A Servant of the Company (10 page)

Making a quick call on his mobile phone to the taxi company, it would arrive by the time she returned and he had given her a quick tour of the ground floor of The Feathers.

On the journey back to the Manor, she had snuggled up to Simon, resting her head on his shoulder. ‘The evening was perfect Simon, I wish there were more places like The Feathers, with chefs like that they couldn’t fail.’

The taxi driver had driven in silence, enjoying the chat from the back seat. He had done this journey on many occasions with young Mr. Colbourne but only rarely with the same female companion. Although he was married with five children, he did envy the young man. Envied, and liked him because he was always courteous and a generous tipper. Mr. Colbourne would never give him cause to reach for the heavy wooden truncheon he kept by his side. There were some loutish individuals who tried to take advantage of him. So far the truncheon had proved to be a great deterrent.

It was almost midnight when they arrived at the house. Inside, there were a few lights that Simon had left on, it was warm and welcoming and Diane felt completely relaxed although rather sleepy. Once she had showered, she knew she would be fully awake.

The bathroom was warm and spotlessly clean. There was a woman’s touch here she felt sure, and that woman was Bridget O’Brien. Simon was right, she was a gem. Undressing carefully she left her underwear and blouse on the floor. Her jeans would do for the next day. She turned on the shower control and did not have to adjust it, the pressure and temperature were perfect. It was relaxing as she turned her body and let the hot water flow over every part of her, removing all evidence of soap. ‘Now for the wake up,’ she said to herself as she turned the control from hot to cold, the icy water taking her breath away. She shivered, but the discomfort would be soon over and she could dry herself on the bath sheet waiting on the radiator. Once she was dry, the circulation returned and she felt a warm glow throughout her body. Looking at herself in the full length mirror she hoped Simon would appreciate the same view. Taking the towelling robe hanging on the bathroom door she made a demure entrance into the bedroom where Simon was waiting. He was already in bed, lying back with his hands behind his head.

Quickly slipping the robe from her shoulders she got into bed and into Simon’s waiting arms.

The alarm woke him at six, the light from the radio glowing in the darkened room, heavy curtains winning the struggle to repel the warm rays from an early morning sun. The sound of the shower in the bathroom reminded him of his weekend visitor, the pleasure she had given him and the benefits it might bring in the future. Unless of course she was using him as he was using her. He pulled the pillow behind his shoulders resting against it, his hands behind his head and nodded as he considered his choice of companion for the weekend. As good as some and better than most he thought. If he could use her to enhance his own business to the detriment of the one she worked for, that would be the bonus he expected to earn. It would help ease the disappointment of Sonia’s non arrival. From a very early age, Simon had learned that people used each other for their own ends, and it was better to be a user than used. People were a game to him and he played them as a top class musician would play his or her instrument.

The shower stopped, and he imagined her stepping out of the cubicle, her slender legs stretching as she reached for a towel on the radiator. Soon he would refresh his memory of her when she opened the bathroom door. He turned in anticipation of her return, hoping she would be naked. ‘She really has a beautiful body.’ Simon recalled their nights together in bed. The urge for more was uppermost on his mind He had led the love making and she had eagerly followed his moves for their mutual pleasure, a comfortable arrangement. And so the weekend had gone. Lots of talking, laughing and making love. She had also taken the bait. Simon had deliberately left her in the drawing room while he went out to the garage on the pretext of checking something. He had placed the sheets of paper in his file in a predetermined position and when he had the opportunity to check it, he saw that the pages had been moved. Simon smiled and thought, ‘for a weekend, it was a classic.’

Diane had similar thoughts when she considered the importance of the information she had stored away after reading Simon’s Five Year Plan. ‘The board is going to love this,’ she said to herself, the only problem would be telling them where she got it. She would think of something.

Monday morning arrived all too quickly and her body clock told her it was time to get up. Carefully she moved the bed clothes to avoid waking Simon. Her intention was to leave without waking him, but she wanted him to wake up and give her hope for another meeting. He had impressed her, and hoped she had done the same.

The sound of the shower stopped and a few minutes later Diane stepped into the bedroom wrapped in a towel. She quietly picked up the underwear she had left prepared, and turned back into the bedroom to dress.

‘Good morning gorgeous.’ Simon’s voice came from the jumble of bed clothes. Suddenly he was sitting up. ‘You didn’t think I would let you escape without me seeing you? I’ve been lying here all night just watching you.’ Smiling he awaited her response.

