How could I have done something so stupid? Day-dreaming, and I did itâŠ..
Our company believes in sending staff away to conferences - but only to cheap ones. In Spartan surroundings. And this had been no different. They had decided that the head of our branch - Jean - and I - second in charge - should go to this conference. We had travelled separately on the Friday evening, had enjoyed the conference and got a surprising amount from the conference, returning home on the Sunday evening. But it was early Sunday morning when I did it.
It was the sort of conference centre where there was half a dozen single rooms on a corridor, all sharing a tea-making kitchen. I had decided to make a cup about seven o-clock, had wandered to the kitchen in trousers and T-shirt, only to find Jean already there. It was seven in the morning - I was in a daze, I did what I would have done at home to the wife - I twanged her bra-strap through her blouse! Without thinking. How could I have been so stupid?
Jean was a good boss. She was in her late thirties and as far as I was aware lived on her own, and had done well for herself. She kept a bit aloof from the office where we worked, was quiet and reserved and dressed in a reserved way, but treated her staff fairly and well. In our office there were about 10 women of various ages and three men (including me) - it was a nice place to work, although we all, at this stage, kept our relationships separate from our work relationships. She was a good boss, but she was bound to react.
âWhat are you doing?â she demanded. âWhy did you do that? Keep your hands off me.â
I spluttered my apologies, said how I hadnât meant to do it. âHadnât meant to do it? What did you mean to do?â. It took several minutes to calm her down, to explain how I did that to my wife, that Iâd done it without thinking.
In the end Jean stormed off, and sat the other side of the conference hall from me for the rest of the day, avoiding me at meal and coffee times. She left without having spoken to me for the rest of the Sunday. There was just a little corner of my mind which nagged away - was the anger just angerâŠâŠâŠ..
The following day, because of the conference, I went into work late at lunchtime. Jean was already there in her office - she gave a formal and stiff wave, but her face was far from friendly. As she waved I heard a sound behind me - someone had twanged a strap. When I turned to see who, the rest of girls in the office, plus Steve and Brian, had their heads down, apparently working hard, but there was a hint of sniggers from some of them. It happened for the rest of the day whenever I wasnât looking - the sound of straps twanging, sniggers, until I disappeared into my office.
The following day the jokes continued - I found a massive bra on my chair in the morning. Pieces of elastic lying around. And of course there was the innuendos - ââŠâŠ.would you like to stretch a pointâŠâŠâ and sniggering. Clearly Jean had told them. With me she was very formal, businesslike, but allowed no other interaction. But there was something, something which suggested I needed to prepare in caseâŠâŠ.
On Thursday evening before leaving work Jean and I normally get together to discuss the weeks work, what ends need to be tidied up, what needed to be set up for the next week. Through the week there had been no let up in the jokes. She came and sat in my office as usual across the desk from me.
We talked formally of business, we planned, we sorted what needed to be sorted, and as we did so I saw all the rest of the staff leave the office. When we were the only two people left, I got up from my seat, went around the desk, then sat on the desk in front of Jean looking down at her.
âWhy did you tell them about the bra strapâ. I spoke in my most domineering voice, pointing to the general office. Jean looked stunned, her mouth opening and closing without saying anything. I peered down at her. âWhy did you tell them?â
She stuttered - âI didnât mean to, it just came outâŠâŠ.â
I was quite angry. âJust came out?â I shouted at her. âWhy didnât you tell them Iâd grabbed your tits at the same time?â There was a long pause and silence. âWell?â
Jean stopped her mouth moving and looked to the floor. Again after a pause I continued. âI bet you didnât tell them because that is what you want me to do.â
She looked up suddenly. âWhat? I didnât tell them that because you didnât do thatâŠâŠâ She stammered.
I spoke evenly again. âI bet you didnât tell them that because you really do want me to grope your tits.â Jean was quiet as I moved off the desk, sat on a chair beside her and turned her chair to face me.