“Come on Maxi… Out with it… Something has been bothering you ever since you came back from Devon. Don’t you think sharing the problem might help? Two minds and all that crap?”

Maxine looked over her desk at Cliff. Once again, he was right on the ball. There was something on her mind.

She sighed before saying,
"Cliff, there is something on my mind, and yes, it became a problem when I was in Devon. I'm trying to work out what to do next."

“What did I just say about sharing?”

“The problem isn’t to do with work.”

Cliff smiled.

“Who is she and is she married?”

“Cliff! It is not like that.”

“Really? From where I sit, it is as clear as a bell.”

Maxine didn't say a word, so Cliff continued.
“Just face it, Maxi, you need someone in your life. Didn’t you make a solemn promise to Adrian about moving on with your life outside the business? Don't even think of denying it. I was there when you told him that you would not sit on your backside and do nothing, remember?”

"It isn't like that."

“Maxi! Stop lying. I know your tells. When you lie to someone’s face, you briefly go cross-eyed. You did it just now. If you ask me and I know that you won't but, I'm going to say this anyway. You are just a bit scared of moving down to Devon and being on your own. You have seen how your friend Delphine found a soulmate in Michel, and even though you won't admit it, you are just a bit jealous.”

Maxine sighed again.

"It isn't that at all Cliff, it is worse. Delphine's husband Michel has a daughter who lives in Paris and was with us at the spa."

“And you fancy the daughter?”

"I do fancy Gabrielle, but she's spoken for. She's involved with a corsetiere from Paris."

“Corsetiere?”

"Someone who makes corsets. Delphine wears his work. Gabrielle is just beginning her journey."

“Did you ever? You know?” asked Cliff with a bit of a smirk on his face.

Maxine chuckled.
"Adrian did suggest it, and we had some great fun with me wearing one but not having someone to help me lace it up every day is a real PITA, but that's not the point."

“Now move on with plan ‘B’.”

“What plan ‘B’. Was there ever a plan ‘A’?”

Cliff grinned back at her.

“Think back to when you were half the woman you are now? Think back to your first trip with Adrian that wasn’t to Devon?”

“You mean when we went to France?”

“Go to the top of the class. Who did we give a lift back from the airport to?”

“Oh, you mean Ann-Lee?”

“Give the woman another gold star.”

Maxine glared at Cliff but didn't say anything, so he carried on.

“I happen to know that the charter company that we used to use for the trips to Carcassonne is relocating to Maastricht because of BREXIT. They are closing down their Farnborough base and giving the UK the finger. Naturally, they are not using those exact words. A mate of my son works at the new Citation base at Farnborough. He told me that their mechanics are all looking for work as of the end of the year. The plane-maker, Citation, is building a big new base at the airport. They are likely going to employ a lot of the people that the charter company will make redundant. It is a perfect fit because they are all already Citation certified, but that's getting off the point.”

“And you think that she’ll be looking for a job?”

“It is worth finding out, isn't it? Is there anything to lose?"

“Only my pride, only my pride and a load of rotten egg on my face for good measure…”

Cliff just smiled. He knew that he'd sown a few seeds, and it was now up to Maxine to see if they would germinate and bear fruit.

---

Maxine didn’t do anything for almost a week, but she thought about Ann-Lee quite a bit. But somehow, work always seemed to get in the way of her doing anything about it. It took Cliff to give her a gentle nudge late on Friday afternoon.

“Why don’t you take a trip to the Farmer’s Market in Dorking tomorrow. You know who may well be there.”

It took a second or so for her to understand what Cliff was hinting at.

"Oh… I see. How do you know that 'she' might be going to the market?"

"SWMBO and I went to the market last month and saw her selecting some cheese. I think that she bought some Cornish Yarg. Nice cheese that, but the SWIMBO hates it."

"Stop calling your wife of what, nearly thirty-two years, SWMBO. She deserves better than that, and you know it."

"I know, but this health kick that our darling daughter has got her on is getting me down.”

“Then call your daughter out? Just because she was dumped aged twenty-nine for a younger model who just happens to be a blonde model with oodles of money does not mean that she can come and start interfering with your life. It's not as if you are fat. Most men your age would have a bit of a paunch, but you don't."

