Teddy finally met my eyes, and, yep, she was definitely panicking.Idid my best to soften my face and stepped towards her, then realisedI’dstepped too close in the cramped space, soIshuffled back a bit again.
“I promise you, it’s fine,”Isaid. “Ifyou want to play,I’mhappy to have you there.EvenasNashala.”
“You sure?”Teddyasked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.Ismiled reassuringly.
“Yes.Definitely.”
Damnit,Ithought.LookslikeI’llhave to play nice.
Once we’d cleared the table and chairs, we sat down on opposite sides, our laptop screens hitting against one another in the middle.Iwas pretty sure neither of us had them at a comfortable angle, but we were both on our best behaviour, which meant compromise.
Teddy muttered to herself enough for me to garner that she was ordering plants of some sort, andItuned her out as bestIcould.Iopened my own emails, then groaned as soon asIsaw the first one.
From: [email protected]
Subject:RE:RE:RE:Sabbatical
Chloe,I’msorry, but you can’t ignore this problem anymore.Ifyou don’t get this paperwork sorted, you’re going to be terminated.I’vetried to ring you several times to no avail.IfIdon’t hear from you by the end of today,I’llhave to start the termination process.Pleasedon’t make me do this.
Regards,
Simone
Ouch.Noteven a “Warmregards”.
I supposedIhad been ignoring lots of calls recently.Though, to be fair, looking at the number that had rung me as recently as two hours ago, it was only one digit off from a number that had been repeatedly trying to sell me bogus insurance.
“Is everything okay?”
I looked up from my phone to seeTeddylooking over at me with concern etched across her face.Irealised my own face was pinched so tightlyI’dhave permanent creases to contend with.
I sighed. “Yeah, just a problemI’vebeen putting off thatIneed to deal with.”
I moved to step outside soIcould ringSimoneback, but, asIopened the door of the shepherd’s hut, the rain suddenly intensified, the squall strong enough to blow rain into the hut.
“Don’t let the rain get in,”Teddysnapped. “It’llget the hive wraps damp.”
“Sorry,”Isaid, shutting the door again.I’dhave to do this with an audience.
The line rang only once beforeSimoneanswered.
“Chloe, thank god,” she said. “Ireally didn’t want to have to fire you.It’sso much paperwork.”
“I’m sorry,”Isaid, sinking back down into the chair.Teddywas clearly not-so-subtly listening as she scrolled on her laptop. “Igot your email.Allof them, actually.”
“Why didn’t you respond, then?Thisisn’t a good look.”
“I know, it’s just been really busy.”
“Busy how?”Simoneasked, andIcould picture the glare on her face.I’dseen it often enough whenI’dthrown her a curveball at work. “Ithought you needed time off.”
“I do,”Iinsisted. “I’vejust been doing a lot to try to … find myself, you know?”
Teddy narrowed her eyes, andIcould pictureSimonedoing the same thing on the other end of the line.
“Okay, well, your annual leave is all used up now, and you’re past the end of the sick leaveIcan give you without a doctor’s note.Ifwe don’t file your sabbatical request today, you’ll be terminated, whether either of us likes it or not.”
