Beware the Roasburies! Pt. 07

We met in the committee room, very formal. The two of them were sitting at the long side of the table rather than on the easy chairs and that presaged a very serious meeting. Perhaps I was in trouble?

"Come in, come in, Graham!" said David with a smile. I briefly wondered if he was breaking the Sabbath, then realised sunset was a while away. "Sit down there." He indicated a place opposite the two of them. I sat.

"As you know, Graham," said Patrick, "Kieran Walsh has resigned. You realise that it was inevitable after the fracas with the Grestys and that investigator's report, not to mention the near loss of two of our best clients?"

I looked surprised.

"He's been dissatisfied for a while with our running of the practice, and he is approaching retirement age," added David.

I must have continued to look puzzled, for the two of them laughed.

"I know the rumour has trickled through the office," Patrick continued, "that we were considering you for enrolment as a Junior Partner in the practice, and that Kieran vetoed it each time? Well, now he's no longer with us, we can make you an offer."

They both sat back with satisfied looks on their faces.

"This is a surprise," I said. "No, more of a shock really. Pleasant of course."

They laughed.

"Thank you both, I feel honoured you even consider me at my age."

"Graham, no false modesty, now," chided David. "You know you are too valuable an asset for us to let you go. We trust this will keep you firmly in the... firm?" and he giggled! Different!

"I never had any plans to leave," I said.

"Not now," said Patrick, "but there are some pretty big international law firms who could easily outbid us, and your reputation is spreading, you know. We are aware that feelers are already being put out.

"You are an astute lawyer and the precautions you took in this last unpleasantness shows it. If we were in general practice, you would be thought to be too young to be offered a partnership, but in our specialisms you are more than capable."

"I've not much to invest," I said. "Buying my flat took up a good deal of my savings."

"I think we've got that organised," David said. "Kieran nearly scuppered us with WJT, but you came back and saved us, and now they think the sun shines out of unusual places on your anatomy. You saved our skins there, Graham. Furvottigen are delighted with your work on their takeover, so the practice has done very well financially, and it has enhanced our reputation and more importantly, yours.

"If you were a partner already, you would be getting a great deal of benefit from the profit, so David and I are giving you a bonus equal to that profit. We suggest you plough that back into the practice, and after that you can make up the rest in instalments."

"As a Junior Partner?" I asked. "Surely–"

"No, no!" said David. "Not a junior partner – with Kieran gone, we are offering you a full partnership to take his place."

That floored me. "Are you sure of that?" I asked. "I'm definitely very young for that; I'm a bit young for a Junior."

"Don't be so modest: we know what we're doing," said Patrick, affecting a scowl. "In any case the practice needs some young blood at the top. We were younger than you are now, when we founded this practice."

There was a brief silence while they looked at me expectantly.

"Well, I'd be a fool not to accept. Thank you both."

They both breathed a sigh of relief.

"You can move into Kieran's office on Monday," said David. "We can work out the legalities then, but here is some reading matter for you to go over at the weekend." He handed me a very thick folder. They both stood, and we shook hands.

As I walked to the car, I kept saying it to myself: A partner, a full partner! I hardly noticed the packed roads at the height of the rush hour as I made my painful way to Keele.

I arrived at the flat at a quarter to seven. I remembered the last time I'd arrived this late and wondered as I let myself in if she'd still be there. She was, but so was Desmond! I could hear them talking as I entered the living room.

I stood in the doorway. They were sitting together on the sofa. Connie glanced up at me and looked guilty. I said nothing, but looked at Desmond.

He addressed Connie, "What's he doing here? I thought–"

"You thought wrongly," I said to him abruptly.

"But you've lost your job!" he said with surprise.

"Well, yes, but Connie is very forgiving, aren't you dear?"

"Graham?" she was puzzled. "You've lost your job? Is that true?"

"In a manner of speaking," I said. "Still want me?"

"You must be joking," Desmond intervened. "She'll not want you now, an unemployed disgraced lawyer? You'd be better just going back home."

"I think I asked Connie the question," I said with a certain amount of acid. "Well, Connie?"

She looked uncertain for a moment, then her face became firm. "Yes, my love, of course I still want you. But–"

"Can we leave that until we're alone?" I asked. She nodded.

