Girl on the Run

by Rhoda Baxter

  Jane stared at the ceiling, hemmed in by the closeness of the walls. She closed her eyes and tears started to slide out from under her lashes.

  There was a knock on the door. ‘Jane?’ said Polly. ‘Would you like some tea? I've got a pasta bake in the oven.’

  ‘Er … yes,’ said Jane, feeling it would be churlish to refuse. ‘That would be lovely. Thanks.’

  ‘Ok,’ said Polly. ‘We're ready when you are.’

  Andy and Polly were already sitting at the table when Jane walked in. Polly dished out a third portion. For a moment, they ate in silence.

  ‘I'm really sorry,’ Jane said. ‘I didn't think to knock. I wasn't expecting …’

  ‘It's Ok,’ said Polly. ‘You live here. You don't have to knock.’

  ‘Mind you,’ Andy said. ‘It might be an idea—’

  Polly nudged him in the ribs.

  ‘I'm so sorry,’ Jane repeated. ‘As soon as I get paid, I'll move out. Ok.’

  ‘You don't have to,’ said Polly. ‘I like having you here.’

  Andy shot Polly a glance. Polly raised her eyebrows at him.

  Jane started to apologise again, but Andy stopped her. ‘Forget it, Jane. Really. It's no big deal. You take your time.’ He gave Polly a fond look and patted her on the arm. ‘It'll probably do us good to learn some self-control.’

  Jane looked at them and felt a spark of envy. They were so happy together. Andy might not be the most good-looking of men, but he would never cheat on Polly. She found she'd suddenly lost her appetite, and moved the pasta around on her plate, resisting the urge to push the whole thing away.

  ‘So,’ said Andy, breaking the awkward silence, ‘what are you doing at work then, Jane?’

  ‘She's looking for prior art,’ said Polly, who had asked the same question the night before.

  ‘Oh aye? What's that when it's at home?’ Andy spoke through a mouthful of pasta.

  ‘You know what a patent is?’

  ‘Like on Dragon's Den?’

  Jane smiled. ‘Yes, a bit like that. Now, if you're going to get a patent for an invention, it has to be new, right?’

  ‘Sounds fair,’ said Andy.

  ‘So, if it's published somewhere before the patent was filed, then it's can't be new.’ She paused to see if he was following her.

  He nodded and waved his fork, indicating that she should go on.

  ‘We're trying to show that a patent shouldn't have been granted. I'm trying to find something that was published before the date the patent was filed, so that I can say that the invention isn't new.’

  ‘Ok,’ said Andy. ‘So where does art come into it?’

  ‘That's just the technical term for published stuff,’ Polly said.

  Andy looked at Jane for confirmation. She shrugged. ‘Not quite, but close enough.’

  Andy was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Doesn't sound very lawyer-y to me.’

  Jane laughed. ‘I'm doing the easy bits. Marshall's doing the difficult bit where you have to put the arguments together.’

  Polly leaned closer to Andy and said in a theatrical whisper, ‘Marshall's the one she fancies.’

  Jane shook her head. ‘I don't.’

  Chapter Five

  The meeting reminder pinged on Jane's computer and she felt excitement rise. She was meeting Susan, her boss, for the first time. Until now, she had been doing odd pieces of work that people found for her and getting to know the company's systems. She was looking forward to having a solid project to work on.

  Ruth looked up. ‘Meeting?’

  ‘Yes. With Susan.’

  ‘Good luck,’ said Ruth. ‘Susan is … a challenge.’

  ‘People keep saying that. What's wrong with her?’

  Ruth frowned. ‘There's nothing wrong with her … as such. She's just a little brusque, if you see what I mean.’

  Jane shook her head.

  ‘Not very hot on people skills. She's very clever. One of the cleverest attorneys we've got. But she has no patience with people who can't keep up.’

  ‘Ok,’ said Jane, hoping she would be able to keep up. ‘I'll bear that in mind.’

