Page 24 of The Vegas Rerun
"I understand," I say quickly. "I know it was a simple task. I was so sure I had it right. I arranged the drinks according to the seating order, I double and tripled checked my list, and everything was in order."
Joshua watches me for a long moment, his eyes searching.
"Then what happened?" he asks.
I shake my head, frustrated with myself.
"I don’t know. I must have made a mistake somewhere, but I don’t see where. I know it’s no excuse, but I think I was so nervous after my last performance with the refreshments that I must have messed up. I’m sorry I made you angry."
He leans back in his chair, considering my words and when he speaks again, his voice is closer to his normal tone.
"I’m not angry, Molly. I just need to be able to rely on you. These details matter. If I can’t trust you with this, how can I trust you with more important responsibilities?"
The words cut deep, not because he’s being cruel, but because he’s right. I nod my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. I want to say that I’m ok with anything that’s not wet, a joke to lighten the mood, but something tells me Joshua isn’t in the mood for jokes, and I err on the side of caution.
"It won’t happen again," I promise.
He studies me a second longer before giving a small nod.
"Good. See that it doesn’t,” he says. “Thank you, that’s all."
I’m being dismissed, and I’m glad of it. I turn to leave, but his voice stops me at the door.
"Molly," he says. I glance back, my hand on the door handle, and he goes on. "You’ve been doing well in this position. One mistake doesn’t change that. Just be more careful in the future."
The unexpected reassurance soothes a fraction of my embarrassment, but the weight of my mistake still lingers. I nod once more and thank him before stepping out of his office and closing the door behind me.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. I can’t let this happen again. I won’t let this happen again. Joshua expects better from me, and I intend to prove that I’m capable of meeting those expectations, no matter what it takes.
CHAPTER 18
MOLLY
A few dayspass after the board meeting disaster and my telling off. The days are uneventful – I’m extra careful, and I haven’t made any mistakes. Mind you, there hasn’t been any board meetings. There have been several client meetings though and I have managed to give both the client and Joshua drinks without getting them wrong or spilling them so there’s that. Still though, when Joshua calls my name through his open office door, I assume I’m in trouble.
I head into his office ready for a dressing down, but instead, Joshua glances up from his computer screen when I appear in his doorway.
“I know it’s short notice, but I need you to make me a lunch reservation. A table for two for today. Somewhere nice. I want to impress this guy. If we get his business, it’s going to be worth a lot of money for the firm,” he says.
“I’ll get on it now,” I tell him.
It's a simple enough task; one I can handle without issue, but the small problem I have is that I have no idea which local restaurants are classed as nice. I know the really exclusiveplaces, but there’s no chance of getting a table at one of them with such short notice, so it’s going to have to be somewhere nice but not famous. I think for a moment and then I make a decision and instead of going back to my desk as I leave Joshua’s office, my mind ticking over already, I head back to my old workstation.
I arrive to an enthusiastic greeting from Patty and Frieda and a cold smile that feels more like a threat than a greeting from Sarah.
“Can I ask a favor?” I ask.
Frieda and Patty both nod their heads. I don’t even bother looking at Sarah. I know she’s not exactly going to be in the line of people who will help me.
“I need to book a table for lunch time today, somewhere nice,” I say. “I don’t really know the places around here. Any suggestions?”
“Is it for a client meeting or a board thing?” Frieda asks.
“A potential new client,” I say. “Mr Redfern told me to book somewhere nice and that this is an important person.”
Frieda thinks for a moment.
“Arrici,” she says after a moment. “It’s nice and the food is lovely. It’s always fully booked for dinner, but it’s usually quiet at lunch time. Try there.”
