Yours Unfaithfully (42 page)

“Mrs. Fisher?”

“That’s me,” she said happily.

“I’m Rachel, your temporary secretary. I’m from the agency. I’ll be with you for a month or maybe more, that is until you appoint someone permanent. I’ve actually been here a week already handling your mail and setting up your diary for the coming weeks, I’d like to go through your appointments with you as soon as you’re ready.’

“Well Rachel, there’s no time like the present and since I didn’t even know I had a secretary you’d better tell me everything else I don’t know, like what’s in my mail and who these appointments are with.”

“Firstly, Mrs. Fisher, can I ascertain what holiday plans you have for the rest of this year, I’d like to get them in the diary as soon as possible.”

“Rachel, I’d really like it if you called me Melanie, or better still, Mel OK?”

“Of course and can I say I’m really happy to be working for you. I’ve heard a lot about you in the past week, you’re a celebrity within the bank, but I’m sure you already know that.”

“No I didn’t know that, but I’m slowly coming to terms with it, Rachel. When I left these offices four weeks ago for a mission to Poland I was a complete unknown working downstairs, ten years in fact downstairs and then, thanks to my being selected for this job I’ve been catapulted to the top floor and stardom in the eyes of the bank. If I seem a bit shell shocked, that’s the reason.”

“Well, with my help we’ll get you nicely organised so that you know exactly what you’re doing and when, and what is more I’ll try to find out as much as I can behind the scenes before each of your meetings. That way your stardom will remain untouchable.”

“How long have you been a PA, Rachel?”

“Ten years, Mel. Ten long years in which I’ve learnt most of the tricks of the trade. I’ve been PA to some very big names; in fact you’ll be flattered to know that I was pulled off another job to come to you. Someone in the bank is working hard to make sure you succeed. Do you want me to find out who head hunted me?”

“Thanks Rachel, and while your at it can we strike a deal on you staying, being my permanent PA? I’m already beginning to feel nervous at the thought of losing you in a month or so.”

“I’d like that Mel. We’ll make a good team.” She offered her hand and Melanie took it willingly. Their handshake lasted fully a minute and in that time a bond was forming which they knew would make working together a pleasure.

“Right Rachel, tell me all about these appointments and then we’ll go through the mail together. We should be done with that by twelve and, unless you’ve got anything else planned, I want to take you out for lunch. I’m celebrating the first day in my new role and who better to share it with than my new team mate?”

“I’d love it, and you can safely bet we’ll be ready for twelve.”

Across town at Hoggart, Smith-Adams, Nina was preparing to make her first acquaintance with her boss for over a month. She’d kept his in-tray under control with the help of his secretary and dealt with the few minor legal issues that had occurred during his absence. She was thankful that nothing major had blown up because if it had she would have been forced to deal with it, and if anything went wrong on her watch she would have been bottom of his Christmas card list. The first thing Ratty did after checking his post and his appointment list was to call Nina in.

“How’s it been Nina, I’ve heard nothing from you, not even an e-mail, that must mean it’s been very quiet at Stellar Haufman.”

“Don’t knock it, Ratty, we’ve done everything they’ve asked of us and what with your triumph in Poland, they have every reason to be pleased with us. I’ve talked to Mel so I know how good a trip you had. I suppose I should congratulate you.” She gave Ratty a be-knowing smile.

“Nina, I’m not sure what Melanie has told you or what you feel you need to congratulate me for but let me assure you that since I met Melanie, at your house party, I have never done anything that could hurt her. Quite the opposite in fact. I hold Melanie in great affection, I count her as one of my best friends as well as an indispensable colleague. I trust we understand each other?”

“Perfectly Ratty, you’re telling me to butt out... right?”

“Not the phrase I might have used ... but, in the circumstances... quite appropriate.”

“Ratty, I know you’re my boss and I know you could destroy me if you had a mind to, but all I’m saying is don’t destroy Melanie. She’s also my best friend.”

“Nina, you have nothing to worry about on that score, I would rather die than hurt a hair on her head, I promise you. Anyway, I’ve got some good news for you, news that might make you decide to thank me instead of reproaching me.”