  ‘You'll be fine,’ said Ruth.

  Jane wished she felt as confident.

  * * *

  From: Eric Korsky

  To: Keith Durridge

  Subject: The new girl.

  She seems nice. Do I take it she's caught your interest? As you say, she is very pretty. And has very nice legs.

  ##

  From: Keith, To: Eric

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  She does indeed have fabulous legs. I bet I can get those wrapped round me by the end of the month.　K.

  ##

  From: Eric, To: Keith

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  Yeah, yeah, you say that every time a nice looking girl starts. You have no chance with this one my friend. She's way out of your league.　And, as you've let your prejudices against the provinces show, you've probably blown it already. Very proud folk, these Northerners, you know. E.

  ##

  From: Keith, To: Eric

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  Bet you a £100. K.

  ##

  From: Eric, To: Keith

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  I'm not playing that game any more. I'm a happily engaged man now, remember? Besides, I haven't forgotten how much trouble it got us into last year.

  ##

  From: Keith, To: Eric

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  I'm not suggesting you compete with me. We all know you couldn't anyway. Just a little sportsman's bet. I'll even set a time limit for my success. One month. I'm getting bored out of my mind around here,I could do with a challenge.　Go on, live a little.

  ##

  From: Eric,To: Keith

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  You don't stand a chance. If the undercurrents at the pub were anything to go by, she's more likely to be interested in Marshall Winfield than you. We all remember what happened the last time you went after a woman who had her eye on Marshall Winfield.

  ##

  From: Keith, To: Eric

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  Yes, well Dominique wasn't exactly a normal woman. There's no challenge in getting off with a nymphomaniac. Winfield is welcome to her.　Now Jane, on the other hand, seems like a very classy, if slightly repressed, woman. One who has standards. The only reason Winfield even got a look in was because I hadn't turned on my legendary charm.

  ##

  From: Eric, To: Keith

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  Since you insist, I shall take you up on this. £100 plus dinner at the club.　And you only have until the end of the month. I shall enjoy watching you crash and burn.

  ##

  From: Keith, To: Eric

  Subject: Re: The new girl.

  You're on, Korsky. Prepare to pay up. K – the man.

  * * *

  The meeting room had wide windows overlooking the Thames. Far below tourist barges crawled up and down the water. The millennium wheel moved lazily in the distance. Since she was early, Jane took the opportunity to spot landmarks.

  Someone cleared his throat, making her jump. She spun around to find Marshall at the doorway, a cup of coffee in one hand and a clutch of files in the other.

  ‘Good morning,’ he said as he put down his files. ‘It's a good view from up here. We've all got so used to it, we take it for granted.’

  ‘I was just looking to see if you can see the Tate Modern.’

  ‘Oh you can. You have to sort of lean into the window though.’ His eyes were so brown they made her think of chocolate.

  Jane suddenly felt like a teenager. Her heart sped up and her mind went blank, just when she needed a witty comment.

  Keith sauntered in. ‘It must be quite exciting for you, coming from the provinces.’

  Marshall's shoulders tensed.

  ‘Manchester,’ she said, ‘is hardly t
he provinces. It's the Northern capital.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Keith pulled out a chair next to her. ‘The Northern capital. It's nothing like the real capital, is it?’ He laughed, as though his comment were hilarious. ‘I've been here all my life,’ he said, serious again. ‘I'll show you around one weekend, if you'd like. There's more to London than meets the eye.’

  Was he coming on to her? She was saved from having to come up with a retort when Susan walked into the room.

  Susan wore a perfectly cut suit with tottering high heels and her make-up had an American gloss to it. Blonde hair framed her face in soft ringlets. Only the lines by her eyes suggested she was in her forties. Both Keith and Marshall seemed to straighten up slightly, as though coming to attention.

  Susan looked at Jane, her face expressionless. She held out her hand. ‘I'm Susan,’ she said, speaking very fast. ‘You must be Jane.’

