Chapter 34
Bali
I leaned on a wall beneath a crumbling archway, angling my body to get as much of myself into the shade as possible.
Far below was the sea, a constant muffled roar, crashing onto the rocky cliffs.
In front was a set of ancient stone steps leading down into a fountain surrounded by gardens.
Directly opposite on the balustrade was a lone monkey, tucking into a mango while staring at me, occasionally pulling his lips back to reveal long yellowed teeth.
There were signs everywhere warning visitors to the Uluwatu temple to keep shiny objects hidden from the monkeys; they were such dreadful pickpockets that staff kept catapults and long sticks handy to protect unsuspecting tourists.
I had a scarf covering my shoulders and backpack, and although I had my phone out, I was keeping a tight hold of it.
It wasn’t the ideal spot to take a Zoom call from my employer, but the message I’d received earlier had stressed the importance of the meeting and this was the only place at the temple that I’d been able to get a phone signal.
I had a couple of minutes spare, so I scrolled to my saved messages and replayed the voicemail I’d woken up to from Jono.
‘I’ve heard you’re in Bali. It’s all right for some!
Daisy saw your update on Instagram, and that you’ve lost your daughter’s book.
I know how important it is to you and I hope you’re okay.
You never know, it might turn up; it’s got to be somewhere.
But if it doesn’t, don’t let it ruin your trip by beating yourself up.
You can still have a good time. Bali is a great place; I went with a bunch of mates years ago.
Head down to Uluwatu and visit the temple.
There’s a spirituality to the place that I think will appeal to you.
‘If you’re into surfing, go to Canggu – the waves are enormous.
In fact, go anyway, even if you’re not. It’s fun to watch the surfers, and every other café is owned by an Aussie, so the coffee is great.
Daisy says hi and Max misses you. He goes to Creek Cottage every morning to look for you.
I’ve told him you’re not coming back yet, but we can always hope. ’
There was a pause down the line.
‘To be honest, I miss you too. There’s a Maggie-shaped hole at Ruby Creek, so if you get fed up with beach life in Bali, I’d love to have you back. Anyway, something to think about. Enjoy the rest of your trip and don’t forget us.’
Listening to his voice made me smile again.
His suggestion to come to Uluwatu was a good one.
I had booked a driver for the day who’d brought me here and was waiting outside the temple to take me back afterwards.
I’d arrived early and had had the place almost to myself, wandering along quiet paths dressed in the sarong I’d been given, planning my next move.
Jono was a good man and I’d enjoyed our fling, but Australia was a long way from home.
Besides, there was still unfinished business with his ex-wife.
So, I wouldn’t be going back, but it felt good to be wanted.
Right on cue, my phone screen kicked into action and my boss started the meeting.
‘Hi, Anna. How’s things?’ I took my sunglasses off so I could see the screen better.
She was sitting in the boardroom, a coffee mug in her hand. She looked pale and there was something about her posture which hinted at weariness and set my alarm bells ringing. Something wasn’t right.
‘Look at you, all tanned and relaxed. Australia suits you,’ she said. ‘I’m very envious. We were skiing a couple of weeks ago and I don’t think the temperature rose above zero the entire time.’
No mention of bumping into Lee Masters and his family, I noticed.
I didn’t let on that I knew about it, in case it caused problems for George, but it did strike me as odd that she hadn’t told me.
Perhaps I was reading too much into it, but it was unsettling.
For the first time since being away from the office, I felt nervous about my standing within the company.
This call, whatever it was about, was a chance for me to demonstrate to Anna that she’d be right to recommend me for a place on the board when I returned.
‘Thanks. I’m in Bali now. Australia was so last week.’ I gave an exaggerated flutter of my eyelashes, making her smile. ‘Although I’m not relaxed. I’ve been worried ever since I got your message. Is everything okay?’
Before Anna had time to answer, her dad took a seat beside her.
‘Maggie, hi,’ Ron Swift said with a faint smile. ‘Nice to see you taking some time for yourself after the year you’ve had. I’m sure it’s given you a new perspective on life. Good decision.’
‘It was Anna who suggested I take a sabbatical,’ I said, realising too late that I’d probably just reminded them about the keys in the canal incident. ‘But travel certainly broadens the mind.’
