by Gl Corbin
"Only twenty?"
"More sarcasm?"
Sarah nodded.
Won't you join me? I'm sure we could find you a costume."
"I think I'll pass. Perhaps I will have that drink while you take your swim."
As he made his way down the stairs, Sarah walked across to the bar. Spoiled for choice, she settled for tonic water - she wanted to keep a clear head.
*******
The apartment looked out over a large open park. Sarah was watching the dog walkers doing circuits of the lake when she heard a loud splashing sound. Although she tried to focus on the park, her curiosity got the better of her. As casually as she could manage, she wandered back to the staircase. Leaning on the rail, she glanced down. From her elevated vantage point, she could see only the middle section of the pool. Just then, he came into sight powering through the water. It was only a matter of seconds before he disappeared from view again. Sarah took a sip of tonic as she waited for him to reappear. Although most of his body was submerged, it was obvious to Sarah that he was in good shape - his shoulders and arms were those of an athlete. Sarah found herself counting off the lengths - seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.
She was about to return to the bar, when she spotted him climbing out of the pool immediately below her. If he looked up he would see her watching him. She should move away now before he spotted her, but she didn't. She couldn't tear her gaze from his body as he dried himself.
She felt a twinge of disappointment when he eventually moved out of sight. She told herself she was being ridiculous, but she couldn't deny the stirring she felt.
Minutes later, dressed in a polo shirt and chinos, he came back up the stairs. His hair was still wet.
"You should have joined me." He smiled. "I'll check how long dinner will be."
*******
Mrs Simpson turned out to be a middle-aged Scottish woman who appeared to enjoy her own food a little too much. Apart from the initial friendly greeting, she did not speak again while serving dinner.
"That was delicious." Sarah wiped her lips.
"Mrs Simpson has been with me for years. She's worth her weight in gold.
"Can we get down to business now?" Sarah was conscious time was moving on.
"You're very forward. This is our first date."
She blushed. Was he flirting with her?
"Milners is the heart of Oakhampton. If you close it down, it will destroy the town."
""It will close." His expression and tone was deadly serious now. "There is no alternative. The damage was done a long time ago. The current management team have been driving on empty for several years. The company hasn't made a profit for over four. It should have invested in new production methods ages ago while it still had the chance."
"Couldn't it do that now?"
"It's too late. It has lost too much market share. The numbers don't lie. I can show you if you like."
"If it's so bad, why did you buy the company?"
"I bought the group. Milners was part of the package. I would never have bought Milners by itself."
"What about the people who have given their life to the company?"
"The redundancy terms will be very generous."
"They need jobs."
"If they are willing to relocate, I may be able to redeploy some of the workforce at other companies in my group."
"You mean move to another part of the country?"
He nodded.
"I can't see many wanting to do that. Most of them have lived there all their lives."
Sarah stared at the table.
"Are you okay?" His voice was much gentler now.
"Not really. I don't know how I'm going to break the bad news. They were all hoping..."
"It isn't your fault. This was always going to be the outcome. It would have happened whether or not I bought the company. At least this way they stand to get redundancy payments. Milners wouldn't have been able to pay anything."
"I suppose I better get back and face the music. Thanks for the dinner."
"Thank you." He put his hand on hers. The gesture took her by surprise, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she looked straight at him. For a few moments, their gazes locked - no words passed between them. She knew she should leave, but she didn't want to break the spell.
"I've enjoyed your company," he said - his hand still on hers. “You're a beautiful woman."
At last, Sarah pulled her hand away. She had no idea how to react to his words, so ignored them.
"Can you call me a cab?"
"I'll have my driver take you to the railway station."
"Thanks."
On the drive to the station Sarah called Jody. She was almost relieved when the call went to voicemail.
"Hi, it's Sarah. It isn't good news I'm afraid. Cross isn't going to change his mind. He reckons Milners was going to close anyway, but he might be spinning me a line. I'm sorry if I've let you all down. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."
Maybe Cross was playing her, but she had believed what he said about Milners. Whether the others would was a different matter.
On the train journey home, Sarah replayed the day's events. She wasn't sure what to make of Cross. Had he been flirting with her? It had felt like it at the time, but maybe he had been trying to deflect her attention away from Milners. Why would he bother? He had made his mind up on that issue - nothing she or anyone else might say was likely to change that. She could still recall how his hand had felt on hers. Sarah was tired, but couldn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes, she saw the image of him drying himself at the pool side. Even now, hours later, the image had the same effect on her.
Chapter 7
The atmosphere in the office was downbeat. Almost everyone had seen Sarah's TV appearance, and had realised Milners' chances of survival were almost non-existent. A few of the more optimistic had held off judgement until they had heard Sarah's report. Overnight, she had decided there would be no point in sugar coating things. Cross had made his position very clear. Giving them false hope would serve no purpose. To her relief, no one appeared to blame her or to feel she had let them down. There was a sense of resignation about the place.