“You’re doubling my salary?”

“Better than that Nina, I’m recommending you to Hugh Ballantyne, Projects Manager for Stellar Haufman. He wants one of our staff to be based in his new office in town. Until now he’s worked out of their London office but he’s been so successful that they’ve let him choose where he sets up his office and he’s decided to base himself here in town. There’ll only be him, a PA and yourself to start with. You’ll still be working under my direction but you’ll assume more control than you do now and you’ll get to work on much bigger projects, always assuming you pass his scrutiny.”

“What does that mean exactly, Ratty?”

“It means he wants to take you to lunch this week and over foir gras and champagne he’ll decide if he can work with you. It’s as simple as that.”

“Ratty, I’m not sure if I like the idea of being shoved out of these offices. We both know how it could work out if he shuts his office in six months’ time, I’ll be out in the cold. Why don’t you send one of the young dynamics out into the battlefield and keep me back here in the fort.”

“Because, Nina he wants experience, maturity, and because you are a very good lawyer. I told him this when I was selling you to him.”

“Oh thanks Ratty, like a slave? Do I go in chains to him to do his bidding?”

“Nina, when you have met him, come back and give me your decision, OK? Until then just go along with my request and keep an open mind and everyone will be happy.”

“I wish I felt happy about this, I’ve seen what happened when you requisitioned Mel remember!”

“Nina this is different and, anyway, you are not Melanie.”

Nina refused to cooperate in Ratty’s plans, refusing to phone Hugh Ballantyne as instructed and leaving it instead to Ratty’s secretary, who wasted no time in fixing their meeting for the following day.

“You are to meet him in the Orangery at the Copthorne Hotel at noon tomorrow,” she announced.

“I’ll see if I can make it” Nina said defiantly, knowing that she wouldn’t dare be late, let alone not turn up, but she was satisfied to have displayed a measure of disobedience to Ratty and his damned wishes.

Still harbouring feelings of resentment at being shoved into this meeting, she hung around outside the hotel until a minute before Noon, then with all the airs and graces of a duchess she waltzed into the Orangery. The head waiter stopped her in her tracks, and having discovered her identity led her to the best table in the restaurant. It was perched up on its own terrace under an enormous potted palm and waiting at the table was Hugh Ballantyne. Upon seeing her, he stood up and offered his hand, which she accepted with all the graciousness of royalty.

If Mr Ballantyne was super confident, so was Nina. After all, she reasoned, she was very happy in her present office, she didn’t need this ‘promotion’ and she didn’t care if she passed muster with him or not.

Her self assurance was not lost on Hugh Ballantyne, but then he liked a feisty woman, much better than some subservient young creature who would shake every time he issued an instruction. He discreetly looked her up and down. She was every bit as nice as Ratty has described her, a woman in every sense of the word, but more importantly, she was apparently a damn good lawyer.

“Ratty has told me so many good things about you I wanted to meet you, and lunch seemed a good way to get to know each other,” he said.

“Ratty is rather given to exaggeration. I’m afraid you may find me a disappointment.”

“I think that unlikely, Nina. You don’t mind me calling you by your first name?”

“Of course not, if I may call you Mr. Ballantyne?”

“You may if you so wish, though I’d much prefer it if you called me Hugh.”

Knowing that she was weakening in the face of this charming, almost edible man she backed down gracefully.

“I’ll call you Hugh.”

“I’m glad we sorted that out so easily, I’m sure we are going to get on with each other, and as members of the Stellar team. Nina, this is a very good opportunity for you, not just in terms of salary but in other ways too. For a start you’ll get the chance to travel all over the world with me on major projects, if you wish, and only if you wish, and furthermore Hoggart, Smith-Adams will regard you as top drawer once you are based inside Stellar Haufman.”

“Hugh, I know it’s a fabulous offer but I have three children, I can’t just take off around the world at the drop of a hat. And what if you close this office, say a year from now? I’ll be surplus to requirements in our practice.”

“Nina, this office won’t close. I’ll give you a contract – you can even draft it – which ensures you have at least five years here. What more can I do to make you say yes?”

