by Alicia Hope
‘Oh that’s right, I’m talking to “Lets-be-fair-Claire”.’ Verity raised an eyebrow and gave a lop-sided grin.
Claire chuckled. ‘And don’t you forget it! But getting back to your application, I thought ... the operations manager job, once Royce vacates it?’
‘Oh, sure, there’s always that. But why should I settle for second best when I’m quite entitled to try for the top job? Would Royce settle? As if!’ She spat the last words.
‘Ouch! We’re feeling especially tetchy today, aren’t we?’
Verity pulled a face at Claire as they paused in the corridor to nod acknowledgement to a passing colleague. When she spoke again she made sure to lower her voice. ‘Well, can you blame me? Let’s face it, Claire, there’ve been suitable openings alright, but all “done deals” before I could get a look in. I wish someone had the guts to tell me the truth.’
‘Which is?’
‘That they can’t see past my age and gender to acknowledge I’m as qualified as most of the other candidates—and more qualified than some.’
‘Ah....’
‘But this time might be different, if Brenda Sharpe comes to the party like she said she would ... then again, I don’t blame her if she doesn’t. I’m sure our “friend”, Mr James, wouldn’t thank her for trying to sideline him, and he’ll have some pull once he’s CEO. Oh!’ Verity gasped and stopped abruptly. She threw an agitated hand in the air. ‘Crap! Will you listen to me? Even I have to remind myself it’s not written in stone he’ll get the job!’
She shook her head and sighed before catching up with Claire again. ‘Well, if he does get it, someone will need to replace him, and that someone had better be me. Otherwise I’ll be calling in the anti-discrimination dogs.’
‘Are you fair dinkum?’
‘You bet! I’ve had enough of being treated like a poor cousin. Look, back-filling Royce’s position might not be a huge jump as far as careers go, but it would be heading in the right direction. And almost any move is better than stagnating.’
‘If you say so. Some of us are quite happy little bacteria, living here in the stinking ooze of “stagno-pond”.’
Verity gave a half smile at Claire’s attempt at humour, but her focus remained firmly fixed on the subject closest to her heart. ‘I have plans for this company, Claire. Big plans. I’ve managed to excite Brenda Sharpe with them, enough for her to consider coming on board. All I need is the chance to put them into play.’
Her voice grew pensive. ‘But I feel as though my career’s in danger of stalling. And it’s all I have left since the divorce.’
The two women stopped at the door to Claire’s office.
‘Well, you know what I think?’ and Claire chuckled, ‘I reckon you need to find a distraction and fast, Verity. Hopefully one of the male persuasion, ’cos your frustration’s showing!’
‘Oh!’ Verity sucked in a breath and glared, but a grin hovered around her lips.
Claire giggled and found herself hurriedly ducking a crumpled-up coffee cup, pitched at her like a well-aimed missile. ‘How long has it been?’ she chortled, ‘And when are you going to start living again? You’ve been divorced over a year and separated for ages before that.’
‘Who says I’m not living now, Claire?’
Claire grew still and her face became serious again. ‘There’s lots more to life than work, Verity.’
Verity noticed the concern in her friend’s eyes. ‘Yes, you’re right. But for now, work is what I need to focus on.’ She sighed. ‘Though I must admit, I still hate being on my own at night. And when I see other happy couples out and about ... well, there are times when the loneliness almost chokes me.’ She rubbed a hand across her forehead.
Claire gave her a quick, one-armed hug, before going over to her desk and putting her bag down. Verity followed her in and Claire could see the emotions running across her face.
Friends since their school days, the two women had remained close over the years. Claire had been Verity’s bridesmaid, and afterwards helped her through the divorce proceedings when it all went pear-shaped. She’d always secretly doubted that David was worthy of Verity, so she hadn’t been shocked or devastated when their marriage failed, although she never said as much to her friend. But she was saddened to know Verity was willing to share the blame for the break-up, despite all her efforts to fix their problems, and all her sacrifices.
