Page 92 of Just Like That

Temporarily distracted – and elated – by Nick calling me his girlfriend, I initially miss that Gwen is speaking to me. Gathering myself together, I sit up straight and give her my full attention.

‘…actually no, you haven’t just done a wonderful job kickstarting the events programme here,’ she continues talking, unaware that I’ve only just tuned in. ‘You’ve been an all-rounder. You’ve rolled your sleeves up and gotten into anything that’s needed—’

‘Except the elephant poo,’ Nick can’t help throwing in.

‘Anyway…’ Gwen casts him a bemused look, causing me to snicker and shake my head, ‘…to keep this conversation focused as Nick has asked, Jess, I’ve been thinking about your predicament at work. Nick also came to me this morning with a proposal, and after a good discussion, we’re both in agreement.’

‘Agreement about what?’ I raise a curious eyebrow, while ping-ponging back and forth between them.

‘I’d like to offer you the role of senior events manager here at the park.’

‘What?’ I’m stupefied by this statement, it being the last thing I would have expected to come out of Gwen’s mouth. ‘Can you afford that?’

‘We’ve crunched the numbers and we believe that a permanent events role will more than pay for itself over time. We actually need one if we want to turn our park events into a serious revenue stream. In fact, if things go well and the events take off, we could see you having your own team rather than borrowing resource from the other teams.’

‘You’re serious?’

‘Of course I’m serious.’ Gwen leans forward in her chair and smiles at me. ‘Now the only thing is, I probably can’t pay you what you get at that twat in a suit’s jumped-up company—’

I let out a snort of amusement, then put my hand to my mouth ashamedly. ‘Do you honestly think I’m on good money? With Craig as the director? I was never there for that. It was always about the high-profile events, the stretch and the development opportunities.’

‘Well, I guess that solves that problem then. Though the question is: would a role like this be enough for you?’

‘In comparison to the new projects I’ve been assigned, it’s like a dream come true. Anyway, I’ve learned a bit about what’s really important and what’s not in the last few days, and it turns out feeling valued and doing something worthwhile trumps chasing the biggest projects – not that I’d have a chance at them now anyway.’

I pause and take a reflective breath, my mind in overdrive. ‘Gwen, I’m blown away by this offer, I really am, but as you know, I’m caring for my brother and I can only work three days a week. I realise you would probably prefer to have someone full time.’

Now it’s Gwen’s turn to snort. ‘Jess, just because the bloody Craigs and Brees of this world can’t see what a gem they have in front of them, doesn’t mean I can’t either. You deliver as much as, if not more than, many people who work full-time hours. I was expecting you to want to work the same hours – it’s actually partly why the role is affordable for us – and here’s my salary offer to you, pro-rated for your three-day week, of course.’

She scrawls a figure on a piece of paper, turns it face down and pushes it across the table with two fingers, the way actors do in movies. It makes me think she’s always wanted to do that, and I have to swallow down a giggle.

Picking up and reading her salary offer, my brain kicks back into high gear.

Over the last few months, it’s felt like my life has been thrown up in the air and all the respective parts have landed in the wrong places. Except now I’m realising that they haven’t. They’ve fallen in exactly the right places. They’ve shown me a life and a future that’s so much more meaningful than what I had before; what I could have even imagined.

Would I still turn back time if it were to mean Seth never had a stroke? Of course I would – in a heartbeat. But that’s not how life works. I’ve accepted Seth’s position and the challenge we’re facing together, but I don’t need to accept how everything else has turned out. What Gwen’s saying right now is that she wants me to be a permanent member of the park family. That doesn’t just feel like the right place for me, it feels like home: somewhere I can do amazing and important work with my wonderful new adopted family.

As this realisation settles over me like a cosy blanket, my mouth breaks into a wide smile.

‘Gwen, you’ve got yourself a deal.’ I reach out to shake her hand.

The moment I do this, I’m startled by a sudden ruckus around me. Lauren, Serge, Natalie and a few other park colleagues I’ve gotten to know come bursting out from behind the cafe, cheering and whooping. Lauren sweeps in, hugging me tightly as I struggle to take it all in.

‘How did you lot find out about this?’ Gwen demands jovially, once everyone’s settled down. She looks accusingly at Nick.

‘I didn’t say a word.’ He gives a baffled shrug. ‘You know nothing stays a secret in this place though.’

‘Jess, welcome to the family.’ Gwen reaches across and squeezes my hand. ‘We are honoured to have you join the park team.’

‘And I’m honoured to be invited into the fold.’ I beam at my new colleagues, then take Nick’s hand under the table and mouth a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to him.

Chapter 45

Nine months later

On reaching the vast outdoor seating area of the wildlife park, Alison and Seth gasp with delight, and I’m not the least bit surprised by this. Though I’ve been overseeing this event, even I’m in awe of the sight before us – particularly as I’m viewing it for the first time through the eyes of a visitor, and with the anticipation of an enjoyable evening ahead.

The whole place has been given a beach party theme. The ground is covered with lashings of fine white sand, an imitation boardwalk has been erected on top of it (mainly for accessibility, but it looks great) and freestanding tiki torches enhance the relaxed vibe. The picnic tables have been accessorised with shells and sea life related props, while rows of stripy deck chairs are lined up in front of a DJ box and a huge screen showing a montage of tropical beach videos. There are even beach umbrellas, beach balls and scuba gear, which have been strategically positioned to complete the effect, as well as a surfboard wedged upright into the ground sporting a welcome message for our paying guests. And, of course, there’s food and drink to fit the occasion. Enticing aromas waft across from the stalls offering a range of barbequed dishes, summery salads, cocktails and mocktails.

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