Men at Work [Quick Read] (2 page)

Ian and Emma had been together for seven years. They first came across each other back in their school days at St Benedict’s in Smethwick. Ian was a couple of school years above Emma but had been on nodding terms with her because her brothers, Liam and Keith (the Kavanagh twins), were in the year above him. They had played five-a-side football with him over at Hadley Stadium.

Ian hadn’t thought much about Emma back then (mostly because the Kavanagh twins were big lads who didn’t take kindly to people messing with their kid sister). Then, long after they had left school, he had bumped into her one Saturday morning on Bearwood High Street as she was coming out of Woolworths. Ian had recognised her straight away, even though she had changed quite a bit. While the schoolgirl Emma had been all NHS glasses and braces, the Emma now standing in front of him was stunning. She had beautiful green eyes, gorgeous long hair, a great smile and the most amazing laugh. It was like a cross between a chimp and an out of breath hyena, which some people might have found annoying. Ian thought it was the single best sound he had ever heard. Right there on the spot he had asked her if she fancied a drink in the King’s Head across the road and Emma had agreed. A year or so later, in the middle of one of their many late-night talks, he told her that during that first drink it had taken him just ten minutes to realise how special she was. And a further twenty to realise that he never wanted to leave her side.

Ian looked down at Emma. Had she stopped crying? He wasn’t sure.

“So what happened?” he asked.

Emma sat up and wiped her eyes on the back of her hands. “I went into work as usual. Everything seemed normal and then just after five they started calling people into the office one by one. At first I thought maybe someone had been nicking money and they were trying to find out who had done it but then they called me. From the look on my line manager’s face I knew that it wasn’t anything to do with stealing. It was more serious than that.”

“What did they say?”

“I can’t remember. I wasn’t listening properly, to be honest. I was too busy trying not to burst into tears on the spot. Anyway, the point is that the bank is cutting back on staff costs by thirty per cent and I’m one of the first to go. They were really nice about it. They’ve promised to give me a good reference and everything but I’ve no idea what I’m going to do. I’ve only ever had two jobs in my life and I really liked this one.”

“Well, maybe this will be a good thing,” said Ian. “It’s not like you haven’t talked about doing something else. A while back you were thinking about going to university. Maybe you should do that.”

“That was all talk,” sighed Emma. “I don’t really want to go. I’d have to do an access course to start off with and I think they take a year or two. Then there would be another three years after that. I need money.
We
need money. Going to university just isn’t an option right now.”

“Well, what about a change in career then? You once told me that you quite fancied being a florist . . . or how about a beautician? The bathroom cabinet is stuffed with all your lotions and potions. Surely that will be enough for you to start your own beauty shop?”

Emma sniffed and smiled. “The way you go on about my make-up anyone would think that you don’t like me looking pretty!”

“Listen, you,” said Ian, grinning, “You could bin all your make-up and still be the best looking girl that I have ever met.”

“Really?”

Ian nodded and kissed the top of her head. “By a mile.”

“I love you, you know,” said Emma.

“I know,” said Ian. “I love you too.”

Ian yawned widely and stretched his arms. “I’m really sorry, Ems. I do want to talk to you about this whole work thing, babe, but I’m shattered. Why don’t we just head to bed and have a good night’s sleep? Tomorrow I’ll make you breakfast in bed and we can talk about it for as long as you like. How does that sound?”

Emma smiled, put her arms around Ian and kissed him. “That sounds brilliant. Do you know what? You are the best boyfriend in the entire world.”

“I know,” grinned Ian giving her a wink. “But don’t go telling your mates, okay? Otherwise they’ll all want a go!”

It was just after eight as Ian got to his bus stop on the next Monday morning. Most of his usual fellow travellers were already there. There was the young woman with the green uniform, the middle-aged man who fell asleep in his seat and the young couple who always looked as if they were in the middle of a row. Every last one of them had a look that said, “How can it be Monday
already
?” Ian, however, was listening to a new album on his iPod and feeling glad that in a few moments he would be on the bus with nothing more pressing to do than look out of the window for the next twenty minutes. He had a look on his face that said, “It’s Monday! Great! Bring it on!”

