Chapter 13
Eve
Subject: Instagram Campaign Update
From: [email protected]
13:12:38 — 8 May 2022
Hi Dev,
Just a quick update about the hyacinth Instagram campaign — find attached the numbers, which are up 18% on the last promotion we did back in February. I’d like to extend this by a week, before moving the 10% introductory deal to cyclamens, which we’re trying to give a summer revamp. Would love to know your thoughts?
On another note, I’d like to put myself forward for your paternity leave cover. I know it’s slightly unconventional, and that the post isn’t currently advertised, but I feel that I am more than capable and could bring some brilliant ideas to the role.
Please find attached my updated CV and a PDF of my recent successful campaigns and their figures.
I have spoken to my manager, Eve Slater, about this, and she is in support of my application.
Best wishes,
Kirsty
* * *
Subject: RE: Instagram Campaign Update
From: [email protected]
15:57:29 — 14 May 2022
Hi Kirsty,
Thanks — will check through this and get back to you.
With regards to my pat cover: you are right, this isn’t an advertised vacancy and would normally be considered a ‘promotion’, meaning upper management would decide who was best to undertake the added responsibility and receive any corresponding change in pay.
That being said, I admire your confidence and know from Eve that your work is always exemplary. As you have received her permission, I will keep your name in mind for the role and will let you know as soon as a decision is made.
Best,
Dev
* * *
‘Six weeks ago!’ I click furiously through the desktop calendar, flicking back to the middle of May. ‘No, over six weeks! Nearly seven weeks since she emailed to put her application in.’
I push my chair back from behind me furiously, sending it skidding across the room.
‘Calm down.’ Graham glances through the window to the office. ‘People are looking.’
‘I won’t get you in trouble, Graham, don’t worry.’ I lean forward, clutching the edge of the desk, my knuckles white. ‘I can’t believe it.’
He shrugs. ‘Maybe she felt like she couldn’t tell you.’
‘Oh!’ I pull myself upright and spin around to face him. ‘ Poor her. But she could lie about getting my permission, could she? And could cope with me finding out from Dev ? She was fine with me being humiliated, and with congratulating me at the paternity leave party, and with being a lying, backstabbing little—’
Graham’s hand is on my shoulder, and I realise I’m waving my arms in the air aggressively. Somehow, I’ve made it to the other side of my office.
‘I need to log you out now.’ He frowns. ‘This was a bad idea.’
‘No! Wait, give me two more minutes.’ I push past him and pull my chair back up to my desk. I click through a few more emails.
‘Seriously, Eve, this isn’t good.’
‘Wait!’ I hiss. He sighs and pulls out his phone. I keep clicking, looking through the emails she’s saved under the name ‘Application Support’ — all the praise from upper management, every good piece of feedback I’ve ever sent her. All tucked into a neat little folder for her to use against me.
‘Come on.’ Graham pockets his phone and comes over, and I close the screen.
‘Fine.’
He checks I’m logged off, and then gives me a look. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I haven’t figured it out yet.’
‘You could just tell Dev she didn’t ask for your permission,’ he suggests.
‘I can’t!’ I seethe. ‘I pretended I knew that she’d applied.’
‘Hm.’ He frowns. ‘Well, maybe just work hard and let the best woman win? You know you’ll cinch it.’
‘I know I will.’ I sigh, running my fingers through my fringe to flatten it. I check my watch and turn to Graham again. ‘Thanks, anyway. I’ll buy you a drink later. Shall we say seven?’
‘Ah.’ He looks away. ‘I’m busy tonight.’
‘Big night in with your mum, is it?’ I tease.
‘Not quite.’ He catches my eye.
‘ Oh .’ I raise my eyebrows. ‘The girl from Dev’s party?’
‘Who? Oh, no, haven’t spoken to her.’ He looks sheepish. ‘Hannah, from accounts.’
‘Very nice. You move quickly,’ I say, rage plucking at my throat again. I sit down and fix my eyes on my computer screen. ‘Anyway, I’ve got to get back to work, so I’ll see you later.’