“Easier said than done. Firstborn daughters and their mothers are very close, but Jacqui always has been an interfering busybody. The latest is whenever the wife puts on a pair of heels. Jacqui goes on and on about how bad they are for your feet. Jacqui got rid of all her shoes with anything even resembling a heel and now wears nothing but Doc Martens in various lurid patterns and colours.”

“Doh! And? Could that be part of the reason that Jacqui was dumped by Hubby?”

“Yes, and it is as clear as night and day, but for some reason, my dear daughter can't see it at all. But you have done it again, Maxi. Got me talking about my problems and not yours?"

“Why didn’t you introduce yourself to Ann-Lee at the Farmers Market?” said Maxine changing the subject.

"I was with the wife, and we were a little short of time. I think the odds are pretty good that she'll be there again tomorrow. You don't have anything to lose if you don't see her now, do you, but if do you go, a loaf of the spelt and barley bread from the bakery stall would be nice.”

Maxine started to look around the office.

"What are you looking for, Maxi?"

“Only the barrel that you have me over?”

---

Despite a lot of reservations and some last-minute nerves, Maxine took the train from Reigate to Dorking the next day more out of hope than anything. Parking in Dorking could be a nightmare at the best of times and is even worse on market days, so taking the train made perfect sense to her.

The town was busy as you’d expect on a sunny Saturday in summer. On her first pass through the market, Maxine didn't see Ann-Lee. She bought the loaf of bread for Cliff before heading for the Butchers Shop farther down the High Street. Maxine had used the shop several times before and knew that they sold a particularly nice type of sausage that had been a favourite of Adrian's. The least she could do was buy some for herself.

Just as Maxine emerged from the relative coolness of the shop into the bright sunshine and right away, she saw Ann-Lee walking along the other side of the street. Ann-Lee wasn't going towards the market. She was going in the direction of her home that was in the southwestern part of town.

Maxine knew that Ann-Lee would have to cross over to her side of the road on the other side at the traffic lights, so she hurried along to meet her.

To Maxine's surprise, Ann-Lee didn't cross over but carried on along what was formerly the old A25 main road. She followed her and crossed the road but stopped right away.

"I'm being, silly," she told herself.
“I can’t do this.”

For a moment, she almost turned tail and fled back to the railway station, but she didn't. She saw Ann-Lee go into a Wine Shop.

Maxine stood rooted to the spot for almost a minute before turning away with a shake of her head. This was not going to work. For her, it was far too contrived, far too public for her to feel comfortable.

---

Just over an hour later, Maxine called at Cliff's home. She was carrying the loaf of bread that she had purchased for him at the market.

“How did it go with Ann-Lee?”

Maxine had spent the entire journey back from Dorking trying to work out what she was going to say to Cliff about her dismal failure with Ann-Lee. In the end, she just had to confess her sins.

"I wimped out. I just could not go up to, her in the street and say 'fancy meeting you here… wanna come and work for me?'"

Cliff laughed.
“What’s the next step then?”

“I’m going over to her place on Monday morning. Be direct. Isn’t that what Adrian always said?”

"He did and, that's how he would see the situation, but you could have been direct with her earlier”

“It was far too public for my liking.”

Cliff just shook his head and muttered ‘coward’ under his breath.

Maxine glared at Cliff.

"Don't give me that look, Maxi. I know you too well. Just remember to lay it all out for her, and for heaven's sake, don't pressure her for an answer. I know you don't like ditherers, but this is one case where a little dithering is a good thing. Give her time to think things over.”

Maxine left Cliff smiling back at her. There were some days when Cliff was so like Adrian it was uncanny. That was why they'd been such a great team and even, more importantly, great teachers.

She was going to miss having Cliff around when he eventually called it a day. He, like Adrian, was going to be difficult, if not impossible, to replace.

---

Feeling both apprehensive and hopeful, Maxine drove over to Dorking the following Monday morning, and to her relief, she managed to get a parking spot close to Ann-Lee's home. She sat in the car for a few minutes trying to focus her mind on the task ahead. Instead of clarity, all she got were a jumbled-up mess of random thoughts.

