Chapter 2
Nikki stood across the street from the large glass and steel building watching the people coming and going from her new workplace. Chapman and Howell's brand new building was practically a monument to modern architecture, incorporating clean lines and the latest green ideas which were fast becoming the rage in construction and architecture circles. She had to give Henry Chapman credit; he was definitely a follower of the go big or go home philosophy.
None of this knowledge helped put Nikki at ease. As she stood there on the sidewalk listening to the soft patter of rain drops falling lightly on her umbrella and her heart beating wildly in her chest she sighed, "Here goes," she muttered softly to herself as she nervously made her way across the street, weaving through the parked cars as she reached the curb. A doorman enthusiastically pulled open one of the large glass doors as Nikki approached, "top of the morning to you ma'am," he said, touching the brim of his cap. A nervous grimace was all that Nikki could manage in return. She shook the tiny drops of water that still clung to her umbrella off and made her way across the expansive lobby to the reception desk. Her heels clicked softly on the granite floor as she walked.
She was greeted at reception by a petite, round faced blonde woman who didn't look a day older than seventeen. "How can I help you?" she said, her smile broadening to show off her perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. "I have an eight o'clock appointment with Mr Chapman, Nicola Wade," Nikki replied, glad to hear that her voice did not sound at all as nervous as she felt.
"One moment please," the blonde smiled up at Nikki as she reached out a tiny, perfectly manicured hand toward a key pad on the desk. "Good morning Mr Chapman," she said into a microphone positioned in front of her fire engine red lips, "there is a Miss Wade for you sir." She listened for a few seconds, nodded, "certainly sir," she said as her eyes came to rest on Nikki's. "Mr Chapman is expecting you," she said, and gestured with her hand toward the elevators to her left. "He is on the eighth floor; walk straight out the elevator and through the glass doors, there will be someone waiting to escort you through to Mr Chapman's office."
"Thank you," Nikki said as she turned on her heels and made her way toward the bank of elevators. Her mind began to race as she stepped through the steel doors, all her doubts about accepting this job began to push themselves to the surface of her consciousness. "Suck it up Wade," she thought to herself as the doors slid open noiselessly on the eighth floor. "This could be the best thing that has ever happened to you, and besides, if it all works out you'll be making a big difference in people's lives, people going through exactly what you went through just about a decade ago." Hell, was it that long ago? To Nikki the memories were so clear and sharp that it could have been just yesterday.
Filled with an ever growing sense of purpose she pushed open the glass doors across from the elevators with ease and immediately spotted the tall, lanky man sporting a pair of fashionable glasses and a well fitted suit. Everything about the man shouted efficiency and perfection. Not a hair on his head was out of place and his every movement seemed to have a specific purpose. His eyes locked onto Nikki as she approached him, "Miss Wade", he said in a soft silky voice as he reached out with his right hand to greet her, "I am Philip Elliot, Mr Chapman's P.A." "Mr Chapman is expecting you, follow me please," he said as he turned quickly to his right and lead Nikki to a heavy oak door. Phillip knocked twice and immediately opened the door, gesturing for Nikki to enter. He pulled the door closed behind them and turned to address the small, balding, grey haired man behind the desk, "Nicola Wade for you sir," he said with just the slightest lilt of an Irish accent coming through.
"Ah, thank you Philip," he said as he raised his small frame from his leather desk chair and removed the rimless glasses from their perch on the edge of his nose. "Miss Wade," he said as he made his way around the desk, "it is a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh." "Thank you sir," Nikki replied as she shook the small man's hand. She regarded him carefully for a few moments as he leaned up against the corner of his desk and asked Philip to bring in some tea for the two of them. She still found it hard to believe that this small, unremarkable looking man of about fifty was actually one of the most talented barristers in London. Looks could be deceiving…
When Philip had left, Henry Chapman's bright blue eyes came to rest on Nikki's face. His dainty frame, smiling face and balding grey hair made him look like a kindly school master, but those sparkling blue eyes betrayed the intelligence and drive hidden behind them. He appraised Nikki from head to toe from his perch on the corner of his desk.
"Well Miss Wade," he finally said as he folded his arms across his chest, "I've heard many good things about you over the past few months." He watched Nikki carefully, as if reading her reaction to every word he said. "You may not have noticed, but I attended the last case you defended. I make it my business to personally see all my future employees in action before their position is finalised, you have an impressive presence in the court room for someone with so little experience. And from what I've seen you are vigorous and passionate about justice." "Thank you sir, I try to do my best," she said, pride filling her voice. "To be honest, I was not originally considering you for this position. I was looking for someone with several years more experience and a more well known reputation," he paused and watched Nikki to read her reaction to this revelation. To be honest, she wasn't at all surprised, this was quite a startling offer and she was still waiting for someone to tell her it was all a joke. She nodded, never letting her eyes stray from Mr Chapman's face.
"This is going to be quite a change for you, stepping into a position in a private firm of this stature and there will be many people out there watching you, waiting for you to fail. Now it is my firm opinion that you will rise to the occasion Miss Wade," he said as a smile played on his lips, "and I am very rarely wrong." "Thank you sir," Nikki said, returning his smile. How was it possible that his words could fill her with both confidence and trepidation all at the same time?
"Right, I take it you have the gist of how this will be working, but I will send Claire to see you once Philip has you settled in and she can give you a more thorough brief. Rumour has it you two are old friends." Nikki's heart skipped a beat, she'd always known he would know everything about her past and had wondered if it would be held against her now, it certainly had been previously.
He seemed to read her thoughts, something must have flashed across her face at that moment, "don't be worried Miss Wade, I consider your past experiences to be an advantage to you in this profession, not a hindrance. You have more insight into these matters than even I have, use it to you advantage, don't let it stand in your way."
Henry Chapman removed a small pocket watch from the breast pocket of his waistcoat and glanced at it quickly, "Now Miss Wade, you'll have to excuse me, I have a rather important appointment in a courtroom across town. I'm sure Philip will be able to handle anything else you need," he said with a sparkle in his eye. Nikki stood, and shook Mr Chapman's hand, "Thank you for this opportunity sir, you won't be disappointed."
The door behind her had opened noiselessly and Nikki hadn't noticed Philip until he was by her side. "Let's get Miss Wade settled in Philip, I'm off to the courthouse, I will leave her in your all too capable hands," Henry Chapman said as he thread his arms into his jacket sleeves. With a small nod Philip turned and led Nikki from the room. "Let's start with a quick tour shall we?" he said as he closed the door behind him.