"How long do you reckon we have?" Jody asked.
"I'm not sure, but I think it will be weeks rather than months." Sarah was making coffee.
"Cross seems like a right bastard. If I'd have been on that show, I would have decked the smarmy sod." Kathy put her usual three spoonfuls of sugar in her coffee.
"He wasn't so bad off camera," Sarah said, unsure why she felt the need to come to his defence.
"Did you get the chance to speak to him afterwards then?" Jody popped a sugar substitute into her drink.
"Yeah." Sarah hesitated, unsure of how much she should say. "We had dinner."
No one spoke, but all eyes were on her.
"I thought I might be able to change his mind if I could put our case one-to-one, face-to-face. It didn't work."
"You did your best Sarah. Having dinner with that bastard was going beyond the call of duty." Kathy put a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "You deserve a bloody medal."
*******
Stewart had caught her off guard when he called. Normally, she would have had any one of a dozen excuses ready to put him off. Instead, she had found herself agreeing to dinner.
Stewart had a bunch of flowers in his hand when she answered the door.
"Thanks. I'll put them in water."
He followed her into the kitchen.
"I saw the interview. I thought you were great."
"Not really."
"You did everything you could. Everyone knows that."
"It's nice of you to say so." Sarah was hopeless with flowers - they would probably be dead by the morning.
Stewart had chosen a rather nothing restaurant specialising in bland food. Time dragged as Sarah tried, but failed to care about anything he had to say. When she felt her phone vibrate, she made an excuse to go to the ladies. No doubt
it would be a text from Jody, in her matchmaking capacity, asking how the date was going.
The text was from Andrew Cross:
I enjoyed dinner. How about a real date next Saturday 8.30pm?
Andrew
How many times had she read the message? How long had she been in the ladies?
'Real date' - what did that mean? Why was he asking her out?
"Is everything okay?" Stewart asked when she eventually returned to the table.
"Sorry?”
“Are you okay Sarah? You look... strange.”
“I'm fine.” She tried to compose herself. “Sorry – I just felt a little light headed. I'm okay now.”
*******
The next morning, Sarah checked her phone again. Had the text message been a dream? No - it was still there. A 'Real Date'. He wanted to take her on a 'real date'.
Stewart had done most of the talking in the restaurant. After she'd received the text, Sarah hadn't been able to think about anything else. She'd been relieved Stewart hadn't expected coffee when he took her home. Or perhaps he had, but she hadn't picked up the signal.
Maybe Andrew Cross has asked her out because he wanted to talk about Milners again. Perhaps he'd had a change of heart about closing the place down. She knew none of that was true. Why would he mention a 'Real date' if he simply wanted to talk business again?
What was she waiting for? Why didn't she reply and get it over with? There was no way she could go on a date with the man who was about to take away the livelihoods of all of her friends.
Her fingers hovered over the keypad on her phone. In her mind's eye, she could see him climbing out of the pool, water dripping off his hair onto his chest. She could remember how his hand had felt on hers.
She typed out her reply and hit 'send'.
I can't - sorry
Sarah
She stared at the screen for ages after the message had been sent. It had been the right thing to do - what else could she have done? Why did she feel so bad?
*******
"I was going to ask about the date." Jody collared Sarah as soon as she walked into the office. "But I can tell by your face."
"What?" Sarah couldn't figure out how Jody knew about the text.
"With Stewart?"
"Oh right. Stewart. Yeah - it was fine. We went for a meal."
"Fine? Bloody hell - that doesn't sound good."
"I don't think I was very good company."
"He really likes you Sarah. He told me."
"Does he? I'm not sure we are a good match."
“You need someone in your life. You've been by yourself for too long since...”
“David? You can say his name. I'm okay about it now.”
“Stewart is a really good guy. Why don't you give him a chance and see where it leads.”
“I...”
“Have you seen the paper?” Geoff came charging into the office. If his expression was anything to go by, the news wasn't good.
Geoff's entrance had saved Sarah from having to explain why she didn't think Stewart was the man for her, but she wasn't thrilled by the headline in the front page of the paper which Geoff had laid on the desk.
MILNERS TO CLOSE
“It's hardly news.” Kathy was looking over Sarah's shoulder.
“According to this we'll be closed within six weeks.”
“Six weeks?” Jody had forgotten all about matchmaking now. “Can they do that? I thought there had to be a period of consultation or something.”
“They can do what they want,” Kathy said. “They don't give a flying fuck about us. That bastard Cross won't lose any sleep because a few peasants are out of a job. You really should have given him a slap while you had the chance Sarah.”
Sarah smiled. She was finding it difficult to reconcile the two sides of the man who was behind the closures.
