A Servant of the Company (2 page)

‘Yes Sir, I understand the need for confidentiality. Could I ask how you heard about me?’ Arif asked nervously.

‘I’m afraid I can’t answer that question but I do know that the Company has eyes and ears in many places and you were considered a good candidate. I have been asked to talk to you and check if you were ready to leave your present job.’

Excitement mounted for Arif. ‘He’s going to offer me the job,’ he thought. ‘Slow down, slow down.’ Things were happening too quickly and he felt he had no control over anything at all, but his mouth opened and he said, ‘Yes Sir, I am.’

‘Well Arif, on behalf of the Organisation I welcome you. There will be nothing in writing, and the start date should be within the next few weeks so don’t hand your notice in yet. Our estates department is currently looking for the right property to take over, hence the delay. Once this has been located and the paperwork prepared, you will receive your instructions on joining us. I did make a note of your present income, but appear to have left it in the office. Would you remind me?’ He had no idea of the income, but needed to know so he could increase it a little. Rahman would be getting the flat without having to pay rent, council tax, heating and lighting bills, and this alone would have him desperate for the job.

‘With overtime it is just over twenty-seven thousand pounds a year, which is before tax.’ This organisation had information on him, and he was not going to risk inflating his pay with the hope of getting more and lose this unbelievable chance he had been offered.

‘I think we could go to thirty thousand Arif, but I must get confirmation of that from the Board of Directors. They will back me on this I’m sure, but I too am a servant of the Company and have to play by the rules. Your accommodation will of course be rent free.’ Time to wind up the conversation now, there was work to be done. ‘Just one more thing, we class all our people as self- employed, so you would have to pay your National Insurance contribution and organise income tax. We will of course give you advice on this and perhaps an allowance for the time you take to set it up. I will be in touch when my colleague has secured the right site for our office and of course your accommodation. Do you have any questions?’

‘No sir, I understand you will contact me when everything is in place. I will soon learn what I have to do and I won’t let you down.’

‘I’m sure you won’t Arif. Goodbye for now.’

He must calm down before he spoke to Sumi. He replaced the handset and sat down still slightly bewildered by the phone call.

Sumi came into the room and stood next to him. ‘Well, aren’t you going to tell me what that was all about?’ She moved closer putting her arm around his shoulder and eagerly awaited a response.

He told her everything that had gone on, how posh his new boss had sounded, although he wasn’t the top man. They would now have to be patient until the next phone call.

‘It would have been better if you had everything in writing, wouldn’t it?’ She would have felt more secure if it was in black and white.

‘This is a big organisation with many competitors and they don’t want business information leaking to them.’ Although he sounded positive telling her this, he suddenly felt a little less confident inside. It was strange that such a firm would only deal with him over the phone. They had offered him a job without seeing him or asking for references. There was no firm start date, no place to work and no job description. There were questions in his mind, but try as he might, he could not come up with possible answers.

‘Don’t look so puzzled, you have done well convincing them that you are the right man for the job. I’m proud of you, and so are our children. Do you think you should tell your parents, or should we wait until you start.’ She did this as a warning not to say anything until he had actually started the job. It would be so disappointing if it fell through.

‘We won’t say anything to anybody. When everything is settled, then we can let them know I have a new job and we have a new home. Once I do get a start date, we will be able to go and see the flat. With the extra money we will have, you will be able to do all the things you have been admiring on those television programmes.

Sumi spent at least an hour a day watching home improvement shows and in her mind knew just what she wanted. If Arif’s income had been more, she knew any improvement she made at number thirteen would be lost as soon as she looked out of the window. At the front, the striking feature was a burned out car, at the back to left and right, were old mattresses, and rubbish of every description. She would be saying her prayers tonight.

