Chapter 1 #2
Gemma felt as though she’d just walked onto the set of a movie, one taking place in some dystopian future where clearly there’d been a great calamity that only she remained unaware of.
She cleared her throat. It was obviously important that she remain professional, but Andrea’s expression was nothing short of bleak, and Gemma had a sudden urge to hug her. ‘Has something happened?’
Andrea sighed. ‘You could say that.’ She gave a wan smile.
‘I don’t know how to say this, but there isn’t a job for you here.
Not now. Whatever you agreed with Neil was before…
the bloody mess we’re in.’ She shook her head, angry now.
‘I’m head of HR. I should know all about you but as I clearly don’t…
’ She softened her expression a little. ‘I’m sorry, because if I had known you were coming today, I could have saved you a journey. ’
‘I don’t understand…’
Andrea looked over her shoulder, opened her mouth and then closed it again, a series of expressions crossing her face as she tussled with some inward dilemma. Then her lips drew into a long thin line.
‘Sod this,’ she said. ‘I’m not really sure it matters what I say any more and I’m not sure I even care, so I’m going to tell you it like it is.
Neil McPherson isn’t here because two weeks ago he was fired for gross misconduct, not that anyone gives a stuff about that now.
He was leaving anyway – to set up his own agency – and he was fired because he’d been discovered talking to clients behind our backs in order to take them with him when he went.
The reason behind this completely unethical behaviour was way above my pay grade, apparently, but this morning became abundantly clear when the company went into administration. ’
‘I’m sorry?’ Gemma frowned.
‘The receivers have been called in. Leonard Associates is bust.’
‘It can’t be.’ Gemma stared at her, words floating out of her mouth although she couldn’t seem to recall saying them. ‘I need this job.’
‘Yeah, you and me both. I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you were expecting but—’
‘No, you don’t understand. I need this job.
It’s meant to be a new start for me and I’m renting a flat just around the corner.
I’m moving in next week, for God’s sake.
I’ve sent in all my paperwork to Neil, he’s had copies of my ID and…
’ She fished out her phone from her bag and frantically began scrolling through her emails.
‘Look. I’m supposed to arrive today, at eleven o’clock, to go through the rest of the onboarding process – have a tour, meet the team…
I’ve even been wondering which bloody office was going to be mine. ’ She indicated the view above them.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘And if Neil knew what was coming, if he was leaving himself, why on earth did he hire me?’
Andrea shook her head. ‘I have no idea.’
Gemma stared at her. This was bad. Really bad. She took a steadying breath. ‘Sorry, I know this is not your fault, but he gave me a job, so he can damn well keep his word. If I can’t work for him here, I’ll go and work for him wherever he is. You must have a number for him. I’m sure if I call him…’
‘I’m not sure it works like that,’ said Andrea quietly. ‘I don’t even have his number, and believe me, if I did, I’d give it to you. Let him face the bloody music.’
Gemma closed her eyes, feeling her head begin to spin. Then opened them again and reminded herself to breathe. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said again. ‘It’s just… a bit of a shock.’ She could feel the threat of tears begin to burn behind her eyes. ‘What will you all do?’
Andrea looked at her phone to check the time. ‘Go home early and open several bottles of wine, I should think.’
There was silence for a moment as both women sat, heads bowed, hands in their laps.
Gemma nodded. ‘I expect you’ve already had a really shitty day,’ she said.
‘I’ve had better,’ agreed Andrea. She touched Gemma’s arm briefly, expelling a sigh. ‘Look, can I get you something? A glass of water, or…?’
Gemma had been looking forward to the hospitality she’d been promised – refreshments with her new team.
She’d wondered if there would be pastries or cake…
She’d got a lemon drizzle in her bag, for goodness’ sake.
Baked it herself, and that was a rarity.
One of the first things she’d learned early on in her career – always bring the team a treat on your first day… She fished it from her bag.
‘Would you like this?’ she asked. ‘It’s not much, and I thought my new team might like it, but now I’m only sorry it isn’t bigger.
It sounds as if there might be quite a few people here who could do with something sweet.
’ She studied Andrea’s face. ‘Will you be okay?’ Andrea looked as if she might be about to cry.
The young woman gave a minute nod, staring at the package in her hands. ‘That’s very kind…’
Gemma got to her feet, willing herself not to wobble. ‘I hope things work out okay. I’m sure they will.’
Andrea didn’t reply, just gave her a sad smile. Gemma wasn’t sure which of them was in the worse position. She swallowed, tucked her hair back behind her ears and walked, as tall as she could, towards the door.