“Yes.”
“Please, take a seat. Mr Maybury’s meeting has run over slightly, but he shouldn’t be long. Can I get you some coffee, or tea?”
“No, thank you.” Tasha sat down.
“I’m Amanda, Mr Maybury’s P.A.”
So, this was Amanda. Tasha resisted the temptation to correct the other woman’s role from P.A. to ex-wife. She could see why he may have gone for her, but as pretty as she was Tasha felt reassured by the other woman’s words, tone, demeanour and Jim’s previous words that she was just his P.A. and he was just her boss.
“Mr Maybury has asked me to put some more appointments on his schedule, so I will email you a revised copy. If you would like me to add yours to your combined schedule you can call or email unless you have your own people back home and they can advise me.” Amanda passed Tasha her card.
“Thank you. I don’t have people, but I’ll email you any new dates I get from my agent.”
Amanda nodded. Suddenly, they both turned to see people. They poured out through a door and headed towards the elevators before Jim appeared with Marcia.
“Tasha, something’s come up so Marcia is going to give you a quick tour while I sort this out.” Jim had a serious expression that gave Tasha the first glimpse of corporate James Maybury.
“Of course,” she replied, smiling at Marcia.
He kissed her on the cheek and returned to his office.
Marcia and Amanda looked at each other and grimaced. Tasha glanced from one to the other enquiringly. “Is everything alright?”
The sound of Jim shouting seemed to answer her question. “Would someone like to tell me what the fuck is going on here?”
“Scratch that question.” She grimaced with them.
Marcia took her to visit the set of a medical and a police drama before they arrived on a movie special effects blue screen and then she was escorted back up to Jim’s office. They chatted politely as they went, talking about Philip and Lizzie, Jim, her work, just comfortable and easy chit chat.
When they finally returned to Amanda’s desk, she looked up at Tasha. “Sorry, he’s not quite done yet.”
They all looked in the direction of the office and could here muffled voices.
“At least he’s not shouting,” said Marcia.
Amanda smiled. “He’s gone way beyond shouting. Susie has already left in tears once.”
Suddenly, a woman of about thirty appeared looking upset and rather shell shocked.
“Should I go back in?” she asked Amanda.
“I’ll check.” Amanda offered a small smile at the other woman as she picked up her phone and rang through to Jim. “Mr Maybury, Ms Raymond is here. Would you like me to show her through? And Miss Winters is back.” There was a short pause. “Yes, of course, Mr Maybury. Yes, Ms Whittaker is still here, yes sir.” She hung up. “Ms Raymond, Mr Maybury will see you now, go through.”
The tearful looking lady cautiously knocked on Jim’s door.
“Come!” he barked.
Amanda now turned to Marcia. “He has asked if you willentertainMiss Winters until he is done.”
“You really don’t have to. I will sit here and wait for him, you must be busy,” said Tasha.
“No, it’s fine. Amanda, could you get us some coffee? We’ll camp out in Marc’s office.”
Amanda nodded as Tasha followed Marcia into the office. It was quite simply decorated with white walls and a tiled floor. The desk was a metal frame with a huge glass top. A plush leather chair sat behind it and two matching chairs were positioned opposite. Marcia sat on a white leather sofa, kicked her heels off then placed her feet on the glass coffee table.
“Sit down, please. He shouldn’t be much longer if Susie is at the crying stage.”
Tasha blanched slightly as she took a seat next to Marcia and shrugged. The other woman laughed. “You haven’t seen corporate Jim before, have you?”
