or something, but not the lead. He said no way and turned down all that money, and had to sell his dog, just to buy food.”
I nodded, smiling. “And then it came good, and he sold the script and got the part.”
“And went straight and bought his dog back, paid a fortune for it.”
“Yes.”
“Amazing story,” she said.
“One of my favourites.”
I felt her eyes on me. “Slick subject change.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you going to tell me what you really wanted?”
“Yes,” I said. “One day. When it’s time.”
Part of me wanted her to push it, insist that I stop the car and tell her what the fuck was going on with me, what was so important that I’d throw a few hundred grand at her, what the hell I wanted so badly that I’d veer the car off the road and stare at her like a wolf after prey.
But she didn’t. She let it go.
I pulled into the business park, and Katie sighed.
“I feel stupid,” she said. “Dressed like this.”
“Treat it as a lesson.” I pulled into my space, and a wall of glass reflected our car back at us. Our car? Katie peered up at the building. Five storeys of corporate hustle. “This is us,” I said. “At least for the next six months.”
She slipped from the Range and met me at the doors. I felt the strangest urge to take her hand, grip her dainty fingers in mine and parade her through the place. Parade her as mine. I put my hand in my pocket instead.
A sea of greetings. Afternoon, Mr Brooks. Afternoon, Carl. Hey, Carl, how’s it going?
She waited until we were in the lift heading up before she spoke. “So, you’re like the head honcho around here?”
“You could say that.”
“Neat.”
“Most of the time. Sometimes it’s stressful, busy, frustrating.” I smiled. “Sometimes it’s incredible. Often it sits around the middle.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said. “You love it all the time. It’s written all over you.”
“Tell me that when I’m having a bad day.”
She nodded, and her smile was beautiful. “I will. Don’t worry.”
And I wasn’t worried. I was strangely invigorated in her presence, her gentle manner both soothing and enlivening. Katie Serena was a strange and delicate little creature. A real beauty.
She took a breath as the lift pulled to a stop.
“Nervous?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Very.”
“Don’t be,” I said. “You’ll be fine. No pressure, just relax.”
“Last time you said that you broke my ovaries.”
My balls tightened at the memory. I laughed. “Yes, I did.”
The doors opened and the floor was busy, heaving with people on headsets, people in glass-fronted meeting rooms, people everywhere, going about their business. Going about my business.
She followed with quick steps, nipping into my side as I weaved a path through the clusters of desks, and everyone looked at us, staring with nosey eyes. I pointed out a segment in the corner, away from the main floor. My power team, my group of nineteen, engaged in a presentation by our top telemarketer, Daniel Dawson. I stood to the rear once we approached, and Katie stood close. I could feel the heat from her, the press of her shoulder against my arm.
“So, that’s rapport 101, in a nutshell. Carl will be able to give you the rest. Perfect timing.” He smiled at me.
The heads turned, and my protégés looked at me, and then looked at Katie. I could practically hear the cogs whirring.
I stepped to the front and patted the speaker on the back. “Thanks, Dan. Great job.” I smiled at the faces. “Good afternoon, all, I trust that was useful?”
A murmur of agreement.
“Good.” I gestured towards the blue-eyed girl in tattered jeans, all so aware of the blush of her cheeks. “This is Katie Smith,” I said. “She’ll be joining the programme. I hope you’ll all make her very welcome.”
She waved and smiled and they waved back and said a motley collection of greetings. All except one.
Verity.
Her face looked like a slapped ass. Her shoulders were rigid and her eyes were glowering, her mouth paused somewhere between outrage and surprise.
I wasted no time in settling the group back to their places, paired up in call buddy teams while they listened to the more experienced callers on the main floor. I put Katie with Ryan, our most promising contender, the guy who’d stepped up and belted out the Rocky track on day one, and she fell into partnership with him easily. I watched her relax, her expression bright and friendly.