One
Friday 28th August
‘Sara? Can you hear me?’
Unfortunately, I could, but I was mid-way through answering an email and determined to clear my inbox before the working dayofficiallystarted.
‘Ignore me till nine,’ I said. ‘I’m a figment of your imagination.’
Bobby huffed loudly as he scribbled on a Post-it and slapped it on my screen:
Partner meeting moved to 2p.m.
‘Has it? Why?’ I shouted after him as my mobile buzzed.
‘Ask me after nine,’ he drawled, flipping me the bird. Dickhead.
HIIT me upGroup Chat
Abi: Just landed. Can’t wait to see you girls. Still on for dinner later?
Kat: YES. Always yes.
My desk phone started ringing and I could see it was reception.
For the love of God.
I cradled the handset to my ear as I typed. ‘Hey, Pete.’
‘Morning! The cab’s here to take you to court.’
‘Already? He’s early – can you ask him to wait?’
‘Will do.’
My stomach growled and I searched my drawers for snacks. Red Bull and coffee would only get me so far. I needed a proper, protein-rich breakfast, but had to settle for a packet of Frazzles and a loose Polo.
HIIT me upGroup Chat
Me: Count me in. It’s Mark’s week for the dogs so I can stay out late. Promotion meeting later, so I might have good news.
I could barely acknowledge the possibility that it was within reach. That today could mean the triple F: financial freedom forever. The partners at CSH made more money in a year than most people earnt in a lifetime and this promotion would be like a lottery win if I got it. After all the sacrifices I’d made, the weird jobs I’d worked through university, all the beans on toast and Super Noodles I’d eaten, the decision was now made, and it was either me or Bobby. Heads or tails. If they chose me, I’d be the youngest appointed partner in the history of CSH and the second woman, after our HR partner, Cheryl.
I’d been on the promotion fast-track for two years now and had thrown everything I had at it. First in each day, last out, working crazy hours and weekends; even more so since splitting up with Mark. Work had been the obvious way to fill the void. Criminal law was all-consuming, and I’d lose myself for hours, researching, preparing and scenario planning. Spending time in other people’s messy lives, so I didn’t have to think about my own. Then as soon as one case finished, I’d take another, sometimes two. Filling my boots with as much work as I could handle.
Promotion to partner had been the only thing I’d ever dreamt of. It was my living, breathing dream. And today it might finallyhappen. I was ready for it. I craved the recognition and I’d more than earned it. My career could at least have the decency to skyrocket if the rest of my life was going to fall apart.
*
‘Come in, both of you. Come in,’ Antony said, opening the boardroom door. The partners were sat around the chic, concrete table, with Antony at the helm and Cheryl by his side. Twelve pale faces with half-smiles and disinterested stares. But they wouldn’t put me off. This wasactually happeningand I was going to enjoy every single second of it. I flashed them a winning smile while Bobby cleared his throat.
‘Thank you for joining us at such short notice,’ Antony said, folding his hands in front of him. ‘We are mindful of you waiting to hear the partner promotion news and wanted to talk to you together.’ I leant forward, ready for the gold confetti to fall from the ceiling.
Cheryl nodded gently, as if Antony was reading off a script. Surely we weren’t both being promoted. Were we? I glanced at Bobby with excited eyes.
‘Due to a number of factors, we’ve unanimously votednotto add another partner to the board at this time.’
My stomach lurched.No.
