‘I’m busy too, and no, I’m sorry, I can’t do that.’ Ros turned her attention back to her emails but was well aware that Alastair hadn’t gone away. He proceeded to make loud sucking noises with his lips until she spun in his direction, making him jolt back. ‘Is there a problem?’ she asked.
‘I want to sign it but I kind of don’t without knowing what it’s about exactly.’
‘Fine,’ said Ros, reaching to take the folder.
‘Cool. I didn’t realise I didn’t need to sign it. Great,’ he said, getting to his feet.
‘You don’t have to, but if you don’t sign it that will be detailed in my report to the directors where I spell out those who are in breach of company policy regarding risk and compliance.’ Ros put the folder in her in-tray.
Alastair sat down again. ‘Is there any option where I don’t have to read it and also don’t get ratted out to the senior team?’
Ros laughed. ‘We’re not at school. I’m not ratting you out. I’m reporting upwards on the status of compliance across the company. That’s different.’
‘Yeah, not from where I’m sitting. So you won’t compromise at all?’ Alastair’s tone was no longer friendly.
‘No,’ said Ros. She lifted the folder out of her in-tray and held it up. Alastair snatched it and stomped off.
Chapter Six
Ros was at home in her slippers on Wednesday evening staring at the flip chart she’d just completed when there was a buzz on her apartment entry system. It was Darla so she let her in and a few moments later there was a tentative tap on the door.
‘It’s open,’ called Ros.
‘I bring gifts,’ said Darla, waving a large bar of Cadbury’s chocolate. ‘Am I safe to come in or are you going to attack me with the egg whisk?’
‘That happened one time and it was an accident,’ said Ros.
‘Jury’s out,’ said Darla, shutting the door and joining her at the flip chart. She pointed at the page titled ‘Boyfriend Contract. Risk Assessment’. And the neat lists underneath. ‘But Cameron said you’ve not been in touch.’
‘Because this whole idea is a massive risk.’
‘All boyfriends are, to be fair.’
‘Not to the extent that they need a detailed control plan to reduce the risks. Although some of these are probably generic.’ She scanned her lists. ‘Anyway, I’m still ironing out key areas of the contract. And I’ve not completely decided if I’m going ahead with your quite frankly ridiculous idea.’ She kissed the top of Darla’s head. ‘Thank you. You’re a good friend. Completely nuts but a good friend.’
‘Would you say you were leaning more on the “let’s do this” side?’
‘Possibly. I did want to ask, is Cameron my only option? I wondered, as I’d be paying, whether maybe there were any other candidates.’
Darla tilted her head at Ros. ‘You should have said. I’m sure Ryan Reynolds would be up for it.’
For a moment Ros was buoyed until the penny dropped. ‘You’re joking.’
‘You think?’
‘Ryan Reynolds is happily married, so yes. I also know he’s way out of my league but I did see myself with someone a bit more...’ Ros couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t going to insult Darla’s friend and colleague.
‘I know Cameron’s a bit scruffy,’ Darla allowed. ‘Although to be fair when he’s working at the bar that is him at his smartest.’
Ros twitched slightly.
‘But he has a nice smile and your dad would be suspicious if you turned up with Ryan Reynolds,’ said Darla.
‘I guess. As he is the only option then I have a flip chart for you with lots of questions about Cameron. I don’t know anything about him. Is he trustworthy?’
‘Totally. And anything detailed you want to know you need to ask him. I don’t mean to be insensitive but...’ Darla scrunched her features up ‘...time isn’t on your side.’
‘I understand that but a business contract needs to be on a firm footing.’ Ros tapped the flip chart with her marker pen.
