‘I’m sorry. For everything.’
The tears escape me before I can stop them. I shake my head as he moves to console me, stepping away from our booth. I don’t want his touch anymore. ‘Bye, Ollie.’
I’m halfway across the bar when the smoking woman calls to me, paralysing me in fear.
‘Do you have a lighter?’
I look at her lit cigarette. ‘Sorry, no.’
‘See? British. Told you, didn’t I?’
Chapter Fifty-Two
WILL
Day Eighteen
Oh God, I’mdefinitelyin trouble. Clive calling.
With a groan, I pick up the phone, and then I channel a tone as bright as the sun.
‘Hello, Will speaking.’
If I’m going to be fired, then I want to get it over and done with. There’s no point pretending that everything will be okay. After all, I did stop turning up to work.
‘Oh,Will. Youhaveto ignore what people are about tosayabout me,’ Clive says, sounding desperate. ‘A ratherstickysomething hascroppedup, and now I have found myself… well, in theshitter.People arenoton my side, and Iknowyou have beenunwell, and you will no doubt havevaluedmy support of you takingthetime off you needed. So I would appreciate, if you would simplytellthem howgoodI have been to you.’
‘Sorry, Clive, I don’t understand?’
Clive clears his throat. ‘Listen, youmusttell Rebecca thetruth.People are saying I amcruel,and it simply isn’ttrue.’
‘Who is saying that?’ I ask, recalling all the nights Clive told me to work overtime with no pay.
‘Oh, just theentireoffice,’ Clive moans. ‘Nasty littlethings,they are. That newmemberof staff, well, shewasa plant. Sent in byHR tospyon me. Didn’t like it whenIshouted at her for being astupidwoman. Thiswokegenerationthinghas gone ateenybit too far. No, yes, all will be okay. Just the smallmatterofsuspension?—’
‘Suspension?’ I gasp. This is a lot of information to be taking in right now.
My phone vibrates again, another call coming through. Glancing at it, I recognise the office number.
My need for gossip is too strong.
‘Sorry, Clive, someone is ringing me.’
‘Is it the office?’
‘It is.’
‘Oh,don’tanswer,’ Clive begins, but I’ve already put him on hold.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, is that Will?’
‘Will it is.’
Why did I say it like that?
‘Hi, Will, this is Rebecca. Head of human resources.’
