He went on to explain briefly what’d been going on. Keith watched him as he talked his expression growing more astounded as Adam spoke. Finally, when Adam was finished he shook his head.
‘Let me get this straight. Your secretary, your gorgeous petite secretary with a curtain of black hair, blue eyes and skin like the finest porcelain, that secretary?’ Adam nodded uncomfortably, sure he knew where this was going, hoping he was wrong. Unfortunately, Keith didn’t disappoint.
‘That gorgeous creature fancies you and would like to start something and that bothers you? Are you even human?’ Keith shook his head. ‘Man, it’s worse than I thought. That’s every man’s dream and it makes you uncomfortable? I would so love to be in your shoes.’
Adam was annoyed and reacted without thought. ‘Perhaps that’s why you’re divorced?’ He regretted it as soon as he’d said it, but Keith just laughed it off.
‘You’re probably right,’ he agreed. ‘But man, can’t you see? You don’t have to do anything about it but even you must admit that being fancied by a beautiful girl is good for the ego. Relax and enjoy it. If you don’t want her, maybe we should swap secretaries.’ He laughed and nudged Adam.
They finished their game in near silence. Adam was disappointed, but sadly unsurprised, at Keith’s advice. He rebuked himself for being disappointed. Really, what had he expected? Keith’s marriage had ended in acrimony and he was busy proving himself unfazed by playing the field with abandon. He had been foolish to think Keith would understand. Hell, he didn’t even understand it!
The following day was a working lunch in the executive dining room. Arthur liked to have regular lunches to keep up with his managers and specialist staff.
Keith decided it would be a good place to air Adam’s “problem”. He soon had the entire table in fits of laughter at Adam’s expense.
The consensus was that Adam should just relax and enjoy the attention. A little flirting never hurt anyone.
That, of course, was followed by accounts of secretaries past, including ratings.
Adam was left feeling decidedly in the minority.
‘You know, guys, I didn’t realise until this moment what a misogynistic bunch I was working with. Really, none of you see why this is a problem? Arthur?’ He turned his head to look at him, surprising a look of disdain on his face. ‘Perhaps there was more to her problems in her last workplace than we were given to believe.’ He decided to ignore the look. Perhaps he was just being too sensitive.
‘Adam, Adam.’ Arthur shook his head, giving Adam a comically sad look that created a ripple of laughter around the table.
‘Come on, mate, you’re no better than the rest of us. Sure, you got lucky with Lucy, but mate, you’re married, not dead. There’s no harm in looking. Even taking a bit of what’s offered. Everyone does it. Adds a little extra spice to life. Nothing to do with the little woman at home.’
Adam looked around the table at the nodding heads. He suddenly wasn’t sure if he felt more uncomfortable with his colleagues or his secretary. He let the subject drop, aware of a gap that had opened between him and his colleagues.
He was glad when the lunch was finally over. He went back to his office. Eliza watched him walk in and head for his office. A moment later she tapped on his door.
‘Are you all right, Mr Sullivan?’ she asked quietly, ‘Only you look as if lunch didn’t go so well.’ She gave him what he was sure was supposed to be a friendly smile. To him it had a slightly predatory edge to it.
‘I can be a good listener. Let me help, Adam,’ she added as she closed the door behind her.
‘No, it’s fine,’ he said sharply. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I have a call to make.’
She looked at him for a moment, disappointment clear on her face, then she shrugged and pulling the door open again, left.
He picked up the phone. ‘I need to see him urgently. Is he free? Good, I’ll be right there.’ He stood and walked out of his office. ‘I have a meeting,’ he said quietly as he walked past, not stopping to answer her question, ‘Where?’‘Have you found out any more about why Eliza Roberts left her last job?’ he asked as he strode into Arthur’s office, closing the door behind him.
‘Does it really matter, Adam?’ Arthur watched Adam carefully as he sat behind his desk. He picked up his pen, clicking the button at the top.
‘I can’t see what you’re having a problem with, really I can’t. From all accounts she’s a joy to have around. Bright, funny and caring.
