The Woman Who Wanted More by Vicky Zimmerman

Author:Vicky Zimmerman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zaffre Publishing

Chapter Thirty-four

Dinner for Husband’s Managing Director (Solid Type)

Aim: to make it clear that while basically you are just the ‘little woman’ standing dutifully in the kitchen preparing a delectable meal, you are able (and, God knows, willing) to exchange the sink for the mink immediately, if the boss would deign to promote your hard-working husband.

KATE TRIES TO IMAGINE inviting Devron round for a slap-up meal at Rita’s in a last-minute attempt to salvage her job, then shakes her head. She might need to find inspiration on a different page . . .

‘Kate, Annalex – can I have an urgent catch-up?’ Ah, it’s the man himself, who has suddenly appeared and is now hovering awkwardly by their desks.

Kate subtly shifts a pile of paperwork over Cecily’s book. ‘Is this about redundancy or is it a Christmas catch-up?’ says Kate, reaching for her files as she looks up at Devron with a smile. Devron refuses to catch her eye and this sudden evasion makes Kate’s stomach drop.

What on earth had she been thinking, writing that whole heart-on-her-sleeve piece about food being essential to happiness? It was Mrs Finn and her art class, filling Kate’s head with ideas of bravery, of integrity. No wonder Devron won’t look at her. And of course Annalex’s submission will be crammed with data rather than actual words, and nothing gives Devron the horn more than a Mintel report he can quote to sound knowledgeable.

She traipses behind Devron and Annalex, head bent low as if bound for the gallows. By the time they’re seated either side of Devron in the boardroom, he still won’t meet Kate’s gaze. She’s starting to wonder if they’ll march her out of the office immediately like they always do with redundancies, and if so is there anything she should have taken off her computer? Or have the last two decades of work been entirely disposable?

‘Ladies,’ says Devron, sniffing loudly then wiping his nose with his hand. ‘I’ve had a read of your submissions, and in the interests of best practice I thought now would be a great time for you to read each other’s pieces – give each other some three sixty feedback.’

‘Why would you suggest that?’ says Annalex, as if she’s just found out Christmas has been cancelled.

‘Does that mean you haven’t made a decision yet?’ says Kate, equally disturbed.

Devron looks taken aback that the women are for once aligned, against him. ‘If I can finish? You’ve each approached the challenge quite differently, and I think it’s always positive to have transparent dialogue. You’ll have your decision soon enough.’

This must be the final hurdle, thinks Kate. He’s testing whether we’ll be supportive or back-stabbing. That, or he literally expects us to make this decision for him.

Annalex grabs the two documents, passes her own essay to Kate, then frowns as she reads Kate’s title aloud: ‘From astronaut bars to custard doughnuts – how our passion for food can help us inspire and nourish our customers. Is this your submission?’

‘Yes,’ says Kate, glancing at Annalex’s title:

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