The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (6 page)

Giving me an enormous, face-splitting grin he held the door open and gestured me through with a wink. “You ever need anything, anything at all Miss Adams, then you ask me. In fact I will send my mobile number up to your desk for you and don’t hesitate to use it if you need me.”

Entering the doorway, I held up my own pastry and tapped his in a salute. “Thank you and here’s to many more Friday pastries.” I winked to him as I entered the building and walked towards the elevator, waving to the sunny, joyful ‘Miss Kipper’ as I passed her, needless to say all I got from her was a tight nod.

Sat around my desk a while later, coffee in hand and scoffing the breakfast treats, Grace, Leah and I were chatting and gossiping.

“Hey, we all go across to ‘The Late Lounge’ after work on Fridays, you wanna join us?” Grace asked me.

Shoving the last piece of croissant into my mouth as Mr Peterson entered the office, I smiled at her, grateful to the fact that my colleagues had accepted me as one of their own. “Sure, that sounds good. After working my ass off this week I’ll be glad of some alcohol.”

Peterson had sent paperwork home with me every day and after ten hours at work then another two at home I was beyond knackered.

Matt was spending the weekend at my mother’s, which was the norm every weekend. Erin was staying at Brad’s now that they had kissed and made-up.

The ‘Erin and Brad’ saga had turned out to be a misunderstanding according to Erin; little did Erin know that Brad had phoned me after she had persecuted him, filling me in on his plans to take Erin away for a weekend on her birthday.

I liked Brad and he was good for her. Erin could be a bit hot-headed and Brad grounded her, never putting up with her moods or ‘the sarky lip’ as he called it when she was being sassy.

So anyway, my weekend was my own and I planned to catch up with housework, have lots of wine and meet up with Beth on our usual Sunday lunch date.

We always had Sunday lunch together, usually at mine because she couldn’t cook, in fact Beth couldn’t even open a tin of beans without burning something. When it was Beth’s turn to do lunch we always ended up at the pub, her buying my lunch instead of burning it. Because Beth had never found love and settled down, she always said that it was a waste to cook a dinner just for her but secretly I think she got lonely on Sundays so it was our ‘get together day.’

Beth, Lexi and I had each turned forty this year. All of us sobbing drunkenly to each other on our birthdays but Beth still lived life to the full, still sleeping around and having fun. Her ‘little black book’ had now transformed into an A4 folder with extra sub-sections.

She often said that she wanted to find love and settle down but she was waiting for the right man and after lots of encouragement from me to make sure he was the right one for her she hadn’t as yet found her ‘soul mate.’

“Olivia,” Peterson shouted to me, bringing me out of my head and back to the office. “Can you join me in my office please? Bring your diary for syncing.”

I groaned inwardly and rolled my eyes as I heaved myself out of my chair. Grace gave me a sympathetic smile. “Smile, breathe and think happy thoughts, sweetie. In fact picture his balls in a vice,” she winked. I laughed loudly as I grabbed my diary and the paperwork I had completed last night before slowly making my way towards Peterson’s office, entering anxiously when I saw him sat on one of his stark, white couches.

He was wearing an expensive grey suit; his black hair combed to perfection, sporting a huge grin. There were lots of employees who fancied him. He was a good looking, mid-forties solid man, however his personality let him down. He was rude, obnoxious and very full of himself.

“Come and join me over here, Olivia. Much more comfortable for a Friday morning, don’t you think?” he said, patting the seat next to him.

Smiling tightly, I sat down on the opposite end of the sofa and closed my thighs tightly before I placed the paperwork across my knees. Peterson edged towards me a couple of inches and I backed against the arm of the couch, disturbed to find there was no more room to move.

“How’s your first week at NSC been, Olivia?” he asked whilst his eyes travelled down my body.

“It’s been wonderful, thank you Mr Peterson. Everybody has been really kind and welcoming.” I smiled back professionally, pulling my dress further down my thighs.

“Oh, that’s great to hear. I knew you’d fit in brilliantly here the moment we met.” He licked his lips as his eyes stopped at my chest. “You know, Olivia. When you came for your interview, old Theo had reservations about you. He said that you might find it difficult adjusting here, what with you working in a bank for ten years. But, I was adamant that you would be perfect for me,” he continued with a sneer. “But I fought for you Olivia, you know. I fought real hard, putting my reputation on the line to
get you.
” He sighed, putting his hand on my arm.
Oh I bet you’d like to get me!

