A/N: Set in S03E02.
Clive nearly collides with Nicola as he comes out of the robing room. "Sorry," he apologises in a gentlemanly fashion. "And sorry about the verdict."
"You did your best. The CPS will be more than happy to brief you again." The solicitor shrugs.
"That's good to hear." Clive's ego is bruised, he hasn't quite forgiven Martha for tricking him into allowing her so-called 'character witness'.
"Can I buy you a drink to commiserate?" Nicola smiles. "Or dinner, even?"
For a moment Clive is tempted. Nicola is attractive, and he's pretty pissed off with Martha. And Martha hasn't actually said that they're together, or given him anything, really, since that kiss in the courtroom…
The moment quickly passes. "I'm flattered, really. But I'm spoken for." He shrugs, trying to look more regretful than he feels.
"The defence counsel?"
"What makes you say that?"
Nicola raises her eyebrows. "You couldn't stop staring at her during the trial."
"Weighing up my opponent." Seeing that Nicola isn't buying it, Clive smiles. "Sorry. Like I said, I'm flattered."
"Not to worry." Nicola brushes his arm. "See you on the next case."
Clive does feel a slight twinge of regret watching her walk away. A few months ago he would have happily taken Nicola to bed, she didn't strike him as the sex-in-a-public-toilet type. Then his phone buzzes and he looks down to see a text from Martha. In the pub. Coming? X
He replies On my way.