I started to laugh. ‘Jay, I’m not interested in dating you and if that’s the only reason you brought me back today, I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time.’
He looked a little defeated but smiled. ‘You can’t blame a guy for trying.’
‘Under normal circumstances, no,’ I said, ‘but in a work situation . . . given our very brief history, it’s entirely inappropriate. Wouldn’t you agree?’
He shrugged like a two-year-old.
‘I’m sure your boss will be able to help you understand when I tell him. Pete Kirby is the owner, right? I mean, I’m not certain that this is tantamount to sexual harassment but—’
‘Six full pages,’ he interrupted. ‘Six full page adverts and we forget this.’
‘Eight.’
‘Fine.’
I opened my folder again and clicked my pen, triumphantly.Clickety-click, you little prick.
Tuesday May 9th
Having secured enough business to get Frank off my back for the next few weeks, today was a breeze. I’m still stunned at the sheer cheek of Jay bloody Dainty but when I remember back to the first time we met, I was drawn to his arrogance. He pretty much told me I was going home with him that evening, like I had no choice in the matter. I liked that self-assured cockiness in my twenties. Now I just find it irritating.
Kelly decided to reorganise her already perfectly organised desk in an attempt to, as Brian put it,Feng-Shui it to fuck.
‘Clear desk, clear mind, Brian,’ she insisted, her eyes scanning his desk with contempt. ‘There’s nothing wrong with making sure things run as efficiently as possible.’
‘Is that what you tell your fiancé in bed?’ he sniggered.
She sighed. ‘No, Brian, it’s what I tell your dad.’
From across the office, Lucy could be heard picking up the phone and saying, ‘Hello? Is that the police? Yes, I’d like to report a brutal owning please.’
Sometimes I wish everyone would just get along but this is far more entertaining.
Wednesday May 10th
Even though I don’t get periods anymore (God bless this coil), I still find myself getting a tad emotional around the time they’re due. Today was no different. I had a little weep over both Oliver’s indiscretion with Bethany and the spot on my chin before my mood abruptly swung me the other way and I screamed along to Hole on my iPod while I tidied Molly’s room. I feel much better now. Thank God I wasn’t in work or Frank would have been missing a limb.
Thursday May 11th
Work was especially dull today as Lucy had the day off and I was left alone with Kelly, Brian and Frank for company. I helped Kelly out on a deadline with the health and beauty section before Frank called me into his office. As usual, he made me sit for a couple of minutes while he finished off emails before swivelling around to face me.
‘Thanks for waiting. I wanted to let you know that there’s a managerial meeting in London in August, which I’ll be attending, and I thought it might be a good idea if you came along too.’
‘Me? Why?’ I asked, watching him fiddle with an elastic band.
‘We need a deputy here and I think you’d be the most suitable. It’s only an overnight trip but it’ll give you a chance to meet the MD.’
I stared blankly at him. ‘Frank, why on earth would you think I’d be interested in being the deputy? I’m fairly certain you’re aware that this job isn’t my goal career.’
He gave a throaty snigger. ‘Phoebe, you’re not twenty anymore. You’re a woman of a certain age with a family. This might not be your goal career, but you’ve certainly been here long enough. What else are you qualified to do?’
His words felt like a punch in the stomach. Never mind that he was speaking out of turn or that he was a condescending bastard, he had a point.
‘Just because I haven’t figured out that part yet, doesn’t mean—’
‘You’d need to come back full-time, of course, but it’s an additional eight grand on top of your salary, plus petrol allowance and expenses.’
I shook my head. ‘Why not ask Kelly? She’s dying to get into a managerial role. She likes it here.’
