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people who matter, don’t believe it. As for the rest, the tabloid readers, they’re not really interested in you. It’s just another titillating story to spice up breakfast or the journey to work. They don’t actually know or care about you. They won’t remember your name this time next week. If you sue, things will be a lot worse in the long run. Come on, Leo, you know it.’
    ‘You think I should just let it lie?’
    Anthony nodded.
    Leo stood up and began to pace again. ‘It makes me feel so bloody impotent.’
    ‘There must be something you can do to make good the damage without actually suing. You must know people. Isn’t there some journalist who owes you a favour? Someonewho can make sure a little more exposure is given to some truths relating to Melissa Angelicos?’
    ‘Such as?’
    Well, if you’re not the reason why her career is on the slide – what’s the real reason? Then there’s the fact that she’s been harassing you to the point where you had to take out an injunction – that’s worth a bit of coverage.’
    Leo walked to the window, brooding on this. Certainly there were strings that might be pulled. ‘Yes … Yes, I might be able to do a few things in that direction …’
    ‘If someone came to you for advice, you’d counsel them against suing – you know you would.’
    Leo nodded slowly. ‘Okay, right. I’ll explore some other avenues first …’ He turned and glanced at Anthony. ‘Do you feel like going for a drink, or did you have plans?’
    Anthony swivelled his chair and looked up at Leo. One glance from the blue eyes, one smile of invitation, and he felt his resolve weakening. Why had he been so hell-bent on keeping Leo at a distance? Fear of getting hurt again. No one was immune to that. He might as well just live for the here and now, enjoy what scraps of Leo’s companionship he could. ‘All right.’ He put away his papers, picked up his jacket, and they went downstairs and left chambers together.
    ‘You’ve talked me out of issuing a flurry of writs,’ said Leo, as they crossed Caper Court. ‘What are the chances of my dissuading you from leaving chambers?’
    Anthony made no immediate reply. Their discussion about whether or not Leo should sue for libel had beenpretty perfunctory; Anthony suspected that Leo’s mind had already been made up before he came. He’d wanted an excuse to see Anthony alone, to neutralise the atmosphere so that he could broach this subject. As they came out into Middle Temple Lane, Anthony turned to Leo. ‘Feel like braving the stares and whispers of Middle Temple Bar?’
    ‘Not much,’ said Leo. ‘But it’s better than skulking off to some anonymous pub like a guilty man. Come on.’
    There was a light buzz and a few more interested glances than usual in the crowded bar when Leo appeared, but no frosty silence or disdainful stares. A number of people went out of their way to greet him, as if in defiance of the scandal. Leo and Anthony took their drinks out to a bench in a quiet corner of the rose garden.
    ‘That wasn’t too bad,’ said Anthony.
    ‘Members of the Bar are far too civilised to behave in any other way. It’s the impact it’s going to have on my practice that I’m worried about. Anyway, forget all that.’ Leo leant back and sipped his Scotch. ‘You haven’t answered my earlier question. Are you still determined to leave chambers?’
    ‘I don’t know.’ Anthony took a drink of his beer. ‘I’m looking around, certainly.’
    ‘I don’t want you to go. Nobody does.’
    ‘So you said before,’ replied Anthony shortly. ‘I’ve got my reasons for wanting to leave.’
    ‘Can’t stand the sight of me?’
    Anthony looked very directly at Leo. ‘Quite the opposite. As you bloody well know.’
    The effect on Leo of that gaze, the depth of feeling in those brown eyes, was profound. But the risks in becoming involved with Anthony were too great for him to contemplate. ‘Come on, Anthony, can’t we put things