“No fucking shit, Sherlock!” Anger, sarcasm and agitation coursed through her veins, although she knew her feelings were more for Dave than Jon. Even if Jon had apparently dismissed her earlier in favour of Dave, although, if Steve was to be believed, that may not be true.
“Steph, I am trying to be reasonable here, reasonable and respectful,” he said, the flatness of his voice trying to mask his own annoyance.
“Then try fucking harder!” Steph shouted, unsure where all of her rage was coming from, although now that it had been unleashed, she was unsure how to rein it in.
“If you shout or swear at me again this afternoon I may just lose the grip I currently have on things,” he warned causing her to huff and roll her eyes. “You just try me if you think I am bluffing here, Stephanie. Maybe I should just address your insubordination across my desk,” he said standing over her and looking down darkly.
Under different circumstances Steph knew that would be flirtation and banter between them. She’d put herself across his desk in a different situation, but she was still pissed off with him and Dave, meaning that would not be happening.
“I am not sure that is acceptable treatment of an employee under current employment laws,” she retorted. One look at his hard and stern face told her that he had tired of this. That if she wasn’t sleeping with him she’d probably have been sacked, although if she wasn’t sleeping with him she would never have dreamt of speaking to him the way she was. The lines were blurring somewhat.
“Have it your way. I will do this as employer to employee if that is what you want, Miss Pryor. Your line manager, Mr Madeley has now got all of the figures you have produced and he and I will discuss them over the next couple of days, without you. You will be based in legal for the next two days and as of next week, Mr Madeley will be taking some leave and in his absence you will fill in for him until his return. I have arranged for him to meet with you on Friday afternoon at three o’clock and he will explain exactly what your duties will be.”
Steph was about to respond, a softer, gentler and more understanding reply when Andrea knocked the door and was called in immediately by Jon. She lay a tray with tea for two and biscuits on the desk.
As she turned to leave, Jon spoke, “Sorry, Andrea, tea for one now. It would seem I misjudged Miss Pryor’s need for discussion and refreshments. She’s leaving,” he told the uncomfortable looking Andrea as he sat back down behind his desk and looked down at the papers there.
Steph stood up and stared at him, “But . . .” was as much as she could say without faltering as she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say now.
“But what, Miss Pryor? I haven’t breached some kind of employment law have I?” he asked coldly before Andrea headed for the safety of her own desk.
“No, of course not. I’ll be in legal if you need me.” She wondered exactly what was going on with Dave, what Jon had said to him earlier, but the opportunity to ask had passed. The question that seemed to be pressing with urgency for her was more related to where things stood with her and Jon now.
“I hardly think I’ll need your advice on your former employer’s services in the next,” he paused as he looked at his watch, “Thirty-seven minutes. Close the door behind you, please,” he said curtly, returning his attention to his papers.
She did as he asked and felt rather shell shocked as she found herself standing next to Andrea’s desk.
“Are you okay?” asked Andrea with an expression of total empathy.
“Yes, fine,” Steph lied, but before either of them could speak further, a storm of blonde loveliness wafted through the room making Steph feel sick as she realised the very expensive aroma belonged to the very beautiful Mrs Brooker.
Lucy smiled at Andrea, already perching her bottom on the edge of the desk as she asked, “Is our lord and master in then?”
Andrea laughed at her description while Steph just stared at her adversary, rival? Oh, who was she kidding? This woman was the victor. She, Steph was nothing to this woman, certainly not a threat. And by that logic she was nothing to her husband either. She stared at Lucy, wondering why Jon even bothered with her when this beautiful woman dressed in skintight jeans and thigh high leather boots with a tiny, tight white t-shirt and a very expensive looking denim jacket thrown over the top, was his. Andrea and Lucy both looked across at Steph as she realised that she had sighed loudly and out loud. Fortunately, the tears bubbling within her and threatening to overflow remained below the surface, for now at least.
“Sorry,” said Steph sheepishly and noted that Andrea was on the phone.
Lucy smiled at her with warmth and kindness. If only she knew what Steph had been getting up to with her husband. “Are you okay? Has he just torn a strip off you?” She flicked her thumb over her shoulder towards the door Jon remained behind. “He is such a bloody brute sometimes, they all are, the Brooker men; his father and his brother are all the same and as the wife I don’t always escape the wrath after a bad day either.” Reaching over, Lucy stroked her arm.
Steph stiffened as her blood turned to ice. How could she do this? The woman before her was only offering sympathy and support and in return Steph repaid her by shagging her husband. Maybe she should ask Jon what the story was between him and Lucy, although she really couldn’t stomach knowing how much he loved her or why he didn’t have sex with her, assuming he was telling the truth. The woman before her offered her another sympathetic smile making Steph feel even worse. She really wasn’t sure what would happen first now, would shevomit or cry? She didn’t doubt that she would do both, it was just a case of which would come first.
“I’m fine thank you, but I should be getting back to work,” she mumbled as the door opened behind them and with it her heart sank even further.
“Miss Pryor, you’re still here. Did you forget something?” Jon sounded almost as cold and angry as he’d been when she’d left his office.
She turned towards him and thought tears would win out as she came face to face with him, his eyes looking sad and apologetic when she replied, “No, I was just leaving, sorry.”
He looked as though he was considering a reply when he noticed Lucy.
“Lucy, to what do I owe this honour?”
Lucy wrapped herself around him and kissed him on the cheek. “I could say that I was passing and popped in on the off chance . . .” she started.
“But?” prompted Jon smiling at her warmly.
“I am after your money and your body.” She laughed as she rubbed her fingers across the large reddish lipstick stain that her kiss had left on his cheek.
“Steph, please, I will come and find you shortly, to explain,” Jon said with a very concerned frown furrowing his brow.
