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

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      At ten thirty, Jack was behind his desk, feeling reasonably confident, but not taking anything for granted.

      Just as he was beginning to wonder if they had cancelled the interview, he noticed a black Lexus driving up to the front of the building, and he recognised the man inside as Curtis Warren, the boss himself.

      ‘Hey!’ Jan the receptionist poked her face round his office door. ‘I expect you’ve already seen him, have you?’ She made a sad little face. ‘If he approves the posting, don’t take it, Jack. I’ll miss you too much. We all will.’

      Jack smiled, ‘Let’s not jump the gun, eh?’ he warned. ‘We don’t know for sure that I’ll get it.’

      ‘Oh, you will.’ Like everyone else there, she knew it was a foregone conclusion. Catching sight of Stuart Branagan making his way to Jack’s office, Jan slunk away. ‘See you later, eh? And good luck.’

      A few moments later, Jack was summoned to the main office.

      ‘Sit down, Redmond,’ Branagan commanded. ‘You already know Mr Warren.’ Warren was a tall, well-built man of confident stature.

      ‘Great to see you again, Jack.’ Reaching out, he shook Jack by the hand. ‘I understand you’re ready to take on the responsibility for the new showrooms. Am I right in thinking that is still the case?’

      Jack nodded. ‘You are. I have with me the signed contract. If you want me there, I’m ready to go.’

      ‘Mmm. Well, there are a number of reassurances we need from you. Firstly, Do you understand that this is a long-term responsibility?’

      ‘I do, yes.’

      ‘And are there any reasons why you might not be able to stay the course, if the job was offered to you?’ He gave a knowing smile. ‘Obviously, we’re concerned about domestic arrangements – that kind of thing.’

      Jack was brusque but respectful. ‘First of all, can I say I was led to believe that the post was already offered – subject firstly to my acceptance, and then to your approval.’

      The other man smiled again, only this time his smile was genuine. ‘That is absolutely true, yes. In fact, I was the first to suggest you for the posting. I’ve known you for a long time, Jack. Having worked together for some years, I believe you’re the right man for the job. I know from experience, you won’t let us down.’

      His smile faded. ‘As you can appreciate, this new venture is costly, and needs to be monitored at every step. We have to be sure that it’s going to work. In other words, we don’t need any hidden agendas, which is why I put that question to you just now.’

      ‘I appreciate that. But you should know me better than most, and what I’m saying is, there are no hidden agendas – at least not on my part.’ His deeper meaning did not escape them.

      Curtis Warren looked him in the eye. ‘Unfortunately, Head Office still remembers a certain occasion some four years ago, when you actually turned down a posting very similar to this one, and later on, the job Mr Branagan is doing so ably now. So, you can understand why we need to be sure it’s what you want this time round.’

      ‘You can be sure. You have my word on it.’

      From the receptionist desk, Bill West and Jan watched with great interest. ‘Looks like he’s getting a right grilling,’ Jan commented, secretly pleased. ‘I know Jack, and he’ll only take so much before he tells them to shove it where the sun don’t shine.’

      ‘Remember, it’s a managerial post,’ Bill reminded her. ‘You don’t easily turn your nose up at an offer like that. Well, I know I wouldn’t!’

      Jan made him a promise: ‘Your turn will come,’ she said confidently. ‘You’re made for promotion.’

      ‘Are you saying I suck up to the big guys?’

      ‘Not yet, no. But you will.’

      ‘Hmph! Thanks for that. I thought you and I were on the same team?’

      ‘We are. Only I’m happy just being a dogsbody, while you and Jack are meant for higher things.’

      ‘Hey, that’s a really nice thing to say. Thank you, Jan.’ Bill gave her an appreciative glance.

      ‘I really don’t want him to go,’ she said woefully.

      Bill grinned. ‘I knew it! You’ve got your eye on Jack, haven’t you?’

      Jan blushed bright pink. ‘Don’t be silly!’ It was the truth though.

      Seeing how embarrassed she was, Bill said, ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have teased you like that. None of us want Jack to go – he’s the backbone of this place. I’ve only been here for a few weeks, but even I’ve noticed what a waste of space Branagan is. Jack does twice as much work and shoulders too much responsibility. Our so-called manager squats behind that desk, like a fat king summoning the minions. I’ve yet to see him dirty his hands, or even make his own cup of tea. He doesn’t even pull his considerable weight when the salesmen are run off their feet, or someone is away sick.’

      Jan was horrified. ‘Ssh! You’d best not let him hear you, or you’ll be out on your backside before you can say “Jack Robinson”!’

      Just then, a customer arrived and Bill rushed to attend to her, all the more eager because she was young and easy on the eye.

      Half an hour later, Jack emerged from the main office. Jan held her crossed fingers behind her back, hoping that he had turned the new posting down, or that the powers-that-be had changed their mind, for whatever reason.

      The look on Jack’s face said it all. ‘Oh, Jack! You got it, didn’t you? Say something, dammit!’

      Jack leaned over the desk, smiling from ear to ear. ‘Yes, I got it, Jan, my little darling! I want everyone to come to the Red Lion tomorrow night. It’s time to party!’

      ‘Congratulations, Jack!’ she was genuinely pleased for him. ‘We’re not losing you just yet though, are we?’

      ‘Not yet,’ he reassured her. ‘There are a number of things to be put in place before I can move up there. Somewhere to live, for one.’