‘Meaning what?’ I ask, continuing to stare him down.
That I’m not hot enough?
Don’t wear short enough skirts?
Don’t own enough designer?
‘You know. . . You’re just a little. . .’ He looks to Pippa for backup.
‘Go on.’ I dare him to answer, bringing focus back to me.
‘Predictable.’ He winces, clearly deeply uncomfortable.
A small giggle quickly escapes Pippa’s mouth. She catches it between her perfectly puckered lips, trapping it there with a dignified smirk, but I already heard it. I know that she’s loving this. I grit my teeth to distract from the sudden wash of shame.
‘It’s not a bad thing! It’s just. . . The people there are usually a little wild,’ Gus continues.
He’s desperately trying to claw himself out of this hole, but it’s too late.
‘I can be wild,’ I say.
But it’s to no avail; neither Gus nor Pippa can contain themselves this time.
‘The world needs people like you to balance out people like us.’ Pippa is blatantly trying to hold in a laugh.
‘People like me?’ I repeat, as they try to straighten their faces.
‘The sensible ones, that keep the rest of us in check.’ She flicks her hair. ‘Not everyone can be a go-getter. Some people need to sit on the sidelines and make sure the rest of us don’t go too wild. And you arefabat it.’
‘I’m not. . .’ I don’t even know what to say.
Pippa coos. ‘Don’t take it personally, babe. We all have our things and yours is being exactly what you’d expect.’
She has a really great talent for taking a seemingly harmless statement and delivering it in the most bludgeoning way possible. I’d respect the craft of it if I respected her in any way at all.
I turn back to my computer, typing furious and nonsensical words into a blank email before succumbing to my anger and dropping it entirely. I can’t focus. I’m too sick and tired of people making assumptions when they only see a rundown fragment of who I actually am.
So, I do what I do best. I reach into my bag, practically snatching my list book from its place and smoothing down the crease before getting to work.
To-Do List
Find an outfit for the La La Lounge.
Google ways to be unpredictable to colleagues.
Find out if IT can block eBay on work computers, specifically Gus’s PC.
Nudge 9
The Offer
‘Name?’ A voice grunts over the intercom.
I squeak back, ‘Maddison Clarke.’
There’s a quick buzz and a click as the latch unlocks and the door releases.
‘Floor five,’ the man says.
