Steph closedher note pad as Andrea appeared in the doorway. She ushered her in as she went to get fresh coffee for them both, much to Andrea’s protests.
“Let me, Miss Pryor,” she pleaded.
“Andrea, I am quite capable of making coffee, now sit down, please,” Steph replied firmly.
When she returned with the coffee Rosie was sitting at her desk on the phone and when Steph arrived in her own office, Andrea was looking at the framed photo of her and Jon that was still on her desk.
“You make a lovely couple,” she said absent mindedly, making Steph smile.
“Thank you, but I don’t think that really has a place on my desk,” she admitted.
Andrea’s expression morphed into one of confusion.
Steph laughed and felt obliged to explain, “It’s a gift from Jon, but I am unsure where I should put it because as a joke I suggested that we should each have one on our desks and here it is.”
“Mr Brooker has his on his desk,” Andrea revealed to a shocked looking Steph. “I was rather surprised because he doesn’t normally have personal photos in his office, just prints and artwork,” she said, gesturing towards the ones on Steph’s wall.
“I see.” Steph allowed herself a smile before regaining her professional composure and phoning through to Rosie who joined her and Andrea to schedule the dates Jon had made for her.
Thirteen
It was almost ten o’clock when Steph’s message alert sounded.
Good morning. Sorry I didn’t text earlier, but when you sleep in the middle of nowhere and your phone is desperately searching for a signal all night the battery dies very quickly. You are not a sulky 14 yr old but a sulky 25 yr old and I did not try to drown you. I will be in the office by 11. Are you on evening visiting tonight as I was going to ask you to attend the Brooker Foundation Gala, not a problem if you can’t make it, but I have to go. Jon x
She smiled at the message and then reread it and realised that she was invited to the gala, but not to accompany him, that would be Lucy’s job. However, he had not suggested that she bring a plus one. She reminded herself of her resolve to be abettermistress and decided to mull it over and check with Eddie on the visiting timetable before making a decision. She replied with a simpleokand returned her attention to work. Her conversation with Martin had actually made her realise that she knew very little about her department, assuming accounts washers. She needed some serious clarification on exactly what her job was and where she fitted into the bigger set up. She picked up her phone and phoned the extension for Andrea.
“Hi, Andrea, it’s Steph again. Would it be possible to make an appointment to see Mr Brooker?” Hearing those words made her realise how odd it sounded to make an appointment with your married lover.
“Oh, I am sure he will see you without an appointment, but if you would rather . . .” she said cautiously.
“I would rather it was a proper appointment as I have some points that I need to discuss thoroughly rather than in between planned meetings. Does he have any availability today?”
“He is in back to back meetings this afternoon until three, so I can put you in then,” offered Andrea.
“Sorry. I can’t do after half past one, what about this morning?” Steph wondered whether this was something Rosie should arrange with Andrea.
“He has nothing in this morning, but he isn’t here yet and I am unsure what time Mr Brooker is due,” replied Andrea.
“Book me in for eleven please because that’s when he’s due.” Steph thought there was a distinct advantage in knowing your boss’ plans.
“I don’t know if I can. Mr Brooker may have other plans that he hasn’t told me about,” said Andrea nervously, “And in the event he was delayed . . .”
“Okay, what about if you book me in with him for eleven and if he has other plans or doesn’t arrive, you can call me and cancel, would that be better?” Steph was unsure how this was any different, but it seemed that Andrea considered it that way.
“Of course, that’s done for you.”
Steph openedher note pad again and made another list, but of questions for Jon about her new job.
What is my main role?
What departments am I responsible for?