Ian went to his usual seat on the left-hand side of the middle part of the upper deck and sat down. As the bus pulled away he watched the world pass by through the window. He tried to lose himself in the music but kept being drawn back to thoughts about Emma and her current job situation.

Ian had tried hard to make Emma’s weekend as much fun as he could. On Saturday morning he had made her breakfast in bed as promised, then surprised her with a picnic tea in Lightwoods Park. In the evening he had taken her for a meal at a posh Japanese restaurant in The Mailbox shopping centre. On the Sunday morning he had treated her to brunch (even though he still wasn’t quite sure what “brunch” was) at her favourite gastropub. In the afternoon he had invited all her family over for tea and even baked a cake. Finally, on Sunday evening, while Emma soaked in the bath that he had run for her, he had nipped out to Blockbusters and rented
two
films that featured Hugh Grant. He was Ian’s least favourite actor in the entire world. Yes, Ian had without a doubt gone so far above and beyond the call of duty that even Emma’s best friend Selina had joked that if Emma ever dumped him, she would snap him up in a second. So why did he still feel so down? Why did he feel as though he wanted to do more? The answer came just as the bus reached Five Ways. The reason he felt so bad was simple. He loved Emma. In fact he loved Emma in a way that men his age should only do if they keep it to themselves and don’t make a big deal about it. So her unhappiness was now his unhappiness too.

Ian was still pondering what he was going to do about this when he saw Douglas, his line manager, standing in front of him.

“What’s up, Doug? If you’re after those figures you asked me for on Friday I’m still working on them.”

“Nah,” said Douglas in his usual matey manner, “I just want a quick word with you in my office.”

Ian followed Douglas, wondering what was going on. Was he going to be sacked? Ian was pretty sure not. His last sackable offence had been well over a year ago and although it had involved a very slow afternoon, the world’s largest ball of rubber bands and a trip to the eighteenth floor, this couldn’t be about that. So what could it be?

“Take a seat,” said Douglas as Ian came into his office and closed the door.

“What’s all this about?” asked Ian.

Douglas laughed. “It’s not bad news Ian, if that’s what you’re thinking! I just wanted a little chat, that’s all.”

“Okay,” said Ian, shifting nervously in his seat.

Douglas leaned back in his chair and gave Ian a hard stare. “How long have you been here with us on the fourth floor, Ian?”

“Eight years.”

“And do you like it?”

Ian nodded. “It’s a good place to work.”

“Could it be said that you like the fourth floor a bit too much?”

“In what way?”

Douglas held up his hand. “No need to worry, Ian, really there’s no need. I’m just trying to get to the heart of what drives you.”

“Drives me?”

“Yes, drives you.”

“I’m not quite sure what you’re on about, Douglas.”

“Well, let me put it another way. In eight years you’ve never once applied for promotion.”

“That’s because I like my job.”

“But don’t you think you’re wasting your talents? Everyone in the office thinks the world of you. There’s no doubt in my mind that you could be a leader . . . So much so that I’d like you to consider putting your name forward for a job I have in mind.”

“And which job would that be?” asked Ian, even though he had no wish to apply for a promotion.

“My job,” said Douglas with a grin. “I want you to apply for the job of team leader.”

It was just after one in the afternoon. A stunned Ian was sitting in a bar on Broad Street sipping a pint of Guinness with his best friend and workmate, Amar, who was also stunned.

“I can’t believe it mate,” said Amar. “They want you to be team leader.”

“I know,” said Ian. “It’s madness, isn’t it? Why would they want me of all people? Do I look like a team leader to you?”

Amar laughed. “Not really.”

“Exactly. I’m glad I’m not alone in seeing how daft this all is.”

“I’m not saying it’s daft,” said Amar. “Just a bit of a surprise. But do you know what? Now that the idea is out there, I think it’s a pretty good one. Everyone in the office likes you, you’ve worked there for years and, to top it all, you’re great with people.”

