Take a Chance (31 page)

“Are you ready for another
hot air
meeting?” Cherie asked Jem as she sailed into Jem’s office and dropped a handful of files onto the pile already sitting in Jem’s in-tray.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Jem
grumbled. With all the work on her plate she could really do without one of
Duh
-boss’s meetings. It’s only purpose seemed to be a platform for him to give irrelevant long winded speeches until everyone’s eyes had glazed over. It was always best to shut up and let him get on with it since agreeing with what he said just encouraged him to talk for longer. As for disagreeing… Jem gave a slight shudder. She didn’t want to think about how that got him going.

My time w
ould be more productively spent picking bits of tissue off clothing from the washing this morning
, she thought as she pushed away from her desk and stood up. She took a few moments to dust a couple of bits of tissue from her newly washed mid-thigh length forest green skirt before ruefully glancing at the stack of files she needed to work through.

She had to get up to date if she
had any hope of getting that promotion although she was beginning to have mixed feelings about it. If she got the promotion she would be able to cross off the last of the goals on her list but it would put an end date on her relationship with Eben.

Jem
tried telling herself it was for the best. She was older than he was. He’d want kids. Sooner or later Eben would move on.

He’s a rolling Stone remember?

Jem stuck her pen down the side of her organiser and picked it up to give her something to doodle in during the meeting. It might score points with
Duh
-boss if he thought she was taking notes. She stood up, took a deep breath and followed Cherie out the door.

As they walked down the corridor Cherie called out to other staff members still in their offices to join them for the meeting. As they waited for Greg to put his jacket on Jem looked around at her co-workers
starting to fill the corridor behind them. She couldn’t help but acknowledge she had a lot of competition for the promotion. Any one of these people would do a great job and she couldn’t help but wonder whether that was enough when they were up against an underhanded competitor who had the backing of the old boys’ network.

As a group they walked the last few metres before reaching the double glass doors to the conference room.

Here goes the rest of my morning
, Jem thought as they surged through the door to take up their usual positions around the table.

On the way several stopped at the service trolley to make a cup of coffee or tea to take to their seats. Jem was pleased to see a hot chocolate already prepared, complete with marshmallows on the top. She picked it up and carried it with her.

As usual Nate had claimed the chair at the head of the table with a seat for Martha vacant on his left. Mark was already seated on Nate’s right and looking through some papers he had brought in with him.

Jem
stifled a groan when she moved further into the room and noticed the big screen on the wall at the far end of the table was filled with static. She hoped they weren’t going to have to endure one of
Duh
-boss’s home-made golf videos which ended with a speech trying to tie his game with what Sachs-Wall expected from their staff again.

Trying not to drag her feet at the thought
, she took the black leather chair in her usual spot beside Cherie’s position next to Martha. After setting her mug and organiser on the long rectangular black table in front of her she glanced across at the long window that ran almost the length of the room. Just for a change it was raining and Jem swallowed a sigh. No chance of this being a quick meeting so
Duh
-boss could run out for a game of golf afterwards.

T
hrough the full length window facing the corridor behind her she turned and watched the last few stragglers walking towards the conference room doors. At least it looked like they wouldn’t have to wait for anyone.

At the head of the table
Nate stood and randomly pushed buttons on a remote until Martha approached and said something to him. He passed her the remote which she pointed at the screen.

The static was immediately replaced by the conference room of their Sydney office. Jem
raised her eyebrows in surprise upon seeing Brett and Angela on screen and checked her watch. What on earth would be so important to discuss that they would be on line at 8am in Sydney?

Nate snapped his fingers and indicated that Cherie should serve coffee. Cherie got out of her seat between Martha and Jem and stalked off to the service trolley near the door. She had trained most of the staff to get their own as they walked through the door however Nate liked being waited on and Mark had followed suit.

Somehow both cups of coffee banged together as she was about to put them down and hot coffee sloshed onto Nate and Mark.

“I’m so sorry,” Cherie gasped as both men grabbed for the serviettes she carried to wipe their trousers with.

She left them cleaning themselves up and strolled back to her seat. Sitting down, she turned to Jem.

“You may be above such things but I’m not,” she said in an undertone.

Behind Cherie, Jem thought she saw Martha smile.

A few moments later Martha tapped several papers together.

“If everyone is ready?” she enquired.

All murmurs stopped and nods went around the table and came from the people on screen.

Martha put on her reading glasses.

“Okay then. First item of general business…”

Jem found herself opening her organiser and absently taking notes. Martha generally led the meeting for the first few minutes then once all the useful things were covered she usually found a way to excuse herself for the rest of it.

Jem glanced up from her organiser to see Mark diagonally across the table
looking smugly at her.

Does he know something I don’t?

Her hand clenched on her pen. Had he already been given the promotion and this meeting was just to announce it to everyone? It would explain why Brett and Angela were onscreen.

I
f he’s got the promotion I’ll have to quit. I love my job but I can’t keep working for a company that rewards people who operate like he does.

She fingered the black pearl necklace at her throat.

I’ll have to start over in another job and it could be years before another opportunity like this comes up.

But you’ll
have Eben,
the little voice inside reminded her.

