This is the third installment in the Black Lizzie Series
Chapter One
Grace Harker
There were accusations that I helped destroy Elizabeth Browning's career. I denied this when two colleagues dared to say it to my face. Elizabeth was my friend, I retorted, which was true. We were friends, not close necessarily, but we socialised together individually and as a couple with our husbands.
The truth was different. The arrival of Dr Robinson soured whatever friendship existed. Elizabeth established herself as his chosen one, and it grated. Jealousy seeped into my soul, professionally and personally. My career had stalled, and my dissatisfaction with my marriage was at an all-time high. Elizabeth Browning was attractive, blonde and young--everything I was not. I'm forty-five, with shoulder-length dark hair, and while I try to keep fit, age and childbirth have taken their toll. I was a little broad in the beam, and I sagged in areas I would prefer I didn't!
Kenneth, my husband, was next to useless. It was like engaging with an uninspiring lump of clay. My eldest daughter, Emily, listened with sympathy. We had always been close, and I was guilty of projecting my frustrated ambitions on her. She was as bright as a whip, had studied law and was very serious with her fiancé Keith--a pleasant and serious young man, a year older than Emily and an accountant. Emily took after me physically. She was an avid badminton player and kept herself in shape. My younger daughter Emma was 19 and took more after her father with her sandy hair and slender, almost willowy figure. Emma was away at college and looking to follow me and enter the teaching profession.
I was among the first to notice Elizabeth's declining application to her teaching duties. Elizabeth was popular, and we naturally covered for her, but the grumblings increased, and finally, someone wrote an official complaint to Dr Robinson and HR.
That someone was me. I want to say I did it with a heavy heart, but I didn't. I was glad to do it. Once the system was set in motion, I followed it up gleefully. I was due some of the attention Elizabeth was getting. I was hungry for it at home and work, and I was currently getting neither. It was twisting me up inside.
I spread salacious rumours based on Elizabeth's erratic behaviour and inappropriate outfits. Drugs and sex are fuel for any gossip! After I lodged my official complaint, Dr Robinson invited me into his office to discuss a 'sensitive matter'. My heart was beating as I suspected this was about Elizabeth.
"May I offer you tea or coffee, Grace?"
"Tea would be nice, Dr Robinson."
"Please, Grace, call me Phillip."
Immediately, I was flattered. Elizabeth, I knew, never referred to him by his given name.
"Thank you, Phillip."
"I wish to talk to you about Elizabeth and your concerns. Given the sensitivity of the issue, I feel we best find ourselves on the same side. Formality will not serve us well in this matter."
"I totally agree, Phillip. We must work together in this unfortunate matter." I matched his solemn demeanour.
"Thank you, Grace. I know it must have been hard to lodge this formal complaint against Elizabeth, and I assure you it will remain confidential between us."
"Thank you. I did it with her best interests at heart."
Dr Robinson gave me a warm smile. "That goes without saying, Grace. In that spirit, I would ask you and your colleagues to keep supporting Elizabeth so she can get back on track and return to the fold. I will allow Elizabeth some latitude on the proviso that she undertakes some counselling with myself. Can you do that for me, Grace?"
I swallowed my disappointment and rage. "Of course, Phillip. I will do whatever I can to help Elizabeth."
****
I vented at Kenneth that evening--not that he listened. With Emily, I was more circumspect, and she focused on Dr Robinson's kindness in trying to help Elizabeth. I reluctantly agreed.
"And in the meantime, if you show how invaluable you are to Dr Robinson, you will be on hand if Elizabeth doesn't get her career together. He sounds a lovely man to work for," she added shrewdly.
This is why I sought Emily's counsel. "He is extremely charming!" I said, looking at my daughter knowingly.
"Hmmm, has someone got a crush?"
"Don't be silly, dear. Anyway, I must go." I broke the facetime connection and treated myself to a long hot bath while entertaining myself with thoughts of Phillip.
Chapter Two
I spent the next few weeks ingratiating myself with Phillip, and we developed a close working relationship. We shared lunch in his office twice and, increasingly, after-work drinks. He was warm and tactile when we were together. I was unsure if it was just his manner, but I enjoyed the feel of his large hands when he touched me.
In the meantime, Elizabeth became more erratic. In my frustration, I lied about a phone call I received from Elizabeth and made a complaint directly to Phillip. Afterwards, I regretted it, wondering if it would seen as ignoring his wishes. When Phillip asked me to stop by his office, I was worried I had overplayed my hand. I can sometimes act rashly when frustrated. It was a character flaw that had hindered my career.
"Grace. I regret to say the moment has arrived," he said upon my arrival.
He stepped out from behind his desk, took my hands, and looked down at me gravely. I shivered as I stared up at him. His hands were cool yet firm as he held mine. I imagined those hands touching me, caressing me. I dragged myself back to what he was saying.
"I have no option but to remove Elizabeth from her teaching duties," he continued. "Missing class, failing to arrange cover. It cannot go on. I fear I have failed a troubled young woman."
My heart leapt. "I understand, Phillip. Have you had her tested?" The woman had substance abuse written all over her.
"I am not at liberty to say. Counsellor confidentially, you understand. I will assign her special duties at my discretion."
"Of course. You know best, Phillip." Drugs and sex. It had to be. Elizabeth's clothes were the subject of much gossip. I should know. I started most of it.
"I will lean on you, Grace. We must be there to support each other and the school."
"Absolutely, Phillip, you have my total support, as does Elizabeth."
"Thank you, Grace. You have come to mean a lot to me."
I held my breath at his words. At that moment, I yearned for him. I strove to keep the emotion out of my face and voice, yet I couldn't help but articulate what I felt. "You mean a lot to me, Phillip."
I searched his face for something, anything, but he was inscrutable. A flare of panic that I had overstepped my bounds, then he smiled--a warm, broad smile. "It is gratifying to hear you say that, Grace. Now, if you will excuse me."
I bounced between desire for Phillip and a flicker of remorse over my part in Elizabeth's downfall. Then anger kicked in. It wasn't my fault that Elizabeth had tanked her career. The bitch had done it to herself. I only brought her unprofessional behaviour to Phillip's and the school's attention. I had no reason to feel ashamed.
Chapter Three
I took Elizabeth's place as head of the working committee. Elizabeth had done all the groundwork, so it was plain sailing from this point. I procrastinated to eke out more time with Phillip, and it was another six weeks before I signed off on the final proposals. Phillip was delighted and said he would take me to dinner on Friday night.
"Just you, Grace. You deserve this."
I was giddy with excitement. Working together had convinced me there was chemistry between us, and I won't deny that Phillip's ethnicity played a part in my desire for him.
I took ages getting ready. I told Kenneth that I would be out this evening to celebrate the working group's conclusion, and I was in a funk as I tried out different underwear and outfits.
Emily popped around with her fiancé, and while he watched TV with Ken, Emily calmed me down.
"It's only a works do, Mum. Colleagues you see every day, so why the big flap?" She perched on the end of my bed, surrounded by clothes.
"I just want to look my best; I've concluded the project, and I want to be Queen of the ball. This one?" I held up an emerald-green dress. It was short and sexy.
Emily pulled a face. "If you are going for the leprechaun look, then great."
"Well, instead of saying no to everything, how about helping me find an outfit!" I snapped.
"Huh-huh."
"And what is that meant to mean?"
"You're in a tizz, Mum."
"I'm not." I pulled out a blue and black patterned dress but discarded it for the second time.
"You want to be the Queen, so who is your King?"
"Don't be silly. Your father is -- well -- sort of King."
