High Stakes (2 page)

‘Yeah, sure. But it is Friday, you know.’

‘As if that matters around here.’ I lifted my eyebrows.

‘Right.’ He laughed.

9:40 am What just happened then, I asked myself? Did Mike Carmichael ask me out? Or was it a group kind of thing? Either way, I didn’t care. He wasn’t my type and I’d made a resolution never to be involved with anyone at work. It made life too complicated. Anyway, I hardly had time for relationships. I wanted Shelley’s job by the time I was thirty. By then she’d have moved on. I knew the work it would take, and this promotion was the first step. No way was I going to let that jerk, Pete, take it from me. I turned back to my reading and note taking.

11:01am: Finished at last. I had a pretty good idea of the company policy now and where I wanted to take it. Shelley was right. It was out-dated and the onus was more on the employer to provide the opportunities rather than on the employee to seek them out. The two main components, as I saw them, were time and money. That had to shift from the employer to the employee. Anyone who wanted to keep their job or get ahead would have to show their commitment not only to the company but also to themselves. It would be easy to wrap it up in company-speak to show that it was a good thing — a necessary thing, a way-of-the-future thing. Even if you disagreed — which, face it, most people would because who wants to spend their own time and money attending boring courses — it would be hard to do so without looking like a slacker or a loser.

I stretched. Yeah, a bit of creative writing, that’s what it needed and I was just the gal for that. I turned to the computer and stretched my fingers.

11:50am: I pressed print and looked around. Pete had left a few minutes ago and said he’d meet me there. Good. I didn’t particularly want to walk with him. I wondered what he’d been up to during the morning. Of course we had our regular work to do too. Shelley had made that clear. I’d have to finish that file I started this morning before I went home tonight. Maybe I’d take it home with me.

12:04pm: Shannon’s on Queens was half full with the early lunch crowd, but there were booths and that would give us a bit of privacy to talk – and fight if needs be. I found him in the corner booth, a Corona and a pile of papers in front of him. I got a diet Coke and joined him.

‘Hey,’ he said, looking up.

‘Hey,’ I answered and swung my briefcase on the table. For once I had no smart comeback. This felt so weird, being in a semi-social situation with Pete. It seemed he felt it too, so our awkwardness permeated the air. Jeez, I hated Shelley.

‘Do you want to order anything to eat?’ he asked.

‘I’m not that hungry at the moment. You?’

‘I’m good. Let’s get started. Have a look at this.’ He slid a sheet in my direction. ‘The way I think we should go is the reflection angle. Look at your strengths, weaknesses and identify what you need to do to get better at your job. I’ve outlined a few ideas for the format of the pro forma.’

I quickly read over what he had written. ‘This sounds more like a confession. Who the hell wants to tell their boss what their weaknesses are?’

‘It’s not about that. It’s more like constructive self-analysis. If you do it correctly, it should be helpful.’

‘Sounds too Dr Phil for me. I looked more at the time and money angle.’ I outlined a few of my ideas.

‘That could work too. We’ve come at it from different directions, but combine the two and I’d say we had the perfect package.’

This sounded too easy and he was being way too nice. There must be a catch somewhere.

‘Well, we have to look at the union angle too, you know. Make sure we don’t infringe on anyone’s rights, privacy etc.’

‘Yeah, we should be okay on that. I’ve already run it by Shelley.’

‘When?’ My suspicions soared.

‘This morning. I looked for you, but you weren’t at your desk.’

‘What did you do? Wait for me to go to the Ladies so you could rush in and tell Shelley all your great ideas?’

‘My, what a nasty, suspicious mind you have. All I did was share a few ideas, check out the union angle and that. It’s no big deal. As it happens she was more than receptive to my train of thought. Go talk to her this afternoon if you’re that worried. You’ve got some good ideas.’

‘Fuck off.’

‘You really do have an anger management problem there, Kate,’ he said and one corner of his mouth went up with the trace of a smile. Smug bastard.

‘You really are a piece of work, you know that? You come across like Mr Congeniality, yet underneath it all you’re as cunning as…as…’ I was so angry I couldn’t think, so I borrowed one of my dad’s expressions, ‘a shithouse rat.’

He laughed. ‘Interesting turn of phrase there, kiddo. I’ve really learnt a lot about Australian lingo since I met you.’

I couldn’t speak for a few minutes. This wasn’t getting me anywhere. He was right about one thing. He did make me angry. I’d just have to learn to hide it more.

