Steph dutifully followed Grant and by the time he left her at her new desk in the accounts department, she felt exhausted. While she waited for her laptop to connect she looked around the open plan office and smiled at a few people around her, unfortunately they appeared to be viewing her with suspicion. Sitting back down at her desk and wincing slightly, she definitely decided that she would avoid all spanking in the week because there was no doubt that the discomfort was real, although the memories it evoked every time she moved really were something of a turn on, so maybe she wouldn’t put a blanket ban on weekday spanking.
Steph jumped as she heard her name being called behind her, “Miss Pryor, you made it to your desk eventually then.”
Turning, she found the sour expression of Dave Madeley looking down at her.
“Yes, I’ve been with personnel,” she explained.
“I heard, although I believe it was almost ten o’clock before you arrived with them.” He wasn’t quite reprimanding her but there was a definite air of chastisement in his tone. “Lateness is not tolerated here, so I suggest you set your alarm for an earlier wake up or your contract will be very short,” he snapped, gesturing down to her contract that she had placed on the desk. “As your line manager I will not hesitate in taking immediate disciplinary action for further lateness and Mr Brooker himself despises it, so unless you have a very good reason for it, don’tbe late again.” He spoke loud enough that the people around her could hear and several of them were obviously amused judging by the smirks on their faces.
She wondered if being shagged in the shower by Mr Brooker would qualify as a good enough excuse for being late.
“Sorry.” She attempted to sound sincere. “I’m not in the habit of arriving for work late, but I had thought I was working from home today with the quarterly figures, however I accept that was my mistake, so sorry again.” She almost choked on her second apology.
“Mmm, well most people will be going to lunch soon, so I think you and I should meet this afternoon to clarify your position inmydepartment,” he said. “Half one, my office don’t be late,” he almost shouted at her and pointed to an enclosed office behind her own little pod.
“Knob,” she muttered under her breath after he’d left.
“I have missed sharing an office with you,” came the familiar sound of Rosie’s voice from behind her.
“Rosie,” she cried, glad of a friendly and familiar face before hugging her tightly as if she hadn’t seen her for weeks. “How’s it going here?”
“Okay, it’s nice and the other admin staff are really friendly,” she replied smiling.
“How about you?”
“That’s a different story completely, my boss hates me even more today than he did yesterday because he has found out I was late for work, and he hated me plenty yesterday,” she explained with a very short laugh.
“It’s unlike you to be late,” commented Rosie who laughed as Steph smiled at her observation.
“No, well there were exceptional circumstances is all I will say.”
Another woman appeared behind Rosie. “Lunch, Rosie?” called the middle aged, friendly looking blonde woman.
“Yes, I’m coming. Steph will you join us?”
“No thanks, I have a meeting with my new boss, so best not to venture too far from my desk,” she joked but was serious as she gestured towards Dave’s office.
“Okay, but text me later and let me know how it goes today,” Rosie called as she left with the other woman.
Steph put her contract into her bag and pulled her phone out and found two messages waiting, the first from Lindsay.
Hi Steph are you free tonight to come over for wedding photos and video, and dinner? Half past 7? Please say yes. X
Steph replied immediately.
Would love to. C u later x
Her second was from Jon.
I hope I did not make you too late for work. Text when you are done with H.R. and settled at your new desk Jon x
She replied smiling.
Was very late and have been told off for that but was well worth it. Am at my new desk but prefer my old one. Steph x
Come up for lunch, NOW! Jon x
She grinnedat his bossy message, immediately locking her laptop and grabbing her bag.