"Ashamed of yourself?" Desmond asked. "An attempted rapist?"

"Not in the slightest," I rejoined with a smile. "On the contrary, rather pleased with myself. My fiancée still wants me."

Desmond looked uncertain. "You sticking by him even now? You realise your father will–"

"Disown me?" Connie said. "I couldn't care less what he does. This is my man and I'm sticking with him through thick and thin: this man saved my life. I think you'd better leave."

"If that's what you want," he said in disbelief.

"Yes, that's what I want."

So he got up, and pushing past me without a word, left the room and the flat.

Connie collapsed onto the sofa.

"You've lost your job?" she asked in distress, "but everyone agreed you were innocent!"

"Yes, they did," I said, "and I've only lost my job in a manner of speaking. It's not a job any more, I'm no longer employed. I'm an employer: they've offered me a partnership."

Now she was perplexed. "You mean the Junior Partnership?"

"No, a Full Partnership. I'll be a part owner. Instead of being paid a salary, I get a cut of the profits, broken into months, after expenses are paid out. I've got a folder here with the details. That's why I'm late: they called me in at five. Uncle Kieran Walsh has left the firm and I take his partnership. It's a huge step up!"

She leapt up, squealed and threw her arms round my neck. "My superman!" she cried, "You deserve it, you work so hard. I'm so happy for you!" A tight hug and a steaming kiss followed.

We went to the nearest phone box and ordered a taxi, and we had a celebratory meal, with a good bottle of wine and then returned to the flat. I did ask her if she'd like to go to a club but she wanted to get back and go to bed. She added she was not in the least bit tired!

What we actually did when we got back was to open the folder and read the documentation. We were stunned. Now I knew how our partners managed to live comfortably in huge houses in the stockbroker belt of Bowden. As a salaried solicitor the practice paid me over twice the average national salary plus bonuses, but in an average year from now on, I would be getting eight times that or more! I would not be getting the full amount, because I would be buying into the partnership, but even so, I was in the money.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating in four different positions, in addition to mutually oral ministrations. She was right: she was not in the least tired.

Next day my lover and fiancée returned single-mindedly to her studies, for exams were looming close. She kept glancing at me and grinning! I read and re-read the documents until I knew them by heart. I would be jointly liable for any failures, bankruptcies, losses in civil suits etc. I would have the additional task of deciding on the bonuses and salaries of the staff in consultation with the other partners, as well as responsibility for some of the day to day running expenses and office management.

Monday 8 May 72

On Monday the announcement was made, and I was overwhelmed by the positive reactions of the staff, all of whom seemed to think it was a good thing, and at least to my face there was no jealousy or recrimination.

Colette hugged me, Harriet hugged me, and Zena hugged me and said she was sad to be losing me as a neighbour. This seemed to be an invitation to the rest of the female staff, some of whom added kisses to the hugs.

As one of them said, "Now you're a partner we'll never get another chance!"

If I had not got Connie at home, I might have been disappointed at the prospect.

My stuff was moved into Kieran's office and I took up my new role. It was real after all; I was not dreaming.

––

Chapter Twenty Seven

Wednesday 10th May 72

On her Wednesday phone call, Connie was distressed.

"Dad has ordered me to break off my engagement to you. Apparently Mr Gresty has been in touch and Dad now holds you responsible for the severance between them. He won't believe you were innocent and reckons Gresty was paid off, and like all lawyers you've got away with it."

"I'm sorry, my darling," I said. "So what are you going to do?"

"You need to ask? I told him I would do no such thing," she said in some venom, "and he said he would cut me off financially if I refused to finish the engagement. He won't pay anything towards the flat here or my living expenses next year. But I won't give in, Graham. You come first. If I have to, I'll give up getting my degree."

The realisation came to me that we did not need Roasburie's money any more, thanks to my new position in the practice.

"Connie," I said severely, "you'll do no such thing. After my promotion we can easily afford for you to keep the flat on next year and to pay all your living expenses. You carry on. Bugger him!"

I could hear her sobbing over the phone. "Oh Graham, what have I done to deserve you? I love you so much!"

