Peter Jones had left school at last, but with no idea of what he wanted to do with his life. One thing he knew was he wasn't suited to further academic study and so had opted not to go to university. Nor was he particularly gifted mechanically, so something more practical was also of not much interest. He was looking for something in office management or administration, or possibly branching into sales. He had been taken on as a trainee at a local engineering distribution company. They wanted a general office worker drone and were prepared to give Peter a trial.
As part of his training, Peter would spend some time in each department before a decision would be made on where or if he would be offered a permanent position.
Although the business was only medium-sized, the owner Mr Howarth, wanted every employee to know about not only the office side but also the distribution side so that each would have an understanding of the roles of the others and the problems they encountered, or could cause for their co-workers. That way, he felt the business was more than just a place of work for everyone, and it seemed to pay off. Staff turnover was low, morale high and vacancies sought after. Peter had been lucky to get this chance and was determined not to blow it.
Peter's first month was spent in the distribution center, picking and packing orders and checking off incoming deliveries from suppliers. All basic mundane tasks, but he soon learnt that the slightest lax in concentration could lead to costly mistakes being made.
After that, Peter rotated throughout the office departments, many of which overlapped. For his final rotation, over the next month, Peter was scheduled to work in the finance department. On Monday, Mr Howarth took him into their office and introduced him to the finance manager.
"Peter, this is Ms Ashworth, head of finance. She'll be overseeing your training while you are in the finance department."
"Hello, Peter. I hope you're a hard worker and a quick learner."
Ms Ashworth was stunning to look at. If she had been in her teens or early twenties, she would have been described as perky and cute: now in her very early forties, she was vivacious, vibrant and sexy. She still had that bouncy full-of-life energy that would give her the perky tag. Now it was tempered by an overall polished gloss that comes to a mature woman still in her prime.
She was tallish, with a firm, trim body that, even in office dress, hinted at just how desirable it was. And long legs that seemed to never end. Her pleasantly sculptured face was framed by shiny, raven black hair cut in a shaggy bob. The epitome of a modern yet sexy businesswoman.
"Are you a quick learner?"
"Err... yes, I like to think so."
"That's good because if you're going to do well here, that's what I need, a quick learning, hard-working assistant."
"I'll try to do my best to please you," Peter managed to stammer. This woman was almost old enough to be his mother, and he wasn't sure if he fancied her or found her intimidating. Not that he ever dreamed he would have a chance of doing anything with a woman like her. Hell, the younger girls in the other departments had frightened him with their teasing and jokes, and they were nowhere near as desirable as Ms Ashworth.
Peter was an awkward, shy and sensitive boy. He'd not had much, if any luck, with girls at school. Now, here he was, just turned eighteen and cast into the demanding business world, with its subtle undertones of sexual adventure.
Peter's reverie was broken as Ms Ashworth turned on her heel and walked away, "Come on, let's find you somewhere to work. And my name's Lisa." Peter was taken to a spare desk opposite a pair of flirty young girls and put to work sorting out some invoices.
The two girls seemed friendly and helped him settle in, although they were rather crude in openly discussing their boyfriends and what they would do with them. They paid no attention to the unease they seemed to be causing their young, shy co-worker.
Ms Ashworth had one of only two private offices in the company, the other, naturally belonging to Mr Howarth. Every time Peter had to go into her office, he was unsure where he stood with her. Whether he was making a good impression and doing a good job; or if he wasn't. Sometimes Ms Ashworth would be laughing and joking with him; the next, she would take him to task for some minor error. During his second week, Peter had to take some reports and invoices to her for signing off. Mrs Ashworth looked up at him from her desk. "Peter, this just won't do," she said softly.
'What, why, what have I done wrong?' Peter asked himself.
"Peter, why are you wearing a tie? You know it's not the sort of thing needed in this office. Only customer-facing staff need to be so formally dressed." Ms Ashworth stood up, walked over to Peter, undid the tie around his neck, and then pulled it from under his collar. Somehow the innocent gesture was filled with sexual innuendo, more so when her fingers lingered on his cheek for a fraction longer than was strictly necessary. Peter did not know what to do or say as his two colleagues looked on through the open office door silently as he went red with embarrassment.
On the Friday afternoon of Peters's third week in finance, he was alone in the office, shutting down his computer as things were winding down for the weekend when Ms Ashworth came over.
"Peter, is there nobody else here?"
"Err, no, they've all finished for the week. I was just shutting down myself."
"Damn, is it that time already? Well, anyway, how've you found your time working for me?"
"Great, actually better than I imagined. It's a lot more complex than I thought it would be. I'm enjoying it."
"Really? You're not just saying that to please me?"
"No, I'd never do that." The raised eyebrow made Peter realise the mistake he had made. However, that was tempered by a smile as he tried to correct himself.
"It's okay. I know what you mean. You're not sucking up to me. And I've noticed your work over the weeks. You're diligent and seem to have a feel for things," Ms Ashworth said. "Now, I know it's a bit short notice, and the weekend as well, but you did say that you were a hard worker and eager to learn, and from what I've seen, that's true, flexible as well. Do you think you'd be willing to help me out with a rush job that's just come in? I was hoping to catch Cheryl before she went, although she's not the best choice for this sort of task."
"Yeah, sure. When?"
"Now. I know it's Friday, but I need to get these figures worked through tonight. You didn't have anything planned, did you? I mean, a young lad like you must have plans for Friday night, not like an old lady like me."