  Jane stood up clumsily and took the proffered hand. ‘Hi.’

  ‘I'm sorry I wasn't there to meet you on your first week.’ Susan gave Jane's hand a firm shake. ‘I hope you enjoy working with us.’ She sat down and took a Mont Blanc pen out of her jacket pocket. ‘Ok, let's get started. What have we got?’

  Marshall opened his mouth to speak, but Keith jumped in before him. ‘I've been going through Marsh's searches and some that I did myself,’ he said. ‘I haven't found a piece of killer prior art yet, but I think we might have a few angles that we can attack from.’

  Susan indicated he should go on. Jane leaned forward on her elbows and tried to follow the conversation. As far as she could tell their client was trying to attack two patents. One for a novel drug and one for the combination of that drug with an already known one. Keith was researching ways of attacking the first and Marshall was working on the second.

  The sun came out from behind a cloud, casting Jane and Keith's shadows on the table. Marshall put his hand up to shield his eyes. Susan clicked her tongue impatiently and said ‘Jane, can you draw the blinds please?’

  ‘Thanks,’ Marshall said when she returned to her seat. Slivers of light still fell on his face and hair, making him glow slightly. The sight of him did something strange to Jane's knees. She sank back in her chair and turned her head so that she was looking at Susan instead.

  As Susan and Keith continued their discussion, Jane found she couldn't follow it. Her eyes kept drifting towards Marshall. She told herself sternly that she had only just started work there. This was no time to get involved in an office romance.

  When Keith had finished speaking, Susan turned to Marshall, who gave her a concise report of his research. She listened without comment until he'd finished, then fired questions at him. Marshall responded, making several suggestions for future research. Jane listened carefully to the exchange and took note of things she needed to research further.

  ‘Ok,’ said Susan, when Marshall had finished. ‘Sounds like we're making progress.’ She tapped a finger on the table. ‘Now then, Jane. How's your database searching?’

  Jane jumped, and began, ‘I haven't—’

  ‘Good, good.’ Susan stood up. ‘You can help Marshall with his prior art search. He'll teach you the basics. You seem pretty bright. I'm sure you'll pick it up.’

  Jane nodded, in what she hoped was a confident and enthusiastic manner.

  ‘Actually,’ said Keith, ‘I could use some extra help evaluating these papers.’

  Susan turned to him. ‘Didn't you say Robert was working on it?’

  ‘Well yes,’ said Keith. ‘But it's a lot of work. I'm sure Marshall can spare Jane from time to t—’

  ‘I'm sure Robert can manage.’ Susan nodded to Marshall. ‘Set up another meeting in a week's time. I'm seeing the client in nine days' time and I want something to show them.’

  Without any further pleasantries, Susan left the room.

  Keith shot Marshall an angry glare. Marshall ignored him. The hostility between the two men was palpable.

  As Jane stood up to leave, Keith said, ‘I guess it's going to be a busy week for all of us.’ He flashed Jane a smile. ‘Welcome to the team.’

  * * *

  From: Marshall, To: James

  What is Keith's problem? Susan told Jane to work with me on my case and Keith looked like I'd stolen his lolly.

  ##

  From: James, To: Marshall

  Don't mind Keith. He's just jealous. First Susan gives you equal weight to him on this case, then assigns the latest totty to work with you. Result: Not only do you get an extra pair of hands to work with. They belong to a lovely young lady. Lucky boy.

  ##

  From: Marshall, To: James

  Will you stop it. You can get done for sexual harassment for saying stuff like that.

  ##

  From: James, To: Marshall

  Ah come off it. I saw you looking at her in the pub. I haven't seen that gleam in your beady little eye since – well, a bloody long time. Lou thinks you should go for it, by the way.

  ##

  From: Marshall, To: James

  Haven't you and Lou got better things to talk about than my love life?　Jane's lovely, but I think I'll stay out of it for a while. I think Keith's got his eye on her anyway. I don't really want to antagonise him any more than I have to. Besides, office relationships aren't a great idea. Not for me anyhow.

