“Right then!” cried Steph startling them both. “If we’re all done with thewho can pee the highestcompetition maybe we can get on because I for one have a flight to make on Sunday morning.”
“Sorry.” Jonah grinned before making a final reference to his non-professional interest in Steph. “No wonder you always sneered and snarled at me after the things I said to your girlfriend, about her, your assistant, you and my suggestions for your table in the conference room.”
Jon glared at him with a certain amount of confusion until Steph laughed, “I didn’t tell him most of that stuff, Jonah. Now can we get on?”
“Of course. Right, although Richards will not be working with you I thought you had a right to know what’s been going on behind the scenes. There is something of a smear campaign about you,” he started.
“A smear campaign?” queried Jon.
“Yes, against Steph.”
“Who? What are they saying?” shouted Jon leaping to his feet.
“Jon, please, sit down and let Jonah explain,” Steph implored.
“You worked for Baker, Ross and Riley before you were poached right?”
“I wasn’t poached,” Steph clarified.
“Well, the rumour goes that you and Mr Brooker were having a less than professional relationship and you put together a deal heavily weighted in Brooker’s favour based on that relationship and then when the deal was done, Brooker poached you with some insider knowledge and your reward is the position you currently hold. Furthermore, the way to secure a deal is via you, Steph, with the offer of cash, sweeteners, prestigious promotions that kind of thing. It is also inferred that you made quick progress at your previous firm by sleeping with Jack Baker and that he is the reason your previous relationship floundered, oh and that you were something of, erm . . .”
“Please just say it Jonah,” encouraged Steph.
“That you were the, and I quote, office bike for the hierarchy.”
“You are fucking kidding me! This is beyond ridiculous! Where has this come from Jonah and why are you choosing to share this with us?” asked Jon.
“The rumours started some weeks ago and it makes no difference to me if you’re the biggest slapper in the world when doing business with you, but when we spoke and met it didn’t quite fit or you would have taken me up on at least one of my passes to get the deal through and so it didn’t sit comfortably with me. I considered calling you a few weeks ago, but with our deal still unresolved, I didn’t want to be conflicted. I know it’s harder for women to succeed in business than men and I am a bit of a chauvinistic pig but this is unpleasant if it’s untrue and I have three daughters who I would hate to be victimised for maybe knocking someone back. Then the heat got turned up a little and our deal dissipated and it just seemed personal, especially when Isaac revealed the source of it.”
“And that would be?” asked Steph feeling nauseous.
“Isaac was disappointed when negotiations broke down and Richards was hacked off too, but immoveable on what he was willing to give up which frustrated Isaac further. He took himself off to a club, of ill repute shall we say and met your former employee there, Jack Baker who was very drunk and wrapped around a very naked and paid companion but not so drunk that he didn’t recognise Isaac. They have mutual friends I believe, and he told him all about you and how erm, fond of you he was, but that you’d cut him off in favour of Mr Brooker he believed and that he was intent on making you suffer. Sorry, I just thought you should know, but I would appreciate being kept out of whatever happens from here on in,” finished Jonah, slumping back in his seat.
Steph stared across at the two men unsure what to say or do in response or how she had misjudged Jack Baker and his capacity for bitterness, even though he had technically assaulted her.
“Darling, this is going to stop, okay?” Jon jolted her back into the moment. “You believe that, right?” he asked with concern for her in his voice.
She replied with a nod and a weak, “Yes.”
“Jonah, needless to say, this is all bollocks and these are the actions of a dejected and rejected former employer, but I appreciate your time and honesty and in return I can assure you of my discretion,” said Jon sincerely getting to his feet and taking the other man’s hand.
“Steph, go home and pack your case or whatever you need to do,” said Jon as Steph extended her hand to Jonah too. “This is unpleasant but no more, your professional reputation is intact and will remain so. Anyone who passes through here will soon discover as Jonah has that the person Jack Baker is painting isnot you, okay?” He needed her to believe that as much as he was determined to deliver that for her.
“If you say so.” She knew only too well how easily reputations got destroyed or tarnished.
“Mr Brooker is right, Steph, although I appreciate it may not be pleasant being faced with people’s preconceived ideas of you,” smiled Jonah sympathetically.
Steph was just aboutto leave after hugging Rosie warmly with the promise of lots of holiday snaps when Dave appeared and seeing her and Jon together smiled. “Two birds with one stone, could I have a few minutes?”
“Miss Pryor was just about to leave for her holiday,” said Jon flatly.
“But I have a few minutes, do you want to come into my office?” she asked making Jon frown impatiently.
As if picking up on the atmosphere, Rosie suddenly got to her feet and muttered something about filing some details and switching her phone to voicemail, leaving the three of them standing together.
As Rosie closed the door behind her, Dave said, “Here’s fine. I popped out at lunch, my wife had an appointment at the doctors as she’s been under the weather since just after we came back off holiday. I wanted you to be the first to know as you’ve been so understanding, she’s pregnant, natural conception, it’s early days for us, four months, but we’re having a baby,” he said grinning broadly and obviously thrilled.
“That’s wonderful news, Dave, congratulations, to you both.” Steph reached across to hug the still grinning man.
