CHAPTER 17
*~* Molly *~*
“Men!!” I mumble under my breath. “They are more trouble than they are worth.” Looking up from my desk as Jamie walks in and takes a seat.
“Who is more trouble then they are worth?”
“Men…” I fill Jamie in on Breaker’s behavior and the kiss. I even spilled the fact that I’d liked it, which shocked me into realizing just that.
Jamie laughed while having a twinkle in her eye. I’m telling you that isn’t going to be forgotten, and payback can be a bitch. Now, I frown at her, letting her know that I’m not amused.
“Aw, come on, Molly. You like him. He’s a good one, and although rough around the edges he is a good man, and would make a good old man if you were ready to settle down.” Jamie picks up the bag she had brought into the office with her and takes out a bottle of water.
“So, what can I do for you?” I ask, changing the subject swiftly.
“I see what you are doing.”
Now, I look at her with a squint because this conversation needs to stop. “What do you think I’m doing?”
“You were changing the subject because you don’t want to talk about Breaker.”
“No, I don’t, and that would be how you'd feel if I brought up Fury isn’t it?” Now, I’m the one giving her a questioning look.
Spluttering over the water she’s just swallowed, she looks up at me wide-eyed. “What?”
“Never mind what, Jamie. You and Fury have been up to no good for quite some time from what I hear. So, come on spill the story if we are going to be sharing some fragile feelings.” I can’t help but give her a satisfied grin as she blushes, grabs her bag and heads out the door.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought!” I giggle as I see her back disappearing.
I shout after her although she’s not going to reply, “WHAT ABOUT GIVING A KEY AWAY TOO!” Yep, no response… I didn’t think there would be.
Barbara, the opposite receptionist to Angel is a delight. She is bubbly, friendly, and seems to be a genuinely nice person. She understands the criteria that are needed for the reception and for putting the patients at ease.
“What do you personally feel would improve the reception area?” I ask, and I’m sure at some stage we will discuss the elephant in the room, which happens to be Angel.
“The seating area, I think is a little squashed together. When you are coughing and sneezing you don’t want to spread that to the person next to you.
I think a little distance between the seats would be a good idea.
Or we have masks at hand when they enter.
Something on the wall where they can just pick one up as they walk into the reception area. ”
“That’s a good idea, Barbara. I’ll speak to Jamie about that.
I wouldn’t want to sit next to anyone who was coughing germs everywhere.
Especially when you are here for a health issue already.
” I jot a note on the pad in front of me on the desk and then look up at Barbara again.
“Any issues with a staff member?” Yeah, I had to ask the question.
“Well, I think everyone has a problem with Angel. She is rude, brash and insults patients whenever she feels like it. If I had to work alongside her instead of on the opposite rotation as her I would leave.”
Nodding, because honestly I can believe what she has told me, from the minor interactions I have had so far with Angel. “Okay, that’s good to know. I’ve had my eye on her, but with only a few days I don’t have enough as yet to voice my concerns. I’m sure however, it won’t take long.”
“No, I’m sure it won’t either. She just can’t seem to help herself when it comes to being rude.” Barbara shakes her head, more to herself than me, but I can see she’s not trying to get Angel into any trouble. She’s just telling me how she sees it.
“If you have nothing else to add I’d just like to say that it is a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we can work well together. But know that you can come to me with ideas, or complaints at any time.”
“Thank you, Miss Brookes.”
“No, none of that Miss Brookes stuff, Barbara. I’m Molly, and I’d prefer you called me that. Can you send Angel in for me, please?” I give her a bright smile, and she returns it as she exits the office, but I hear her mumble, ‘Good luck.’
Now, that was a good meeting. I’m happy with Barbara’s work record, her attendance, and the comments that have been left in the comment box. Nothing to show me she won’t remain here and be an asset.
Without knocking or a word of greeting, Angel flounces into the office and throws herself into the seat in front of my desk. Chewing gum loudly, her entire attitude screams disrespect.
“Get rid of the gum, the attitude and then retake your seat.” I give her the iciest tone I can manage, and the shock on her face tells me it achieved the reaction I wanted.
I sit calmly while Angel walks over to the trash can near the door, then retakes her seat. She’s not spoken, and she’s dropped some of the attitude, but not all of it.
“Okay, let’s start again. How long have you worked here, Angel?”
“Don’t you know? Why have you not looked at my records? This is wasting my time…” Jumping out of her seat she is about to flounce out of the office, but I stop her in her tracks.
“Leave this office, and you will be removed from your position as a receptionist in the practice. I will make up your last pay, and then you’ll be done.
Otherwise, take your seat, and it’s the last time I’m telling you to lose the attitude.
” I lean forward slightly in my seat, clasp my hands together on the desk and wait for her to decide.
It takes only two minutes for Angel to retake her seat. She folds her arms over her chest and looks like a teenager having a tantrum. She certainly is not the kind of person a practice like ours would ever need as the first face anyone sees.
“I have looked at your records…” Pausing to show I’m not appreciating what I’m seeing.
“Your records show you have sixteen complaints against you for offensive comments. You have been warned five times about your tardiness for work hours. You also have two complaints regarding you making sexual comments to men when they have come for an appointment, and one of those had their wife with them.”
Angel smirks as if this is some kind of achievement. No shame, embarrassment or upset whatsoever. Yes, she has to go, and I’ll be giving her marching orders soon.
“I’m giving you notice, Angel. One more late morning to work, one more offensive comment, complaint or hitting on a man that comes into the practice, and you will lose your job.
