To Rachel’s dismay, however, no revelatory idea for sorting out what Greg had aptly termed her ‘epic mess’ revealed itself over the weekend. Anna, staunch and supportive as ever, plied her with several delicious meals, plenty of wine and countless cups of tea – but between them, they couldn’t think of a better way for Rachel to handle things than ‘take the new job for now, and try to keep your shit together’.
On Sunday night, Rachel found herself wondering what Will and Tom might have made of Friday’s fresh dimension to the catastrophe that was her life. She smiled to herself as she imagined Will waxing lyrical about serendipity in his Professor Trelawney voice, only to have Anna kick his shins under the table.
He’d have been kind, Rachel knew, but unlikely to offer any advice that could reasonably be considered helpful. Tom, on the other hand, might well have suggested something sensible – but as the pair of them were away on a stag do for an old school friend, he hadn’t had the chance.
By the time Rachel arrived at work on Monday, the news that she was moving teams had spread. As she made her way to her desk, a handful of people whispered ‘Well done’, but still more regarded her quizzically. Some, Rachel assumed, must be wondering how she’d scored a step up the career ladder while other people were being shunted sideways or let go. She couldn’t blame them.
Rachel felt Donna’s hawklike, heavily made-up eyes assessing her as she hung up her coat and got her laptop out. She’d dressed a little more thoughtfully than usual this morning, in a pair of checked 1950s-style cigarette pants and a raspberry-pink silk shirt. Rachel’s intention had been to boost her self-confidence rather than look nice for her new colleague. Now it dawned on her that turning up as a more polished version of herself could imply an ulterior motive, if you happened to be looking for one.
She stopped short of asking herself whether Donna’s evident suspicions might, on some level, be justified, and kept her head down as she walked into the kitchen.
After making a coffee and picking up a banana from the fruit bowl, Rachel sat down to find she’d already received an instant message from Kemi.
Kemi Percival
I’d undo another button if I were you.
Reveal a bit more of the rack.
Rachel Ryan
What?!
Kemi Percival
I’m assuming the sexy girlboss attire is for Hot Harper’s benefit.
In which case, you could def show a bit more skin.
Rachel Ryan
Please, please, NEVER refer to him as that again. I almost brought back my banana.
ALSO this outfit is for no one’s benefit … It isn’t even new!
I am a modern feminist, I do not dress up for men – especially not at work
Kemi Percival
He IS hot. The name stays
And we ALL dress up for men as fit as him. I might be a feminist but I’m not blind – and neither are you.
Allllll the girls want to know how you pulled this off.
Rachel Ryan
Pulled what off?
Rachel could feel heat rising up her neck. She’d tried to tamp down her annoyance with this conversation, but indignation had begun to burn somewhere behind her ribcage.
Kemi Percival
How you bagged the new job obvs.
I’d give my right arm to spend all my work days hanging with someone that lush …
Well, maybe not an arm. Like, a toe or something