‘Why, even Wendy (his dragon secretary, who guarded her lair with vigour) thinks she’s great. Tells me it was the best thing I did, taking her on! Her work is evidently spot on.’
‘Her work is faultless. I admit that,’ Adam replied wearily. ‘It’s all the other stuff. The notes and flirting. She makes me uncomfortable!’ He shrugged, again unable to put into words something he didn’t fully understand himself.
‘I would like to know why she left her last job. What happened?’ Adam asked.
‘I have to tell you, Adam. I’m disappointed.’ Arthur shook his head slowly. ‘I thought you were made of sterner stuff.’ He paused and looked down at the pen in his hand.
‘So, a pretty girl fancies you. Deal with it. You don’t have to do anything about it. Not like she can force herself on you, she’s tiny, for god’s sake!’ He chuckled to himself as he tried to imagine that happening.
It briefly crossed Arthur’s mind that he wouldn’t have a problem with a such a pretty little thing showing interest in him. What was wrong with the boy?
‘Perhaps you’ve been married too long,’ he continued. ‘You seem to be out of the ways of the world. Or is the missus giving you grief about your pretty secretary. Is that it? I imagine she came as a bit of a shock after old Shirl?’ Arthur laughed at the thought, then his gaze became appraising.
‘You know, maybe it would do you good to take a little of what’s offered! I’m sure you know what I mean. Might be good for your marriage too, liven things up a bit. A happy man is a good husband, I always say.’ He winked at Adam, a sly grin on his face.
Adam wasn’t sure if he wanted to punch Arthur, or be sick all over his desk. He was floored by the complete casualness that Arthur dismissed his concerns as nothing more than an itch that could do with scratching. He realised Arthur was still talking.
‘So, I see no reason to rock the boat, and I suggest you just relax.’ He studied Adam, aware the boy was angry. Arthur was disconcerted, not sure what Adam would do next. Adam was one of the most even-tempered men he’d ever met, his behaviour unusual.
Perhaps his missus was giving him a hard time. Yes, that would explain it. He felt guilty about fancying his secretary so was projecting his guilty feeling on to his poor unsuspecting secretary. He wondered briefly if he should move her for her own protection. No best to leave things alone and help Adam settle. He’d had an older secretary for so long he just couldn’t handle having someone young and vibrant in his office. The boy needed to loosen up. He’d play it cool. With that in mind, Arthur spoke quietly.
‘Look, if things don’t settle, we’ll see about swapping your secretary. Any of the other managers would be happy to have her. It’s the best I can do,’ he added as he saw Adam about to argue.
‘Look, Adam, you need to think carefully about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Maybe if you tried loosening up a little and gave her a chance, you might find she’s actually a good fit for you. As a secretary, obviously,’ he added quickly as he watched Adam’s face darken.
Adam rose stiffly from his seat and without another word, walked out of Arthur’s office. He didn’t go back to his own office. He suddenly couldn’t face Eliza. He kept walking out of the office and went home. By the time Lucy and Gabe got home he had a meal ready for them and felt a bit more in control.
After Gabe was in bed, he told Lucy of the events of the day, unable to hide his disappointment at his colleagues.
‘Are you really surprised?’ she asked. ‘Arthur’s
been playing away for years. Everyone knows it, even his wife.’ Adam looked surprised, Lucy almost laughed aloud at Adam’s expression. He really was rather naive. It was endearing.
‘Don’t look so shocked,’ she said. ‘Maria accepts it, and that’s her choice. She told me she doesn’t care because it means he leaves her alone, and she’s not interested in all that rubbish. But they rub along quite well and have similar views on things. It’s comfortable. She still loves his position and what it can do for her and enjoys his company. She sees no need to change things.’ Lucy shrugged, knowing she could never live that way, but she accepted Maria’s right to make her own choices.
‘You know, not everyone is lucky enough to have found what we have,’ she stated quietly.
‘I know, love,’ Adam responded. ‘I know. It’s just that they were, well, disgusting in their comments. They were even rating previous secretaries. It’s like I was having lunch with Neanderthals. I never realised before how sexist they all were.’
