Page 95 of We Three Kings

‘Leo took Frank and me out for a drink yesterday to explain,’ he tells me, contritely. ‘Why else did you think I was here?’

‘New Year’s Eve? You knew I’d be on my own? I don’t know,’ I stutter, worried about his reaction, terrified he’s here to lay into me, ambush my sorry sad ass when I’m on my own. ‘I’m so sorry, Jasper. I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to share the information with you.’

I can’t even look him in the eye, completely sheepish. I guess I knew Leo might tell him and secretly, I don’t know if that makes me relieved if intensely disappointed by my own cowardice.

‘Oh, don’t be a dick. Personally, I think it’s crappy the company have made you do this,’ he states. ‘That’s a lot of pressure at an unfair time.’

He’s being nice. I don’t think I can handle nice, especially from him. ‘You’re not angry with me? I’m really sorry I never told any of you. I should have when I found out. That’s my bad,’ I blurt out.

‘Well, yes…I can imagine at Frank’s sister’s wedding that the topic of redundancies over canapés would have gone down particularly well,’ he tells me. ‘You could have mentioned it in your onesie when you were absconding with your foxes,’ he laughs, but then he stops for a moment, offering me a gyoza. ‘Stop saying sorry. The company should be the ones apologising. Terrible upper management. First, they fail to invite us to their Christmas do and now this. It’s like they want me to download a virus into the servers and expose all their dodgy crypto dealings,’ he jests. ‘It’s not your fault, Maggie. I get it.’

‘You do?’ I say, half relieved he doesn’t park any blame or anger at my door.

‘It’s kind of why I’m here. Apart from enjoying your scintillating company, of course. I’ve been pondering the dilemma, I’ve discussed it with Miles, I’m here to stage an intervention.’

‘What do you mean?’ I ask him.

He pauses for a moment. ‘Choose me,’ he says, smiling. ‘Make me redundant.’

‘Jasper…no…’ I say, shaking my head.

‘Hear me out. If you choose me then you and Leo can give it a go, right? You can’t choose Frank. He’s panicked enough at the mention of it, he wouldn’t survive on his own. I’m the one with the least to lose.’ And for a moment, there is no cynicism or sarcasm, just a moment of clarity from him that feels sincere and I tear up at how much thought he’s given this.

‘Jasper. It’s not that simple.’

‘It is really,’ he tells me, fiddling with his chopsticks. ‘You’ve seen my family. I understand the cut-throat nature of business and the hierarchies involved far too well. It’s not kind.’ Sadness fills my heart to know it’s true. ‘I wouldn’t hold it against you, Maggie. I understand that you’ve been asked to do this so I would leave in good faith as long as you promise me something.’

‘Something?’

‘We’d still be friends.’ And with that, he leaves me no choice but to reach over and hug him.

‘THE SUSHI, MAGGIE!’ he squeals.

I sit back from him. I still don’t think that’s the decision fully made, but the fact he’s come here to level out his thoughts on the matter is hugely considerate – and also shows me how much he cares for Leo and Frank too.

‘Thank you,’ I tell him. ‘Miles knows? Has his opinion completely changed of me then?’

‘Oh god no. He’s totally in love with you. Hasn’t shut up about you since Christmas, actually. So predictable. It’s probably why I kept him from you for so long. I knew it would happen – you would come into our lives with your nice face and your warm vibes. You’re too bloody likeable, Magnus Field.’

We both laugh and I think back to the time when we first met, when he was some prickly basement troll and I was a rookie manager, and how much we’ve both transformed since.

‘Where is Miles tonight? Does he want to join us?’ I ask, looking down at the food.

‘He’s gone to spend New Year’s on the estate. I’ll catch up with him tomorrow.’ I picture them in open fields, walking, holding hands, baby fox cubs gambolling alongside them, and it makes me so incredibly happy that he has a love like that. ‘After I’ve been throughIndeedlooking for jobs,’ he jests.

It’s strange to hear him talk of this so casually when I’ve been traumatised by the idea of it all over the last few weeks. ‘Jasper…if this redundancy happens…’

‘When…’ he corrects me. ‘Let me do this, Maggie, so it means the decision was made on my terms. Then you can’t get accused of anything untoward like discrimination,’ he explains.

‘But what about financially?’ I ask him.

‘Oh, it’ll be a squeeze for a while, but it’s IT. I’ll find another basement somewhere, start again.’ And despite his confidence that this is the right decision, I hear a slight shake in his voice. It breaks my heart.

‘Jasper. I’ve already been doing research. I’ve been in touch with contacts, looking at vacancies.’

‘Let’s speak of it no more…It’s done.’

‘I am your boss, you know?’ I tell him.

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