He chews his lip, staring at me for a second, and then moves towards the door. Before he leaves, he turns around. ‘Don’t be a dick about it, eh, Eve?’
* * *
‘I mean, it’s just basic etiquette, isn’t it? Like, not even on a managerial level, but just as a friend. Is she a psychopath? Well? I’m serious, is she?’
We’re sitting outside Katsouris Deli on Deansgate, the buses trundling past noisily. Jess is slowly lowering a bottle of organic champagne back into her tote bag.
‘I can’t believe it, Eve,’ she says, pushing the bag out of sight under the table. ‘It’s mad, isn’t it, Will?’
Will nods, holding a bottle of iced tea against his neck. ‘It’s certainly a betrayal of trust.’
‘It’s a betrayal of everything. ’ I shake my head. ‘How could she do this?’
‘Have you spoken to her?’ Jess rests her hand on her chin. ‘Maybe she can explain.’
‘No, I haven’t, and no, she can’t.’ I take a sip of my frappe. ‘She’s conveniently been out of the office since the news broke.’
‘Give her a call?’ Will suggests. ‘Maybe there’s something going on.’
‘You’re right.’ I nod. ‘Maybe she’s been possessed.’
‘You know what I mean.’ He rolls his eyes, and I notice that he looks tired.
‘How’s Benny?’ Jess turns her attention to Will.
‘He’s fine,’ he smiles. ‘Not sleeping super well, but that’s to be expected.’
I tune out as they discuss Will’s parenting difficulties. I care, of course I do, but I can’t concentrate. I need a brainstorming session, I need tactics, I need everyone focused on how we’re going to resolve this.
‘I’m calling her,’ I say, interrupting their conversation. They turn to me and watch as I put my phone to my ear.
‘What are you going to say ?’ Jess whispers.
I hold up my hand as Kirsty’s voicemail message chirps in my ear.
‘Oh, hey, Kirsty. Just thought I’d check in. I haven’t seen you in a while. I had my meeting with Dev on Monday, if you remember? He told me you’d put yourself forward for his paternity cover! That’s exciting. Anyway, give me a call when you get this and we can figure out what the fuck is going on. Bye!’
I hang up.
‘That went well,’ Will says drily.
I take a deep breath. ‘I’ll be more professional when she calls back.’
My phone starts ringing.
‘Is it her?’ Jess gasps, peering at my screen.
I nod. Right, this is it. I need to get my head on straight. I’m a professional woman, and I will be getting this job. There’s no point giving Kirsty a chance to report me for poor conduct in the interim.
‘Hello?’
‘Eve.’ She sounds down, sombre. ‘Eve, I’m so sorry. I should have told you.’
‘No problem,’ I breeze. ‘You’re perfectly entitled to apply for any positions that come up within the company.’
But you’re not entitled to lie about getting my permission, I think, but bite my tongue. If she finds out I’ve seen her emails, it’s game over.
‘I swear I would have come to you, but it was all so quick. Dev spoke to me just before he came to you, it was such a shock.’
A cold fury wraps itself around my neck. Liar.
‘Of course, it must have been really tricky for you,’ I say calmly. ‘Especially when you were so supportive of me getting the job.’
‘Exactly!’ she breathes, and I can hear the relief in her voice. ‘I’ve just felt awful, I haven’t been able to get out of bed.’
‘Gosh, well if it’s making you feel that terrible perhaps you should just drop out of the running?’ I say, unable to help myself.
‘Well... yeah, maybe I should,’ she says, but there’s defiance in her voice now. ‘But I’m sure you’ll get it anyway. There wouldn’t be much point.’
‘No, you’re probably right,’ I reply, my hand tight around the phone. ‘Anyway, Kirsty, I’ve got to run. I’ll see you when you’re back in the office?’
‘Of course, I’ll—’
I hang up.
‘Well?’ Jess leans forward. ‘Is she dropping out?’
‘Of course she isn’t.’ I drain the rest of my drink in one long slurp, and then crumple the plastic in my fist. ‘But she’s deluded if she thinks she’s in with a chance.’