Claire clucked her tongue in frustration. For cryin’ out loud, she even passed up the great promotion that started all the hullabaloo! Not that it changed anything. The wheels had fallen off by then, and had already rolled into another garage. She sighed. What more could Verity have done? Everyone who knows them could see it was David’s insecurity, and pathetic jealousy of her hard-won success, that kicked off their downhill slide. And of course, his adultery was a bitter side-dish to the unpalatable main course.
She’d seen what the marriage breakdown had done to her friend, and knew it would take a long time for the emotional scars to heal ... if ever. She also knew Verity was smart enough to learn from the experience—too smart for her own good perhaps. It seemed like she’d erected permanent barriers to shield herself from being hurt like that again, and was determined to remain behind them.
Verity’s voice had regained some of its usual strength. ‘All the same, I don’t actually miss David any more, in fact I rarely think of him now. He’s just a memory, a face from the past that’s gradually blurring away. I guess I should thank him for the painful lesson, one I clearly needed to learn.’
‘Verity—’
‘So enough of that.’ Verity gave a brave smile. ‘At least I won’t have to wait long to hear about this job. The board wants a decision lickety-split so Clyde’s replacement can have some time with him before he goes.’
‘Oh, yeah. If ever a job needed a handover period, it’s that one.’
‘So, shall we do lunch today? I’m free if you are. No midday production meeting for a change, but I’m not going back to the mine until this ’arvo.’
After agreeing on their lunch arrangements, Verity went on towards the shared office she used whenever at the refinery. But her mind lingered on the lesson she’d mentioned to Claire; the one she’d learned at great personal expense, the one that had led her to make a sworn promise. A promise she was adamant she would keep for the rest of her life.
To never again sacrifice my own identity and all that matters to me, for the sake of what commonly passes for love.
Chapter Three
In the outer office of the CEO’s chambers, Kerry Stowe greeted Royce with a cool inclination of her head, before announcing grandly, ‘Clyde has someone with him, so please take a seat. You’ll be asked to join them shortly.’
Her aloof manner didn’t disturb Royce. He knew it would evaporate completely at one word of encouragement from him. He lifted a lazy eyebrow in her direction as he turned to sit in one of the tub chairs outside Clyde’s door.
Kerry remained behind her desk staring at him, willing him to look at her again. Her lips stretched into a tight line when he ignored her, casually flicking through a brochure he’d selected from the stack on a nearby table.
At the buzz of her intercom, Kerry announced with exaggerated formality, ‘Mr Galloway will see you now.’
When Royce rose and nodded at her, he saw a triumphant gleam in her eyes.
What’s that all about? he wondered, with a flash of irritation. Having someone like Kerry privy to so many confidential matters is a bad idea ... another little problem I’ll fix as CEO. I wonder how she’d like a ‘promotion’ to the powerhouse control office.
His lips tilted upwards in one corner at the thought of Kerry having to share the often crowded administration centre beside RCL’s powerhouse. No plush office or private en suite there for a snooty little piece like her.
No doubt that self-important, slimy bastard Reardon would want to get in on it, as he does with every employee ‘realignment’.
His mouth tightened i
nto a serious line again.
But I know how to fix his little red wagon too.
With a satisfied glint in his eyes, Royce opened the door and strode into the CEO’s office. He was surprised to see the chairman of RCL’s board of directors, Travis Hunter, sitting next to Clyde and making no move to leave.
‘Morning Royce, have a seat.’
‘Gents.’ Royce nodded the greeting at them both.
They watched as he lowered himself into a chair, opening his tailored suit coat as he did so. Sitting back, he stretched one arm along the back of the vacant seat beside his. The cuffs of his crisp business shirt peeked out from below his dark coat sleeve, and a stylish cufflink twinkled under the overhead light. A few strands of his slicked-back hair curled onto his collar, below his clean-shaven face. As usual, Royce looked every inch the successful young exec.