‘That’s a wonderful compliment Simon, but I wonder who it was woke me with his snoring?’ She ducked as the pillow flew through the air towards her. ‘Do you want to shower while I do my make up and get dressed, it’s turned six and I must be away by half past at the latest, you know how the traffic builds up on the M25.’ She had opened the wardrobe and taken out a navy blue trouser suit, silk blouse and black shoes. Her weekend clothes she packed carefully into her case. He was nodding as she spoke, something she had noticed on several occasions. It was the only habit which she considered could be a little irritating, otherwise he was just about perfect.

‘Do you really have to go Diane, not even enough time for half an hour in bed?’ He already knew the answer, but it was a compliment to her which she deserved. Getting out of bed he headed for the bathroom.

She called after him, ‘Don’t think it isn’t a great temptation, if it wasn’t for the board meeting I would still be in bed with you, probably until midday.’ She heard him laugh and smiled at the thought of more delicious sex. Next week there might be another invitation.

Simon carried her case to the car. It was almost six-thirty and she would be on time for her meeting where she would hopefully divulge the contents of Simon’s file. ‘Diane, it’s been super having you here for the weekend. I couldn’t think of anything better. I hope the quiet of a country retreat wasn’t too boring for you?’

‘I’ve had a truly marvellous time Simon and can only thank you for your gracious hospitality.’ She paused, smiled, ‘And other things,’ she said coyly.

‘I’ll be in touch, do drive carefully, and try not to put me out of business.’

She kissed him, got in the car and set off for her meeting, waving as she went. He didn’t see the disappointment on her face when he had not made a definite date for the future. ‘Life must go on,’ she said quietly as she turned on the radio. It was always a good companion when she was driving, the knowledge she had acquired over the years from Radio Four could add a masters to her 2:1 from Bristol.

For Simon, the day was planned, so Diane could be put on the back burner until he had a free weekend. He would like to know if her company changed their views on products for the next five years, but it could wait. Briefly he considered his competitor’s demise. He might even offer Diane a job. But maybe not. ‘A place for everything and everything in its place,’ he said to himself, nodding in affirmation.

He waited until her car turned out of the drive and was lost to view, then walked briskly back into the house. There were things to do and calls to make. He was methodical in his approach to the day ahead, listing things to do in order of priority then breaking down each of these items so that nothing was overlooked.

It was just eight o’clock when Diane drove into the company car park, her journey from Somerton Manor had been trouble free and she was pleased to be early. There was preparation to be done for the meeting and the information carried in her head she needed on paper. Normally she would have any presentation for the meeting prepared well in advance. Today was different, she hadn’t spent the time at home. It had been a truly wonderful weekend and she had gone over it in detail in her mind since saying goodbye to Simon. Now she had to come back down to earth and sort out her thoughts for today. There were no cars in the spaces allocated to directors and senior managers, the office would be deserted, and she would have peace to gather her thoughts and information on Colbournes which would be used when her allocated time came. As the most recent of the senior management team, she would be the last to update those present on the results within her sphere of influence, although she would join in discussion during her colleagues’ presentations.

‘Shit.’ Diane looked at the car which had drawn up beside her. It was not a person she enjoyed seeing at any time, but now his presence had unsettled her. She had been in a happy frame of mind, now the first person she had to see was JJ. Everyone called him by his first two initials, and once she had been attracted to him. Daily she cursed the time when she had agreed to spend a night with him following a hectic party. That had been nearly two years ago, and the pain and humiliation she had felt by his betrayal remained with her. She had no idea that he had taken photographs of her in the nude and had passed the camera around to any male members of staff who wanted to see them. The giggles and guffaws when she entered the open plan office had meant nothing to her until one of the female juniors told her what had happened. Becky was a bright young girl who was very fond of Diane and had been appalled at the remarks being made about Diane for all to hear. At the first opportunity she had opened the top drawer in JJ’s desk and quickly deleted the pictures from the camera’s memory. She was very embarrassed as she blushingly told Diane what had happened. Shaking with fright and not knowing what to say but feeling she had done the right thing, Becky was shocked seeing the pain in Diane’s face as the realisation of the betrayal registered. Diane was such a lovely person and JJ an absolute creep. It was something that had to be done, and she had done it. The photographs no longer existed and hopefully things would be back to normal. Deep down she knew that this wouldn’t happen, putting herself in Diane’s place she didn’t think that she could cope with the situation. She would take care when choosing a boyfriend in the future. No one like JJ would ever get anywhere near her.

When Diane listened to Becky, she had felt both anger and shame. When the tears had stopped, she had redone her makeup and walked back into the office with her head held high. Stopping inside the door, she had said, ‘JJ can I have a word with you?’ Turning, she left the office. He had arrived at the reception area with a smirk on his face.