Smiling tightly, I gently but firmly removed his hand and looked him straight in the eyes. “Well I appreciate what you’ve done for me, Mr Peterson. After leaving the bank I did wonder if I’d be able to keep up with the workload here, but I must say I find the areas my job description dictates, thoroughly interesting and enjoyable. I
always
stay within the limits of my specified posts and don’t cross the line, with anything or
anybody
. . .
EVER!”
I told him with a flash in my eyes.

His eyes narrowed as he glowered at me. He cleared his throat, “Yes well, I’m glad you’ve established your role here, Olivia.” He grimaced, the corners of his mouth turning downwards as a tic in his cheek twitched rapidly.

Oh, did he look pissed. I had no doubt that he’d understood the cryptic warning I’d just given him.

“I think we’d better sync our diaries and get started now.” He got to his feet and stalked towards his desk, looking back at me he grunted, “You ready, Miss Adams?”

I smiled coyly to myself.
Oh goody, back to business.

Mid-morning Leah came over to me. “Bert sent this up for you, Olivia.” She smiled, handing me a tiny, scrap of white paper.

I looked at her frowning, “Bert?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. “Yeah, you know, the sexy door guy downstairs. Bert Bassett,” she informed me with a slight giggle.

“Bert Bassett?” I scoffed. “Is that his name? Oh my god, poor bugger.” I laughed, now crippled with hysteria. What a bloody name. “That’s just classic!”

I hoped I could take him seriously now that I knew his actual name. “I think I’ll keep calling him Beef,” I said to her with a chuckle.

“Is that what you’ve nicknamed him?” she asked with a laugh of her own and a raise of her eyebrows. “You nicknamed anybody else?” This was asked with a questioning look, probably wondering if I’d given her a nickname of her own.

“Only Samantha in main reception,” I divulged, looking down at my lap.

“Well, come on, this one should be good. Enlighten me.”

“Miss Wet Kipper,” I told her in a whisper, “because she always looks like . . .” I started, but Leah finished.

“Like she’s been slapped with a wet kipper,” she hooted. “My God Olivia, you can seriously read my mind.” She winked and turned to retreat to her desk with her shoulders shaking, a sign that she was still laughing.

As I picked up my phone to insert Bert’s number into my contacts a text message popped up.

Beth:

Hey babe, piss up outing 2moro night. 8pm.

Lexi said Pete’s coming too!

Should be fun. 2 beers and the man starts stripping, singing and dry humping the wall like a randy dog on speed. Lol

Xxx

Thinking I wouldn’t survive the weekend with all the offers of alcohol induced meetings I texted back.

Me:

You’re on. Good old Pete. I need the laugh.

Need new outfit 2.

Shopping 2moro???

Xxx

After her reply, telling me that she would pick me up at 1pm, I knuckled down with my work before Peterson would have another reason to shout at me. After this morning’s discussion, I was not his favourite person. He’d been aloof and stern for the rest of the day but to be honest it was a welcome relief and knowing that he wouldn’t be making any more lewd remarks, I felt myself relax into my work for the first time all week.

5pm came round fast and we all piled into ‘The Late Lounge’ across from the NSC building.

“What ya’ drinking, Olivia?” Josh asked.

“Oooh large white wine please,” I answered with a grin.

I’d invited Bert to join us as I left the building and had received some questioning glances from my colleagues. Thanking me, Bert had said he finished his shift at 6pm and that he would pop across then.

“You know, I’ve always thought Bert was quite sexy but a little intimidating, Olivia,” Leah informed me with a shy smile.

“You like him?”

“Well yes, don’t you think he’s hot?” she tested. “He has huge hands, and those lips of his do something to melt my insides.”

She kept casting a glance at the door as she watched for Bert to come in. “Hey, he’s really sweet, Leah. You should definitely get to know him better,” I encouraged.

Josh returned to our table with everybody’s drinks and a few bags of nuts and crisps.

Taking a large gulp of my wine, I noticed Peterson enter and approach the bar before giving me a mocking smile. “Fuck!” I exclaimed to the others, “Pervertson’s here.”

“Just ignore him, Olivia,” Grace urged. “He doesn’t usually acknowledge us when we’re here.”

The pub doors opened and Bert came in. His eyes skimmed the crowd before he spotted us and gestured to the bar, making a drinking motion with his hand, silently asking if we wanted a drink. Lifting my glass to him to tell him that we were sorted, he nodded and smiled.