‘They’re probably not,’ Lucy said.
‘You didn’t hear them.’ Adam shook his head.
‘It’s the pack mentality, love.’ At Adam’s puzzled expression Lucy explained what she meant.
‘Get a group together and the will of the collective overrules the will of the individual. They would have all been feeding off each other and vying for acceptance, mirroring the leader of the pack. Animal instinct is strong in humans. Don’t judge them too harshly, my love.’
Adam realised that what Lucy said made sense, but then Lucy usually made sense. She understood people far better than he did. But strangely, it didn’t make him feel less disappointed.
‘Now to Ms Eliza Roberts.’ Lucy watched his face carefully as she spoke.
‘Is it possible you’re reading more into things because you know she left her last job under a cloud? Is it possible she’s just flirty by nature and it really means nothing? She hasn’t made any actual moves on you, has she?’ Adam shook his head, he couldn’t actually name a time she had, except that one time and he wasn’t even sure what that was.
‘Then maybe it’s just the way she is and that, combined with you missing Shirley, is the real problem. You know how you hate change.’
Adam looked confused.
‘You think it’s all in my head?’ He thought about that. He had considered lately that he was going mad. Was this all just the product of an overactive imagination caused by his dislike of change? ‘You really think that’s what it is, what about the following me to lunch thing? ’Cos she was really doing that.’
‘Maybe she’s lonely, maybe she knows how much it gets to you and so does it for a laugh? Maybe she thinks you’re a bit of a stuffed shirt and thinks she can lighten you up.’
‘You think I’m a stuffed shirt?’
Lucy laughed out loud at Adam’s hurt face. ‘That’s what you took from that? I meant there could be any number of reasons for her actions and yes, you can sometimes be a bit of a stuffed shirt, but you’re my stuffed shirt.’
Adam laughed with her. ‘I suppose you could be right,’ he said quietly.
He saw the relief in Lucy’s face and realised for the first time that she’d been worried about him. That made him feel bad. The last thing he wanted was to give Lucy reason to worry. He let a grin settle on his face.
‘You know, you’re right. I’m just being a wally. I just need to relax and go with the flow. Actually, that’s pretty much what Arthur told me,’ he grinned at her
‘I doubt we meant it the same way and if you follow Arthur’s advice I will cut it off!’ Lucy pretended to be cross but couldn’t hold back the laugh. She knew Adam loved his family and would never put them at risk.
Adam hugged Lucy to him, once more giving a prayer of thanks that she was in his life. With her face pressed into his chest, she didn’t see the flash of shame that crossed his face.
He had to do better. Lucy didn’t deserve this worry. He would stop worrying unnecessarily, he’d take Lucy’s advice. But he would put up distinct barriers and deal with the problem himself.
He knew everyone thought he was imagining things. Even Lucy thought he was building things up in his mind. So maybe he was. He just had to pull himself together.
With that in mind he resolved to get things back to normal.
The next day, when Eliza followed him to lunch he got up and walked away immediately. He stopped going to cafés or staying at his desk. Instead he took to going for walks at lunchtime. This gave him some measure of peace and had the bonus of his fitness improving.
He became remote, in the office. If she sat on the edge of his desk, he pushed away and went to stand by the window. He would only return to his desk when she went back to her chair.
He was polite, very polite, but would only discuss work matters. Apart from, ‘Good morning’ and, ‘See you tomorrow’, he refused to be drawn into any personal chatter.
He figured she would eventually get the message. He didn’t realise she was busily devising her own scenarios.
Chapter Ten
Adam was finally starting to relax. Eliza seemed to have got the message. She was all business now and he had to admit she was turning out to be an excellent secretary, often anticipating his needs. Perhaps it had been all in his imagination after all.
Now as he sat at his desk he pulled the small box from his pocket. He smiled to himself as he flipped the top open.
Lucy would love it. It was exquisite. White gold, to match her other bands. Emeralds, to reflect her eyes, studded into the etched pattern. It was small, delicate, and would perfectly suit her slender fingers. Understated, just like his beautiful wife. He knew ten years was tin, but he hadn’t been able to resist the ring when he saw it in the window. It was so Lucy.