‘Well Diane, where do you want to go tonight?’ He continued smirking as Diane walked towards him. When their noses were almost touching, she had brought her right knee up into his groin with all the force she could muster, and as he fell his head hit a solid oak table. As he lay groaning on the floor, she had returned to her desk with some satisfaction.

At lunch time, the receptionist could not wait to tell the rest of the staff what had happened and when Diane returned to the office after lunch, everyone except JJ who was now sporting a black eye had stood up and applauded her. It was some way to achieving the revenge she longed for, there had to be more, but she could wait for that delicious moment to come as she knew it would. He was too much in love with himself to be aware that other people didn’t feel the same way. One day his guard would be down and Diane would be ready for it. She had found it hard to believe that anyone could be so despicable, but JJ had proved her wrong. The nearest comparisons she could find for him were the slugs which had invaded her father’s garden. Totally vile, useless and disposable. It was upsetting to think about him but her knee in his groin had been just the start. His pain had been her pleasure on that occasion but she would have to watch him carefully, if he could stoop so low once, he could do it again.

Now there he was, getting out of his car, being as obnoxious as ever, smiling and waving to her as if they were the greatest of friends. Only Diane displayed signs of the mutual hate they shared. Once she got to her desk, she dismissed him from her mind and concentrated on the Colbourne information which the Directors would be surprised to hear. It could change the direction in which the Company was now going. Her brain was functioning extremely well this morning and soon she had not only a detailed explanation of the Colbourne intentions, but a business response plan of her own which would ensure the company did not lose market share but had the probability of gaining it.

As JJ sat at his desk, he observed Diane writing steadily and guessed she was preparing for the meeting. He too had a grudge to bear. Losing face with his colleagues when Diane had dealt with him was unforgivable and there was no way she was going to get away with that forever. He watched as she placed the pad into her briefcase, got up and headed in the direction of the ladies’ toilets. ‘What’s so important that you have to scribble so much before the meeting?’ he pondered. ‘Let’s have a quick shuftee.’ He quickly crossed to Diane’s briefcase, took out the pad, and opened it. Having read the first sentence he could feel his pulse racing. Tearing out the sheets she had prepared, he returned the pad to the briefcase. He had to read and digest the contents and then dispose of the papers, so he too headed for the toilets. Taking in all that had been written, he saw promotion and bonuses written all over it, and fortunately his turn to speak came before Diane’s. This was going to be his day, and his revenge.

As he watched the torn sheets disappear when he flushed the toilet, he grinned and said softly. ‘Down the pan, just where you are going Diane.’

Twenty minutes later, they had taken their seats in the board room. The managing director had welcomed them and the meeting started. Standard practice within the company was to follow the agenda on turnover results for the year and discuss the highs and lows of the business. Results following the advertising campaign, and the potential effect on the business from the Birmingham involvement. Each head of division would then update those present on the progress and or problems within their sphere. JJ and Diane were both marketing managers, one for the North, the other the South. Coffee had been served and it was now the marketing team who would be invited to speak in turn.

Diane opened her briefcase and took out her pad, she wouldn’t open it yet, she was sure of what she was going to say but it would be a standby if needed. She laid it down on the table in front of her, her hands trembling slightly resting either side of her work.

JJ rose, looked around the table, smiled broadly and said, ‘Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I have news which I’m sure is going to affect us dramatically. It came to hand by a chance conversation I had last night. This concerns our main competitor, Colbournes.’ He had the attention of the meeting, all eyes were on him and he could feel the excitement racing through every nerve. This was the big one, he had done it.

As JJ began to speak, Diane felt numb as she opened her pad and saw a blank page. ‘Bastard, bastard, bastard,’ she screamed to herself, staring with absolute hate at her former lover. Her briefcase had been opened while she was out of the office, and the culprit was now using the contents. She thought about all of the details, and how she had spotted them in Simon’s drawing room and had taken advantage of his absence to visually steal his plans. Perhaps it served her right for doing it, this was her punishment. Looking for a lifeline, she tried to convince herself of many things. But only one had feasibility value. Suppose Simon had meant her to see the plans, and at this very moment was laughing at the possibility of production changes due to his subterfuge. The more she thought, the more likely it seemed to be not just a possibility but a probability. If this were so, how had she been so easily taken in? She was tense as JJ forged ahead with the results of her labours, her fingers tightly crossed.