Although it was obvious Travis was sitting in on the meeting, he didn’t speak, and leaned back casually in his chair as though more a spectator than a contributor.
This is interesting, Royce mused with a slight narrowing of his eyes, I’ve a feeling we’ll be getting to the point quickly.
As though he’d read Royce’s thoughts, Clyde sat forward in his chair and looked intently at him. His tone was brisk and business-like. ‘Royce, I’m sure you’re eager to hear the panel’s decision on the CEO appointment.’
Travis watched Royce as Clyde gave him the news, but his thoughts strayed to the other contender for the job, Verity Parker. In response to their latest summons, she would be sitting outside the door, waiting to join them.
Quick to form impressions, Travis considered himself a good judge of character. In their first meeting, he’d studied Verity carefully from the moment she’d entered the room. Dressed impeccably, she’d projected a composed and professional image. He’d been impressed, and not, he hurriedly assured himself, simply because of her looks. But the rating of all candidates, male and female, took into account not only what they wrote in their job applications and said in their interviews, but also their appearance, behaviour, attitude and interaction with the panellists. And Travis had to admit to admiring the ‘whole package’ Verity had presented.
Although she was young as far as executives went, she was also obviously capable and highly intelligent. She had proven herself worthy of promotion, but he still had some niggling doubts....
With an effort, Travis focused his attention on the matter at hand.
For the second time that day, Verity found herself sitting outside the door to Clyde’s office. It occurred to her that this would be the new CEO’s inner sanctum, and she took a sharp intake of breath. Suddenly, the intercom on Kerry’s desk squawked and Verity suppressed a startled jump. It felt like all the excitement had super-charged her nervous system. She was buzzing.
Kerry pressed the intercom button and listened for a second, before turning an impassive face to Verity and saying, ‘Please go in, Miss Parker.’
Verity made herself rise casually. She took a second to smooth her suit, taking a deep breath to settle herself, and walked with outward calm into the office. Her step only faltered when she saw Royce sitting with the other two men.
Clyde and Travis smiled their greetings and Clyde indicated the vacant chair beside his. As she eased herself into it, Verity risked a sideways glance at Royce. For the briefest moment, she glimpsed traces of disbelief and disappointment on his face, until a shutter came down and his expression became unreadable. But she knew he’d be reeling at the knowledge he’d been beaten to a position that he, and everyone else, had assumed he could simply reach out and take.
With a swift turn of his head, Royce fixed cold eyes on her and mumbled a greeting.
Verity shrank inwardly from the barely masked dislike on his face, but immediately felt anger coming to her aid. Her eyes flashed and she felt like saying, hey buddy, don’t vent your spleen on me. It was their decision, and who said you had sole rights to the job anyway?
Sensing the unspoken tension between the rivals, Clyde went on to say, ‘Royce, you deserve further explanation as to why your excellent application was not successful.’ He glanced at Verity and then at Royce. ‘Verity should be aware of this too, that’s why we asked her to join us.’ He passed Royce a copy of a very official-looking document. ‘This report was presented to the Federal Government in April.’
Verity read the title on the front cover, ‘Enterprising Nation’.
Clyde sat back and threaded his fingers together over his ample and, to his dismay, growing ampler, waistline. ‘It highlights that the future competitiveness of Australia’s commercial sector is at risk because of a thickening “glass ceiling”. This isn’t a new concept, we’ve all heard the term before, but now it’s officially regarded as a serious issue.’ He pointed at the document in Royce’s hand. ‘This provides case studies and statistical data on the under-utilisation of the skills and talents of women in senior levels of business management, and concludes by recommending all progressive companies take steps to manage the risk.’ Clyde frowned. ‘Unfortunately, some of the questionable corporate behaviours and cultures showcased in the report, are also evident at RCL.’
