I exited the practice and walked towards the shopping center. I found a seat outside and rang Mum “Hi Mum I’m finished”
“So soon. How did it go?”
“Good. I have a 2 week trial starting tomorrow”
“That’s great news. I’m lined up at Medicare at the moment. How about I meet you at the Aisha’s Coffee Shop in 20 minutes and you can tell me all about it”
“Ok Mum see you there”
I decided to ring Sarah as well to tell her my news. The call went straight through to her message bank. I left a message “Hi Sarah, just wanted to let you know I now have a job. I’ll try again later. Bye”
I got up and wandered into the shopping center I consulted a center map and located where Aisha’s Coffee Shop was, then wandered in that direction. I found myself window shopping, looking at the dresses on the shop mannequins and observing what the latest fashions were. I was stopped at one stage by a teenage girl with an Amcal chemist shirt on. She asked “Would you like to try our latest scents?” I nodded, so she took me into the store to a stool and sat me down. She handed me some scented cards which I sniffed. “Which do you like best?”
“This one” I said and handed her a card. She fetched a small bottle from behind a counter and sprayed each of my wrists.
She handed me the small bottle and saying “Take this as a sample, part of the promotion. All the Elizabeth Arden scents will be on special for the next week”
“Thank-you” I said and put the bottle in my tote bag. As I wandered further down the mall I was very aware of the floral scent that now followed me.
I found Aisha’s shop and took a seat at an empty table. A waitress approached and handed me a menu, I asked for a second menu explaining that I was meeting someone.
A couple of minutes later Eileen arrived and sat down with me. “Well tell me all about it”
I explained what had had happened and that I had accepted the offer.
“Well that’s great news. How about I shout you lunch?”
We perused the menu and I ordered a Salmon quiche and a flat white. Mum said “You must contact the lawyers and let them know you have a job. Also make sure you take the day off when you have to reappear”
Great I thought. I don’t even know the lawyers name. How to get around this problem. “Could we call in at the lawyer’s office on the way home and get it over and done with?”
“I suppose it is not far out of the way”
When we finished lunch Mum asked “Do you need any new clothes now that you have a job”
I thought of all the skirts and dresses in my wardrobe “I think I will be fine”
“I would like to buy you at least one outfit. Millicent might find your usual wardrobe a bit too risque”
I will have to take a closer look at those dresses I thought. “Ok Mum. Twist my arm”
She took me into Myers, the department store and made me try on a few different skirts. In the end I walked out with a black, knee length wrap skirt and a plain white, short sleeved shirt. It was hard to convince her that I did not need new shoes. I also had a tube of lipstick the same color as I was currently wearing.
She suggested we leave the grocery shopping till after visiting the lawyers so I found myself back in her car and soon afterwards we parked in a ‘Clients’ spot at an office block at the city fringe. Mum said she would visit a craft shop she pointed out across the road and that I should fetch her when I was finished.
With trepidation I walked to the office building. I was happy to see there was only one legal firm listed on the directory by the front door. I made my way up to the third floor and entered ‘Cockerell and Jones Lawyers’ I approached the front desk. There was no-one present. I pressed the button that said ‘Ring for assistance’.
Nothing happened. I was about to press the button a second time when from behind me a man’s voice asked “Can I help you?”
I turned around he was a tall man, in a suit and looked to be in his mid 30’s.
Before I could say anything he said “Oh Miss McKenzie, I didn’t recognize you from behind”
“I just wanted to let you know I now have been to see the psychologist and now have a job also. I was also wondering what the next step is?”
“That’s good news, I have a few minutes, come to my office and I can explain the next step”
I followed him down a hallway we entered an office I took note of the name on the door ‘Malcolm Price’
He took out a notepad and I gave him the details as to when I had seen the psychologist and where I would be working.
He said “The next court appointment is on the April 23” My new birthday I thought. “I will advise the magistrate that you are now employed. That should work in your favor. I expect, barring a poor psychologist report that you will get off with a fine and no conviction” He looked at me “Plan to be at the courthouse the whole day on the 23rd. Wear something similar to what you have on at the moment. You look much more respectable. Appearances really do matter”
I wondered what Jenna had worn to the last court appearance. “One more question. Am I bound to live at my parents while on bail or could I stay with my sister”
“Does your sister live in town?”
“Yes”
”We could ask the court for a change, but the courts move slowly. It could end up delaying your sentencing. My advice would be to stay where you are. We are only talking 2 weeks”
“Thank-you Mr Price. I probably should get going. Mum is waiting outside”