Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 1: Midnight, Blood Brothers, Songbird. Josephine Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ ragged, covering for you. I’ve half a mind to take this out of your salary, Redmond.’ Leaning forward with his hands on the desk, he glared up at Jack. ‘Right then! Let’s hear your explanation.’

      Jack was in no mood for a fight. ‘I’m sorry the others had to cover for me, Mr Branagan. But I had a doctor’s appointment, as you know. The thing is, it went on longer than I anticipated.’

      He was angered by the other man’s threats. ‘As for taking a bite out of my salary, I believe that would be unwarranted. I’ve never before asked for time off. I always stay on to clinch a sale . . . even if it takes me beyond my working hours – overtime, as you must know, is not paid. I shall be staying late tonight to make up the time, and, as far as I’m aware, no one has ever before been made to cover for me.’

      When the other man appeared taken back by his outright and honest reasoning, Jack swiftly went in with his proposition. ‘You’ve been asking if I might be interested in taking on the new northern showroom. Well, I’ve been giving it some thought, and the answer is yes. If it’s still available, I’ll do it. Just say when and I’ll be ready.’ There, it was said. One way or another, with or without the job, he was on his way north.

      ‘Good grief, man!’ Stuart Branagan almost leapt over the desk. Rushing round to shake Jack by the hand, he gushed with praise. ‘I’ve always known you were the right man for the job,’ he said. ‘All that about docking your salary – it was all just hot air – it’s been a stressful day. I value you too much, and you know it. There’s not a man here who has the experience or the number of sales under his belt that you have. Good decision, Redmond!’

      Gripping Jack’s hand in his meaty fist, he almost shook it off. ‘Well done, that man!’

      From the reception desk, Jan saw the exchange and was curious. ‘Cor! Branagan looks like the cat that got the cream,’ she murmured to herself. ‘I bet the old bugger got Jack to accept that job up north. He’s been trying to get rid of Jack from the minute he sat his fat backside in that manager’s chair. I reckon he’s jealous. That’s because Jack’s too good. Too well-liked and respected, and he’s stealing that fat little toad’s limelight. Hmh!’ Disgruntled, she went off for an unofficial fag-break. And if Branagan came after her, she was ready for him!

      Beside himself with excitement, the manager was delighted to be seeing the back of Jack, even though he was the best salesman he had ever encountered. Branagan was well aware that he himself only had this job as manager because, for whatever reason, Redmond had previously turned it down. That was a humiliating position to be in.

      ‘Very well, Redmond, you get on with your work for now, and I’ll make a few calls . . . see how the land lies. As you know, we understand the new showrooms will be up and running within the month, with the first consignment of vehicles being delivered towards the end of June. I do believe they now have a full contingency of staff, with the exception of the manager.’

      He gave a little snigger. ‘I think they’ve been waiting for you, Jack. It’ll be a feather in your cap, eh? More responsibility, more money and a secure future.’

      Jack thanked him, and made his excuses to leave. ‘I’d best get on.’

      ‘Yes, well, we do need to get this business signed and sealed while the iron’s hot.’ What he really meant was, before Jack had time to change his mind, ‘So I’ll call you in when I’ve had some feedback from Head Office. All right?’

      Jack made for the door. ‘Thank you, yes. I’ll be about.’

      As Jack closed the door behind him, Branagan punched his fist in the air. ‘ YES!’ Not wanting to let the grass grow under his feet, he set about making his calls. ‘The sooner I’ve got Redmond’s signature on that contract, the better!’

      At 5.30 p.m., half an hour before closing time, Jan told Jack, ‘The boss wants to see you in his office, after the others have left.’ She had already guessed what was going on. ‘I’m thinking he’s talked you into accepting that post up north. Would I be right, Jack? Have you gone and said yes?’

      When Jack gave a nod, she groaned. ‘I knew it! I knew he’d wear you down eventually. Don’t go, Jack! Don’t let him win. You know he’s been determined to get you as far away from here as possible, because you were offered the manager’s job here before him and you turned it down. Your presence here is a constant threat to him. Please, Jack! You won’t be happy, away from everything familiar.’

      Jack sighed. ‘You’re right, I will miss everything familiar,’ he smiled at her, ‘especially you and your weak tea and cheeky comments. I’ll miss all of you, but my decision has nothing to do with him. It’s what I want.’ His thoughts turned inward. ‘It’s something I have to do. Something I should have done years ago.’

      Disheartened, she went to get her jacket and handbag, ready to go home. ‘We’ll all miss you, I know that.’ It wouldn’t be the same here without him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, and despite the presence of Molly in his life, Jan had deluded herself that one day, she would persuade Jack to take her out, and he might even grow to love her. But that would never happen now. Tomorrow, she decided, she would switch her attention to Bill West, the new young recruit. ‘He’s a bit wet behind the ears,’ she muttered into her compact, while painting her lips bright pink, ‘but he’ll mature, and when he does, I’ll be there to teach him a thing or two.’ The naughty thoughts cheered her up no end.

      When the others were making their way out, Jack went into the main office, as requested. ‘Good man, Jack! Sit yourself down,’ said Branagan. He could hardly hide his delight at the thought of Jack being sent 200 miles away.

      Reaching across the desk, he grabbed a document. ‘Technology, eh?’ His smile was luminous, ‘The contract was emailed through a few minutes ago. I’ve been advised to ask that you take it home and read it inside out and upside down. So, here it is, Jack.’

      Branagan handed the document to him. ‘Look through it and make notes on anything that catches your attention and that you might want to talk about. Tomorrow Curtis Warren himself is travelling up from London. He wants to have a meeting with you.’

      In theory, Curtis Warren, the company’s big boss, had already given his approval of Jack, whose reputation went before him, as an accomplished and trusted employee, having been awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ status, two years running.

      Jack was not surprised to be told of the big chief’s arrival. He had worked with the man some years back, and knew how thorough he was. He told Branagan, ‘I’ll have my queries ready for the morning – if there are any.’

      ‘There are bound to be niggles,’ the other man said. ‘But I’m sure you won’t let a few lines on a page stop you from grabbing the best opportunity you’re ever likely to get.’

      Annoyed by the other man’s arrogance, Jack replied coldly, ‘I don’t accept that this is “the best opportunity I’m ever likely to get”, but you can rest assured I’ll read every word and make notes as warranted. I won’t deny, I would like this position. But when all is said and done, I mustn’t be too hasty. I mean, I’d be a fool to jump out of the frying-pan into the fire, don’t you think?’

      His mind was already made up, but he didn’t want to give the other man the idea that it was all a done deal. He wanted him to sweat on СКАЧАТЬ