, darling.’
    She blinked at the endearment, but somehow his wink and the warmth of his arm linked into hers gave her the courage to ignore Sebastian’s frown and help Lou slowly and painfully up the stairs. She’d never seen him show so much difficulty in moving and it suddenly occurred to her that he was exaggerating. Oh, he was a darling, clever man!
    â€˜Not a big dining area,’ Lou said. ‘What shall we do when we have friends round?’
    The sight of Sebastian’s shock at this, on top of everything else, made her giggle and she hastily turned it into a cough. ‘I don’t know. And there’s only just room for one