“This will never do,” she muttered to herself as she finally got out of the car and walked up to Ann-Lee’s front door.

Maxine swallowed hard once again before ringing the bell.

After what seemed an age, the door opened, and there was Ann-Lee. Maxine's heart skipped a beat. For a few milliseconds the urge to turn tail and flee almost won through, but she stood her ground.

"Hello, Ann-Lee. Do you remember me?"

“It’s… Maxine isn’t it?”
Ann-Lee looked around.
“You normally travel with… Adrian. That’s it. Adrian Forsythe.”

“I’m afraid that Adrian passed away nearly two years ago. I’m running the business now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What can I do for you?”

"This may sound a bit crazy, but I'm here to talk to you about a possible job with my company?”

That was not what Maxine meant to say, but it got a reaction.

“Do you fancy going for a walk? We can talk while we walk?”

“Where do you suggest?”

“Holmbury Hill? It is generally quieter than Leith Hill.”

That brought a smile to Ann-Lee’s face.

“You told me on one of the flights that we took with you that you liked that walk,” added Maxine.

“Me and my big mouth, eh?” replied Ann-Lee smiling.
“Let me get my coat and walking boots. It won’t take long.”

“I’m parked just up the street. The blue Jaguar,” said Maxine pointing at her car.
“I’d better get back to it just in case a traffic warden comes by.”

“Ok. See you in a few minutes.”

Maxine smiled as she turned away. Deep down inside, she was dreading the next part of the operation.

---

“This is a nice car,” said Ann-Lee as Maxine drove away from Dorking along the A25.
“You were in a Beemer the last time we met?”

"That was Adrian's car. This one is my little baby.”

“It is so quiet and smooth,” remarked Ann-Lee.

“It should be. It is fully electric.”

"Oh, this is the first one of those that I've been in."

“I like it. It leaves all those boy-racers in their Vauxhall Novas standing at the traffic lights,” said Maxine grinning.

"I know the type. There are a couple of them who live up the hill from me. All loud noises and not a lot between the ears if you ask me.”

Then Ann-Lee asked,
“Maxine, why me? I'm sure that there is plenty of other fish in the sea?”

Maxine chuckled.
“My associate, Cliff. He was the one who drove us back from the airport one time when the flight was late… He said that your company was in the process of relocating to Maastricht due to BREXIT. I need a partner in the business so... given your background in the city and well… here I am.”

“Oh! I didn’t think that it was common knowledge that the base at Farnborough was closing?”

"Cliff is a veritable gold mine when it comes to gossip. He heard a whisper which he later confirmed," said Maxine.
“When is your last day with them?”

“End of November unless I find something new,” replied Ann-Lee with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Not looking forward to going back to the City, I take it?"

“I’m most certainly not looking forward to starting at the bottom again and getting up to catch the 05:52 train to Waterloo.”

“Rather you than me,” replied Maxine.

---

“Here we are,” said Maxine as she parked the car opposite the Holmbury St Mary Youth Hostel.

“I’m surprised that you know about this place. Most walkers would park in the village and struggle up the hill past the pub.”

“Blame Adrian for that. He was never the one to follow the herd.”
“Besides, it is a much easier walk to the top of Holmbury Hill from here.”

Ann-Lee laughed.

Maxine felt that she’d made at least some sort of connection with Ann-Lee.

---

They reached the top of the hill where they were treated to a great view south towards the South Downs, some twenty-odd miles away.

After sitting down and having a drink of water and a banana each, Maxine began to explain.

“As I said, I’ve been running the business with Cliff since Adrian died. Cliff wants to retire so I’m looking for a No 2 to work with me as I develop the business.”

Maxine went on to explain the different companies that Lorelei Investments were involved in and how the company operated.

“I begin to see what you are trying to do,” said Ann-Lee.

“We are most certainly not the normal run-of-the-mill investment company. I’m closely involved with the operations of each business. I work with the management to develop and grow their business. This is for the long term, unlike many City investment firms. We commit to working with a company for at least five years. That allows a company to think and plan strategically rather than be in reactive mode all the time.”

“You seem to be different to the tactics employed by Venture Capitalists? Swoop in, buy a business and leave a few years later with that business laden down with huge amounts of debt?” replied Ann-Lee.

