Shewassorry, but the image of this self-important guy covered in irremovable pink dye was comical to be fair.
But her boss was anything but amused.
“I’ll speak to Mr. Kennedy,” she offered. “Maybe he’ll have calmed down a little by now.”
Barry picked up a file and slid it across the desk to her. “InTech is the company. His contact details are all there. I suggest you write a personal letter of apology and then follow up with a call. Sweeten him up – sendflowers or something – I don’t know Jenny, just make sure he knows that this bank is not in the habit of putting imbeciles behind a cash desk.”
The episode had madeJenny instantly famous throughout the bank network. The incident had been gleefully shared all over the district and her workmates continued to tease her unmercifully all through the week.
“Armani suits,” ribbed another. “Don’t they cost an absolutebomb?”
The banter took her mind off the fact that Roan was moving to the US and Jenny was becoming resigned to the fact that she was unlikely to hear from him ever again.
The idea didn’t disturb her nearly as much as she thought. It meant that she could finally move past the heartbreak and get on with her life instead of hiding away from it. It would certainly be easier to do that without the risk of running into him again. Dublin was a small city and chances were that their paths would’ve crossed sometime. This was for the best. Maybe she could finally begin to let go.
Now, a young trainee called up to warn Jenny of Mr Kennedy’s impending arrival and she got the sense that the apologetic letter and chocolate gift basket she’d sent in the interim, weren’t nearly enough to mollify the esteemed director of InTech.
She headed out to the waiting area where a heavysetman in his late fifties sat on the sofa, flicking throughBanking News.
“Mr Kennedy?” she greeted. “Jenny. Pleased to meet you.” She smiled and nervously offered her hand. He hesitated for a moment and then shook it, confused. She was surprised at his appearance. He didn’t look like the executive type at all with his brown tweed ensemble. And where was the famous Armani?
She certainly couldn’t remember the guy anyway. Then again, it had been so busy that day she could’ve served George Clooney and it wouldn’t have registered.
“Did you get me box?” the man asked in a thick Wicklow accent. “I’m waitin’ for me box.”
Jenny looked at him blankly.
“Mr Kenny, you can use this room.” One of her colleagues appeared with a safety deposit box, indicating a room just behind. “I’ll be back to you in a few minutes, OK?”
The man looked from the other woman to Jenny, then duly took his belongings into the room and closed the door behind him.
“Oh!” Jenny put a hand to her throat and exhaled. “Katrina told me your man from InTech was looking for me. She must have misheard. Thank goodness, I was dreading it.”
“No, your receptionist was correct,” said a deep male voice from nearby and they both turned to look as a tall, much younger guy appeared at the top of the stairs. He stepped forward and offered his hand to Jenny.
“Mike Kennedy,” he greeted.
“Oh … pleased to meet you - again” she stammered, gulping. “My office is just back here.”
Could it get any worse? Now the cranky CEO had caught her blabbering about him behind his back. For some reason when Barry mentioned he was a company director, she’d pictured a much older man.
“First of all, thank you for the gift basket,” he said when they’d retreated to her office. “Nice touch.”
“Um, you’re welcome,” she replied nervously. “Take a seat.”
Kennedy duly sat down and set his briefcase on the floor. “I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to return your calls. I’ve been on the road.”
His trusty PA hadn’t bothered telling herthat.He smiled then and Jenny couldn’t help noticing how attractive he was.Stop it,she warned herself,this guy could get you fired.
“Ms Hamilton –” he began.
“Please, call me Jenny.”
“OK, Jenny. The reason I came to see you is because I wanted to put your mind at ease. I understand that it was a simple mistake and I’m sure these things happen.”
“But it shouldn’t have happened,” she blurted, embarrassed. “I wasn’t concentrating. If a junior staff member had done something like that, fair enough but – ”
“Please, let’s just forget about it,” he interjected. “I blew my top with your manager but that was because I had to cancel my meeting, and it was just a heat-of-the-moment reaction. You must have got into terrible trouble.”
