Chapter 10
Placing a fresh mug of coffee on her desk, Polly pulled out the wheelie chair and sat down before glancing across at Zac’s desk.
Where was he? He’d left Pennycress Inn almost half an hour before she had and yet he’d clearly not come straight into work.
And he had a car. She’d had to navigate the bus timetable before almost missing the last bus before starting time. He had no excuse.
She shrugged as she picked up her mug and looked at the view in front of her.
A small group of runners jogged along the winding path before the one at the back paused and peered behind her.
What was she looking at? Leaning forward, Polly strained her neck to the left, searching for whatever the runner was gazing at.
Two moments later, another runner hobbled along towards her, clutching her side.
Ah, stitch. And that was why Polly didn’t run. She remembered only too well the excruciating pain of a stitch from cross-country at school. Nope. Never again. They could keep their running, thank you very much.
‘Morning.’ Zac’s voice filled the office and Polly twisted in her chair.
She frowned. It seemed his demeanour had turned a whole one eighty since the awkward conversation during breakfast. Gone was the slightly aloof Zac and here was an animated one, smiling and carrying two cup holders full of cardboard coffee takeout cups.
‘Ooh, have you really just bought us all coffee?’ Vicki rushed across the office towards him. ‘I could get used to this.’
‘I have indeed. A mixture of pumpkin spice lattes and gingerbread ones too.’ Zac held the trays aloft slightly before placing them down on the counter in the small kitchen area.
As Declan, Art and Dennis flocked towards him, Polly turned back towards the window.
So this was how he was going to play this.
He was going to buy himself into that promotion.
She shook her head. What was she supposed to do?
She wasn’t going to be promoted. Zac would.
She could feel her breath quickening as she began thinking about everything – the flat, the fact she couldn’t stay at Pennycress Inn all paid for forever, finding her own home on this wage.
And that was if she was lucky. That was if Zac deemed her worthy to stay on the team when he took over Declan’s role.
And he wouldn’t. He hated her. Never had more than two words to say to her. He’d fire her.
She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t sit here listening to everyone cooing over Zac and his super obvious attempt at buying affection, at buying his promotion. She tugged at the collar of her sweatshirt, which suddenly felt as though it were attempting to strangle her. She had to get out.
Standing up, she grabbed her notebook and pen and headed towards the door, navigating her way around the people clustered around Zac and his magic lattes.
‘Here’s yours, Polly.’ Extricating himself from the gathered group, Zac stepped into Polly’s path and shoved a takeaway cup beneath her nose.
Glancing around, she realised Declan was watching the exchange as he sipped his latte. Plastering a sweet smile on her face, Polly gushed. ‘Wow, for me? Thank you.’
‘You’re very welcome. Can’t have my roomie going thirsty, can I?’ Zac passed her the cup.
Taking it, Polly caught his eye. What was that look? Triumph? Fear? She couldn’t work it out, but, in that instant, she knew for certain that she’d been right. He’d brought drinks to try to get everyone on his side. ‘Thank you.’
Backing away again, she watched as Zac was quickly absorbed back into the conversation going on around him before she turned and headed outside.
Stepping into the tired foyer of the visitor centre, Polly dropped the full cup of pumpkin spice latte in the bin, and sidestepped around another runner before pulling open the heavy door and walking outside.
The cold autumn air hit her, a welcome distraction from the scene she’d just left behind.
She needed to get away from Zac’s schmoozing.
* * *
Making her way back into the visitor centre half an hour later, Polly paused just outside the door to the office and scrubbed at the mud on the knees of her jeans.
So much for clearing her head. All she’d done was trip over in front of the runners.
Whilst walking. Yep, they’d been jogging past, the first few without even a droplet of sweat clinging to their brows and there’d she been, walking – no, strolling – and she’d managed to fall over her own feet.
And as if that hadn’t been embarrassing enough, one of the runners had sped towards her and checked she was okay.
No wonder they hadn’t asked her to join their running team.