Royce passed the report to Verity without looking at her. He was staring at Clyde with a mixture of annoyance and scepticism. ‘I don’t see the relevance of that report to this meeting? And since when has RCL been bothered by these types of issues?’
Verity was horrified when an involuntary snort escaped her. She hurriedly lowered her eyes, fixing them on the report in her hand, and cleared her throat to try to cover her indiscretion. She cringed inwardly, certain the others would have heard, but their faces gave no sign. In fact, she had the distinct impression Royce had decided to ignore her completely, for which she was actually grateful. Travis’ carefully averted face made her wonder though. Was it possible he was hiding a grin?
Clyde carried on undeterred. ‘Since when? Since our joint venturers—in particular Miss Sharpe—have forced the issue and asked what we’re doing about it. And I think that answers both parts of your question.’
The three men shifted uncomfortably in their seats at the mention of Microbelle’s resident representative. Although they’d never admit it, they were all a bit in awe of Brenda Sharpe, or ‘Miss Sharpe’ as she preferred to be known. She wielded a lot of influence with the board of directors, and was notorious for championing issues despite, or sometimes because of, substantial opposition. Her notoriety spread throughout the organisation and increased with every new challenge she spearheaded.
Royce nodded slowly. ‘I see. So this is your response, to appoint a female CEO.’ He looked from Clyde to Travis and back again. ‘Gender. That’s what it’s come down to.’
All three heard the resigned note in his voice, but Verity also sensed a stronger emotion, directed only at her, which he couldn’t disguise. Could it be loathing? She shivered. What a horrible thought.
Clyde frowned and leaned forward. ‘Royce, it’s important you understand that the selection panel adhered strictly to the recruitment process, and chose a highly qualified professional who meets all the criteria of this position. The final decision was not based on gender.’ He sat back again. ‘It was simply fortunate we had a suitable candidate who also happened to be a woman. There aren’t many of her calibre out there. This report only serves to emphasise that it was the right decision. And it’s a positive step for the company to take, don’t you agree?’
Clyde and Travis watched Royce carefully.
He sighed and his broad shoulders seemed to droop a little as he nodded begrudgingly. He was obviously finding it an effort to hide his incredulity, and every inch of his body language pointed to an eagerness to end the discussion.
Knowing they’d said all there was to say on the matter, Clyde drew the meeting to a close. ‘Well, unless you have further questions, I have a ten o’clock I shouldn’t keep waiting.’ He shuffled some of the papers on his desk.
Travis smiled warmly at both candidates
as they rose to their feet. ‘I’m sure you’ll do all you can to help our new CEO, Royce. Your support will be of great assistance during her settling-in period.’
Royce gave a curt nod and turned on his heel to leave. Verity smiled and dipped her head at the other two men before following him out.
After their guests had left, Travis and Clyde exchanged meaningful glances.
‘OK, that’s done,’ Travis sighed. ‘Now, as I’m your “ten o’clock”, I guess we’d better move on to that other item.’
Both men closed their recruitment folders, and put them into Clyde’s ‘out’ tray, before opening two brand new files labelled, Succession Planning: RCL Board of Directors.
Royce didn’t look to left or right as he marched out of Clyde’s office, and Verity had to run to keep up with him.
‘Royce,’ she panted, ‘You know there was nothing personal—’
‘Why the hell did you apply?’ He stopped so abruptly she almost ran into him.
‘I ... well ... you see....’ Oh, great timing, brain! Right when I need you, you go on a coffee break. Her mouth dropped open.
Royce gave a sharp, derisive snort. ‘Well, you’ve got what you wanted. I just hope you know what you’re doing.’
He’s so disappointed, she thought, I wish I could think of something constructive to say. For some reason I feel an irrational need to comfort him.
Hey, hang on! WHAT? Did I really just think that?
Royce glared at her for another second, before striding away with a brusque, ‘Excuse me.’
His high-handedness brought on an instant surge of hot resentment in Verity. She lifted her chin and pinched her lips together.
