Page 78 of Another Lucky Number

‘Amazing, let’s go, James.’

Chapter Thirty-One

James and I leave the restaurant and make our way along one of the meandering paths towards the beach, enjoying the warmth from the sun while we walk. He slips his warm hand into mine, and I smile up at him shyly.

‘You did incredibly well there,’ he says. ‘Presentations are tough, but you seem to have nailed the content.’

‘You think?’ I’m pleased with this unsolicited feedback.

‘I do. Are you planning to use your notes tomorrow?’

‘Yes, why do you ask?’

He seems to consider his response. ‘Well, overall you did great, but there was one thing that I thought let you down slightly.’

‘Which was?’

‘You seemed to be reading some of the sections word for word from your notes.’

‘Ah, right.’ I nod. ‘That’s because there are some parts I don’t know as well yet, but I’ll learn them off by heart by tomorrow.’

‘So, you’re learning the content like a script?’

‘Is that not essential? I need to know it inside out.’

We’re about to step off the path onto the beach, so I stop momentarily to take off my sandals and carry them by the straps.

‘It’s certainly important to know what you want to talk about and when,’ says James. ‘But the problem with learning it like a script is that you could lose your place and struggle to get back on track. And you might end up using your notes as a crutch, meaning you’re not looking at your audience enough.’

I know I should be grateful for this feedback, which I acknowledge is really on point, but for some reason, it makes me bristle.

‘Right. Well, I guess I’ll need to be super prepared then.’

‘Or you could try having cue cards with just your key points on them? That would allow you some flexibility and help you come across as someone who really knows their stuff.’ James takes my hand again as we walk across the powdery white sand.

I frown at this comment. ‘I do know my stuff. Are you saying you think I don’t?’

‘No, not at all. I know you do. I’m talking solely about perception. People will judge you on what they see because that’s all they’ve got to work with. They don’t know you… know how you performed in your last job, or how experienced you are.’

‘I suppose.’

Though I know James is right, I’m still bristling from this feedback, and I don’t know why. Probably best then to change the subject to avoid getting into it any further. I scan the seascape and point at a paraglider in the distance.

‘You ever done that?’

‘No,’ he says. ‘And I want to tell you it’s because I’ve never had the opportunity, but—’

‘You’re scared of heights?’

‘Does that make you like me less?’

‘Uh-uh. It just means I don’t respect you.’

‘Oh, what?’ He blanches from my ambush.

‘I’m kidding.’ I smile up at him. ‘I like that you’re comfortable sharing things like that with me.’

‘I was. Now I’m not.’

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