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“Yes, sir,” I reply anxiously. I’m not usually his personal assistant; I’m only his PA’s assistant. But Harper’s been off for the last three weeks, and I’ve been filling in for her. I thought I’d done well, but looking at Mr Young now, I can see he looks stressed as he rubs his face and leans his elbows on the desk in front of him. I quickly rack my brains for anything I might have missed, but nothing comes to mind.
“I have just gotten off the phone with Harper. As you know, her mother had a fall and broke her hip, which is why she’s been off. Unfortunately, her mother will need around-the-clock care for the unforeseeable future, which Harper has decided to do herself. This means she has resigned with immediate notice.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Sir. She has always enjoyed working for you, and you rely heavily on her.”
Mr Young nods as he sits back in his desk chair and lets out a deep sigh.
“She has been my PA for many years and is part of the family. She speaks to my wife and children, Abigail and Gethin, more than me most days. Many will miss her, but I understand why she is leaving. Family is important, and we must always look after our own.”
I nod in agreement whilst opening my notepad and clicking my pen.
“Would you like me to start advertising for a new PA for you, Sir? I can get the notice out in the next couple of hours.” I start scribbling the role details and expected working hours on the paper.
“No, I want you to start advertising for my PA’s assistant role.”
My heart and pen stop abruptly. Am I being fired? Did I do that bad a job whilst in charge?
“Did I do something wrong, Sir?” I ask quietly whilst blinking back the tears. I can’t lose this job. How can I afford the bills without an income? My hands start to shake, and I can’t bring myself to look at Mr Young for fear of bursting into tears.
“Quite the contrary, you have done an amazing job filling in for Harper. I’ve been very impressed.”
I slowly look up to see Mr Young watching me with a smile.
“Then I don’t understand. Why am I being let go?” my voice starts to break as the smile on Mr Young's face drops.
“You’re not being let go, Chelsea. You’re being promoted.”
“What?” My heart restarts only to race at a million miles per hour. Did he say what I think he said?
“Chelsea, you have done an amazing job whilst Harper has been away. She’s just sung your praises on the phone. She told me several times she called to ask you to do something, but it had already been done. You haven’t let me miss a single appointment and have exceeded my expectations of you. My life has never been so organised; I don’t think you realise how good you are at your job or how much I have relied on you the last few weeks.”
“I don’t know what to say; I thought you were getting rid of me.” I watch Mr Young laugh as I try to process it all.
“I think Harper would hunt me down if I got rid of you. No, Chelsea, I think you have proven time and time again that you are more than capable of fulfilling the role.” Mr Young stands from his chair and heads over to the pot of coffee I brought up half an hour ago. I watch him pour two black coffees, adding two sugars into one and none into the other.
Walking back over, he stands before his desk and hands me a mug before leaning back against his desk.
“Now, how about we discuss pay and what I will expect of you before you go about your day.” He takes a sip of his coffee as I take the time to sip on my own, trying to hide how excited I am for things to be heading in the right direction.
???
“So let me get this straight. Not only do you get the promotion, but a huge pay rise, and your own assistant, too?” Penny asks as we sit in one of the quiet coffee rooms on her floor. I finish making my coffee and turn to her, nodding.
“Yeah. I still can’t believe it. I’m still expecting him to tell me it’s all a joke,” I admit as I sip my drink.
“Why would he? You deserve this, Chels. You work harder than anyone I know and are bloody good at your job.” I know she’s right; I always go above and beyond, but that doesn’t mean I deserve to have everything handed to me like this. I thought I would have to at least interview for the job, but apparently not. Mr Young has said that today is my first day in the role and that I am to list anything I may need. He also explained that Harper would be coming to see me in the next few days to go over a few things and collect her things. I really hope I’m doing the right thing here and that I won’t find myself in over my head or that Mr Young will start regretting his decision to promote me.
“Earth to Chelsea. Are you in there?”
I look at Penny, surprised that I’ve completely ignored her.
“Did you say something?”
“When do you start advertising for someone to fill your role?” Penny asks, rolling her eyes at me.
“This afternoon. I have already started putting together the job description. I’ll finish it after this meeting. Mr Young wants me to sit in with the new security firm.”
“Oh, hot security men, can I sit in too?” She wiggles her eyebrows as I roll my eyes.