“Are you okay?” Sarah had found Jody in the stationery store – she was in tears.
“What am I going to do Sarah? Eddy can't find a full time job, and I've got no chance. We will lose the house.”
“It won't come to that. There's lots of help available – you should make an appointment with the Citizens Advice – they will be able to tell you what you can claim.”
“I'll still need a job though. Who's going to employ me?”
“You'll find something. Is your CV up to date?”
“What CV? I wouldn't know how to make a CV.”
“I could help.”
“Would you?”
“Sure. Why not. What are you doing after work tonight?”
“Just the usual.”
“Why don't you call Eddy – tell him to see to the kids' dinner. You come back to my place. We'll have pizza and I'll help you to knock up a CV.”
“That would be great. Thanks Sarah.”
“Here. Wipe your eyes. I'll see you after work.”
*******
“Bloody hell Sarah.” Jody said. “Stewart must be really keen.”
Sarah stared at the enormous basket of flowers which was standing outside her door. She knew immediately they weren't from Stewart. They must have cost a small fortune; there was only one person who would have spent that kind of money.
“I guess so.” Sarah unlocked her door, and carried the basket inside.
“Aren't you going to read the card?” Jody followed Sarah into the kitchen.
“Later.”
“Oh right – private. I get it. I told you that you've got a good one in Stewart. Don't let him get away.”
Sarah smiled, and made them both a cup of tea.
“You need to list all of your skills in this section.” Sarah pointed to the screen. She had downloaded a CV template for Jody to use.
“What skills? I don't have any.”
“Don't be daft. Of course you do. Think of all the different jobs you do at Milners, then think of what skills are needed to do those jobs. Make a start while I go and order us a Pizza.”
“I'm not sure.”
“Give it a go. What topping do you want?”
“Anything – surprise me. No anchovies though.”
Sarah opened the card.
Please reconsider. One date – what do you have to lose?
Andrew
She looked over her shoulder to make sure Jody hadn't followed her into the kitchen. What did she have to lose? That was an easy question to answer. All of her friends. Andrew Cross was public enemy number one in Oakhampton. She threw the card in the cutlery drawer.
By the time Jody left, she was in a more positive frame of mind. Sarah had printed her a dozen copies of her CV, and had copied the file onto a memory stick.
“Thanks Sarah. I owe you one. Maybe you and Stewart can come around for dinner again?”
“I'll have to think about it.”
“Stewart's a good catch.”
“So you keep telling me. You should think about opening your own dating agency when you leave Milners.”
*******
Jody was so thrilled with her CV that she told everyone she knew at Milners. Sarah wished she hadn't. Over the next few days, she was inundated with requests for similar help. Sarah didn't have the heart to refuse anyone even though some of her clients had almost nothing worthy of inclusion on a CV.
“He's got some balls – I'll give him that.” Geoff said as he walked into the office.
“He won't have when I've finished with him.” Kathy said. “Had you heard about this Sarah?”
“What?”
“Andrew Cross.”
“What about him?”
“He's coming here. To Milners.”
“Why?”
“He says he owes it to the workforce to explain the reasons for closure.” Kathy rolled her eye. “I reckon he must have a death wish.”
“When is he coming?”
“Day after tomorrow. I nominate Sarah to be our representative on the stage with him.”
“Seconded.” Geoff said.
“Thirded. Is that
a word?” Jody had joined them.
“Forget it. I've done my bit. It's someone else's turn. Anyway, I'm doing something on Friday.”
“You're a hopeless liar,” Kathy said.
It was true. Sarah couldn't lie for toffee.
“I'm still not doing it. You'll have to find someone else this time.
Chapter 8
By the time Friday arrived, Sarah was a nervous wreck. All of her efforts to duck the meeting with Andrew Cross had failed. Everyone had insisted she was the only person for the job. Sarah still remembered how she had been humiliated by him the last time they had shared a stage together. At least this time it wouldn't be on live TV.
“You will be fine.” Kathy put her arm around Sarah. “You've got us to back you up this time.”
That much was true. Sarah wondered if Andrew Cross realised what he was letting himself in for. It was one thing arguing your case in the comfort of a TV studio; it would be something altogether different to sit in front of a hostile audience. They didn't come much more hostile than Kathy and Jody.
“I'm okay.” Sarah didn't sound very convincing. “I just want to get it over with. What's the time?”
“Four twenty. Not long now. I'll see you later.” Kathy disappeared in the direction of the works canteen where the meeting was to be held.
Sarah still didn't understand why Andrew Cross had agreed to do this - he hadn't needed to. It was probably a PR stunt. He would no doubt have arranged a photographer to capture the event, so he could show what a reasonable man of the people he was. Sarah was certain nothing was going to change the outcome – Milners would still close. He had made that abundantly clear when they had last met.
