"Peonies. They're a type of flower. You want me to text you the number for the florist I use?"
I had never bought a woman flowers except for my step-mum, Marie. "Yeah, sure. What's a reasonable amount to spend without looking desperate?"
"Fifty or sixty quid. She's busy and stressed. Flowers will cheer her up. If you ring now they'll have them delivered by 5. Just don't put your name on, then no one in the office will suss you out. Right, I'm off to slay dragons in the next installment of 'custody wars: the sequel.'"
"I'm glad I didn't do family law," I muttered.
"You'd just shout at them until they hid under the table. You don't have my patience."
I ended the call before I said something that would really piss her off and waited for the phone number so I could order flowers.
***
By Friday my mood had lightened considerably. Mediation had ended late on Thursday and we'd ended up getting exactly what we'd set out to achieve, meaning I had happy clients and a sense of satisfaction. The other side was represented by a firm of lawyers I considered unprofessional at best and liars at worse. As well as getting a good result for our clients, I had wanted to wipe the smile off the face of their partner who had tried pulling every trick in the book and failed. After a decent night's sleep and a heavy work out at a gym in Manchester's city center I headed back to London, safe in the knowledge that I knew where Vanessa's clients' reception was tonight and I'd secured myself an invitation, thanks to a bit of work on Claire's behalf.
The office had a decidedly Friday mood; I heard more laughter than raised voices and noticed Mandy on reception already had her Friday night make-up on.
"Afternoon, Jackson," Mandy said as I walked passed. "Good trip?"
"Not bad. Anything I need to know about?"
Mandy knew pretty much everything that went on in the office and if she'd ever been inclined, would've been the perfect person to run the HR department. "Kirsty was looking for you earlier. Shall I let her know you're back? I think she wanted a quiet word."
"Give me twenty minutes to have a coffee."
"Sure." Mandy turned her attention to answer the phone and I escaped into my office before anyone could catch me and tie me into a conversation. Friday was not the day to start anything new, or get engaged in office politics.
Twenty minutes later there was a knock at my door and Kirsty appeared wearing a tight fitting dress, her hair done up in an intricate style. "How was the north?" she said, looking wide-eyed and slightly nervous. I knew Claire had spoken with her about her attitude towards Vanessa and Kirsty had apologized profusely, citing a bad break up with her boyfriend as a reason for her moodiness. I wasn't convinced.
"Successful. What can I do for you?" I sat back in my chair, stretching out my legs, hoping this wouldn't take long.
"It's about the marketing department. I have a few ideas on how we could make it more profitable and engage new clients. I know we've brought Vanessa in, and she's really good..." the sincerity was completely forced, "...but I know this firm better than she does and our potential market so I was wondering if I could run through some of the thoughts I'd had."
I didn't want to inhibit her enthusiasm even though I was pretty damn sure her ideas wouldn't have the same caliber and depth than the ones Vanessa had discussed with yesterday evening, when we had a scheduled just-work discussion. "When do you think would be a good idea to meet about it? I'm more than happy to listen to what you've come up with – it's what you're employed for." It was a dig at her as this was the first time in nine months that she had requested such a discussion, despite at her interview producing a portfolio of work that she had allegedly completed with a previous employer.
"I was wondering if you could fit me in after work tonight? I know it's short notice and you've spent most of the week away, but I checked your diary and you're free," she smiled.
I considered my options. I did need to hear her out but it wasn't urgent and it wasn't protocol to arrange a meeting on the same day as mentioning it. Plus, Vanessa's event started at six and I wanted to go home and get changed. "Why don't you email me an outline with your ideas then I can have some time to consider them." I checked my diary. "I've time on Wednesday morning at ten; we can look then at what we're going forward with. I'll see if Vanessa has availability to join us then too."
"I'm not sure I want Vanessa in on this. I mean, I know she's only here short term but she's already passed one of my ideas off as hers. It's unprofessional to say that, I know, but I feel I'm being caught in between a rock and a hard place," Kirsty said, sitting down uninvited in the chair opposite me.
"What was the idea?" I asked. I could see where this was going.
Kirsty sighed. "I mentioned to her about bringing in some of the kids from the hospice Mr. Callaghan has supported before the retirement ball for a mini-celebration. It's great publicity and I knew it would be something your dad would enjoy from everything I've heard about him," she smiled sweetly, covering herself as I knew she'd never actually met my father. "It highlights the charitable work the company does and helps fix the image of the company being more than just a law firm, it shows us as being part of the wider London society."
"When did you discuss this idea with Vanessa?"
"Tuesday afternoon when she was in the office."
"When did you find out Vanessa was going ahead with this?" I didn't know if to laugh or shout.
"Wednesday. She sent me an email asking me to look for a children's magician."
"Did you find one?" I kept calm.
"Of course. I might be able to get a couple of celebrities involved too, you know, through a couple of contacts I picked up from my previous firm." She sat up straight. "I'm not bothered about it, Jackson, but I'd rather Vanessa not be there when I speak to you about my ideas, and I'd really like to chat with you after work. If you like what I suggest I could put a few extra hours in over the weekend."
"Are you sure it was Tuesday afternoon when you discussed it with her?" I gave her even more rope.