‘Perhaps we should eat. We’ll have to get back to the office soon.’ he said.

Food was the last thing I felt like, but it would give me something to do while I thought about things. ‘Okay, let’s eat. You have to order at the counter.’

He got up, ‘You stay here, save the booth – it’s getting crowded now. What do you want?’

‘Chef’s salad,’ I slid a twenty towards him, ‘ and another Coke.’

He shook his head, ‘Don’t worry. Hey, don’t look daggers at me. I’m all for equality but for once, can’t you let it go. You can pay next time, okay?’

‘Fine, thanks.’ Not that there would be a next time.

1:20pm: There were a few looks in our direction when we went back. I sure hoped Mike had let everyone know that Pete and I were working on a project together. Wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.

We decided to both work on our own angles and bring it all together later on. It meant a late night, but I’d known that from the start. It also might mean working tomorrow. Shelley knew and expected that. How else would we get this finished by Monday?

4:00pm: My iphone rang. It was Mum.

‘Hi love. What time will you be coming tonight?’

Tonight? What was she talking about? ‘I won’t be coming over tonight, Mum. I have to work late. Why? Were you expecting me?’

‘Expecting you! Of course, we’re expecting you. Have you forgotten it’s your brother’s birthday tonight? Family barbecue, remember?’

Oh no. Craig was turning twelve and the whole family was coming. My sister, Laura, would be there along with her dropkick boyfriend, Troy. Gran and Granddad were driving down from the coast. How did I let it slip my mind?

‘Sorry, Mum. Shelley gave me a project that has to be finished by Monday. There’s no way I can come tonight. Tell Craig I’ll get him an extra nice birthday present to make up for it.’

‘Kate Elaine Higgins you are not missing your brother’s birthday celebration! I don’t care what you have to do, you can put it aside for one night.’

‘But Mum, I really have to work.’

‘Then do it tomorrow. You’ve worked on Saturday before, though why you can’t work in a regular job with regular hours I don’t know. Seems to me they take advantage of you at that company.’

I felt the frustration rising in me. Mum just didn’t understand what businesses were like these days and that the only way to get to the top was to work harder, longer and smarter than everyone else. ‘I’m working with another person, Mum. I can’t just do my own thing here.’

‘Fine, the more the merrier. Bring her along too. It’ll do you both good to have a break. Then you’ll be all the fresher for tomorrow.’

I screamed silently. My mother was the most stubborn, bossy woman I knew. ‘It’s a he, not a her, and there’s no way Pete would want to go to a family party tonight.’

Pete just happened to stroll over at that moment. Talk about timing. He raised his eyebrows, and then said loudly. ‘Pete would love to go to a family party with Kate tonight.’

Mum’s voice practically sang. ‘I heard that, Kate. See I was right. Pete sounds very nice. Tell him we’re looking forward to meeting him. See you at seven, no later.’ She hung up before I had a chance to answer. I slammed the phone on my desk.

‘What did you do that for?’

Pete gave a choir-boy smile. ‘Shelley wanted us to get to know each other. I can’t think of a better way than meeting your family. Besides, we’ve got all weekend to work on this project.’

‘Oh yeah, when am I going to meet your family, then?’

‘London’s a bit far for a weekend visit, but I’m sure they’d make you feel welcome.’

‘How convenient for you. But you don’t have to come to this thing, you know. In fact I’d rather you didn’t.’

‘Why ever not?’

‘God, let me count the ways. We don’t get along to put it mildly. We are rivals, enemies even. Truthfully, I hate your guts, Pete. Can I put it any plainer than that?’

‘Subtlety was never one of your strengths, Kate. I must remember to put that down on your PD form. We are filling each other’s out, remember?’

‘Yeah, and I’ll remember to put arrogance, sneakiness and underhandedness on yours.’

‘Actually the last two are the same thing. But, seriously Kate, you have to go and if I tag along we may get a chance to talk about the project tonight. Kill two birds with one stone, if you know what I mean.’

‘Have you any idea what you’re getting yourself in for? It’s my brother’s twelfth birthday party and my whole family will be there.’

‘Sounds delightful.’

‘You’re sick, you know that?’

‘What time should I pick you up?’

I had the horrible feeling that he was just as stubborn as my mother. I contemplated just telling him to get lost. But he did have to fill out my PD form and I wouldn’t put it past him to tell Shelley how uncooperative I had been. I didn’t know whom I hated most at the moment, Shelley or Pete.