He got up, turned, and held Sumi close. ‘With any luck this could change our lives, but we must be prepared in case things go wrong and the job doesn’t turn up.’ He didn’t want to disappoint her, but at the same time it would be too much of a blow if the company let him down. At this stage he could not convince himself that all would be well, his advice to Sumi would help soften the blow if it was necessary. Certain phrases had registered in his brain, ‘dire consequences’ and ‘penalties for staff that let the Company down’ were the strongest. The tone of the caller’s voice had for a brief moment been almost threatening, but the affability of the introduction had re-emerged a moment later. The pay and free accommodation had finally overcome any fear he may have felt at the time. He would not let the company down, there was too much to lose.

He was convinced that Arif Rahman was the right man for the job and another tick could be made on his list. Now for the delightful Honor.

Four hours later he headed for the train. Honor had still impressed him with her beauty, but had hardly paused for breath throughout the meal as she talked non-stop about her job. He decided item three on his list would receive a cross. There would be no invitation to Paris for Honor. He would have enjoyed a sexual dalliance, but not with High Court accompaniment.

Daylight came early and Carol Barcroft was already awake trying to convince herself that today would see the end of her worries. The problem remained crystal clear in her mind as she prepared for her first interview following over fifty job applications. She was sure her track record would impress any potential employer, if only she could get an opportunity to meet one. And now it was going to happen. She needed the job more than anything right now. The lingering dark cloud which had been on the horizon since she had become an unemployed statistic was now directly overhead. Without an income the probability she would lose her flat when the mortgage repayments could not be met was a constant reminder of her situation.

After a light breakfast, she dressed in her best navy business suit and white blouse and carefully checked her appearance in the mirror. Her blonde hair cut in a bob curved gently at either
side of her face and her slender figure confirmed that she was a very elegant young woman.

       Five years previously on graduation from University she had decided on the sort of company she wanted to work for, one where her Economics Degree would be useful. The area of business didn’t matter, keeping ahead of competitors and using the human resources available in a team effort to maximise profitability was the challenge she wanted. She had applied for several jobs, had offers from two and finally decided to accept the offer from a Builders’ Supply Company. She had researched the industry in advance and her presentation to the Managing Director had gone well. Two weeks later she had started work as a Management Trainee. With guidance from the Managing Director she quickly built up a sound knowledge of the business and had introduced innovative ideas which had helped increase profitability. Supplying building materials to an ever hungry industry might not have appealed to some of her University contemporaries but Carol’s personality and determination had helped the company achieve increased profits each year. Her enthusiasm and the way she introduced new ideas were duly rewarded with pay increases and profit related bonuses. With the rewards she had been able to get on the housing ladder, buying a flat in an affluent area. It was really more than she could afford but her M.D. had indicated that there was a possibility of a directorship in the not too far distant future.

Unfortunately at the end of her fourth year he had suffered a heart attack and after a six month absence had died. Carol had great respect for him and was saddened by his death, but was aware that the company must not let its competitors think that there was any easing in their determination to maintain its position in the market.

The chairmanship passed to the nephew of the founder of the business who left the running of it to Carol. It had come as a terrible blow and complete surprise when he announced that the business was being wound up and being sold to a competitor. No new orders were to be placed.

Presenting a positive plan for the future of the company had no effect on the chairman who advised that the decision was final. He no longer called her Carol, but Miss Barcroft. The new owners did not want any of the staff as they had their own. There was the minimum redundancy payment plus holiday pay which would not last long. She needed a new job, and quickly to avoid losing her home.

Of all the jobs applied for, only R.L.G. (1948) Ltd. had offered an interview. The others either remained unanswered or were regrets. She was prepared for some rejections but this was soul destroying. The timing of her redundancy could not have been worse. The country was on the brink of a catastrophic recession.

‘You’ll do Carol,’ she said to herself and set off with time to spare for her interview. She was travelling by bus which stopped close to the flat and would take her to within three hundred yards of the hotel where the interviews were being held.

Things were going well. The rain had stopped, and the sun was making an effort to break through the clouds. And the bus arrived on time. Ten minutes later she stepped off the bus which gave her twenty minutes to walk to the hotel, visit the toilet and be prepared for the interview.

