think we have a problem?”
“Nothing I’ve heard about. His secretary literally stopped me on the way in, said it was important.”
“I’d better get in there then.” My reluctance is obvious and Alex gives me a wan smile.
“Good luck.” He widens the smile into an encouraging grin.
“Before I go, how was the date last night?” I ask casually and then could cheerfully kick myself. It’s none of my business and I don’t know why I asked. All of his dates seem to end up the same way and this one didn’t sound any more special than the rest.
“Good I suppose,” Alex muses. “Maybe I’m just too fussy.” The grin turns into a grimace. “Greasy hair. I really do think you should go,” he says, waving his hand towards the door. I wonder if all men notice such small details. Or maybe only men like Alex, and I can’t help but feel his heart isn’t in trying to establish a relationship. I still don’t know if it’s guys he’s dating or girls. Does he do that on purpose? Perhaps he thinks I won’t approve.
“Oh, right. I’ll be back.” I exit after dumping my bag on the desk and head for Mason’s office.
I knock twice and wait. No answer. His secretary isn’t at her desk so I loiter, trying to look casual. She reappears a few minutes later with a stack of papers in her hand.
“Ceri, go straight in, Mason’s waiting for you.” I feel I’m being dismissed when she immediately turns her attention elsewhere. I knock once more before turning the handle.
“Ceri, come in and take a seat. I’ll be one moment.” He’s on the phone and his voice is weird. Light, cheerful. Whoever he’s talking to isn’t one of his staff, but a peer. I try not to eavesdrop and my eyes wander around the office, trying to feign a casual and relaxed pose.
“Okay, will do. See you Saturday.” I turn my head back after I hear the phone click into the holder. “Sorry about that. Thanks for coming straight in. I’ve been thinking about Scott’s replacement: it’s about time I made a decision. Are you ready for the step up? It would mean some out of hours work, accompanying me on client dinners from time to time. I try to keep it to a minimum.”
I’m glued to my seat. First of all he’s being nice, pleasant even. I’ve never heard that tone before. Secondly, I thought it was a rumour that he would consider me a serious candidate. This is the first time he’s mentioned it.
“I’m flattered to be in the running but I’ve only recently started my third year with the company and I thought…”
“…that a minimum of three years with the company is required to step up to senior management level. Yes, this will upset a few people but I’m asking you to seriously consider the offer.” He finished my sentence and then finishes with me. The conversation is closed and he has already picked up a file and begun reading the first page. I leave the room quietly; once the door is shut I lean against it to steady myself. When I look up his secretary is watching me. I stand up straight and walk steadily towards the exit.
“Alex, he’s offered me the job!” I blurt out the moment I shut the door behind me. It’s not exactly a shriek. I’m trying to keep my voice down, but Alex immediately jumps up. He throws his arms around me and draws me into him. It’s the first time we’ve ever touched and it isn’t until we pull away that we both realise this is an awkward first moment.
“Well done you!” Alex says. I move away from him, my body tingling slightly. Well, that was certainly a manly hug.
“I’m not sure what to do,” I admit.
“Are you mad?”
I roll my eyes. “I enjoy what I do, but I’m not married to my work Alex. Mason said there would be functions I’d have to attend. Do I want work to spill over into my personal life?” Of course that’s insane, I don’t have a personal life at the moment—who am I kidding?
“Oh, he did, did he? Well Ceri, it’s not for me to warn you off but I think he’s a bit of a sleaze. Watch yourself there, I’d hate to think of him taking advantage of you because you’re gorgeous and he thinks he can snap his fingers.” Alex’s words come out in a rush and he looks a little red in the face. Awkward moment number two and it isn’t even nine o’clock yet. And Alex said I was gorgeous—he’s definitely gay.
“Don’t worry, I won’t fall into any trap. I’m going to wander past Scott’s office and see if I can have a word.” I turn and walk away, thinking it’s a terrible waste. Alex is such a lovely guy.
I have to hang around for a few minutes before I see Scott heading into his office and I follow him inside.
“Scott, hi, do you have a moment?” He turns around on hearing my voice and gives me a radiant smile.
“Sure, Ceri, anything for you.” He’s Mr Charisma and the sort of guy you’d expect Mason to pick for his senior management team, which makes it even more puzzling that he’s offering the position to me.
“You’re leaving us next week and Mason’s looking for your replacement. We’ve had a chat this morning and I wondered if you could tell me a little bit about what the job entails?”
“Sure,” he says, pulling out a chair for me. “Take a seat. It’s an account manager role really. You are the first-line contact between the agency and the customer. I like to arrange a quarterly meeting for each account and more often than not they are happy to come here. Sometimes I take them out for lunch, or arrange for a buffet in the conference room. It’s basically a review of where we are with the progress of each advertising campaign and flagging up their future requirements. It’s all about making them feel their account matters and addressing any little issues that crop up. Of course, Mason requires a formal report after each meeting but there’s a standard layout for that so it’s not onerous. I think you’d do well, you project the right image.” He dusts some invisible hairs off the arm of his jacket and then decides to slip it off. It’s an expensive suit and the shirt looks handmade. Scott is a second Mason in the making.
“Right, I see. Thanks, useful.” My words are stilted because he’s not someone I feel comfortable chatting with. There’s a question I have to ask, but I need it to sound casual. “I was wondering if there is any of out of hours work involved, attending functions and things.”
He looks at me in surprise.
“Well, no actually. I did once attend an award ceremony on behalf of the agency because Mason was on holiday, but he usually covers all those things himself. He likes to be seen as the figurehead and he’s a born networker.”
“Great, that’s reassuring. Do you mind if we keep this between ourselves? I have to think about this a bit before I decide.”
“No problem, but if I were you I’d grab the opportunity. It’s not simply the next step on the ladder: it’s a substantial step up for you.” I don’t think he meant that in a disparaging way, at least I hope not. I offer my hand and we shake.
“You will be missed,” is all I can think of saying. In truth I seriously doubt he has much to do with the majority of the staff. In the two years I’ve been here I think I’ve spoken to him about three times.
He nods, accepting the compliment I’d intended it to be.
When I walk back into my office, Alex is on the phone. It’s a long conversation and the moment he puts the receiver down it rings again. He looks stressed and I think the model we picked for the ad campaign isn’t available, so he’s trying to re-arrange the date of the shoot. I take myself off to the kitchen and make two cups of coffee. My mind is processing what Scott said and I think it’s probably best I keep that information to myself for the time being. I can’t figure out Mason’s reason for offering me the promotion, other than he’s looking for arm candy when he’s out networking. The more I think about it, the angrier I become.
When I put Alex’s coffee on the desk next to him, his head is in his hands. “Problems?”