Legal Prejuduce 3 - Lessons In Life

Chapter 26

The Cannon deal was still moving, albeit slowly due to the complexity of the differences between the US and UK health systems. As Allie had warned the Cannon board at the start of the project, working through the regulatory, operational and contractual elements had taken time, but the benefit of the diligence was that Cannon now knew exactly what synergies and process improvements they could achieve from the acquisition. The HRM team had regular meetings with the Cannon team and occasional sessions with Simon in London. To Allie's relief working with Antonia was easier than she expected. Although periodically spiky she seemed to have a grudging respect for the legal team and how they interpreted her the results of her medical perspectives in the various contracts. There were also meetings with Cannon's accountants to translate the legal arrangements into financial projections. They commented positively on the commercial insight and consideration HRM were bringing to the deal and consequently Cannon's future bottom line.

Max called for Allie at lunchtime so they could walk over to a café a few blocks away to meet Landon. Max had a meeting so he could only stay for thirty minutes, but Allie was looking forward to catching up. Landon was already there looking at his phone when they arrived and he slapped Max on the back and leaned down to kiss Allie. They ordered and Landon said, "So what's new in HRM-land." Max chuckled, "Well, not strictly HRM-land but Nathan's moving in with Tom." Landon grinned, "Still going strong then. I can't believe the change in Nathan, he's like a different guy. I just wish he'd met Tom sooner." Allie squeezed his hand, "Thing is Landon he met Tom just at the point he needed to. Maybe if he'd have met him earlier he wouldn't have been ready to open up to him and they wouldn't have got together. Landon hummed and their lunch arrived.

As they ate Max said, "Well Tom isn't the only member of his family romancing a lawyer." Landon raised his eyebrows as Allie smiled and said, "Yeah, Tom's sister Jessica has started seeing Chris." Landon nodded, "Oh I see. Is she anything like Tom?" Max snorted, "She's exactly like Tom in a skirt." Allie burst out laughing and Landon chuckled. "And how's it going?" Allie glanced at Max, "I think it's going really well. He's taking it slowly, but I think they're really well matched and this time it's someone he's got to know as a friend first. So it feels like it's built on something solid you know." Landon's face softened at Allie's words and he glanced at Max who rubbed her shoulder and said, "Yeah, he's done good."

Eventually Max glanced at his watch and sighed, "I'll have to run. Got this client meeting." He stood up, squeezed Landon's shoulder and kissed Allie's head, "See you later Allie honey. Take your time, there's nothing back in the office that won't wait and you've been working like crazy this week." Left alone Landon said, "And how's little Rose getting on?" Allie laughed, "Well, the meltdown's are calming down a little bit and I can see she's trying really hard to do what she told, just doesn't always pay off." Landon laughed and Allie said, "She's really excited about starting kindergarten next August. It's different here. In the UK she'd have started this year." Landon went to answer but somehow the words wouldn't come out. Allie realised with a rising sense of panic that his face had dropped slightly on one side. She grabbed his hand and said, "Landon, are you okay?" His vision had become blurred for a second but then cleared and he managed to choke out, "Just felt a bit strange. Okay now though." Allie picked up a serviette and gently wiped where some saliva was trickling out of his mouth and looked carefully. He smiled as she did it and she thought that even though the smile was a little uneven, the droop she'd noticed had almost gone. She squeezed his hand, "Landon we need to get you to the ER." Landon shook his head, "I'm absolutely fine now, no need for that." Allie's face was etched with concern and she crouched next to him, "Landon, something happened just now and I'm sure you're right and it's just nothing, but I've lost enough people in my life and I can't bear for anything to happen to the ones I have left. After what happened to Michael I just need to be sure, know you're okay." Her eyes had filled with tears and he nodded. Before he could say anything else she got up and went to the counter where she settled up and asked them to call a taxi for her to get them to the ER. Within minutes it had arrived and it dropped them outside the hospital. As it was mid-afternoon it wasn't busy and Allie noticed the sign showing the wait time said three minutes. Turning to Landon she smiled, "Looks like this'll be quick, let's just check in at reception." Landon gave them his details and within a minute of them taking a seat a doctor appeared who Allie recognised. He smiled approaching her and said, "Hi, I don't know if you remember me I'm Stephen Nowak. I met you when you came in with appendicitis." Allie nodded, "Yes, Hi, I do remember." She laughed and pulled a face, "I wasn't at my best that day!" He smiled in response, "Yeah, you were really sick, glad to see you looking so well. Would you guys come with me and we can see what's gone on today." They followed him into a cubicle and Allie explained what had happened. Landon shook his head and said from his perspective it felt like a transitory lack of connection to his body, but he felt absolutely normal now. Stephen looked thoughtful and said, "Okay, probably nothing to be concerned about, but I'd like to take a look at you and I'll order a few tests." Landon sighed and Allie rubbed his arm as Stephen said, "I'll take Allie back to the waiting room on my way to order the tests and be back in a minute."