Cyd was full of herself that night at home. She could not wait to tell John all about her first day and her new office. Also the fact that she was going to be earning her own money for the first time in getting on for twenty years.
She had been on the phone to Marjory for 45 minutes singing the praises her boyfriend, her new boss.
"Oh Marge I can see what you see in him. He is such a nice man, all the girls at work adore him. He has given me my own personal assistant too......I know, I can't believe it either. I am on top of the world and its only been my first day!"
Cyd heard John's car pull into the driveway.
"Sorry Marge, gotta go John's just come home."
Cyd was so excited to tell him about her day that he had hardly got through the door before she was on him.
"Hang on, let me get in."
"John, John, what a day! My own office, P.A. Allowance, 50k!!........50k!!"
She flung her arms around him.
"Thank you so much for supporting me in this, I love you so much."
John could see how excited she was and how much this meant to her.
"Cyd, I love you too and I'll do all I can to help you."
He meant it too, he had not seen her this happy in years. At the dinner table his thoughts and opinions were slightly altered because it was Mark this, Mark that, every second sentence had his name involved somehow. He didn't show it to the best of his knowledge but he did feel a bit put out.
The next day Jenny had a few office furniture catalogues waiting on Cyd's desk for her.
Jenny was doing her best to become invaluable to her new boss and so far seemed to have it off pat. Along with the books there was a cream doughnut, a vanilla latte and all her new stationary.
The lift doors opened and Cyd walked out to be met by Jenny holding her appointments diary for her.
"Good morning Mrs Morris. I have all your new stationary waiting for your approval, here is your appointments for this afternoon with local events companies. I have kept your morning free for you to settle in properly ok?"
"Jenny, thank you. What would I do without you? and please its Cyd ok."
This was music to Jenny's ears.
"Mr Andrews is out of the office until this afternoon so I was thinking maybe we...you could go through what furniture you might like for your office?"
"Ok that sounds fun, any ideas?"
"Sorted, it's all on your desk."
Cyd sat at her desk flicking through the brochure's thinking this girl is seriously good, god only knows what she will be like in 5-10 years.
"Jenny would you come in please."
Jenny knocked and came into the office carrying her notepad and pen.
"What do you say we go do a bit of shopping this morning Jenny?"
"Where? I have all the brochures you could possibly need on your desk."
"Well I was thinking part of my office allowance could be spent on you. I was thinking Top-Shop or New-Look, let's get you some designer clothes. If you are going to be part of my team you need to look the part too."
"Really?"
"Yes, come on lets go."
They spent the whole morning shopping in all the designer shops they could find. Jenny was trying not to spend too much and Cyd was spending like it was her last day on Earth.
They arrived back at the office with 7-8 bags of new clothes and shoes. The receptionist smiled at them saying.
"Had a good time ladies?"
They laughed like schoolgirls giggling and sped along the foyer and into Cyd's office.
"Right, just back in time for my first appointment. Who do we have first on the list Jenny?"
"You have 30 minutes and it's a Miss Jean Samuels. She runs an events company that an awful lot of local firms use for their Xmas parties."
The afternoon appointments went perfectly, Cyd now had an idea of the sort of things that were on offer and negotiated some pretty good deals that she could go to Mark with.
The day flew by and before she knew it, it was 4.30pm.
Buzz Buzz "Mrs Morris, Mr Andrews has asked could you pop in and see him before you go home this evening?"
"Ok thanks Jenny. You can go now too ok, go on get off and don't forget to take your new stuff with you."
"I will and thank you so much for today. You are the best boss I could have wished for, thank you."
Cyd smiled thinking to herself she is a great girl I have hit the jackpot with this job, and Jenny.
Knock. Knock.
"Come."
Mrs Delany led Cyd in.
"Mr Andrews, You wanted to see Mrs Morris."
"Hi Mark, you wanted me?"
"Yes come in Cyd, How has you first proper day gone? Well I hope."
"Honestly Mark it could not have gone better. I have researched a few venues and companies for bonding events and started on my furniture quest. This doesn't feel like work I am having a great time."
"Good. Perfect, and how are you finding young Jenny?"
"Oh Mark she is wonderful. A Lovely girl and so very helpful, where on earth did you find her?"
"She is the daughter of a friend of mine, I know she's only young and if you need someone more mature just say the word but I hope to mould her into a great asset to my company one day."
"Believe me she is already a great asset to you, wise beyond her years. She has been a godsend to help me over the last two days."
"Ah yes, that brings me to the reason I asked you in. Two days.....I know you and I agreed to part time but how do you feel now you have settled in? any different feeling now? Can I stretch you to 3-4?"
"I love this job so far and I know I can make a success of it, can I think about it overnight. I need to talk to my husband. I am not sure he would like it."
"Ok, I don't want to cause any problems at home for you especially on your first week. Let me know tomorrow how you got on. If you come in I take it he said yes, if not ring me ok."
Buzz. Buzz. "Joan would you come in here please."
"Yes Mr Morris?"
"Joan, can you sort an uber for Cyd please."
"Yes Sir."
"I hope to see you tomorrow Cyd, but for now good night."
Cyd returned to her office and collected her things to leave. As she came out of her office she saw Joan walk into Marks office and close the door, she heard the door lock. Strange?
She thought, as she waited for the lift she heard SLAP followed by a groan. The floor was empty by now and everyone had gone home. She held her breath and listened straining her ears for more.
The lift arrived at her floor, she stepped inside thinking she must've imagined it. She held the door and waited for 10 more seconds, nothing.