Rory's Proposal (20 page)

It wasn’t
unusual for Grant to be summoned to Thomas Rory’s office. Tom would normally call him in for a catch up meeting after he’d been away for a few days. It would be the perfect opportunity for Grant to discuss the new role that had opened for a European acquisitions manager. Grant had had his sights set on this position for the last year and was expecting Tom to offer him the post sometime soon. Rory’s were expanding and this would be a big step in Grant’s career. It was a pity the Church Lane acquisition had gone a bit pear-shaped but Grant will have that sorted soon with a bit of persuasion. He’d found a good site for Flora Robson. Okay, it’s not in the best part of Notting Hill but at least it is not the site in the East End that Grant was hoping to get rid of. Who’d have thought a little hairdresser could be so much trouble? He tapped on Tom’s door and walked in. Thomas Rory was standing at the window looking at the view over the Thames. That was the great thing about having the offices at Canary Wharf, the views were spectacular.

‘How was Dublin?’ he
asks, helping himself to coffee.

Tom turns and looks at him, his eyes hard and his shoulders tense.

‘I saw your dad won. Congratulations,’ smiles Grant.

The smile
disappears from his face as Tom slams his hand down on the table. Coffee spills from the cup and runs over the papers on the desk.

‘
Did you make offers to Mr Patel and Terence Sharp before asking Flora Robson? You know what I’m talking about, divide and conquer, the quickest
way to get an acquisition. Did you tell them she was happy to sell and then and only then did you approach her?’ Tom asks angrily.

Grant swallows and shakes his head, feigning a look of shock.

‘Christ almighty is that what the bitch told you?’

‘
Careful Grant, we don’t talk about clients in that way. I thought you knew better than that. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt here.’

‘
I told you she was trouble. What kind of games was she playing with you in Dublin?’

‘
Let’s leave Dublin out of this.’

Grant laughs.

‘She really got to you didn’t she, and now you believe her lies. I told you that you can’t believe a word she says. The woman is crazy. She says one thing and then changes her mind. I can’t believe you’re taking her word over mine. Of course I approached her first. I’ve been with you for six years …’

‘
Yes, and I’m sincerely hoping that in that time you’ve always followed the rules and arranged a joint meeting with all the vendors. We don’t put pressure on people Grant. We have a reputation for being fair and we’re not going to lose that reputation. Now, I’m asking you again, did you approach her last?’

‘
I’ve found a nice site in Notting Hill for her. Okay it’s not as nice as Church Lane …’

Tom sighs and turns back to the window.

‘I really hoped you’d be honest with me Grant. I’d honestly thought you were the right man to head up our acquisitions in Europe …’

Grant jumps from his seat.

‘Come on Tom, you know I’m the right man. You can’t believe some bitter woman’s lies …’

‘
I do believe her. I also believe Mr Patel and Terence Sharp. They both remember when you approached them. They were not invited to a meeting and you told them that Flora Robson was selling but she wanted it kept quiet. They felt they had no option but to sell. Flora Robson never asked for a site in the East End of London because she never agreed to sell in the first place. What the hell were you playing at? If we don’t get the site, we don’t get the site. There are others. We give people options Grant …’

‘
It’s a bloody good site and you know it and that stupid hairdressers is a dump anyway. What’s the fuss?’

‘
You’re destroying Rory’s reputation and I won’t have that …’

Grant laughs sardonically.

‘I’m destroying Rory’s reputation? She made a bloody fool of you in Dublin. Is that what this is all about? I was all set to minimise the damage but you said …’

‘
Forget Dublin, Grant. It’s about doing things right. It’s about morals …’

‘
It’s one bloody site for Christ’s sake.’

‘
Morals Grant. Do you have any concept of what I’m talking about? That prescription idea, that great idea you came to me with. It was Flora Robson’s idea wasn’t it?’

‘
So what if it was. They could never have kept up with the demand like we can.’

Tom shakes his head in exasperation.

‘Flora Robson is determined to bring us to our knees. She probably won’t do it. But the publicity will be bad for business. I don’t know how long it will drag on for or what she plans to do and somehow I’ve got to smooth this over with the shareholders and …’

‘
We can get an inside man in there, find out what she’s up to. Beat her at her own game …’

Tom rolls his eyes.

‘You don’t get it do you? We don’t do things that way.’

‘
She’s just a gold-digger. It’s money she wants …’

Tom pulls off his jacket and opens the window.

‘You’re off acquisitions Grant.’

Grant stares at him in shock. It feels like someone just punched him in the stomach. For a second he can
’t speak. That gold-digging little bitch, and to think he’d found her a good site.