“You can tell me why you want me”

“Nina you fit the profile I need, with your background in contract etc, but you’re right to ask and, yes, there is another reason. I want someone alongside who I can work with, someone I can trust. By chance when Ratty was describing you, I can’t remember why, honestly, but I knew from his description that you were perfect for this office. Now that I’ve met you I’m even more certain. What more can I say or do to convince you?’

“Nothing ... I accept.”

“He reached across the table and took her hand in both of his. Nina you won’t regret this move, I promise you. Now let’s celebrate in style.”

Back at the office, Nina broke the news that she was being outposted to Stellar Haufmman’s new office. Her husband walking out had been a major change to her life, this move would be the second in two months. She thought about Tim and wondered if there could yet be a third.

No sooner had Nina finished her evening meal than Melanie arrived.

“Neen, you’ll never believe what happened when I got into work this morning. I’ve only got my own PA, Rachel. She’s a treasure. Everything that I was promised before that trip has materialised. You know it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole career and I owe it all to Ratty. It was him who made it happen. I should thank him really.”

“I thought you did, in Poland.”

“That’s not fair Neen, what happened there was bound to happen. I’ve told you I don’t regret it even though it’s making it very difficult to settle down with Tim, you know, in the passion department.”

“You mean in bed?”

“Yes, we can’t seem to find our old desire for each other at the moment. I suppose it’s bound to take us time to adjust after being apart for a month.”

“Yes, maybe that’s it. Mel I haven’t told you my news yet, and mine is also thanks to Ratty’s involvement. What is it about that man that makes him interfere in our lives so much?”

“What news, what’s he done now?”

“He set me up with an interview with Hugh Ballantyne, that’s what. I met him at the Copthorne for lunch. He’s setting up an outpost office for Stellar Haufman here in town and he wants me to be the in-house lawyer. The package he’s offered makes me very well off but it also means I get the chance to travel as well, probably on the same trips as you in the future. We could be going on some all expenses paid holidays. All I have to do is find someone like Trudy to look after these three.”

“I’m keeping Trudy on, she’s agreed terms to stay permanently. She’s so good with the kids and they adore her. Basically it means I can bugger off any time Ratty asks without a care in the world.”

“Except for Tim. I don’t think he’ll let you go again. He’ll chain you to the sink first.”

“Then I’ll just have to take the sink with me. I’m not going to blow my career in order to keep him happy. I realised in Poland that my career gives me more than my marriage. I’m not including the kids in that, you know that, they come first every time, but they’re getting older and the day will come when they have their own lives to live. If I let my career go now what will I have then?”

“Mel, I talked to Ratty yesterday, when he told me about this move to Hugh’s new office. He talked a lot about you.”

“Really, what did he say?”

“He made it very clear that he’s got it bad for you. He said he’d never harm a hair on your head and all that stuff. He meant it Mel. I could tell. His permanent smile disappeared while he was telling me how much you meant to him. If you mean to get back on terms with Tim you’ve got to deal with Ratty. He’s not going to fade from your life on his own.”

“I don’t want him to fade, that’s the trouble, Neen. I want my marriage, mainly because of the kids, but I want what I could have with Ratty as well. I wish I could spend some quality time with him. We have so much in common, we even think alike. What have I got in common with Tim apart from this house and the brats?”

“And we both know that the children will determine our way of life for a few years yet, don’t we?”

“But that’s the point, Neen. Ratty would be happy to take me and the kids. He told me so, and he’d be brilliant with them. Maybe I’m not too old to have another, who knows?”

“Why don’t you run this past Tim and see what he thinks?” Nina laughed at her suggestion and Melanie joined in.

“Good idea Neen, who needs men anyway?“

Life in Willow Brook, in the village of Elmthorpe, wasn’t exactly dull. It provided a haven of comparative tranquility for those who worked in the busy offices in town. A week had passed since Melanie’s return and life had got back to what passed for normal.

She got up early and drove to the bank, where she worked flat out until five or sometimes six in the evening. She drove home in time to snatch some food with the kids and spend a couple of hours with them before they went to bed. Trudy was now an essential part of this routine and they usually had an hour together after the children went up before they followed them.