5. The Proposal
5
The Proposal
Omar
T he orchid on the reception desk has twenty leaves. I’ve counted them twice, that’s how bored I am. I’ve been waiting in Ben and Cooper’s office for nearly forty minutes.
When I came on duty at three, I was told to report upstairs rather than go and take over from the other driver.
I know what this is about and I wish they’d just get it over and done with. I appreciate their decency to tell me themselves but it doesn’t change anything on the outcome. I’ll be without a job soon and then I’ll have to make some tough decisions on what next. I could maybe move in with my mum for a few months, but the thought of asking my mother, as a thirty-nine-year-old man, if I can stay with her and her boyfriend fills me with dread. Of course, I can apply for other jobs but the companies looking for someone at short notice don’t usually pay very well and rent in London is high; even if you’re sharing. Isn’t selling photos of feet on Only Fans a thing? But I doubt my hairy Hobbit toes will appeal to anyone.
“Omar, sorry to have kept you waiting.” Ben drops a folder on Gladys’ desk.
"No problem, Sir." I know he hates being called that but one of my colleagues once used the client's first name because they’d asked him to. Our boss overheard and fired him as soon as he could. This has become company folklore, and every new driver hears about it on their first day.
"Come on in." He points to the open door of his office with a sweeping motion and lets me step in first before closing the door behind us. I've only been in here once before which was on my first day when I was introduced to Ben. Since then I've always waited in the staff canteen or in my car. Ben's secretary Gladys, or someone else from the reception team would call me whenever I was needed.
There’s always a lot of waiting around during the late shift, especially after all the staff have left. In the past, I would wait around to take Ben home. Lately, though, there's been even more time spent doing nothing. Ben and Coop are now both in relationships that keep them at home more than at the office. Occasionally, they take their significant others out for dinner and avoid the hassle of trying to find parking by asking me to take them. Aside from that, there isn't usually much else to do anymore. Before I finished my degree, I used that time to get some coursework down. Now, I usually just end up doomscrolling through my phone.
“Please, have a seat.” Ben straightens his tie as he drops into his office chair. I almost grin because I know he hates the tie. It’s the first thing he takes off the minute he gets into my car and he always lets out a sigh as if he can finally breathe again.
There’s silence in the room. Ben looks uncomfortable and doesn’t seem to know how to start.
“Sir, I don’t think this conversation is necessary,” I try to make it easier on him. “Paul, I mean Mr Blake, called me to let me know.” Ben gives me a curious look.
“And what would it be that Paul told you?” The mischievous glint in his eyes makes me wonder if maybe I’ve got this wrong.
“He... he called and said you won’t be extending the contract for a second driver.”
“Not true. Not sure where he got that from but I’ll get Gladys to call him. Coop and I’ve agreed to keep you on until your degree comes through. And if you need references for any jobs you plan to apply for please give them our details directly.”
“Oh. Thank you. That’s very generous of you. I... I’d understand if you had to let me go though. It’s not a good business decision and—”
“Omar, you’ve shown complete dedication and loyalty to our organisation. We live in a time when even an NDA doesn’t stop staff gossiping if the price is right. It would be a bad business decision to repay your commitment to this company for the last three years by dropping you so close to you achieving your goal. We pride ourselves on being fair employers and this is only fair.”
I’m not sure many company owners out there would agree with their decision but Ben and Coop have always operated differently to others. There is a persistent rumour making the rounds that they cancelled an important business contract because the manager of the other company insulted Ben’s girlfriend, Amelia. I don’t know if it’s true but I can definitely see him doing that for Amelia.
“Actually, what I need to ask you is a bit... strange. How would you feel about a road trip?”
I relax at those words. Next week he and his girlfriend are going to Yorkshire for three months. To be honest this is why I thought he would be letting me go now. Once he’s up north the company definitely doesn’t need a second driver.
“Of course, I can drive you and Ms Foley to Yorkshire.” Not sure why the song and dance about it. It’s a five-hour drive, so not really a big deal.