‘
You don’t mean that Tom, let me …’

‘
You’re out Grant,’ Tom says, turning from the window and facing him, his expression grim.

‘
But I’m the best you’ve got and you know that. Let me sort this out Tom, I may have done a few things wrong but it’s nothing I can’t put right.’

Tom smiles.

‘She hates me Grant. It’s personal now. We’ve got a fight on our hands and I don’t want you involved in it. You’re being transferred to accounts …’

‘
Come on Tom, we’re mates aren’t we?’ Grant pleads.

‘
You’re out Grant,’ Tom says with finality, throwing his jacket over his arm. ‘Martin in accounts is expecting you on Monday. Your salary will be the same, you’re not being demoted; you’re off acquisitions, that’s it. I’m sorry.’

Tom walks past Grant without another word and closes the door
behind him. Grant stares at the door, his heart as heavy as lead. He conjures up an image of Flora Robson in his mind. The little bitch, he’ll make her pay for this if it’s the last thing he does.

Tom

I take the lift to the top floor and wander out onto the roof where the view of London is spectacular. I take a deep breath and try to calm my anger. I needed to leave the office when I did. I could feel myself getting close to hitting Grant and that
’s the last thing I need after all that has happened. What a mess. I can’t possibly let the sale of those shops in Church Lane go through now. It would be immoral. But how the hell can I back out when Grant has made them such good offers? Damn him. What the hell am I supposed to do with the shops if Flo doesn’t want to sell? I thought Grant had more business sense. Why the hell didn’t he stick to the rules? He’s put me in an intolerable position. I rub my eyes tiredly. I can’t even tell Flo the truth without painting myself as a victim. I can only hope she backs down or gets tired of fighting. Whichever way it goes I’ve lost her forever. At least she’s not marrying that up his own arse Luke Wright. I’d like to think that had something to do with me but clearly she just saw sense in time.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I reluctantly pull it out.

‘Tom Rory,’ I say.

‘
Tom it’s Brent. I’m sorry to bring this up,’ he says and I hear the embarrassment in his voice. ‘I’ve just had the local paper on the phone, regarding Flora Robson and this protest that’s planned. They’re asking for our side of the story. They contacted Brian, one of the shareholders too …’

I fight back a sigh.

‘It’s
Church Lane
they’re asking about, not the other …’

I find myself smiling.

‘You don’t have to walk on eggshells Brent. We’re not engaged. Maybe we should send an email to the staff saying as much. I don’t want to draw too much attention to it but an internal memo might not be a bad idea.’

‘
I’ll get onto that right away Tom. But as I’m not too familiar with the Church Lane dispute I’ve asked them to hold fire on the story until we had more information for them. I hope I did the right thing?’

‘That’s fine Brent. I need to see you in my office say around three. I need to get you up to speed on the dispute. Meanwhile, I’m arranging a shareholder’s meeting for this week. I need to clarify a few things.’

‘
Okay Tom, I’ll let Grant know and …’

‘
Grant won’t be at the meeting. He’s off acquisitions as of today.’

‘
Oh, that’s sudden,’ Brent says, clearly shocked.

‘
I’ll see you at three,’ I say, before hanging up.

I scroll into my text messages
and open the message from Flo. The only one I’d ever received from her.

I want you to know that Luke and I have broken up. I’m only telling you in case you hear from someone else and think you were responsible. I want you to know that it had nothing to do with you. You’re just scum that came into my life and I’m going to wipe you clean of everything. I shan’t give up my salon and I’ll show the whole world the kind of man you are. You’ll regret meeting me as much as I regret ever meeting you. Flora.

I save the message and push the phone back into my pocket. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I have a feeling Flora Robson is going to be the biggest challenge of my professional life and most likely my emotional one too. I take one last look at the scenery that is bathed in a watery sun and then turn to the door. Let the war begin.

‘
What do you think?’ asks Sandy.

I think it smells like something has died in here. I only hope it wasn
’t the last lodger. Mind you, it’s hard to smell anything over the tobacco odour that emanates from the landlord.

‘
It’s a bit dim isn’t it?’ says Ryan. ‘You’ll never see what you’re bloody eating or where you’re pissing.’

‘
It’s those new bulbs; they take a while to get going. It’s called progress,’ says Rick, the landlord.

‘
Right,’ says Ryan. ‘I’ve met a few guys who take a while to get going but I’ve never called it progress.’

‘
The kitchen is this way,’ says Rick, stepping ahead of us. Ryan grabs my arm.

‘
Aren’t there any sodding windows?’

‘
It’s a basement flat you wally,’ says Sandy with a tut. ‘That’s why it’s cheap.’