Avoiding a large hole in the cracked pavement she almost bumped into an elderly lady walking in front of her. The lady appeared unsteady and suddenly she cried out, staggered across the pavement, clutched at a railing and slid to the ground. Carol was shocked into action. Trying to get a response from the lady she soon realised that the cause of the fall was serious. Her face was ashen and her mouth open trying to breathe.

Carol was joined by another passer-by and between them they made the lady as comfortable as possible before Carol called for an ambulance on her mobile phone. Things did not look good and Carol thought the lady might have had a heart attack. The traffic was particularly heavy at that time in the morning and it seemed an age before she heard the sound of an ambulance siren followed by that of a police car. The ambulance crew quickly took charge of the situation and soon had the casualty on a stretcher, into the ambulance and off to the hospital. A policeman asked Carol and her fellow helper to give statements about the incident which took some time. Picking up her bag which she had left by the railings she then checked her watch and was shocked to see her interview time had passed. Quickly removing her shoes she ran as fast as she could to the hotel.

In the foyer she saw the notice board detailing daily events and read that R.L.G. interviews were on the fourth floor. Dashing to the lift, she pressed buttons for both lifts. Nothing happened, one was stationary on the seventh floor, the other in the basement where Carol could hear noise of heavy items being loaded onto or off the lift. There was nothing for it but to find the staircase and run.

On the fourth floor she saw the reception desk with an R.L.G. logo standing at one side of it. The middle aged lady sitting at the desk looked up from the paperwork she was holding and glared at Carol.

‘Good morning, I’m Carol Barcroft. Terribly sorry I’m late but ...’ She didn’t have time to finish the sentence before the woman cut in aggressively.

‘I know your type, can’t get out of bed in the morning. Can’t think how you can expect to get a job with our Company. You will have to wait until all the other interviews are finished then Mr Collins might see you. If it’s after five I’m afraid you will have missed it.’

Carol was furious, the anger showing on her face. ‘My God, if there are people like you in the business I wouldn’t want to work for your company. I see that’s my application you have there.’ Carol reached over, picked up her application form and spun around towards the lift where the doors were just opening. The receptionist sat open mouthed watching Carol’s retreating back. By the time she had reached the ground floor her anger had turned to outrage. She would have her revenge. Calling at the reception desk she asked a member of staff if she could have a sheet of paper and a pen. She moved to a table and started to write. When she had finished, she took the paper and pinned it to the notice board. In bold letters the message read,

R.L.G. (1948) LTD. APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED
THAT INTERVIEWS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.
A LETTER WILL FOLLOW.

She didn’t feel guilty. Her thoughts were that she had saved someone from a job from hell. Heading for the exit she paused, tore up her application form and put it into a nearby waste bin. She didn’t notice the tall businessman get up from his seat, and once she had left the building and retrieve her forms from the waste bin.

On the way home she called in to see Sonia, one of her friends whose husband was her G.P. They had been friends for four years after meeting at the local gym and Carol felt comfortable pouring out details of the interview fiasco. Sonia was immediately sympathetic but thought her friend had acted a little hastily. She told Carol she was having a party in two weeks and it would help take her mind off her situation even for a short while. She had thanked Sonia and told her it would certainly help and she would love to come.

Two weeks were nearly up and there had been only one letter, another rejection. During the week she had a telephone call from an acquaintance who asked her to join a few people who were meeting at a pub before going on to Sonia and Ferdy’s party. She had agreed, this was something she needed right now, an escape from her predicament.

Checking her wardrobe, she decided on a dress which she had bought in a sale the previous year but had never worn. Trying it on again, it was just right, she felt good in it and it showed her figure to its advantage. Arriving at the pub which was only a ten minute walk away, she found it packed with people. Someone called her name and she was pleased to see Margie who had called her earlier in the week.

‘Hi Carol, come and join us.’ Dodging the crowds, Carol made her way to a large group of people all chattering away at top speed. ‘Everyone,’ Margie’s voice shrilled over the hum of conversation, ‘this is Carol, a friend of mine. Make her welcome.’ There was a general clamour of acceptance of the new arrival which helped Carol to relax a little. Someone thrust a glass of white wine in her hand and introduced himself as Hugo. Soon the two of them were deeply engrossed in conversation, and when Margie called out that it was time to go, Carol and Hugo left as a couple.

