AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A blur of blue flashed past, along the road on the left ridge of her property. She couldn’t see the car but heard the rumble of its engine. Time to test her handyman skills and lock the front gate. Was that enough to keep uninvited people out? She hoped she never had to find out.
Noah dropped home for lunch after his road trip to the next town for screws.
Pen in hand, he was scribbling a new verse when Otis barked right before a knock sounded at the door. It also came mid-bite on the chicken and avocado sandwich he’d just made. He was still chewing as he swung the door open.
‘Are you Noah Hawthorn?’ It was an authoritative and stern voice.
He nodded. Otis was dutifully by his side, his tail wagging. No guard dog there.
‘You’ve been officially served with these court documents.’ The man in his black trousers and white shirt with thin tie, walked away after shoving the papers into Noah’s hands.
Weird. He ripped open the A4 envelope and scanned the cover letter. The bite of sandwich he’d eaten threatened to come back up.
What the heck?
He read the words again. Lisa had instituted proceedings in the Family Court for permission to move Emily to Brisbane ... because he’d refused to give consent. There was an affidavit attached to an application calling him to court. His body slumped into the chair and he pushed the plate away, his appetite gone. Otis sat at his feet, intuitive, and rested his head on his knee.
Noah poured himself a shot of whisky and devoured each word in the documents. At the end he turned the last page and folded the documents neatly back into the envelope, left the tumbler untouched and went out.
Minutes later he stood in the reception of Reid & Co Lawyers. ‘I need to see the lawyer urgently,’ he informed the receptionist, his voice surprisingly steady.
‘We see clients by appointment.’ The monotone and unemotional reply did not appreciate his entire world was falling apart. With her head down, the girl behind the counter scrolled through an old-school hard back diary checking for availability. ‘Mr Reid has time at three p.m. tomorrow?’
The door swung open and Lincoln Reid entered the foyer area carrying a plastic tub of salad and a can of Diet-Coke.
‘I need to see you please.’ Noah had never had the need for Lincoln’s services before but recognised him from around town and social events.
‘And who might you be, young man?’ The man tucked a newspaper under his arm.
‘Noah Hawthorn.’ Noah reached out his hand to shake but the lawyer’s hands were full of his lunch.
The man sighed. ‘And what’s the urgency on this fine Tuesday afternoon?’
‘I’ve been served with family law papers.’ Noah avoided the man’s eyes. ‘I really need some advice.’
‘Sienna?’ the lawyer questioned the receptionist.
‘You have a teleconference in thirty minutes. The Hardcastle matter.’
Turning back to Noah, he said, ‘You have twenty-eight minutes and I’m eating my lunch while we talk.’
‘Thank you.’ Noah followed him into his office. It was poky and small and not what he’d imagined a lawyer’s office to be. Beige walls, beige carpet and brown curtains with brown leather seats gave the room an unappealing mediocrity. Papers and folders were scattered from one end of the desk to the other.
‘Yes, I know. It’s a mess. I’m the only lawyer here. My niece is studying her degree and has agreed to cut her teeth and come out and help me when she graduates, but that’s not for another few years. It’s impossible to employ anyone out here. And when I do, they don’t stick around.
‘Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Lincoln Reid, proprietor and lawyer at your service.’ With a crack Reid opened his plastic tub of salad and dug his fork in. ‘Let me see those.’ He held his other hand out for the papers.
Munching on one, then two, then three mouthfuls, he read the material. ‘Okay, your wife is seeking orders that your daughter live with her in Brisbane and spend time with you. It says she’s tried to negotiate with you but you refuse to allow her to move Emily …’
‘She moved anyway.’
‘Okay, we’ll get to that. She says she has family support in Brisbane to help with Emily and that is where new partner works. There is everything the little girl could possibly dream of in Brisbane and your daughter has been enrolled in school there, ballet classes, gymnastics, swimming lessons and has made good friends. Plus, they live in a brand-new home in a newly developed suburb with available amenities.’ Lincoln munched some more. ‘Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?’
Was he being serious? Noah wasn’t sure.
‘So, what’s your version?’
‘My version?’