‘
That’s not the only reason it’s cheap if you ask me,’ mumbles Ryan.

‘
That’s the beauty of a basement flat. You can walk around starkers all day if you want, and no one will see you,’ says the landlord.

‘
In this light you’d be lucky to see yourself,’ retorts Ryan.

‘
It’s getting brighter,’ says the landlord defensively.

We look stony
-faced at the kitchen.

‘
I think I preferred it before the light bulbs progressed,’ says Ryan quietly, looking at the small sink and stained drainer. He wipes a finger across the old-fashioned cooker and grimaces.

‘
Well, that hasn’t seen a Brillo Pad for a while.’

We peer warily inside the fridge. Ryan sniffs.

‘The beauty of this …’ begins the landlord.

‘
Frankly love, if you don’t mind me saying, there is no beauty in this place even with the progressive lighting.’

‘
The beauty of this little place,’ continues the landlord, ignoring Ryan, ‘is you’ve got a Rory’s just around the corner. If you run out of bread …’

We all glare at him.

‘Classic,’ mumbles Ryan.

‘
It’s all I can afford,’ I say miserably. ‘I’ve worked it all out. By the time I pay the mortgage and all the bills to do with the salon, and my rent. I’m barely going to have enough left to eat.’

‘
We’ll be popping round with casseroles so often you’ll be overcome,’ smiles Sandy.

‘
Speak for yourself love,’ pipes up Ryan. ‘I’ll pop round with the odd kebab but I’m not making no casserole.’

‘
Now you can see the living area. There’s a two-seater couch and
a bean bag. Of course you can add some stuff of your own.’

‘
Where exactly?’ quips Ryan. ‘Or is there another floor for us yet to peruse?’

Rick stifles a sigh and says,

‘Shall we look at the bedroom?’

The bedroom is so small that there is just enough room for a bed and a bedside cabinet.

‘The bathroom is en suite, so that’s a good feature,’ smiles Rick.

‘
Full of positivity this guy isn’t he?’ says Ryan.

‘
Well, I’ll leave you to discuss it. Like I said, as Jethro is a mate I’m happy to let you have it at a reduced rate,’ says Rick. ‘I’ll just be outside if you need me.’

The door clicks shut and Ryan groans.

‘You can’t be serious love,’ he says, pulling some hygiene wipes from his holdall.

‘
Some flowers and a few pot plants and I’m sure it will look lovely,’ I say.

‘
You could grow some lavender,’ adds Sandy.

‘
I imagine something is already growing in this place and it most certainly isn’t lavender,’ Ryan groans, offering around the wipes.

‘
And you’re getting it at a reduced rate,’ says Sandy.

‘
That’s the free rate is it?’ Ryan says sarcastically.

‘
Hi, it’s me,’ shouts Devon, flinging open the front door.

She stops dead in the living room.

‘Holy fuck,’ she says, her eyes widening.

‘
The lights haven’t progressed yet,’ says Ryan handing her a wipe. ‘It gets better apparently.’

‘
Shit Flo, you’ve got to be kidding. This is what I gave up my lunch hour for?’ Devon grumbles.

‘
You’re not seeing it in its full glory,’ says Ryan.

‘
It’s the best so far,’ I say.

‘
And you don’t know the best bit,’ says Ryan. ‘There’s a Rory’s on her doorstep, you know, should she need a pint of poison to cheer herself up,’

‘
I’m going to become an alcoholic aren’t I?’ I say depressingly.

‘
What are you talking about?’ says Devon.

‘
I’ll drink so I won’t have to face where I’m living and then I’ll drink even more to drown my other sorrows. I’ll become an alcoholic.’

‘
No you won’t,’ says Ryan.

‘
Why not?’

‘
Because you won’t be able to afford it, love.’

‘
It’ll be great Flo,’ says Sandy, hugging me. ‘We’ll have a painting party.’

‘
Don’t you think you should have a cleaning party first?’ asks Ryan.

‘
Ryan, can you just try and be positive for once in your life?’ snaps Sandy.

‘
This is being positive.’

I drop onto the couch and a plume of dust fills the air.

‘Well it’s either this or I move in with my parents and I can’t face that. Or I buy a sleeping bag and sleep at the salon …’

‘
You can move in with us,’ says Sandy, falling onto the couch beside me and sending more dust
into the air.

In their hash
-fogged flat? I don’t think so. I’d be stoned just from breathing. I’d rather be an alcoholic.

‘
I’m going to take it,’ I say resolutely.

Rick walks through the door at that moment.

‘What’s the decision guys?’ he asks.

‘
I’ll take it,’ I say.

Well, what other choice do I have?