Gemini Rain by Lj McEvoy

highlight her full lips and chestnut eyes, always describing her eyes that way they were too beautiful to him to be called just dark brown. She looked wonderful he admitted just like she always did, a woman who always cared and expressed herself to the best of her ability, she’s a natural she never has to try, ‘ Christ David look at what you’re losing, what you’ve lost. ’
    Checking his watch the Judge noted with surprise it was close to his two hour lunch break so hastily ended the proceedings by stating that he wished to re-read the report on the children’s preferences, his judgement would be delivered that afternoon. The assembled rose with relief sweeping through the courtroom, except that is for David.
    ‘Well that went better than expected,’ Jacques, David’s solicitor tried to sound enthusiastic.
    ‘Did it? I don’t know,’ David was doubtful knowing Jac ques was trying to make the events of the morning sound better than it actually was, ‘honestly do you think I’ll even get limited access?’ he was trying to prepare himself for the worst.
    ‘Of course you’ll get something out of this!’ Jacques sounded overly optimistic, David thought he should remind his friend he was a solicitor and not to give up the day job just yet.
    ‘Listen, I told you in the beginning it was going to be a battle for the children and the Judge has accepted the fact that you’ve agreed to the terms of your marital contract, even adding the extras makes it look good. But why did you continue the affair with Ja c queline Orliac and so bloody publicly?’ Jacques stated that last part with vehemence and in a whisper.
    David cringed feeling that elevator effect on his stomach as soon as her name was mentioned.  It was a publicity stunt set up by his agent but the advice from Jacques over one of their usual dinner meetings, (Jacques loved meeting his famous clients in restaurants), was not to go to the Premiere with her but what could David do? He needed the publicity and so did she; the film offers were slowing down and anyhow he and Francoise were legally s eparated at the time.  That same week after the Premiere , David handed a contract for an Italian film into Jacques office, ensuring it was done personally to prove to his solicitor friend that all was not lost when it came to publicity stunts.
    His agent and manager (also Jacqueline’s agent and manager David found out later) put him under pressure to have Ja c queline Orliac - a famous French soft-porn actress - by his side. As usual, her advances were too much for him, he was a man after all, and now they had a tempestuous on-off relationship he truly regretted , even though he and Francoise were separated at this stage . This time it’s got to end for good, ‘there, decision made,’ he said aloud.
    ‘What?’ Jacques looked up as he stuffe d his papers into his briefcase he was debating with himself what restaurant would be suitable under these circumstances and thought he missed something important.
    ‘Nothing, just thinking aloud,’ David became embarrassed as he noticed a concerned look growing on his friend’s face.
    T he traditional French two-hour bre ak for lunch edged by for David then waiting in the courtroom for the Judge to return was even slower. Looking around he regretted the fact that Francoise’s solicitor succeeded in getting this into a public court – was the bastard going to win this argument too? Beads of sweat were forming on his brow, a dampness sticking his shirt to his back; his hands were shaking so he held them tightly trying to control them. Feeling his broad shoulders beginning to slouch he checked himself giving his body a jerk to sit upright, chest out emulating his pride – ‘ the stance’ one of his friends called it.
    Eventually the Judge arrived commencing with his verdict, speaking to David and Francoise as if he was a headmaster correcting two children after a fight in the schoolyard and directing most of his