OKAY SO HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER

HOPE YOU ENJOY

HOPEFULLY WILL BE UPDATING AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FROM NOW ON, BUT IT'S ME, SO I DON'T KNOW :S

DISCLAIMER: I STILL DON'T OWN TKAM, OR EVEN ATTICUS, MUCH TO MY DISTASTE…

The morning came too quickly for Irene, and not soon enough for Atticus.

Irene had risen slowly, trying to put off the impending doom of another first

day at a new job. Well at least I know Atticus, she thought to herself

whilst washing her face. She dried herself and proceeded to take her hair down and smooth it into the wavy bob she had when she was making an effort. Usually her dark brown, naturally curly, hair formed loose ringlets and when she was in her overalls decorating, gardening, or shifting things it stuck up with the static from whatever labour intensive work she was doing. She wasn't a person who sat back and watched people do work, she liked getting her hands dirty, much to other women's disgrace.

Once she had finished with her hair she did her make-up, making her big green eyes stand out, with only the slightest bit of the stuff she generally avoided.

'Louisa?' she shouted to her friend who then came rushing down the corridor, 'what lipstick?' she asked, Louisa smiled.

'Look at you makin' an effort! You tryin' to impress that fella' from last night missy?' she laughed at Irene's blushing cheeks.

'No, I don't even know him! Just trying to look alright for work, it's bad enough trying to get work as a woman, so I need to at least look smart'

'You're right, and the red one, goes with your hair' Louisa said, walking out the room. 'You havin' breakfast this morning?'

'No, I'm in a rush' came the reply from the bathroom.

'No, didn't think so' Louisa whispered to herself.

Atticus was sat in his kitchen; he'd finished his breakfast ages ago and was now becoming impatient. What's the matter with me? He thought. Do I really want to see her that badly? Well best be of to work anyway, the walk might clear my head…

Irene skipped down the stairs and out onto the porch of her house, Louisa got up from her seat and walked over to her.

'Mum said she was coming over tonight if that's alright with you?' she said to her.

'Of course it is, your mum's amazing, Calpurnia is always welcome in any house of mine' Irene replied smiling and spinning around to head off to work. It was another hot day in Maycomb, to accommodate to the high temperature; she wore a thin white blouse tucked into her long, but cool, straight skirt. She placed her hat firmly on her head, and started to descend to steps on her porch.

'See you later on, I'll cook dinner tonight, you need to spend time with your mother!' turning back towards Louisa, Louisa nodded and waved a goodbye before returning back inside the house.

'Good morning Miss Graham' came a slightly familiar, deep voice, Irene turned around and was greeted by a beaming Atticus Finch.

'And what a fine morning it is too, Mr Finch' she said, smiling also 'And how are you today, Sir?'

'I very well, thank you Miss Graham, and you?'

'Please call me Irene, people only ever call me Miss Graham when I'm in trouble, and that hasn't been since I was at school' she laughed 'I think…' she finished frowning.

Atticus frowned also, 'Are you nervous for your first day?' he asked, changing the subject.

Irene shook herself, 'Ah, yes I am, very nervous, it's hard enough to get a job as a woman, so the pressure is on first impressions' she hurriedly said, sighing, as they began walking along in the direction of town.

'Well, you do give a good impression, even if you are falling over the pavement' he chuckled, his eyes sparkling.

They carried on walking and joking together until they reached the courthouse.

'Are you ready?' Atticus asked

'No' she said, shaking her head.

'You'll be perfectly fine, come on' he reassured her gesturing for her to follow him up the steps.

'Thank you Mr Finch' she breathed, nodding to him.

'Atticus, call me Atticus' he said with a smile, and went on inside.

Irene looked up at the building, well here goes nothing she thought, and followed the handsome lawyer inside.

REVIEWS WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED! THANK YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!