I scribbled down my address and handed it to him. ‘I’ll be leaving at 6:30, with or without you.’

‘No problem! One more thing — what should I get your brother as a present?’

I smiled sweetly. ‘Your head.’

‘So cute.’

5:35pm: Finished this file at last. Just have time to zip home, have a shower and get ready. Why did my brother have to be born in January? Pete left five minutes ago with a jaunty, ‘see you soon.’ What the hell is he up to? He even told Shelley he was going to my parents’ place. She beamed. Why bloody try? He’s already got it in the bag. I turned off the computer. Most people had left, presumably for the wine bar. Seemed a better option at the moment.

6:00pm: Home. My studio flat in Paddington seemed so inviting tonight. I looked at the plasma TV and soft leather couch. Then I thought of Craig. He wasn’t bad, for a kid, even if he was twelve years younger than me. There was a part of me that didn’t want to disappoint him, that was glad I was going. If only Pete wasn’t coming as well. Then a horrible thought hit me. I’d forgotten to get Craig a present. I meant to, but things had been so busy at work lately. I’d have to get a card at the local 7/11 and slip some money inside. Kids liked money, didn’t they? I’d make it a hundred, that’d impress him.

6:25pm: I pulled on a pair of Capri lemon trousers and a sleeveless white top, and then I applied minimal makeup. I wasn’t out to impress anybody. I’d give him five minutes, and if he hadn’t arrived, I’d leave. I sat down to watch the clock, hoping.

6:28pm: The doorbell rang. Damn. I got up and went to the door. There he was, showered — in jeans and a white shirt. He looked different, almost human. I’d never seen him in anything but a suit.

‘Hi, you look nice,’ he said.

Maybe he felt he had to say that. I decided to set the record straight. ‘You don’t have to say stuff like that, you know. This isn’t a date.’

He laughed, ‘God, I hope not.’

I felt relieved, and sort of insulted at the same time. ‘Thanks,’ I said dryly.

‘Don’t get me wrong. Nothing wrong with you, quite the opposite. But if this was a date, and I was meeting your parents for the first time, I’d be packing it.’

‘You don’t need to explain. Anyways, I’m ready. Let’s go.’ I turned off the lights and closed the door behind me. ‘Oh, by the way, I need to pick up a card at the local shop.’

‘You haven’t gotten one yet?’ He sounded surprised.

“Meant to but time just slipped away.’ I hated sounding defensive and feeling guilty.

‘I managed to get a computer game. Hope he’s into that sort of stuff.’

‘You mean you actually got him a present?’

‘Of course.’

Jeez, was there nothing this man wouldn’t do to show me up? If anyone told me twelve hours ago I’d be bringing Pete to meet my family I would have said they were nuts.

7:10pm: ‘Darling, good to see you.’ Mum gave me a hug. Then she stepped back and eyed Pete. ‘I’m so glad you could come. Peter, isn’t it?’

‘The pleasure’s mine. I can see where Kate gets her looks from.’

The oldest line in the book and Mum fell for it, hook, line and sinker. She hooked her arm in his and led him into the lounge. ‘Here’s Kate’s young man, everyone. Peter…’

‘Forest. Pete Forest.’

‘And he’s not my young man, he’s a colleague from work!’ I interjected, loudly.

Dad came over, good old Dad in too short shorts, a tee shirt and thongs. He had a stubby in one hand and the barbecue tongs in the other. Great. All he needed was a plastic apron with boobs on it to complete the picture. He put the beer down and held out his hand. ‘Welcome Pete. I’m Shane, Kate’s dad. What can I get you?’

Pete shook his hand. ‘Glad to meet you, Shane. A beer would be great.’

‘Come on outside,’ Mum said, ‘and meet the others.’

The barbecue sizzled and the coloured lights, still up from Christmas, lit up the deck. Craig, already looking bored — after all what twelve year-old wants a family barbecue for his birthday — lit up when he saw me. That gave me a major guilt trip. I really should have remembered to get him a present.

‘Hi, sis.’ He gave me an awkward hug and I tousled his hair. He was almost as tall as I was.

‘Happy birthday, kid.’ I passed him the envelope.

He opened it, ‘Cool, thanks Kate.’

He looked impressed. At least I think he did.

‘I thought you could buy what you wanted rather than get you something you have to pretend to like.’