This is the last warning you will get.” I hold my hand up to stop her from speaking.
“Don’t give me any sass, because that will be the comment that at this moment will have you walking out the door with your severance pay. ”
Angel must realize how serious I am being as she drops her head to look into her lap. I wait for her to think about what I’ve said, and when she nods to herself before lifting her head up to look at me, she speaks softly and with respect. “I understand, Miss Brookes.”
I don’t correct her as I did Barbara as I don’t think at this minute she has earned that right.
But hopefully she can soon. “I am putting you on probation for the next three months. If you do anything that I’ve brought to your attention you will be let go with, as I said severance pay. I hope this won’t happen.”
Sniffing in such a way that it shows me Angel isn’t going to last that long because even now she is showing some disrespect.
“I’ll do my best to improve what you feel is wrong.” Angel has some of her attitude back already. But that’s on her now. If she can’t mend her ways, then she’ll be gone. I won’t lose sleep over it.
“Good. The other thing is the fact that you are the first face that anyone sees when they walk into the practice. With that being said you need to tidy your appearance. Wearing a skirt that is too short, a blouse that is not buttoned correctly, and hair that looks like a bird’s nest is not the look we are aiming for.
Tidy yourself up, wear appropriate clothing, or I’ll supply a uniform that you will wear, and present yourself as a professional person.
” I do my best looking down my nose at her, which I think makes my point as she grinds her teeth. Of course, she can’t remain silent.
“I don’t see why you feel you can tell me what to wear. I’m sitting behind a reception desk, so nobody can see past my waist. My hair is fashionable, so it’s something about me being younger than you.” Jutting her chin out, she tried her best to make me back down.
“Look, Angel, if you want to dress like a club girl for the club then by all means do so, but you can’t do that here. If you want me to see if I can get you a position at the club as one of those girls, then just say so?” I wait, and you know I can see the little shit thinking about it!
“Won’t happen, Molly. We don’t take troublemakers into the club.
This one is a prize one troublemaker. We’ve all seen her cause drama, and we won’t allow that.
I can’t see any of the brothers wanting to stick their dicks in her either,” Breaker states from the doorway, so calmly that even I feel embarrassed.
Looking at Angel I’m truly amazed she’s not understood, or taken on board anything he has just said.
She’s looking at him like she wants to eat him up.
“Angel, get out of here and get to work. Remember what I’ve said because one slip and you are gone.”
Angel walks out of the office without a word to me, but she gives Breaker a look from his boots to his eyes, though she flinches when he is looking at her so coldly that ice is forming.
“What are you doing here, Breaker?”
He strolls forward and places a brown bag on my desk, grinning while taking a seat where Angel had just been. I can’t help but think he should have chosen a better seat because you don’t know what she could have left on it.
I open the bag and see a BLT, a bag of chips and a can of soda. I look up at Breaker who is sitting calmly, watching for my reaction. “Thank you, Breaker. This is kind of you.”
Standing, he rubs his hands down his thighs, walks around the desk, takes my face in his hands and kisses me softly. Tapping a fingertip to my nose he smiles. “See you later, babe.”
“Bye, Breaker,” I mumble as I watch him walk out of the office.
It’s all I seem to be able to say at this minute.
Shrugging my shoulders, I dig into the BLT and enjoy the surprise lunch.
A lunch I wasn’t even going to have, as my fridge at the house has hardly anything inside it, so nothing for me to make, even if I wanted to.
The sheet of paper I found in the desk, which has a list of jobs that need doing has me thinking a handyman would be cash well spent. There are doors that need fixing, locks on windows in the reception area, sink unblocking, toilet seat replacement, and that is only inside.
I open the laptop and type out a notice for the front window, asking anyone interested to apply within.
I’m hoping someone will see the notice and want the job.
I do a general search of what a salary would be, and any perks that would need to be added to it.
Once I’m happy with everything I walk out of the office, give Angel a serious look before placing the notice in the window.
Turning back to Angel, I lean over the desk and look her right in the eye.
“That’s a notice for anyone to apply for a handyman position.
Now, you scare them away with your attitude and see how fast I can turf you out that door.
You get me?” Yeah, I’m snapping at her because honest to goodness she is a nightmare.
I get the nod I’m waiting for, then head back to my office, where I’m going to be looking over the list Gabriella gave me.
It’s not much, but again, little things a handyman would have to deal with.
The other suggestions I have from Steven, Angela and Margaret are worth considering, but those would have to have the go-ahead from Jamie as they would cost more than I feel would be right for me to just spend.
I finished work twenty minutes early as I’d had a message from Andy.
He and Thorn want me to check over the shop the club is interested in buying.
I like that Andy and I have a sibling-like relationship growing.
It’s something I’ve never had with Carrie-Anne, and I would have loved it.
She is just a person who only wants something from you.
She has no interest in just being friends.
You are useful to her, or you’re not, and that’s the top and bottom of it.
The shop they are looking at is not far, so I sneak past the brother who is sitting on a bike outside and across the street. I hightail it over and enjoy the fresh air after being indoors all day.
I have the feeling someone is watching me, but looking around I don’t see anyone or anything out of place. It’s just one of those itchy feelings you get when something is not quite right.
Reaching the shop, I open the door, but before entering I look up and down the street. I see nothing I need to be concerned about.
“Hi, Molly, come on in,” Thorn closes the door behind me, and I become immersed in the excitement Thorn and Andy are showing me.