  ##

  From: James, To: Marshall

  Mate, we've got three kids. Your love life is the most exciting news going as far as we're concerned. At least it doesn't have anything to do with the kids. Anyway, Jane's just walked past, so I'm guessing she's heading to your office.　Be good. If you can't be good, be careful.　Jim.

  * * *

  Marshall jumped when Jane knocked on his office door. He turned around ‘Hi.’

  ‘Is this a good time?’ she said. ‘You were going to show me the search databases.’

  ‘Right. Yes, just a second.’ He rummaged in a desk drawer and pulled out a notebook.

  ‘Passwords,’ he explained. ‘Shall we go to your desk? That way you can get to work straight away.’

  Jane led the way back to her office.

  ‘May I?’ Marshall leaned on the desk and took her mouse. ‘This is the website.’ He had to lean across her to type in the URL. He smelled faintly of soap and aftershave. ‘I'll just bookmark it for you.’

  Jane was suddenly very aware of how broad his shoulders were. She tried to concentrate as he pointed to the screen and explained what various parts of the website did. His fingernails were short and clean. He had long fingers. She liked men with long fingers. Ashby had had long fingers …

  ‘Does that all make sense?’

  Jane looked up to find Marsh regarding her quizzically, his face quite close to hers. Close enough to touch. Or kiss. He blinked and straightened up.

  Jane felt herself blush. Were her thoughts that transparent? ‘Yes. I think I've got that.’

  She ran through it again, just to make sure. He moved back a step so he was at a less intimate distance.

  ‘If you have any problems, just come find me.’ He gave her a smile, without making eye contact, and left.

  Jane stared after him, her face still hot with embarrassment. What was wrong with her? Marsh was attractive, sure, but she should be able to talk to him without turning into a quivering wreck. She was acting like a love-struck teenager. She doubted she'd been that nervous around men even as a teenager. Not even with Ashby.

  Ruth's voice cut into Jane's thoughts. ‘I shouldn't bother, if I were you.’

  She had been so distracted by Marsh that she had completely failed to notice Ruth, sitting quietly at her desk. ‘Pardon?’

  ‘Marsh,’ said Ruth. ‘I saw the way you were looking at him. I shouldn't bother. I mean, he's a total sweetie and everything, but he doesn't date people in the office.’

  Jane stared at her. ‘I don't …’

  Ruth grinned. ‘Don't worry. It happens all the time when new girls start. Most of the secretaries fancy him. He's a l
ovely guy, but he doesn't really date much. And even then, not people from the office.’

  Before Jane could say anything, Ruth continued. ‘He did date one of the trainee patent agents once – a girl called Dominique, the one that was in Spotted!, but it all went a bit wrong and they split up. Things were quite awkward for a while. Then she left.’

  Jane didn't want to be having this conversation, but she couldn't help herself. ‘What happened?’

  Ruth glanced at the door and leaned forward. ‘She and Marsh were an item, for a while,’ she whispered. ‘Then, this “friend” of hers turned up to visit her from America. No one thought anything of it, but apparently, he was more than just a friend, if you know what I mean. Anyway, Marsh found out and dumped her.’

  Having been through something similar herself, Jane felt a pang of sympathy for Marshall, especially as the details of his humiliation seemed to be common knowledge. ‘How come you know about it?’

  ‘Dominique wasn't really the discreet type … she was pretty upset when Marsh split up with her and kept going into his office and making a scene and saying it didn't mean anything. Everyone heard …’ Ruth pulled a face. ‘In the end the partners had a word with her and she left.’

  Jane stared. ‘They sacked her?’

  ‘Not sacked, exactly. Just encouraged her to leave.’

  Jane was about to ask more questions, when Ruth's phone rang. She gave an apologetic glance and answered it, leaving Jane to stare at her screen, digesting what she had just heard.

  * * *

  From: Stevie, To: Marshall