"Exactly. That only benefits the vulture capitalists. To hell with the employees. They don't matter one little bit. We make it clear to the businesses that we work with, that we are not going to sell up, leaving them high and dry. My company has only divested itself completely from one company. That was when the original owners decided to retire. The new owners wanted total control. We struck a deal to remain on the board for three years. When we finally exited the business, the company was more than three the size, it was before we took over and had more than doubled the number of employees. We felt that we did right by everyone in the end."

Then Maxine added,
"Besides, those vultures would not look at the sort of companies we work with unless it was a personal project for the CEO’s pension fund.”

Ann-Lee laughed. She had much the same opinion of VCs as Maxine.
“Sounds like good business,” said Ann-Lee.
"What role do you want me to play? It has been several years since I had anything to do with investments."

“I know but isn’t it like riding a bike? Once learned, you never forget.”

“I suppose so.”

"I am working on a big project, and I can't do it alone. That's why I need a partner and especially someone with more financial acumen than me.”

“What sort of project?”

“First things first. Are you at least a bit interested in coming to work with me?"

“It depends.”

“On what?”

“What the catch is?”

Maxine laughed.

“There are two. The first is that I’m moving down to South Devon. That's where the project is based, and besides, my current home in Reigate was Adrian's. I don't comfortably fit into a Victorian Gothic style house."

“What about my home here?”

"Rent it out just in case things don't work out, but Devon is a much nicer part of the world to live and work, believe me.”

“Ok, so what’s the second?”

“This is the hard one. Ever since that first trip to Carcassonne, I’ve…”

Maxine looked Ann-Lee right in the eyes.
“I fancy the heck out of you.”

“But…?” stuttered Ann-Lee.

Maxine knew that it was crunch time.

“There is something you should know about me. I was born a male. Through a bizarre sequence of events, I went to a job interview posing as my sister. I wimped out on that and fessed up to the person who was recruiting. That’s how I met Sally Jameson. She changed my life.”

“Hold on there just a moment. The Sally Jameson? The one that puts on a lot of “Women in Business” events?”

"If you mean the one that has won several awards, then yes. I went to work for her for a while and loved it. At one point, I did a bit of research for her. It turned out that it was actually for Adrian. The result was that I went on to work for him. At that time, I was still very much a fish out of water in women’s clothes. Thanks to Adrian’s persistence, patience and then love, I became the person that I am today.”

Ann-Lee didn’t reply. Instead, she went thumbing through some pictures on her phone.

“See this?”

She showed Maxine a picture of Sally Jameson giving a talk. She could see her mother in the background.

“I went to this seminar where Sally told the tale of someone crashing an interview and winging it and that she took a risk and employed them to great success. That story was about you, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it was minus the fact that I’m trans.”

Just then, Maxine's phone bleeped. She looked at the message.

“Sorry, I need to reply to this. I’m supposed to be presenting at a conference session next week,” said Maxine.
"If you want, you can come along. Garth Samson is the keynote speaker."

Ann-Lee just shook her head as Maxine quickly sent off a text.

“Sorry about that. His wife can be a bit of a stickler for wanting copies of what I’m presenting well in advance. I’ve told her that I’ll send it to her tonight.”

“You certainly know some important people.”

Maxine smiled.
"I'm lucky in that I have met some good people over the years. I've had to prove myself, many many times over, but despite his reputation, Garth has become a good friend of mine. I'm a board member of the Charity that he has set up."

“Can I see your phone again?” asked Maxine changing the subject a bit.

Ann-Lee handed her phone over.

“That picture of Sally Jameson. See the older woman in the background? That’s my mother. She and Sally are getting married very soon. I’d love it if you were my plus-one?”

Ann-Lee sat silently for several minutes before she said,
“That is a lot to take in.”

“But you aren’t a lesbian?”

“And I’m not really a woman.”

That caused her to smile.

“That’s why I told Sally who I was right at the beginning. I told her that I was there because my wimp of a sister would not go to the interview due to a sprained ankle. I went and grabbed the chance. I had no idea that it would lead to where I am today. Why not give it a try?”