They probably thought she needed more practice walking first.
Well, she’d blame Zac for that. All she’d been able to think about was the promotion and how precarious her once well-thought-out plan to move to this part of the Cotswolds had become.
The last five years of stretching herself thin, of limping by as a single person on a part-time wage and splitting herself between doing the best for the children in her class as well as attempting to secure a job at the trust, and this is where it had got her – running out on her duties to clear her head and embarrassing herself in front of the regular reserve runners. Thanks, Zac.
She felt the swoosh of the door open behind her before hearing Zac’s familiar voice. ‘Took a tumble?’
Straightening her back, Polly felt a fierce glow of embarrassment sear across her skin. Of course it was him. Of course. ‘Er, just a little.’
Zac paused, still gripping the door handle, heat escaping the warm foyer of the visitor centre. ‘You, umm, need anything?’
Blinking, Polly stuttered, ‘N-no. Thank you.’
‘Right.’ With the slightest frown, Zac waited until she’d entered the building before letting the door swing shut.
Putting her hands on her hips, Polly watched him through the glass door as he walked towards the ranger’s cabin.
Had he just been nice? Okay, not nice, but normal?
She was certain she’d seen a flicker of normality flash across his features.
Jeez, if he kept this up, she might mistakenly think he’d reverted back to the human he used to be.
Nope. Shaking her head, she stood in front of the radiator, about the only thing the foyer had going for it. With the heat warming her palms, she tried to focus. She didn’t have a clue what she was doing here. Not now she knew Zac was in line for the promotion too.
Standing there, she watched as he walked up to the ranger, who had just emerged from the trees. What was he up to?
‘Ah, Polly. There you are.’
Turning, she looked towards Declan, who was standing in the half-open doorway to the office. ‘Hi, sorry, I was just…’ She indicated the reserve beyond the glass doors. Did she need to explain herself?
‘Acclimatising yourself?’ Declan smiled.
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Nodding, Polly wiped her muddy hands down the front of her jeans before following him back into the office. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes, of course.’ As they walked into the office, Declan waved his hand in the direction of the meeting room. ‘Shall we?’
Following him into the room, she noticed a stack of papers in the middle of the large table – maps and photographs by the looks of things.
‘Sit down, sit down. Coffee? Tea? Water?’ Declan pointed to the tiny table of refreshments in the corner of the room.
‘No, I’m fine. Thanks.’ She swallowed, her mouth dry, as she sat down.
Why did she have the distinct feeling this meeting wasn’t going to be good?
She glanced at Declan, who was hopping from foot to foot before finally walking to the opposite side of the table and sitting down.
He wasn’t the relaxed man he’d been yesterday, this morning even.
Was she going to lose her job? Was that it?
Was he going to fire her? That would explain the way he was acting.
He looked nervous and she couldn’t imagine he was used to firing anybody, and if he was, then he didn’t give off an air of enjoyment about it.
Gripping her hands on the arms of the chair, she shifted her seat closer to the table.
‘Right, something has come to my attention, which I feel I must address. I’ve already spoken to Zac and so it seems only fair that I inform you at this moment in time too.’ Reaching for the half-empty glass in front of him, Declan took a swig of water.
‘Okay.’ Was he really going to fire her? Could he fire her? Mr Bob had secured the job for her. He’d even made it possible for her to stay at Pennycress Inn. Was Declan about to undo all of that, undo all of her hard work and dedication to the trust over the years?
‘Having spoken at length to Zac and then to Robert…’
‘Robert?’ Who was Robert?
‘Sorry, I think you know him as Mr Bob.’
Polly nodded. Of course, Bob, Robert. Why had she never put the two together? Clasping her hands in her lap, she waited for Declan to continue.
‘Zachary brought to my attention that you have both had hints that you might stand to take over as project manager when I retire. To your understanding, is that correct?’
‘Yes, it is.’ Although Mr Bob had certainly not ‘hinted’ at the fact, his promise had been clear and precise.
