At last ‘A life’
By Julie D Cole
Chapter 21 Girly time.
Kate asked me to sit down on a leather chair whilst she sat on the sofa. I felt a little conspicuous sitting in a skirt and tried to be as feminine as possible. She said to relax and asked how I was feeling in this new role and in the new job. What could I say it was like a dream or a wonderful adventure and I not had time to take it all in. It all seemed like a blurr..

I thanked her for her support and kindness and said I was really enjoying to work for her and that in less than 1 week my life had been turned on it’s end. I felt like I’d woke up from a deep sleep and could suddenly see. She smiled and held my hand and said that I was very brave and that she had been really impressed.

Then she sat back and told me about the call she’d had from the local newspaper.
Somebody had rung one of the reporters to say that our Company was employing someone who’d had a sex change and was living with Kate. The caller was someone from the junior staff who had complained about a man using the ladies toilets and preferential treatment. The newspaper wanted to send a photographer but since the editor was a friend of Kates she’d stopped it and called Kate to tell her. .

Kate said that they’d dealt with it but it could raise its head again so better to be forewarned. So far Kate said her friend wouldn’t disclose the source but she said she’d let her know the person if it happened again. I think that Kate had an idea who it was but she said best to let it drop.
Then she asked if I was comfortable with the situation and if I was OK to carry on working for her. She said that she’d protect me as much as she could. As compensation she’d given the editor a nice story about the latest business developments after the signing of the agreement with Mr Johnson. Kate said they were friends at the Girls High School so she’d be meeting up sometime to have a chat.

She asked if anybody had been making life difficult for me or causing problems. I declined to say anything although I did wonder if Jessica had been behind this and I couldn’t think of anybody else who had been anything but kind.

We sat for a while and Kate asked how my family were reacting and so I told her about the support from Mum and Julie and about Gran and Aunt Judith. She said I was lucky to have such a supportive sister and if she could help then just let her know. I told her that I was going to visit Gran together with mum and she asked me to tell her how it went. She said she felt that Gran had really suffered and something must be behind it all. It must be a deep family problem.

Then the phone rang and Kate was distracted so I excused myself and went back to my desk. I felt so lucky that I’d had the fortune to meet Kate that day in the lift. I was like most of our staff and never realized just how kind and beautiful she is since she has an image of being a workaholic, firm and strong as a business leader.

She’d started to load me with jobs to do for her that involved some customer and supplier cold telephone calls. It was giving me lots of chance to develop my voice skills and I was chatted up a few times even though nobody had met me. I enjoyed talking to 2 suppliers and listening to their flattery and exchanged e-mail addresses with most people. One female supplier encouraged me to join facebook that I agreed to set up later.

My contact list was now really developing and so I thought I’d better be more organized with records of names and addresses. I set up my own data base and decided that as time permitted I’d research the key Companies on the internet. I also thought I’d do a little research about Kate Harper and build up a profile of her. She was becoming a role model for me. I really admired her.

The afternoon passed so quickly and around 5pm Anne called me to check I was finishing on time. I popped into Kates office and she said she didn’t need me to stay late and that she might be around until 7-30pm but I should go on time. So I made her a fresh batch of coffee and then freshened up and said goodnight.

I had my new Gucci handbag and she smiled as I ensured that she saw it. She smiled and said that I looked really smart and that she’d treat me to lunch or dinner if I was available later in the week. I wasn’t sure whether or not she was just being nice so I smiled and acknowledged the invitation without committing.

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Anne was waiting reception when I arrived and said that the others had already set off. She looked especially nice in a lightweight leopard print raincoat and she was wearingh black trousers and high heeled black ankle boots. The heels were quite high so she was taller than me despite my own heels. She spotted my Gucci bag and said I looked nice and I just had to complement her on her style. I wanted to buy some ankle boots like that so I asked her where she had bought them.

She held onto my arm because she said it was difficult to walk fast and we chaated all the way to Harrys bar. I remember thinking that Anne was looking much younger than twelve months before and that her style had changed. I asked her if she had a new man in her life and she giggled and hit my arm playfully.

We arrived at the bar and the girls were just being served. I wasn’t sure if it was Harry or not but I doubted it because the guy serving seemed a little young and good looking to own a bar near the centre of town. He looked like he was a student. He smiled at us and told us to sit down and he’d bring all the drinks over.

Jessica had taken charge and ordered 2 bottles Italian Prosecco wine and some olives and dips. I was a bit surprised since she seemed more of a lager person and this wine selection was impressive. We all liked it and Jake, the barman, said he’d have brought some strawberries if he’d known.

I sat with Anne and Lisa and we chatted about the previous weekend. Lisa asked me if I’d seen Sally since we got back and I told her we’d been in touch and we’d met up. She was a little suggestive with a ‘nug nug wink wink’ and then said ‘And James? Is he still in the frame?’

They all giggled and I went red. Then Anne said to take no notice of them and said they were just jealous. Really I was pleased to have this banter even though I was a little bit embarrassed.

Jessica was sitting in the next booth and kept looking across towards me. I tried to ignore her but her eyes were intense. It was strange to be subjected to this approach. I was a bit angry with her and still felt like I wanted to slap her. She seemed to be wanting to talk but I tried to ignore her by turning my back.

Jessica kept filling my glass and I tried my best to refuse. It seemed like she was trying to get me drunk. Eventually I had to use the bathroom and I waited until I could see my chance whilst nobody was watching. As I left the bar a message came to my mobile. It was from Sally!

To be continued….. .