“No. That’s not what I meant.” Ben leans forward. “Amelia’s friend Bridget is planning a road trip from Kent to Rome and back. She can’t drive and so she’s looking for a driver. Amelia and I would feel more comfortable if the person joining her is someone we know and trust. But I do realise this is outside your normal remit and would come with a substantial time commitment. M that way we don’t need any discussions about you working abroad. You will receive your salary directly from us from now on and Bri will pay you an additional hundred and fifty pounds a day.” I do some quick maths in my head. I can sublet my room for a month so the rent is covered, I’ll have accommodation and food paid for and I get extra salary. I guess luck is with me after all.
“I don’t know what to say, Sir.”
“No, no, if you’re employed at M&W you have to call me Ben.” He points at me with a cheeky grin.
“Ben,” I nod. “I’ll make sure your friend has a safe trip around Italy.”
“I don’t doubt you will.” The screen of his phone lights up and a small smile appears on his face as he reads the message. “Amelia has arranged your interview… audition, call it what you want, for tomorrow afternoon at three at the coffee shop near my house. You know where that is?” he asks.
I nod. I spent a lot of evenings studying in there—luckily that place is open late—whenever Ben needed me to wait before taking one of his dates home. But that was way before he met Amelia.
“I’ll be there. And, thank you. I know you don’t have to do this,” I tell him with honest gratitude.
“On the contrary. You’re doing me, and Coop, a favour because if you hadn’t agreed Amelia and Lizzie would have worried the whole time that Bri’s away.” We shake hands before I leave. I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted from my shoulders.
My Italian might be a bit rusty but it’s still good enough to get around. This could actually be an awesome month of travelling through Bella Italia and gorging on pasta, and to top it off I’ll get paid to do it. That’s as close to a jackpot I’ll ever get. One last adventure before I take on some desk job. All I need to do now is convince the woman that I’m the man for the job. Piece of cake!
I park the car in a side street not far from Little Hadlow’s village green. I’ve pictured myself living somewhere like this more than once when I’ve driven through to drop Ben off. I’ve had enough of London and the overpriced rental market. Given that I want to work in government diplomatic services I’ll probably never completely get away from city life but a rural and cosy place like Little Hadlow, within commuter distance to central London, that’s where I see my future.
As I round the corner, I spot through the big front windows that the coffee shop is not busy at all. It’s a weekday and the after-school invasion hasn’t hit yet.
The warmth of the coffee shop is a welcome relief from the cold and misty October day. I rub my hands together to warm my fingers as I approach the counter to order a coffee. Casually scanning the room, my eyes land on a woman in the furthest corner. She's tapping the wooden table with her fingers whilst scrolling on the phone in her other hand. She matches the description Ben texted me: a short, blonde woman in her forties with a cat handbag. I thought the description was a bit vague, but Ben had shared my company photo with her so if I can’t find her, surely she’ll recognise me.
I glance at the woman again as the barista slides my coffee across the counter. I can’t tell if she’s short and I definitely won’t guess her age, but she has a cat handbag and nobody else in here does. Here goes nothing.
As I approach, I can see her giggling at something on her phone. Her face lights up and makes her look way younger than forty something. Maybe I do have the wrong woman?
“Ms Johnson?” I ask cautiously.
Her eyes find mine and a big smile spreads across her face. A warm smile, a welcoming smile… a cute smile.
“Omar! It’s so nice to meet you,” she jumps up and moves towards me like she wants to hug me before catching herself and holding out her hand stiffly. A rose tint appears on her cheeks.
“Nice to meet you.” I grip her tiny hand and squeeze it. Standing in front of me, it becomes apparent just how short she is. I’m not the tallest guy ever at five-foot-eleven—I certainly don’t match the six-foot something tall, dark and handsome description that every thirst trap online comes with—but she can’t be much more than five-foot-four.
We take a seat and I slide the print out in my hand across the table.
“Oh, yes, your CV,” she picks it up and starts to study it. “I would have offered you a coffee but I can see you—” She stops herself and looks at me over the top of the paper. “Your name is Walter Omar Brown?”
“Yes.”
“Ben always called you Omar.”
“Yes, that’s my middle name. I don’t like Walter.” She studies me briefly before nodding to accept my very vague explanation.
“AWOL!” a voice shouts from behind me.
Fantastic!