A/N: Set in S03E05.
"Harriet, can I have a word?"
Harriet nods and Martha checks over her shoulder. The clerks' room is empty except for the two of them.
"I want you to have a word with Amy, get her to drop this complaint against Billy."
"Why would I do that?"
"I can't say how I know, but there's no way Billy did what Amy said. At least, not in the way that she thinks. It was a misunderstanding."
"What kind of misunderstanding?" Harriet does seem to be listening, so Martha presses on.
"Billy wanted Amy to vote for me as head of chambers. He wants Shoe Lane to stay a defence chambers. He's supporting me like you're supporting Clive."
"Maybe, but you don't see me putting my hand on pupils' knees to get their vote."
"Billy is old school." Martha tries to explain. "In his day it was considered fine for a clerk to get a bit handsy with a pupil. But he's not some kind of sexual harasser. Believe me, I've dealt with plenty of them."
"I think you're biased, because of your friendship with Billy." Harriet leans over her computer, dismissing Martha.
"That's why I can't talk to Amy about this. But she likes you, she'll listen to you. Billy was out of order and he knows it. If you get Amy to drop it, we can all move on."
"Billy had his chance to apologise. He didn't take it."
"That's because he's going through some personal stuff at the moment."
"I'm sorry, Martha." Harriet shakes her head. "It's time for 'old school' methods like Billy's to die out."
Martha can see that Harriet won't be persuaded, so she nods and turns for the door.
"Martha," Harriet calls after her. "It's nothing personal, head of chambers. I'm sure you'd do a good job."
"You just like Clive better."
"I like prosecution better."
"Even if someone's innocent, like Billy?" Martha leaves with that parting shot.