He was about to put it away when Eliza walked into the room. She saw what he was looking at and perching on the side of his desk, snatched it from his hand before he could react.
‘Oh, how cute.’ Her disdainful tone belied her words. ‘Obviously for Lucy. It would be way too small and cheap for my taste.’ She looked at Adam from under her lashes. ‘But then you’d know that.’ She paused as if to emphasise her point.
‘It’s brave of you to buy her jewellery. It’s such a personal thing, isn’t it? I mean, what’s she going to say if she hates it?’ She paused again, snapped the lid shut on the box and handed it back to Adam.
‘Oh, maybe that’s the plan. Let her see how little she means to you.’ She giggled. ‘Just so you know, I’d prefer to be with you when you select jewellery for me.’
Adam shoved the box into his pocket and pushed back from his desk. He stared at Eliza in disbelief. Well, so much for thinking it was all in his mind. That would teach him to relax.
He suddenly realised he couldn’t take this any more. Granted, she was a brilliant secretary. Bright, efficient, punctual. There was no problem with her work.
It was all the other stuff. He was fed up second-guessing everything he said, waiting for the next inappropriate action or comment. As he thought that he realised he hadn’t truly relaxed at all, just hidden behind the barriers he’d erected. He’d been waiting for something like this to happen. He wasn’t surprised!
It was like having two secretaries. She was proper when anyone else was around, respectful and businesslike. But she changed when they were alone. She was becoming more and more personal, and Adam didn’t like it. He had thought ignoring it and being entirely work focussed was starting to work, but it seemed she’d just been biding her time.
He looked again at Eliza. She sat swinging her legs as she sat, perched on the edge of his desk.
The way she looked at him was almost scary, he thought. He recognised her as a predatory female and for some reason she seemed to have decided he was her prey.
Perhaps it was because, as Keith had pointed out, he was happily married. Perhaps it was the challenge she enjoyed.
He toyed with the idea of calling her bluff, pretending an interest he didn’t fe
el to see if she then lost interest. But he dismissed the idea immediately. He couldn’t realistically feign interest when all he could think of was his darling Lucy and their beautiful son. Besides, he didn’t want to encourage her.
The more he thought about it, the more he realised the only solution was to talk to Arthur and change his secretary. And he was going to do it now.
He said nothing, just walked out of his office and headed for Arthur’s office. Wendy was about to refuse him entrance until she looked up and saw a look on his face that alarmed her. She didn’t know what was wrong, but clearly something was. She waved him through.
Arthur was surprised to see him but saw the same look and waved him to a chair.
‘Sorry to barge in without an appointment,’ Adam stated baldly. ‘I want a different secretary. Ms Eliza Roberts doesn’t suit me.’
‘Give me some time to organise it. I’ll get back to you,’ Arthur responded. ‘It’ll take a few days.’ Arthur frowned. He thought he’d heard the last of this with their previous discussion on the matter. What was wrong with the man?
‘It happens today or I’m on leave until it does,’ Adam stated quietly. He knew Arthur wouldn’t want him taking leave just now.
Arthur studied his face for a moment. He seemed about to argue but something in Adam’s look caught him and he decided he should just let it be.
‘Give me a moment. Does Hillary Nielsen suit?’ He named Keith’s secretary. Adam nodded. Arthur picked up the phone and spoke briefly to Keith, then hung up. ‘He’ll get back to me in a moment.’
Adam sat quietly and waited. He was tired and just wanted it all to go away. He needed this resolved now. It seemed like an age before Keith rang back, but it was only a few moments.
Arthur nodded as he hung up the phone. ‘Keith and Hillary are both fine with it,’ he said. ‘Hillary says it will take about an hour to finish what she’s doing and clean out her desk. She’ll be in your office then. Okay?’ Adam nodded.
He studied Adam for a moment, then quietly asked, ‘Have you told Ms Roberts?’
Stalker, Stalker Page 5