There were some thirty to forty people at the party where drinks flowed freely. Hugo stayed by Carol’s side. He was charming and attentive asking her about herself and making the right noises when she told him of her situation. In return he told her he had just returned from Hong Kong and was currently staying at the Mayfair, a five star hotel in the town while looking for a property to buy. In the meantime he would check out the market until his finances were sorted out and funds transferred from Hong Kong to his bank.

‘Have you known Ferdy and Sonia long?’ This was one interesting man and Carol could see that he was the type who would move in their circle.

‘Ferdy, I’ve known him for years. I see your glass is empty, let me get you another?’ Before she could reply he had taken the glass and headed for a table where bottles were lined up waiting to be emptied. Once he had topped up their glasses, he returned to Carol’s side.

‘You have had a very exciting life, won’t you find the U.K. a bit dull after those years in the East?’ She thought it would be very difficult, her imagination running riot on how Hugo’s life had been. He was obviously a high flyer and would have the lifestyle to go with it.

‘You know, life can be exciting wherever you are, even in the U.K. there’s always something going on, and having travelled a fair bit I’ve built up quite a network of friends around the world. Most end up in London some time or other, they’ll keep me busy I’m sure.’

Having had time to reflect while he was getting the drinks, she thought he was a very nice man. Not pushy, not suggestive but nice. Could she rent him a room, rather than him paying Mayfair Hotel prices, it would ease her financial commitments. What had she got to lose? Ferdy was very choosy about his friends, so Hugo was obviously honest and reliable otherwise he wouldn’t have invited him to the party.

‘Don’t think me presumptuous, but I could offer far better rates than the Mayfair, and you would be with friends. I have a spare room, all newly decorated and furnished. I won’t be hurt if you say no.’ She wouldn’t feel hurt but she would be disappointed, this was a chance to survive a little longer.

‘Carol, you are so kind, I do find hotels soulless places even those on the triple A list.’ He was looking directly at her, locking his eyes on hers and getting satisfaction from the warmth her eyes signalled. ‘I have a meeting tomorrow and mid- morning the following day, if it’s alright by you, I would be free after that.’

The noise from the chatter around them had increased as the alcohol continued to flow and he moved closer to her creating an intimacy which she enjoyed.

They had food from the buffet and more drinks, but the only person she spoke to all evening was Hugo. Sonia had seen them together, obviously enjoying each other’s company, and decided to leave well alone. Her invitation to Carol had worked out well.

The evening came to an end too soon for Carol. She was relaxed, a result of the wine and also Hugo’s company. Best of all she had found a paying guest so maybe she could keep up her mortgage repayments.

Outside Hugo asked Carol if she would like a taxi to get home as it was late, but she declined. ‘It’s only a ten minute walk and it’s quite safe around here, the walk will do me good. Should I ring you at the hotel so I can call and pick you up on Thursday? Oh! And I don’t even know your surname, I can’t just ask for Hugo can I.’

‘If you would ring me that would be excellent, the name’s Biggs-Connaughton, it’s a bit of a mouthful I’m afraid. I usually use only Connaughton, but the full name is on my passport. The family was originally from Ireland, land and horses you know. Not my scene at all. Now I’m the only one left as far as I know, but there could be the odd one hiding in the woodwork. Who knows everything about their family lines? If some do exist they wouldn’t want an ageing relative turning up on their doorstep. That’s enough about me. Thanks for this evening Carol I have really enjoyed it.’ He took her hand and squeezed it. ‘I’d better be on my way. Are you sure I can’t walk you home?’

‘No thanks Hugo, I want to make plans for tomorrow while I’m walking home, the fresh air will revive my flagging brain and who knows what brilliant ideas I might come up with.’ With this she turned in the direction of her flat and set off at a steady pace. With the night air, her head was clearing, this would be a good time to think.