"Come on, Connie, don't cry! We can do this easily. Just concentrate on your revision. I'll see you on Friday."

"OK," she sniffed. "You're so good to me."

–-

I went to bed that night deeply resentful of the actions of her father, who originally I'd thought was on our side. It set me thinking and before falling asleep I had an idea. When I awoke the next morning, unusually the idea was still fresh and appealed even more. I looked forward to sharing it with Connie and getting her response.

So on Friday I arrived early and was waiting for her when she arrived. She hugged me looking a little frazzled.

"Desmond!" she said. "Won't take no for an answer. I told him I was not interested and he launched into a speech. I think my father had coached him! I told him your news and he was so stupid as to say you were lying! I mean, how could such a lie be sustained anyway?"

I kissed her, and then kissed her again. And again. At last she relaxed.

"You make everything right," she said as she hugged me, her head on my shoulder.

"Let's sit down," I said. "I've had an idea I want to run by you – see if you agree. And I've just had another as well!"

She sat down, and I sat next to her, turning towards her. She was all attention.

"I've had enough of all these sabotage efforts from your parents," I began.

"So have I," she agreed. "So?"

"I thought we might bring our wedding forward – as early as possible." I sat and watched her.

Her face showed it all. The idea percolated through, her brow furrowed and then the sun came out in her huge smile. Her eyes twinkled and she looked at me in admiration.

"What d'you think?" I asked.

"I don't need to think. It's a great idea. How soon can we do it?"

"We can do it right away," I said mischievously, "but the marriage will take a little longer."

She laughed and stood up.

"OK, I'll put it another way Mr Smart-Arse Lawyer. How soon can we get married?"

As she asked she began to strip, shedding her clothes one by one, blouse, skirt, bra, knickers, stockings, suspender belt. She ran her hands over her sides and up to her breasts, which she pushed together before standing with legs apart and running one hand down her stomach and cupping her sex, which she began to rub, looking her sultry best.

I stood and began to undress. "I thought end of August or early September," I said as I completed the manoeuvre by pushing down my briefs.

"Oh, yes!" she sighed, gazing at me, her glance roving from my feet where the briefs had fallen, slowly over my body. As her eyes fastened on my erect cock and then continued to appraise my stomach and chest, she licked her lips lasciviously and looked into my eyes smouldering with desire. I groaned theatrically, and she smiled with satisfaction.

"Yes," she said. "That'll give me time to get organised, but now stud, take me and roger me stupid!"

"Hey, less of the stupid!" I quipped.

"You know exactly what I mean," she growled. "Now do me."

She ran to the bedroom, her bottom swaying as she went. I was sorry it was not further to the bedroom: I could have watched that bottom all day. That flat was too small! We needed a stately home with a long gallery. What bliss!

She leapt onto the bed, lay on her back and spread her legs as wide as she could. Her sex gaped and it was obvious she was ready. I made to eat her, but she exhaled in annoyance.

"What part of 'do me' and 'roger me' don't you understand? Get that fucker into me and shag me senseless!"

She lifted her legs over her body holding her thighs. Her vagina was open in an enticing 'O'. I crawled up her and she grabbed my rigid tool and lined it up. In I went, her velvet, slick, dark sleeve offering little resistance but a soft caress.

She rested her legs on my shoulders, and grabbed her tits, mauling them, and tweaking the nipples as she gasped and groaned. I supported myself on my straight arms and gave her the pummelling for which she was begging me. My balls slapped her bottom cheeks over and over, sensitising them. One of her hands snaked down and strummed her clit as her cries and shrieks demonstrated her immediate climax.

The feeling of a firm soft vagina rippling with an orgasm is exquisite, and in my case got me off. I froze deep inside her, stock still as I felt my cock spurting my seed into her, my balls resting on her perineum which twitched delightfully in response to my gift.

She dropped her legs and pulled me down on top of her, pressing me onto her satiated body, her eyelids heavy with repletion.

Still within her, we kissed gently.

"You've no idea how wonderful it is to be taken hard and violently like that, by someone who loves you for ever."

"Even after your London experience?"

"Especially because of London, it's an immense difference. I love it from you."