“Oh wow, I’m so glad you invited him Olivia. I wonder what he could do with those hands . . . those large calloused hands?” she sighed dreamily.

“Down girl!” I chuckled.

Pulling up an extra chair, Bert placed himself between me and Leah. “Ladies,” he greeted with a smile and a sweep of eyes, pausing ever so slightly at Leah.
It looked like the feeling was mutual.

“Hi Beef,” I smiled. “This is Grace and Josh,” I introduced, gesturing to each of them. “And this is Leah,” I added with a grin.

Taking Leah’s hand, he gently placed a kiss on the back of it. “Hello, Leah” he said to her with a soft smile.

“Hi,” she purred, “pleasure to meet you Bert.”

Turning Leah’s hand over, he placed a kiss into the palm. “Oh, the pleasures all mine, sweetheart,” he whispered with a wink.

I slapped his arm and chuckled. “You smooth thing.” I beamed at him.

Josh stood from his chair next to mine and informed us he was popping to the ‘little boy’s room’ and to my utter horror Peterson sank down in the vacated seat. “Evening everybody.” He grinned, looking at us all in turn. Everybody seemed stunned to silence but we all nodded a greeting to him.

Grace gave me a questioning look, her eyes wide as she stared at Peterson then back to me.

I could smell him from his close proximity and from the alcoholic stench of his breath I wondered if he’d had a few sneaky whiskies in his office. He already looked half pissed and he was holding what looked like another triple shot of the strong liquor.

Nudging his chair closer to mine, he tipped his glass to me. “A toast to Olivia’s first week!” Everybody followed suit and raised their glasses to salute me.

Josh returned to the table, giving Peterson a severe frown and found a spare chair, depositing his backside in it with a forceful huff. “How nice of you to join us, Mr Peterson,” he stated sarcastically.

Peterson, oblivious to Josh’s sardonic statement said to us all but staring at me, “Please, call me Simon when we’re out of the office. We’re all friends out of hours.” He placed his hand on mine.

Gagging, I slipped my hand away and Bert leaned in to me. “You want me to warn him off, sugar?” he asked me, giving Peterson an angry glare.

“It’s okay, Beef. I’m gonna nut him if he carries on. But thanks for the offer,” I whispered back to him.

He threw his head back and barked out a loud laugh. “Go for it girl, that’s something everyone at NSC would pay to see.” He winked at me and then turned his attention back to Leah who seemed thrilled with his attentiveness.

“Seconds anybody?” I asked the table when I’d finished my glass. Everybody slid their glasses towards me.

“Good job you can keep up with us all, Olivia.” Grace smiled at me.

“I’m hoping you can all keep up with me,” I answered back to her with a smile of my own as I picked up everybody’s glasses and made my way over to get the refills.

As I leant over the bar to give the barman my order I felt a hand rest at the low of my back and a hot breath brush across my neck. “Olivia, Olivia, Olivia,” Peterson slurred, now obviously well sloshed. “Let me buy you a drink.” Making me flinch, he snorted and added, “You need to loosen up, sweetheart. I bet you’re sooo much fun when you let go and open those tight thighs of yours.”

Raising his eyebrows at me, the barman coughed when he handed me the drinks and gave me a dumbfounded shake of his head as he took the twenty I offered him.

Waiting until he returned with my change, I turned to look at Peterson. “Mr Peterson,” I stated firmly. “As much as I find your attention to me fascinating, I would like to
repeat
that I never have and never will have
any
sort of relationship with a colleague. If I have to remind you of this again, then you give me no option but to report your inappropriate behaviour to Mr Briggs.” Mr Briggs was head of personnel.

Picking up the drinks, I turned my back on him and returned back to the table. The group gave me encouraging smiles as I gave them all their drinks and sat back down in my chair.

Grace mouthed. “Well done sweetie” and Bert lifted his glass, winked at me and said to us all, “To Olivia and her tight thighs,” much to everyone’s amusement, including my own.

Chapter Four

THE NEXT THREE months passed in a blur and I settled into my role at NSC with enthusiasm. I loved my job and found that I was enjoying the challenge of its workload more than I’d anticipated. Peterson had backed off but continued to call me ‘Miss Adams,’ adopting a rather stern, angry manner with me. Every day was often accompanied with a shout or a disciplinary comment but I preferred him that way rather than the leering, creepy boss he could be. I could cope with shouting and antagonism much better than overfriendly, improper remarks.