“As I was saying, Miss Roe, I am merely a link between our two companies, but I am familiar with the terms of the contract and with the appropriate legal experts within Baker, Ross and Riley. Also, there really is no need for anyone to feel undermined by the contract as the services you provide to Brookers as employees are very different to what we would be providing.” She waited for a few seconds so Miss Roe might respond.
“And how do we access your expertise when you only work for a day and a half a week?” was the other woman’s sarcastic reply now.
“If it’s something that can wait until I am next in, fine. If not, I do work every other day in my own office and I have a Brooker’s mobile number, so I am available, or you can speak to Steve and he will contact me if necessary.”
Miss Roe still looked sceptical, but everyone else around the table seemed happy enough, although Jon appeared to be frowning.
“Miss Roe, you still seem less than happy with the situation,” Steph said bluntly.
“I still don’t see why we need an accountant to give us orders.” Her voice carried only petulance now.
“I’m not here to give you orders,” Steph replied sharply.
“If you say so.”
“I do. I am here to advise, but if you would like to discuss my attributes for the job maybe we should schedule a one-to-one meeting.” Steph felt weary of this whole conversation that was going in circles.
Miss Roe stared at her again and huffed before Steve asked, “Anyone other than Jayne with an issue now?”
Everyone shook their heads and generally muttered that they had no issues.
“I think we can all see your attributes,” muttered the still unhappy Miss Roe as she made her way out after Steve closed the meeting.
Eventually, when only Jon, Steph and Steve were left in the conference room Jon addressed Steve, “What is her problem? Miss Roe?”
“I think she has some personal issues at the moment,” explained Steve.
“She’ll be adding unemployed to her personal issues if she insists on being so unprofessional.” Jon was obviously annoyed.
“I’ll leave you both to it. I have some calls to make,” said Steph heading for the door, but neither of them answered which she found to be something of a relief.
Steph was just hangingup her phone when Steve appeared behind her. “Sorry about Jayne.”
“Don’t worry about it, but I meant what I said, if she wants to meet one to one I will schedule it,” replied Steph.
“Let me speak to her first and get back to you,” said Steve. “And I know it’s no excuse, but she is having a rough time athome, although Brooker didn’t think that was an excuse for her conduct.”
“Yeah, well, women can be bitches to work with and I think men find that more difficult to deal with because they don’t tend to see it first hand, but you speak to her and let me know if she wants to meet with me, but I should warn you, I don’t need Mr Brooker to fight my battles and won’t stand for her bitching at me in a meeting again.” She returned the smile Steve offered then turned back towards her computer screen, still aware of Steve standing behind her. “Is there anything else?” Steph asked confused by Steve’s presence.
“No . . . kind of, I was wondering if you fancied going for a drink after work?”
“Sorry, I’ve already made plans, but if it’s a regular thing that everyone does on a Friday I could maybe do next week.” That might be one way to reduce people’s suspicion of her because although only one person had been openly hostile, she wasn’t naïve enough to believe she was the only one who felt that way.
“Erm, no, I meant with me, just me.” He looked a little uncomfortable, maybe because of her misunderstanding of exactly what he’d been asking.
“Oh, sorry. I don’t think that would be a good idea. People might get the wrong idea,” she explained feeling embarrassed herself now.
“And it would be the wrong idea would it?” He stared down at her making her wish she’d seen this coming and prepared for it.
“Yes it would be.” She offered a sympathetic smile in case Steve felt embarrassed before realising he was looking down at her legs, not that there was anything to see other than her trousers, but she did remember what Rosie had said to her the previous week about men wondering if a woman wore stockings or tights. “Sorry,” she added as she felt herself colouring up.
“No problem, Steph, we’re both adults and well, some you win, some you lose. If I don’t see you before you leave, have a good weekend. I’ll see you next week and thanks again for today,” said Steve before heading back to his own office.
Steph breathed a small sigh of relief as she turned back to her laptop and kicked off her boots under the desk as her mobile rang. She smiled as she saw that it was Jon.
“Hello,” she answered smiling still.
“Hello yourself. Are you avoiding me this afternoon?”
