Page 128 of The Moon Also Rises
“Then why do it in such a sarcastic way? You don’t always have to be such a little man-bitch.” Sharon throws the magazine on the table.
“And you don’t always have to be a big fat man-hater,” I snap back and then can’t help the laughter that tumbles out of me as I drop the final stack of magazines in the bin liner and sit down.
“God, I needed that laugh,” I say.
“I can tell,” Sharon says and she takes her feet off the table and leans towards me. “You’ve had a face like a slapped arse for weeks now.”
“You mean I don’t usually have a face like a slapped arse? That’s practically a compliment. Thanks, Shaz.”
“The last one you’ll get this year.” She shrugs and slides the magazine across the table to me so I can throw it out with the others. “Come on, I’ll take that outside to get collected, and then I’ll make you a cup of tea for all your hard, back-breaking work.”
“You say that, but I actually did break a fingernail and got three papercuts.”
“Such a brave little soldier,” she says getting up. Much to my surprise as she comes to collect the bin liner, she places her hand on my shoulder. “I know you miss him.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I manage to say before my chin wobbles.
“Well,Imiss him. He’s so much prettier than you,” Sharon says and then she’s gone, leaving me alone with a wistful smile and Rami’s sparkling-eyes in my mind.
A minute or so later when I’m back at my desk replying to an email, I hear a knock at the door. I sigh and get up.
“Come on you useless wench, you can open the door with two cups of tea,” I say as I come to push down the door handle.
But when I open the door, it’s not Sharon with two cups of tea. It’s my bosses, Bill and Simeon.
“Afternoon, Jake. Do you always speak to your assistant like that?” Bill asks peering at me over his glasses.
“Why do I feel like we may have a tribunal in our future, if you do?” Simeon puts his hands on his hips.
“Bill, Simeon, errr…”
“Oh, God, not two more overpaid white men I have to make tea for.” Sharon’s voice breaks up the awkward silence.
“Sharon, long time, no see! Milk and two sugars for me.” Simeon steps aside.
“No milk, no sugar for me.” Bill taps his stomach. “Missus has me on a bloody awful dairy-free diet but it does appear to be working. Do you think I’ve lost weight? Jake?”
“You’re looking very… svelte,” I say and then quickly usher Sharon out of my office and invite them to sit.
Considering how hands-on these two are with their company, they spend surprisingly little time in the head office. Partly this is because Bill recently relocated to Yorkshire with his wife and five children, and Simeon lives half the month in Paris with his French husband and their two teenage sons, but it’s also because they like to spend time at all our venues and keep a close eye on how they are all doing. And when they are in the London office, they have never once shown up in my office spontaneously, so to say I’m a little surprised at having them sitting around my meeting table is an understatement.
“I didn’t know that you were both in town,” I say stumbling over my words.
“Oh, yes, we’re going to the wedding tomorrow,” Bill explains.
Of course, they are.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Simeon says as he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt under his corduroy blazer. They are almost comically opposite in their stature and appearance. Bill is a ruddy-cheeked, portly man that you would never describe as tall, while Simeon is long and lean and boasts wiry features. “We have heard nothing but good things about your planning and organising of it.”
“Well, proof will be in the pudding. And I’m not talking about the chocolate fondant we're serving.”
Bill and Simeon laugh harder than I expect, but it does ease my nerves.
“That’s actually why we’re here. We wanted to come and thank you for your hard work on the wedding. You stepped up when we really needed you and we appreciate that.”
“Just doing my job,” I say a little meekly.
“Well, you’re doing two jobs, actually. Don’t think we don’t know that. You’ll be getting a bonus for your efforts, that’s for sure.”
