Page 16 of All the Right Words
‘Olivia’s at a lunch thing,’ Gina replied flatly. ‘Can I take a message?’
It was a bit terse, but Harper took it on the chin. ‘No, I think it’s something I need to speak to her about myself,’ she told Gina.
‘She’s in this afternoon if you want to schedule a sit-down?’ Gina suggested.
Harper chewed it over. ‘You know what, that’s a good idea.’ It would be an excellent chance to talk properly about the previous night. Get over the awkwardness.
***
‘Harper, Olivia’s running a few minutes late, but I’m sure she’ll be here…’ Gina told her in the lobby that afternoon. But before she could even get to the end of the excuse, Vincent handed her a phone from reception. ‘Gina, for you. It’s Olivia.’
Gina took the phone. ‘She’s probably calling to let me know she’s in the building.’ She answered the phone. ‘Olivia, I’m with Harper right now-’ She stopped. ‘Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.’ She listened for a few seconds before saying, ‘Are you sure?’ Another pause. ‘Well, alright.’ She put the phone down.
‘She’s not coming, is she?’ Harper sighed. It surprised her that Olivia hadn’t made a bit more effort, considering how borderline things were between them.
‘She’s so sorry, but it’s car trouble. Engine broke down.’
‘Oh no!’ Harper cried. ‘Wait, I didn’t know she drove.’
‘She doesn’t. She was in a cab when the engine, well, the word she used was, ‘Exploded’. There’s another one coming, but she’s still half an hour away. But she did ask… OK, this is a bit of a funny request, but she askedmeto take the meeting with you,’ Gina said with what Harper could only call irritation.
‘Oh, right.’ Harper didn’t think there was anything amiss with that. Gina might have been Michael’s assistant, but clearly, Olivia had bigger plans for her. Harper smiled. ‘Sounds good to me. Let’s talk.’
‘You’re cool with that?’ Gina asked.
‘Of course. You know how things work. I’m sure we can get some clarity here. Shall we go into Olivia’s office, get comfy?’
‘Alright.’ She turned and led Harper up the hall, heading to Olivia’s office. Harper went straight for the couch. Gina looked a bit surprised but joined her on it. She put as much distance as she could between them. Harper didn’t mind. Some people’s personal bubble was bigger than others.
‘So, here’s the thing,’ Harper began. ‘It’s a Brenda problem.’
Gina looked unsurprised, as well she might. ‘Ah.’
‘She’s kind of… panicking. About the stuff going on here. She says it’s affecting her work.’
‘It is?’ Gina asked.
‘I think she thinks that things might still go wrong here. And then she’d have to find another home. It’s unsettled her.’
‘Understandable,’ Gina nodded neutrally. ‘So, what does she need from us?’
‘Time.’
‘How much time?’
‘The number she gave me was a month, But I think she wants to know things have settled down. That’s when she believes her block will clear and she can get back to work,’ Harper explained.
‘I see. But, well, we’re not there yet. We might not be for a while,’ Gina said honestly. Olivia would have said something much more comforting to round it out. But Gina wasn’t Olivia.
‘I see. Then, I’m not sure what the solution is,’ Harper admitted.
‘I’m sure Olivia would have the answer,’ Gina sighed.
‘Maybe. Or maybe we could figure it out by ourselves. I mean, what wouldyoudo?’
Gina frowned. ‘Me?’
Harper decided to repackage it. ‘Look. Let’s imagine… Olivia quits. She’s had enough of this industry. She’s decided to become a plumber instead.’ Gina half smiled, and Harper was pleased to get even that. It was a hilarious image; power suited Olivia, fiddling with a ballcock. ‘So, it’s up to you to fix Brenda’s problem and save the book. What’s the plan?’
