I'd only been working there for a couple of weeks, filling in a vacancy in the typing pool. Somehow, I must have impressed someone because I was unexpectantly called into HR and asked if I wanted to transfer to their permanent staff. As I'd only come in as agency back-up, I was surprised but is seemed that someone I'd had dealings with had been impressed. Did I want a job as a permanent secretary for one of the bosses? That was the question.
I'd been sent up to Mr James' office a couple of times when staff were a bit thin on the ground. He seemed a nice enough man, but I didn't think he took much notice of me. As long as my shorthand and typing were accurate. But is seemed that his usual girl, Anna, had become pregnant and he needed someone new. I had obviously impressed him, and he had asked for me.
It all depended on whether or not I wanted a permanent position. After all I had only gone there as a temp sent by an agency. But... there were bills to pay and rent to sort out and I admit I was beginning to struggle, given the lowly paid jobs the agency was sending me on so ... I said yes. I only signed a short-term contract of six months but at the salary they were offering that would more than see me comfortably into the future.
The next Monday I turned up at work and went to the usual secretary pool room but was stopped immediately by the woman in charge and told to go to a room on the twentieth floor. I nervously took the elevator and hunted for the room. When I found it, I knocked nervously but there was no response, so I slowly opened the door. Inside was a small reception office that I vaguely remembered. It must have been from one of my assignments. I stepped inside and as I did so a beep sounded from the desk and a red light flashed on an intercom. I was already set into secretary mode and stepped forward and pressed the 'respond' button.
"Can I help?" was my automatic response.
"Is that my new girl?"
"I think I may be, sir."
"Then welcome. Please come through."
Opposite the door I had come in was a second door, heavy, elegant, and obviously expensive. My new boss was definitely a man of some standing in the company. I walked over and knocked tentatively.
"Come." A loud voice dulled and blurred by the door. Nervously I turned the handle and opened the door. Inside was a large office. There was a huge picture window filling one side of the room that looked out over the city and a large antique desk filling much of the floor space, leaving just enough room for a sort of chill-out area with a low three seat couch and a small table, backed by a drinks cabinet. A man stood behind the desk watching me come in.
"Welcome," he said, smiling broadly. "I'm glad you managed to find me."
"I think I was here once before, sir," I replied. "I think your regular secretary was ill that day and you needed someone."
"Quite right. And you impressed me that time so..." he hesitated before continuing, "I needed someone new and thought of you. She's off on maternity leave, damn her, so I need a replacement for six months. Think you're up to it?"
I gasped and tried to hide my nervousness. Six months! Wow, what a chance. I wondered if my pay might increase but the truth was it didn't seem to matter. Just working this high up could do wonders.
"I'll certainly try my very best sir."
"I knew you would, Now, names ... in the office I am Mr James or sir whichever you find most comfortable. Outside the office I am simply Dan. And you are?"
"I'm Alice, sir."
"Excellent. Well Alice, there are some dictated letters that need doing to get you started. I assume you know how the intercom works. Phone calls ... check with me before putting them through. I may need to be 'out' for some of them." And he grinned and winked at me. "If you get one from a Mr. Henshaw that can be put straight through this morning. Okay, got all that? Right, then let's get started. Welcome to my new team of two."
"Thank you, sir."
It seemed the initial interview was over, so I smiled and headed out of the room. Slowly I made myself familiar with the computer. It was the same type as we used downstairs so that was easy. Within an hour I had typed out and printed the letters he had left for me as audios.
Over the next couple of weeks, I grew more used to the job, and it became easier. I also got to know Mr. James much better. Perhaps I had better describe him. He was in his early thirties, maybe a couple of years older than me. He looked fit and I know he spent at least a couple of evenings each week at one of the more exclusive gyms in the city. He was not stunningly handsome in the traditional manner but good-looking enough. Most importantly he didn't parade either his masculinity or his superiority where I was concerned. He had a bright cheerful manner and sometimes was slightly flirty but nothing I could object to or which I couldn't handle. Usually, he was out for lunch, and I simply ate my lunch at my desk but when he had no meetings, he would invite me into his office and we would eat lunch watching out over the city through the large window and chat about nothing in particular.
It was during one of these lunches when things changed. He was obviously feeling awkward.
"Alice ..." he began, almost stammering, "could I ask a favour?"
"Of course, you can, sir." I said, not even shocked at his request.
"It's a bit embarrassing, and ..." he hesitated before shifting in his chair, "I'm a bit nervous about asking."
"Please, sir, ask anyway. I can only say no."
"Okay then," and he took a deep breath, "It's my partners birthday soon and I wanted to buy her something special, but I always seem to get things wrong, so I'd appreciate a woman's advice."