“All of it?”

“First the job then? Who knows eh?”

“I don’t know,” said Ann-Lee with a good deal of hesitation.

“That’s fair enough. I would have said ‘on yer bike’ if you had agreed to anything today.”

Maxine stood up after a brief look at her watch.

“Shall we go? It looks like we are in for a shower in those clouds over Ewhurst are anything to go by?”

Ann-Lee looked towards the approaching clouds. She could see some rain already falling.

“I think you are right. If we don’t hurry, we are in for a soaking.”

---

"Here is a breakdown of the company finances. Everything there is a public record. I put it together just to save you the time," said Maxine when they arrived back in Dorking.

“Thanks. Won’t you come inside to dry off?”
They’d been caught in the rain just before they reached the safety of Maxine’s car.

Maxine shook her head.
"Thanks, but no. I need to get back. I have a lot of work to do before the end of the day. Presentations don't grow on trees, you know.
“When do you need to know… about my decision and all that?”

"There is no great rush. I'll send you the details of the conference for next week. It is being held in Birmingham. Garth is hosting a private dinner the night before. If you are interested in going, then we can go up together."

“No pressure then?” replied Ann-Lee.

“Absolutely no pressure from me. I’m going because I have to be seen as supporting the charity. I have a bone to pick with Mrs Samson because I’d rather not be that visible but…”

“So… you are under pressure and want some moral backup from me?”

“Only if you are comfortable. I mean it. The people at the event can be a bit frightening at times until you get to know them. Even Garth can be a bit fearsome, but if you start talking about Birdwatching, he’s like a cuddly toy.”

“Thank you… for being open with me about what you expect and all that.”

"I find honesty is the best policy, especially in business. I was open with Sally at that first interview, wasn’t I?”

---

Once back home, Cliff was waiting for all the gory details.

“How did the plan go? Was she impressed?” he asked not even waiting for Maxine to get out of her slightly damp coat.

“Yes and no. She’d been to a seminar given by Sally Jameson. She even had a picture of Sally in full flow with my mother in the background.”

"That's good, is it not?"

Maxine shook her head.

“I was in full flow when Garth sent me a text. Margot wants my paper for the conference. That might have put her off a bit.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Have you written it?”

“No, I bloody haven’t. I don’t have a clue about where to start.”

"Oh, dear."

"Yes, my dear Cliff. I'm up shit creek without a paddle. I'd much rather not have to do this."

“I know. I was here when Morag twisted your arm in the first place. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, would she?”

"I guess I'll have to have a go at it. If it is bad enough, my session could be cancelled?"

"Maxi! That isn't you. The real you, I mean. Not the lovestruck one I see before me."

Maxine laughed.
"I'm not love-struck as you so calmly put it. I just don't want to prattle on about how it is to be a female boss. I'm a fraud pure and simple."

“You are no fraud Maxi. You never have been. I’ve been here since the first day that Adrian bought you home remember. You have always been more comfortable as a woman.”

“Stop right there, Cliff. You have no idea what I was like before… well, you know what.”

"Oh, Maxi, Maxi. I know only too well. I was much like you when I was around twenty. I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. Then I got a job as a driver to Adrian's Father. He steered me in the right direction. Like with Adrian, I became his ‘go-to’ person which carried on to be that with you here today. His dad showed trust in me just like Sally and Adrian did with you, and you have prospered if you don't mind me saying so.”

"There you are, Maxi, that's your presentation written. Easy-peasy if you ask me.”

“Pah!”

Once Maxine had some time to reflect on what Cliff had said, she began to understand what he was going on about. Much of what she’d said to Ann-Lee could be used as the basis for her presentation in Birmingham.

It was well after midnight when Maxine pressed ‘send’. Her draft presentation was on its way to Morag. Her next task was to email a formal invitation to the Conference to Ann-Lee. It was more of a speculative invite than anything else she hoped that it would be accepted.

Just before she went to bed, Maxine had a chance to reflect upon the day. Ann-Lee had been fairly non-committal about the job offer and everything. She hoped that the new day would bring good news, but the trip to Dorking had given her some inspiration for her presentation, so it hadn't been a total waste of time.

[to be continued]