My cock slipped out of her and I rolled off her to the side and we hugged.

"Are we really going to get married this summer?"

"We really are if you really want to."

"Oh, yes, I really want to. Really!"

The other thing? We needed to get her clear of Desmond Franks and with her agreement I sent a solicitor's letter complaining of Franks's attentions and demanding a change of tutor. I wondered if Roasburie might try to use his influence to prevent a change, but the University made the change without demur.

–-

June 72.

She did well in her exams and was on course for a first the following year. This time her father was nowhere to be found as the term ended, which was no surprise, but once she was back home, Penny, Martin, the 'girls' and my family were eager to congratulate her and to celebrate her success.

We announced our intention and of course all the females became a thoroughly efficient and energetic team for wedding preparations. We males were abandoned, which seemed to mean we were to keep out of the way unless needed in some ancillary rôle. Martin and I agreed it would mean spending much more time in the local pub. Opportunistic or what! and for once the females agreed! Satisfactory all round.

By the end of July, both Connie and Penny were on summer holidays and my mother completed a formidable trio always free to prepare. I was relieved to be sidelined as I settled into my new rôle at work.

There were regular partners' meetings and a deal more administrative work which the other two were delighted to pass onto me! I also retained the reputation as 'fixer' in complex transactions, mergers and takeovers. For those early months I worked extremely long hours, but the women hardly seemed to notice.

At a partners' meeting in July, I let things get to AOB.

"Patrick, David, I'm getting married to Connie this summer. Of course you're both invited to the wedding."

The two of them were wreathed in smiles.

"Congratulations Graham," said Patrick, shaking me by the hand.

"Couldn't happen to a better couple," said David continuing the shaking where Patrick left off.

"I'm thinking of a Friday, possibly in September, so I need to give you notice of that. Are you OK with Friday? David?" (I knew he would not be able to attend on Saturday it being Shabbat).

"September? As long as I can get home by seven," he said with a laugh.

Patrick looked thoughtful. "Who else were you thinking of inviting from here?"

"We haven't finalised the guest list yet, but it will definitely be Colette, Zena and Harriet, probably John, my erstwhile clerk, some of the secretaries and possibly more."

"Well," David said, "if you're having it on Friday, shall we close the office, give everyone the day off with pay?"

"Good idea," Patrick concurred. "that way everyone gets to celebrate whether they get invited to the wedding or not."

"That's a brilliant idea," I said. "So any Friday in September would be clear – I've looked in the diary."

Connie and I made the decision that we would choose the venue for the wedding meal and evening disco, and found a hotel with a reputation for superb food near the Parish Church where we were now both ringers.

The hotel had every Friday in September free, for at that time most people still mainly married on Saturdays. The Vicar also said there were no other weddings on the first and eighth of September, and so Friday the first of September was booked.

At this point I must beg indulgence having come this far. The actual ceremony was the victory over all the setbacks, diversions and suffering that I and others had to undergo. It was the putting right of a good deal of wrong, and, I have to say, it was the best thing I ever did. So I'm going to dwell on that ceremony celebrated so many years ago.

Friday 1 September 72

On Friday 1st September the sun shone all day. No really, it did!

My best man was my younger brother Jack. He and I, along with Penny, Jane and Kitty, Connie's Bridesmaids, waited in the porch as the bells rang out inviting all and sundry to the service. The ringers were giving their services free, of course, and rang a very pretty touch of Kent Minor as we waited.

Her car arrived and Connie emerged from it and took the arm of Derek who would escort her to me in the porch. There are two things to note here.

The most obvious is that Lucy and Geoffrey Roasburie were not at the wedding. They had not been excluded by anyone but themselves. The invitation had been sent, but they did not even reply. So Derek took the place of Father of the Bride.

The second is that Connie had decided with that firm jutting of the chin that brooked no refusal, that she would not be 'given away': she was no one's property. As she said, she had been treated as the property of a number of men who abused her, and she would never be property again.

"And anyway," she added to me, "if anyone deserves to bring me to the altar, it's you."

It brought a lump to my throat. So we were to walk up the aisle together, with Derek and Ingrid (as 'mother of the bride') next, then best man and bridesmaids after them.