Jem sat up straighter in her chair. It wasn’t the end of the world. She’d have Eben for as long as he wanted her.

But I want both. Eben and my promotion.

She silently groaned.

You’re a mess Jemima Flint. You can’t have it all and anyone who says otherwise is lying.

The sound of Nate’s voice interrupting Martha drew Jem from her tortured musings.

“As you all know there is a promotion coming up for one of you to head our Asia branch office. I think the time to announce it is now.”

Jem’s gut rolled. Mark had obviously got the promotion. Around her p
ens stopped clicking and people put down cups of coffee expectantly. She could feel her co-worker’s eyes flicking between her and Mark and one or two others.

In the sudden silence she watched Martha get out of her seat and whisper something in Nate’s ear but he waved her off.

“Nonsense. I watch reality TV. There’s no need to discuss this privately first. It’s far more interesting this way,” Nate assured Martha jovially.

What was that about?

Nate took a moment to take a sip from his ever present vitamin drink which was sitting by his coffee while Martha sat down, put her elbow on the table and propped up her forehead with her hand. After a few seconds she put her hand on her lap and looked at Nate grimly. Unperturbed, Nate set down his drink and ambled to the rain splattered window.

“A
s it so happens, after a great deal of discussion between Martha and myself there will be two promotions.”

Murmurs flowed up and down the table.

Is this the issue that has come up? Two people sharing the job?

“Slightly off topic, but bear with me,” Nate continued
, ignoring a few muffled groans. He walked back to the head of the table, giving time for the murmurs to die down. Relishing everyone’s complete attention he decided to give the long version.

“As you know
, the Canterbury earthquakes hit Christchurch hard. Mandy and I have close family living there and we want to relocate there to help them out. I was considering retirement.”

Some hands around the table clasped together as though in prayer.
Jem raised an eyebrow and wondered what Celeste would think, having her sugar Daddy referring to his estranged wife as part of the “we” and not her.

“But then I thought what a waste of my talent
retiring would be.”

The clasped hands fell apart and there was a collective sigh of disappointment which Nate ignored.

“Instead, I’ve decided to set up an office in Christchurch. It will give us a presence in the South Island and we will be in a prime position to capitalise on businesses looking to spend part of their insurance claims in upgrading software.

“I’ve given a lot of thought about who I wanted to join me in Christchurch but before I announce the lucky person I want to let you all know the benefits they will be receiving.”

Nate paused, this time to take a sip of his coffee.

“My
sister’s husband is a market gardener and their home was far enough away from the CBD to get through the quakes relatively unscathed. Although I will be living in their guest house I am pleased to inform you that despite the housing shortage the person getting the promotion will also receive free accommodation. My sister and brother- in-law have converted their barn to housing and the chosen person will share that with a family of seven.

“I looked into getting a company car but the insurance was going to be a bit much with some of the roads needing to be travelled not up to scratch. My brother-in-law has kindly offered us
use of his old Toyota ute which they haven’t needed since they stopped pig farming. Great vehicles Toyotas. They keep going like the Energiser Bunny. It was a lovely red when it was new and I’m told if you keep the windows down you don’t notice the smell overly much.”

Nate looked around the room and beamed. Everyone made sure not to make eye contact, even the reps on screen and Mark who was suddenly more interested in scratching his head.

“In the end the choice for these promotions came down to two people and I insisted upon having first choice. In the last few weeks it became clear that this person was prepared to go the extra mile to get things done so my choice should come as no surprise to you.”

Nate paused for effect.

As the moments passed, members of staff glanced at each other up and down the table. Murmurs grew louder. Jem felt several pairs of eyes touch on her, some even pitying. She closed her eyes as if she could shut everything out and once again her stomach rolled.

Please not me
, Jem silently begged.
When I wanted an overseas promotion I meant travelling further than across Cook Strait.

The room became silent enough to hear a pin drop. Jem opened her eyes to see Nate holding his hand up for silence. He began to speak.

“Without further ado I want you to help me congratulate Mark Walton for securing this promotion.”

There was another moment’s silence before a burst of laughter came from Brett on screen. Some people saw Angela touch the keyboard in front of her before the screen went black. In the meeting room the applause became thunderous and several employees rose to give Nate’s decision a standing ovation.

Very much relieved, Jem stood up to join them.

Mark just sat in his seat looking shell shocked.

Nate stood there looking very pleased with himself. He put a hand on Mark’s shoulder and Mark looked up at him.

“You’ll have to bring your golf clubs down. I may let you in on the odd game,” Nate said generously and removed his hand to
take his seat.

A few minutes later after the noise had died down and everyone had returned to their seats Martha stood. She looked at Nate above her reading glasses.

“After your announcement this one is going to be anticlimactic,” she told him just as the Sydney screen came back online.

“I’m a hard act to follow,” Nate replied, earning a burst of good natured laughter.

“I would have liked to discuss this with the person we have chosen first but it seems I have been overruled,” Martha said, her blue eyes flashing at an oblivious Nate who was patting Mark on the shoulder as he whispered something in his ear.

“
I would like to announce the staff member who will have the task of setting up our Hong Kong office, employing staff and assuming a management role.” Martha paused. “With the talent we have this was not an easy decision to make.”