The Chairman was leaning forward in his chair, elbows on the table looking straight at JJ. ‘How confident are you that this information is correct, it would certainly affect our timetable at every level within the company if this is factual.’ His gaze never left JJ who having spoken with such conviction, had to respond positively to remain in control of the situation.

JJ returned the chairman’s gaze while he leaned forwards and placed both hands on the table. This was his moment, and if he had to exaggerate a little it would only be to his eternal benefit. He understood how Diane worked, she was always very thorough and would not have prepared herself to deliver the Colbourne plan if she hadn’t been one hundred per cent sure of its authenticity. He was aware that all eyes were on him including Diane’s, so he could not resist a quick glance at her before he began his response. ‘I met an ex- senior manager from Colbournes who had left them following a disagreement on policy, he had no idea that I was in the furniture business, and I didn’t enlighten him. He just wanted someone to listen to his gripes about his former employer and by putting the odd question here and there, he divulged what they were planning to do.’ JJ was now getting carried away with his deliverance and enjoying himself. He paused and waited for a response to his opening play.

The company secretary let his spectacles slide to the tip of his nose so that he could look at JJ unhindered. ‘Has there been any sign of this change coming in any of their literature, or,’ he turned to look at Diane, ‘at the Birmingham show.’ There was a silence, and Diane realised that she was the only member present who had been at the NEC.

She was calm now and spoke clearly. ‘I visited the Colbourne stand on Thursday, the catalogues were as those we have on file. One of the Colbourne family spoke to me while I was there, we had a conversation on the show in general but nothing indicated that there was a change in the offing.’ How she hoped she was right and that the information she had gathered was a complete and utter fabrication. This could be the ultimate revenge she longed for. If she was wrong, she had given JJ all the ammunition he needed to progress beyond her in the Company, and in turn become a victim of his spite yet again. She was aware that JJ was using his imagination to impress the board, things he was saying about the Colbourne plans were now pure fantasy and did not relate to the information she had prepared. JJ was now however delivering his argument in an articulate and almost Shakespearean way.

‘Well JJ, do you still feel that the information you have given us is worth acting upon?’ The chairman at this stage was not completely convinced, but could be swayed by a good reasoned argument.

‘If I didn’t think that this was worth reacting to, I would not have raised it at this meeting. They are already buying the raw materials and could easily be in production within three months, preparation of brochures and an advertising campaign could be managed using production line prototypes. We can beat them to it if we act fast. They would not be taking this step without an abundance of research. Why shouldn’t we capitalize on this? They have done the leg work, we can enjoy the rewards if we move quickly. Mr. Chairman, I think you know I am right on this one, it would be throwing away turnover and profit if we sat on our hands.’ He sat down elated, he had made the most important speech of his life. One that the company would always remember him for. The Chairman hadn’t long to go before retirement, who knows, he might just be the one to replace him.

The Chairman looked around the table at his fellow directors and senior managers. ‘Well that was an impressive response, has anyone any questions before we take a vote on any action to be taken.’ He sat back and waited expectantly.

‘I have just one Mr. Chairman.’ Joe Flood the productions’ manager was on his feet. He was a small terrier of a man and the longest serving member of the company. ‘Where are Colbournes getting their timber from, I am in touch with most of the importers and have known their top men for years. There hasn’t been a whisper on the grapevine. They can’t usually keep secrets in my opinion.’ He turned to JJ for a reaction.

‘As part of their strategy, they have found a new source and are going to import directly, bypassing the usual importers. It may cause a stir but they are big buyers and I can’t think of any importer who is going to do anything more than moan about it.’ He was pleased with his answer, made up on the spur of the moment, one which reassured old Flood.

‘Any more questions?’ The Chairman paused and glanced from face to face. ‘No, then I think we should take a vote on it. All those in favour of producing a modern stylistic prototype range, with the aim of challenging the market within six months.’ All hands were raised in favour.

Diane kept her hand up to attract the attention of the chairman. ‘I would just say one thing, I am voting yes based on JJ’s convincing report on his meeting with the Colbourne man and the research into it which he has obviously done. We are putting our trust in him and him alone regarding the validity of the information.’ The chairman’s secretary taking the minutes duly noted Diane’s comment.

‘I take your point Diane, now before we come to any other business, there is just one more speaker on the agenda items, that’s you Diane,’ said the chairman glancing at his papers. ‘Anything to report from the NEC.’ He liked and respected her as a marketing manager although he hadn’t cared for the rumours of her sex life that had spread through the company some time ago. Fortunately it hadn’t affected her commitment to the company and her continuing efforts had been very beneficial.