“I’m good at getting people up on dance floors, or staying for an extra pint, but getting people to work? No chance. This is mad.”

“So what are you going to do? Say no? Now Emma’s out of a job won’t you need the extra cash?”

“Emma won’t be out of a job forever,” said Ian firmly. “It’ll be a couple of weeks tops so there won’t be any need for me to do anything drastic. Nope, I can’t see me accepting this job. No way.”

“And what will Emma have to say when she finds out?”

“Oh, she’ll be fine with it,” said Ian. “Just fine.”

********

“Are you insane?” barked Emma across the kitchen table when Ian told her about the job offer, as they sat eating pasta that evening.

“I thought you of all people would agree with me,” said Ian. “You’re always saying how I should do what makes me happy.”

“Of course I am!” snapped Emma. “But only when you’re talking about small things like whether you should bother going to football or have that extra slice of pizza. I think you should make yourself happy with things like that, but not big things like jobs! I’ve just lost mine in case you’ve forgotten. And we’ve got a little thing called a mortgage to pay in case it’s slipped your mind. Before you say it’s not just about the money, you’re right it’s not just about the money. It’s about pensions, and getting on in life, and starting a family. And, above all, us.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Do you know what Ian? Sometimes I haven’t got a clue what’s going through your head!” She put down her knife and fork and fixed him with her hardest stare. “Just so that we both understand each other, let me say this as simply as I can. You are taking this job and that’s that.”

Later on, having had a chance to calm down a little as they sat on the sofa watching TV, Emma sighed and turned to face Ian.

“You do know that I’m only having a go about this job thing because I want what’s best for you, don’t you?”

Ian nodded. “I know you do, babe. It’s just that . . .”

“What?”

“What if I don’t like it?”

“Then you can do something else.”

“But that’s just it. I don’t want to do anything else. I’ve got the perfect job. Okay, so it doesn’t pay a huge amount of money but it does make me happy.”

Emma looked at him for a minute and then smiled. “Fine,” she said. “If it’s going to make you miserable, don’t take the job.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure. Anyway, when I got back from the job centre there was a message from one of the agencies that I signed up with telling me that they’ve a job that might be just up my street. I don’t know what it is yet. It might come to nothing but you never know.”

“It’ll be all right,” said Ian, putting his arm around Emma and pulling her close. “I’m sure this job is going to be the one for you. I’ve got a feeling about it. A really good feeling.”

Next day Ian woke up feeling like a man who had just been let off the hook. Everything seemed brighter and more vivid. As he made his way to the bus stop it was all he could do to stop himself from grinning like an idiot at complete strangers.

Ian got into work just before nine. He made his way straight to his line manager’s office and knocked on the door. Ian told Douglas that he had given the whole job promotion thing a lot of thought and that, although he was flattered, he had decided that he was really happy where he was for the time being. Douglas spent a good half an hour trying to persuade Ian that he was making a mistake but Ian wouldn’t change his mind. He left Douglas’s office feeling like a free man. He was so happy that the rest of the day went by in a flash and, as five o’clock approached, he decided he would treat Emma for being such a cool girlfriend. He got out his phone and called her.

“It’s me,” he said when she picked up. “Do you fancy meeting up in town for something to eat? My treat.”

“That sounds great,” said Emma, “because I’m in the mood for a bit of a party.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve got a job.”

“That’s fantastic!” said Ian. “I’m really chuffed for you sweetheart. Where is it?”

“Have a guess,” said Emma.

“Fine,” said Ian, even though he hated guessing games. “HSBC?”

“Nope,” said Emma, “better than that.”

“Okay,” said Ian. “Selfridges. You spend a fortune in there so think of all the staff discount you’ll be getting.”

“Nope,” said Emma, “this is way better than staff discounts.”

“I give up,” said Ian. “Come on, where is your new job?”

“The Policy Planning department of the Department of Work and Pensions in Birmingham!” she cried. “It’s true, Ian! I’ve got a job in your office! You and I are going to be workmates!”