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“Have you tried using her name?" Millie suggested. “That might help you relate to her, rather than referring to ‘the child’.” “I believe she’s called Beatrice but responds to Bea.” “You make her sound like a pet,” Millie said. “I hope you didn’t play fetch.” “No, I didn’t. But is that worth a try?” Millie stared at her. “Are you serious?” “Maybe a little?” She shrugged. Millie stared again. “Do you really not have any experience with kids?” “Of course I do. I was thirteen when my mother gave birth to my brother.” “And how did you find that?” “He was very annoying.”
Kate laughed louder at her lawyer’s bluntness. “So, you find people disappointing in general?” Olivia inhaled. “Yes, immensely.” “And more specifically, say, with actors?” Olivia looked at her, as if Kate shouldn’t press. “My experience has mixed results.” “Should...” Kate began, failing to resist this nugget of information, “should I take that as a compliment, Ms Sachdeva?” “If my opinion means something to you, then yes, Ms Woodhouse.”
Someone’s ability to laugh at themself was a quality Kate always fell for. Having self-respect, but with that release of not taking themselves too seriously. Harry had it. Charlotte had it. And though more considered than those two, so did elegant Olivia. And it struck her that Nat didn’t. She laughed plenty, but only at others.
“You cannot have a lawyer who feels like this about you. Because you’re just sitting there, doing nothing, and I can barely think. I know where you are in a room. Always. I might take my eyes off you, but my mind is still where you are.” She breathed in. “I am inextricably drawn to you.” She gasped again. “I cannot control this. I cannot compartmentalise this. I have failed utterly here.”
Liz glared. “You,” she pointed, “do not have to be perfect.” She didn’t blink. “Do you hear me? You do not have to be flawless.” Olivia, slow with swirling thoughts, took a moment to register. “I've made a mistake though.” “Yes, you have. A very human mistake,” Liz emphasised. “Like every single other person in this building.” “But I...” “Yes, you try harder than anyone to make sure that doesn’t happen.” The defiant glare softened. “But this is a company of imperfect people, including Hugo and me.”
“You do not have to get it right all the time.” Liz waggled her finger. “No-one ever does. And I've got you.” She plonked her hands on Olivia’s shoulders. “I have your back. And I will make damn sure Hugo remembers how many second chances he gives others.”
“It takes time,” she admitted, “for me to grow to like someone. But when it does happen, when I find someone, with friends too, they become very important to me.” She hesitated. “There aren’t many.”