Ron nodded. ‘Wendy and I are planning on doing the same; we’re going on a cruise. Got to make the most of what time she’s got left.’
His voice cracked and he looked at his daughter for support. I frowned. The last time I’d seen Wendy Swift was when she’d popped into the office with mince pies in December. She’d been fine then as far as I’d known, and we’d had a quiet chat about Bronte.
‘Mum’s had some bad news.’ Anna pressed a tissue to her eyes. ‘Health-wise.’
‘Oh no, I’m so sorry.’ My heart sank. This was so unfair. ‘Please give her my love.’
Anna’s mum was the antithesis of mine: a stay-at-home wife who had been the heart of the home, always on hand with a cuddle or a kiss for a grazed knee. Endless ideas for rainy-day activities. And since Anna’s son was born, a willing babysitter.
‘No need to go into details,’ said Ron, rubbing his daughter’s shoulder. ‘Suffice to say that my priorities have changed, and I’ve brought forward my retirement date to be with Wendy. Wanted to tell you myself.’
‘Of course,’ I nodded. ‘Family comes first, always.’
‘It does. Right, best get on. I’ll leave the rest with Anna.’
We said our goodbyes and Ron got up and disappeared from view.
‘Oh Anna,’ I said heavily once we were alone.
‘I know. It’s awful.’ She stared down at the tissue in her hands. ‘Look, can we stick to work stuff or I’ll be more of a mess than I already am?’
‘Sure.’ I understood the need to remain professional even when your heart was breaking.
‘I’m stepping up to the role of chairperson with immediate effect,’ she told me.
Poor Anna. She’d worked so hard to prove herself at ShopSwift so that no one would resent her eventual elevation to the top job.
It had been a role she’d long been looking forward to: the chance to take her father’s company to even greater heights.
Now her promotion would be tinged with regret that it had come at a price.
Poor Ron too. He had been talking for years about his impending retirement and how Wendy was looking forward to having him at home.
This would be a big blow to all the family.
‘You can count on me to support you as much as I can,’ I said. ‘Under the circumstances, you’ll want me to cancel my sabbatical and return to the office as soon as possible.’
‘There’s no need for that.’ Anna held her hands up.
‘You’ve given a lot to this company over the years.
I have been going back over the personnel files.
Your record is incredible, Maggie. No sickness, never more than five consecutive days’ annual leave and only a short stint of compassionate leave when Bronte passed away.
No, you deserve this break, I won’t hear of you cutting it short. ’
Her comment worried me. Why would she have been checking my file? ‘But a decision will have to be made about your replacement?’
‘Dad and I have been thinking about restructuring,’ said Anna with a tight smile, skirting past my question.
‘Oh?’ That was a word which struck fear into a senior manager’s heart. It was normally accompanied by the word redundancy .
She nodded. ‘I’m going to be introducing a new training and mentoring strand to the business.
You excel at bringing on new talent, and you’re brilliant with people, so I thought you’d be a great choice to lead it.
Senior manager initially, with potential to join the board in the future. Dad has already approved it.’
One phrase stood out: in the future. How many times had I been promised a seat on the board? And now the goalposts were shifting again.
‘I’ve trained staff for my sales team, yes,’ I said calmly. ‘Sales is where I excel, not training.’
My boss leaned forward on her elbows, her gaze firm. ‘I want a strong and united team in place to take the company forward with me, Maggie. I hope I can count on you.’
‘What about my shot at the job of sales director?’ My voice trembled with frustration. Was I being sidelined? ‘Anna, what’s going on?’
‘Lee is going to be heading up sales. He’s done a terrific job and the profits in his division confirm that. We think it makes sense to streamline and so rather than having two divisions, yours and his, he’ll be absorbing your team and your clients.’
I stiffened. ‘My division has always been profitable, offering him the job on that basis doesn’t stack up.
You said you’d support my application for a promotion to the board.
’ I could hear the hurt in my voice as it climbed an octave.
I’d trusted her; she was supposed to be my friend.
‘It was a condition of me taking the time off in the first place. You aren’t even giving me a chance. ’
‘Mum’s illness has come out of the blue and it’s changed everything.’ Anna winced guiltily. ‘We have had to make some difficult decisions. Lee is a steady pair of hands, a family man—’
‘A family man?’ I gave a shocked laugh. ‘I’m being penalised for my lack of relatives now?’