‘I see.’ Declan stroked his beard before picking up his pen. ‘I thought as much. It’s true that neither Art, Dennis nor Vicki have any interest in the position…’
‘But you don’t think I stand a chance of getting the promotion?
’ Polly could hear her voice rasping. What was she going to do?
She’d already used all of her savings when she’d gone part-time in order to volunteer and pursue a career at the trust, and she’d taken a pay cut for this job.
She had nothing left, nothing to fall back on.
Nothing. And even if she managed to keep this job, she simply wouldn’t be able to buy her own place if she didn’t get the higher wage the promotion offered.
Heck, she likely wouldn’t be able to rent her own place either, not with how high the rents were locally.
She’d have to flat-share or else go back to teaching.
Laying his hands against the surface of the table, Declan shook his head. ‘That’s not what I’m suggesting. Not at all. From what I know of you and Zachary’s backgrounds, you both stand in good stead. But that is where lies the problem.’
‘Why?’ So she did stand a chance? Or was he about to say neither of them would be able to apply? That it would be somehow unfair, immoral?
‘Because it’s ultimately my decision who takes over caring for this beautiful place.
’ He waved his arms around, encompassing the meeting room and the reserve beyond the window.
‘The only solution I can think of is to make you both a proposition, a proposal to make this the fairest solution, if you will.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’ve already spoken to Zachary and, what I’m about to say to you, I have said to him. I’ll make this proposal and then I want you to take the rest of the day to mull it over and get back to me with a decision tomorrow.’ Declan tapped the end of his pen against the notebook in front of him.
‘And what is that proposal?’
‘I promise not to make any decisions until the end of the three months. You’ll both do the best you can at your jobs, and we’ll see who is better prepared by the end of the time.
’ Declan leaned back in his chair. ‘As fundraising and development officers, it should be pretty easy to measure both of your success rates. But, of course, I won’t only be looking at the amount of new funds you bring in but also your general contribution to the office and, most importantly, to the reserve itself. For both of you.’
This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be.
‘But I was promised the job of outreach and education officer. I haven’t worked in fundraising before.
I don’t know what I’m doing.’ She spread her hands out on the table in front of her, palms up.
Her ability could be measured on the outcome of a job she’d never done before. How was that fair?
‘I understand. But Zachary is in the same position as you are. Neither of you have prior experience of the role. I’m afraid I just can’t think of another way to do it.
The only way I can possibly choose one of you over the other is by merit.
You’ve both come to this team highly rated by Robert.
’ He lifted his glass to his lips before lowering it again.
‘Now, as I’ve said, take the rest of the day to have a think and, by all means, if you come up with a better solution to our little dilemma, then please let me know. ’
‘Okay.’ Polly squeaked out a reply. Trying her best to appear more composed than she felt. ‘I will do.’
‘Good. Right, I’d best get on.’ Declan stood up and made his way to the door before holding it open for her.
Passing in front of him, Polly forced herself to ask the question she wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to. ‘And I’m guessing the position will be advertised too?’
‘That’s right. I’m afraid my hands are tied in that respect.’
‘Of course.’
As Polly made her way back to her desk, she felt as though she could feel everyone’s eyes on her.
They must all know about the misunderstanding, about Mr Bob promising both her and Zac a decent shot at the promotion.
Art, Dennis and Vicki must know. Slipping into her wheelie chair, she was grateful Zac was still outside.
She wasn’t sure she was ready to face him quite yet.
Not now he’d suddenly gone from being the irritable man she had to sit next to, to being her work rival.
‘Ah, Polly. I’m sorry, I clean forgot to give these to you.
’ Declan placed a large stack of papers in front of her.
‘You’ll find everything you need to know about Meadowfield Nature Reserve here.
Maps, information about its past, and previous fundraising events.
Well, those in the past five years, anyway. ’
‘Great. Thank you.’ Polly pulled the stack towards her. So much for trying to come up with a fairer way to decide who got the promotion. Looking through this lot would take her well into the evening.