The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 2009 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

“How’d it go?” asked Sammi after I gave her back her computer.

“A bit rougher than last time, I seemed to have someone who disliked me and the whole concept of ecology.”

“Oh how could they, Mummy–you’re simply adorable.” I caught sight of the woman across the office looking puzzled given I’m less than ten years older than Sammi.

“Obviously, I’m not to everyone.”

“Was that George Hugens?” asked the woman.

“I’ve no idea what his surname was.”

She clicked through something on her computer. “Yep, it’s him. He’s due for replacement soon, done his two years.”

“How come he sits on the board when his pension fund brings in so little income?” I enquired.

“Historical, they used to be a much bigger outfit, lost a pile when BP had the blow out down Mexico way and then the banking crisis pretty dealt them a killer blow. He’s a bit of an arsehole anyway, thinks he’s still important.”

“Sorry, that’s Sonia,” Sammi pointed to the woman, “this is my mum.”

“She musta been very young when she had you,” observed Sonia.

“I was,” I said breathily, “about eight and a half I think.”

Sonia’s eyebrows nearly left her forehead and she burst out laughing. “C’moffit, now tell me the truth.”

“It’s true,” I fibbed although in a way which she would find amusing.

“I’m adopted,” said Sammi.

“They don’t let kids adopt.”

“She is adopted, albeit in a very casual sense. She needed a mother figure and I got volunteered.”

“You didn’t resist, then? I mean adopting a teenage girl–could be problematic.”

“I wasn’t a teenager, I was twenty two.”

“A grown woman, and you got adopted?” Sonia’s eyebrows ascended again.

“Let’s say she had some issues at the time.”

“Mum saved my bacon and gave me a home.”

“She’s also prone to exaggerate.” I tried to avoid any details.

“No I don’t, do I Son?”

“Not as far as I know.”

“C’mon you, let’s get some lunch,” I cajoled.

“Isn’t Daddy taking you out, or even Gramps?”

“No, they’re still in the board meeting.”

“Omigod, I just worked out who you are,” said Sonia blushing. “You’re the chairman’s daughter in law–aren’t you? You’re Lady Cameron.”

“Yeah, like didn’t you know?” Sammi’s eyebrows began lift off–what is it about this place and eyebrows?

“Know? I didn’t know I shared an office with adopted royalty,” Sonia stood and offered us a rather ungainly impromptu curtsey. Sammi groaned and I felt like doing so but stayed silent.

“Hey, can Sonia come to lunch with us?” Sammi asked me in front of the poor woman.

“I can’t, kiddo, someone has to mind the office–in case the ship starts to sink.” She stood and saluted and pretended to be sinking as she lowered herself back down to her seat. “Tell you what, bring me back a beef roll or something similar.”

Relieved I agreed to her request. Sammi grabbed her coat and we left, “One of our IT techies is having a look at your puter.”

“Thanks.”

“He thought he might be able to fix it.”

“That would be very good–let me know what I owe him.”

“Muuum, he works here–it’s what he does–there won’t be any charge.”

“Does he drink?”

“Like waddya mean?”

“I thought I could send him a nice bottle of wine for his efforts.”

“Don’t worry, the company pays him whatever he’s working on.”

“But I don’t exactly work here do I?”

“You’re family.”

That line was beginning to annoy me, although I was glad of Henry’s help when cross examined during the meeting. We passed the toilet just as the young man and George were exiting the gents. “That’s the lady who paid for your shirt,” declared the young man.

“Dr Watts, I’m in your debt.”

“Not at all, you were in need.”

“I was that, you’re a real Christian, Dr Watts. I shall repay you for your kindness.”

“Please, don’t bother Mr Hugens, I’m sure you’d have done the same if the positions were reversed.”

“I don’t know if I would have done, but I know from now on I will. You have converted me, the good Samaritan, God bless you, Dr Watts and your dormice.” I shook his hand and he kissed mine, blessed us again and returned to what was left of his meeting.

“What was that about?” Sammi began her cross examination which lasted all the way to the restaurant in the next block. I was pleased to see they did tuna jacket potato and ordered one plus a pot of Earl Grey, Sammi went for the same.

While she was poring over the menu I had a quick look at her. She had come on so much since she came to me, not that I did much except to give her a secure place to live and experiment in being who she wanted to be. Simon had bought her several outfits and she looked quite the junior exec. Her hair was neat and tidy and growing like mad, her makeup was flawless–all of which I suspect owed itself more to Julie’s tender mercies than anything I did. I could see nothing off the boy I’d taken in, just the young woman he’d blossomed into. I poured her some tea.

“Who’s Sonia?” I asked.

“The IT manager’s PA–she’s alright.”

I shrugged, it was of little concern to me. “She didn’t know you had family connections?”

“Uh no, I tried to show I was there because I knew what I was doing.”

“But she must have known of Simon’s involvement in getting you the job in the first place?”

“No she didn’t, she was on holiday because I did some of her typing that first week.”

“That was a pretty rapid ascent then from temp to assistant manager in IT.”

“I think I’m doing a good job and worth the money,” Sammi looked as if I was trying to take her down a peg.

“According to Si and Henry, you’re doing a brilliant job and I’m sure you are worth the money. I was just remarking on the fact that you were grateful for any job and then found a nice niche for yourself and have settled in really well.”

The look she gave me was slightly suspicious. The waiter interrupted, bringing our meals and I asked him if they could do a beef roll to take out. He gave me the options and I went for granary bread with salad and horse radish with the beef. Sammi nodded at my choice, “She’ll like that.”

“Oh good–you realise that she’s going to give you the third degree when you get back. She’ll want chapter and verse on your issues.”

“So, I’ll tell her the truth.”

I nearly choked on my piece of spud, “Is that wise?”

“I’m gambling a bit here but I doubt she’ll believe me, so then I’ll say I had a bit of breakdown at university and you helped me to get over it–which is nearly true as well.”

“You’re getting sneaky, daughter mine.”

“Yeah, well I’ve been in training with the best in the business–my adopted mum.”

At this point I coughed tuna and potato everywhere.