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Clive entered the hospital and asked for directions to the maternity ward. He had to physically stop himself from flirting with the woman on reception. What was the matter with him?

When he arrived at Martha's ward, he was told that the police were with her. Just as he was turning to find the nearest waiting room, he saw Niamh walking towards him carrying a holdall. "Clive?"

"Hi." His eyes fell on the bag. "Is that for Martha?"

"Yes, it's just some clothes and books. I'm really sorry about the baby, Clive."

"Thanks. I'll take that if you want." Niamh handed him the bag. "See you tomorrow."

When Clive got to Martha's bed, he saw that she had fallen asleep. He placed the bag next to the bed and sat at her side, watching her sleep until visiting hours ended.

The next morning, Martha awoke to the sound of the alarm on her phone. She saw a text from Billy saying that Kate was taking over the Draper case and not to worry. She lay still for a moment and then got up and began to dress from the bag of clothes that Niamh must have left.

She had a trial to get to.

"You up to speed on this one?" Clive inquired as Martha entered the courtroom.

"Yes," said Martha, trying not to look too flustered. She had managed to avoid Clive fairly successfully in the month that had passed since Nottingham. "Are you co-defending?" Billy hadn't mentioned that she would be sharing this one with Clive.

"Yeah, big softie this judge. Let's go for it together eh, Marth?" He gave her his most charming smile.

"Well, I've got a big trial starting in court one in half an hour," Martha said, glancing at her watch.

Clive took in her slightly harassed appearance. "Well, I've got no mitigation to speak of and you're poor, vulnerable and pregnant. How hard can it be? We'll be twenty minutes, tops."

"Stop saying 'tops' like you're someone normal Clive, you went to Harrow," Martha scoffed as she grabbed her files and rushed for the door.

Martha stood and stared out of the Chambers window. She remembered standing here before, telling Billy that she wasn't going to have an abortion after all.

Maybe she had never deserved this baby.

She turned at the sound of the door opening and saw Clive enter. Quickly she turned back to the window. In a moment Clive had crossed the room and stood facing her. Before she could say anything he leaned forward and pulled her into his arms. Gasping softly, she let her arms come up and press against his back as he held her.

As they pulled apart Billy interrupted. Martha went straight to him and handed him the medal, determined to see Gary Rush brought to justice. She swept into the boardroom, stopping to greet Alan, who kissed her on both cheeks and expressed his condolences.

As they gathered for the moot, Kate approached Clive. "Have you heard?" Clive smiled. Kate stroked his shirt. "This is it!" Clive enjoyed the flirtation. He liked Kate, they had had a thing when she first joined Shoe Lane, but it hadn't gone anywhere. She was probably the only person at Chambers, besides Martha, who saw through all his bullshit and liked him anyway.

They sat with Clive and Martha at the front of the group as Nick and Niamh carried out their speeches. It pained Martha to see Nick make a fool of himself. She had felt proud of him in court earlier, had thought she had underestimated him. Niamh, by contrast, was perfectly professional. Then as they were about to vote, the door swung open and Niamh burst back in.

"I've been given an unfair advantage."

Niamh stood in front of the crowd, determined to tell the truth. It was bad enough that she had caused Martha to lose her baby. She wasn't going to be responsible for taking Nick's career away too.

"You can't help who your father is, Niamh," said Clive quickly. Niamh saw the warning in his eyes. In a moment her resolve faded. She didn't want to get Clive in trouble. "No," she muttered and turned to leave.

"Why did you go back in?" Nick asked as she came out.

"Never mind. Let's go for a drink."

"This, well it's the biggest moment of my career, it's everything I've worked for. But having two letters after my name doesn't mean anything, if I don't have this, and all of you."

As soon as Billy followed Martha outside, Kate went straight to her desk and began clearing her files. Clive went after her. "What are you doing?"

"Touching as Martha's speech was, we both know Billy will make my life a misery if I stay," Kate snapped. "It's alright for you, you're his golden boy, he'll forgive you anything."

"Where will you go?" Clive asked.

"Not to our new Chambers." Kate stood up and gave Clive a look of barely concealed contempt. "I never should have relied on you getting silk. Of course it was going to be her."

Clive had no answer for that as Kate pushed past him and walked out of Shoe Lane.

Billy was working late when Alan tapped at the door to the clerks' room. "So, what happened with Mr Reader's silk application?"

Billy sat back in his chair. "I phoned Judge Cranitch, told him about Mr Reader sleeping with his daughter."

"Jesus, Billy," Alan exhaled.

"He would have destroyed this set, sir. Something had to be done."

Alan nodded. "Under the circumstances, I think it's better that neither pupil joins Chambers. Nick Slade is clearly incompetent, and Niamh staying would look rather distasteful."

"What about John, sir?" Billy asked.

"Oh, I think he can be forgiven on this occasion," said Alan lightly. "Miss Brockman taking the decision to leave makes things easier."

"Yes, sir."

"Things are going to have to change around here, Billy," Alan eyed the senior clerk steadily. "Make sure you're not one of the changes."

As soon as Martha got home she went straight to the record player and put on her favourite song. The music filled her head, blocking out painful memories as she wrapped her arms around herself, tears rolling down her face as she swayed.

Love me, please love me, all the long night through...

When the song ended she sat down at the kitchen table with a beer in her hand and pulled back the pink ribbon on the brief Billy had given her to see, again, the result of all her hard work.

Martha Costello, QC

Tomorrow was another day.