Stay Mad, Sweetheart

by Heleen Kist

  I squeezed a shoulder on each of my two friends. ‘That’s okay. I’m still in.’

  54

  CLAIRE, NOW

  Claire arrives at the conference centre at 8AM. She spreads her arms and breathes the large venue in.

  Today’s the big day.

  Everything has built up to now.

  The floor shines and the scent of lemon fills the air. Doors won’t open for registration until nine thirty, but Claire always makes a point of showing speakers where they will address their audience in advance and giving them a last run through of the sequence of events. Can’t leave anything to chance.

  The florist rushes around lancing last-minute willow twigs to bring more volume to the rose and dahlia arrangements. Quite right; they cost enough.

  Justin enters at the far end of the hall. He looks small. Neat, though; pressed chinos and what looks like a brand-new white shirt. Fake tan?

  Claire’s smile lifts her cheeks so high her lashes meet.

  Showtime.

  She walks towards him. ‘How was breakfast?’ she asks, knowing he’d been due to meet PeopleForce’s CEO.

  ‘It was good,’ Justin replied. ‘I mean, it was awesome to meet him. He’s such a hero of mine.’ He shrugs. ‘He seemed a little disinterested, considering what’s going to happen later.’

  ‘He only arrived last night. He’s probably still jet-lagged.’ Claire pats his back. ‘I’m speaking to him later and I’m sure everything will be perfect. I even got you two beautiful silver ballpoint pens to sign the documents with. To keep.’

  ‘That’s a nice touch, Claire. Thank you.’

  She leads him to the small breakout rooms where he, Laura, and some other industry experts will have their sessions, and keeps the best for last: the auditorium for the keynote speaker events. The raised stage features a giant screen emblazoned with the Empisoft logo, fronted by theatre-style seating for four hundred people.

  He seems to take the scale of it all in. ‘This is going to be a great day.’

  Claire smirks behind his back. Is it?

  ‘Is the signing ceremony here?’ he asks.

  ‘No, this room isn’t suitable for the press. We’ve moved the “Conference Close” session on the agenda from here to the main bar. There will be canapés and drinks. Even though the delegates don’t know there will be an announcement, they are certain to stick around for that. And it will give the press a better opportunity for celebratory-looking photos and interviews.’

  ‘Can I have a look?’ he asks.

  ‘Sure. I think they’ll still be setting up the cocktail tables.’

  Claire escorts him up the stairs. The bar stands on the side of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding offices. The caterers are knotting large red and green ribbons around the tablecloths on the elbow-high tables dotted around the room. Claire thinks of the box she left at the entrance; the Empisoft goodies she still needs to scatter around.

  ‘What have you told the press, in the end?’ Justin asks.

  ‘I’ve had to pull out all the stops,’ she replies. ‘Call in some favours. You don’t normally get the national papers to come without them knowing why. They know there will be an announcement and I’ve promised them something big. PeopleForce’s CEO will need to lay low until the end.’

  Justin points to the five golden chairs set up in a semicircle at the rear of the small stage erected for the occasion. ‘There’s a band?’

  ‘Yes. Let me run you through the proceedings.’ Justin follows Claire to the side of the stage. ‘First, people will gather here for drinks, and a jazz quintet will play softly. Then, your Chairman takes the stage and thanks the conference delegates for coming. He introduces PeopleForce’s CEO — our surprise guest.’ Justin’s face lights up. Claire savours his excitement. ‘There will be a thin, transparent lectern set up already with the silver pens and documents.’ She ushers Justin onto the stage. ‘You step onto the stage directly behind him and stand on his left side, here. He makes the announcement of the acquisition.’

  ‘And the delegates go wild.’ Justin gives a mock cheer.

  ‘Yes, they probably will.’

  Justin steps across the stage, practising his placing. He looks out onto where the people will stand. Claire gives him a moment. This is huge for him. The crowning glory of years of work.

  She almost feels bad.

  Almost.

  Claire walks to his side. ‘You give your few lines saying how thrilled you are about the acquisition, and that Empisoft gets to continue operating under its own brand, yada-yada. The CEO announces your new role. Congratulations, by the way. California, eh? That’s so cool.’

  Justin puffs up his chest and rubs his hands. ‘It’s going to be the best thing ever.’

  Claire raises her index finger like a schoolteacher. ‘Now, it’s critical that you leave the stage when he motions for you to leave. Okay? We don’t have much time to keep everyone’s attention. When he extends his left arm to the side, you go. Okay?’

  ‘Yes, yes.’

  Claire’s cheeks tingle. She’s worried she belaboured that point a little too much. ‘Throughout this all,’ she says, ‘the photographers will be taking pictures. Make sure you stay close. And as soon as it’s all over, you and he will be taken to a side room for interviews.’ She points to the curtain through which the VIPs enter and leave the wings. ‘Got it? Any questions before you go get ready to open the conference?’

  ‘No. It’s all great. Only seven hours to go to change my life. I think it won’t truly hit me until later.’ He brings both hands to his head.

  In hers, Claire warns him to brace for impact.

  55

  SUKI

  Angus draws the heavy velvet curtain behind his desk partway across the window. ‘Better?’

  Suki un-scrunches her face. ‘Yes, much better. Thanks.’ Her right cheek still feels warm from where the morning sun hit it. She flaps her white blouse at the open collar to let in some air. She feels the moisture build under her arms — but that’s not from the sun.

  The door opens. There are no office sounds; they’d agreed to meet extra early.

  Diane enters, carrying her tea in a porcelain cup. Suki long ago noticed that Diane never offers drinks in a meeting and had put it down to Diane taking a subtle feminist stance. So often it was the woman doing the catering, ‘being Mother’, that it became the default, which could skew the power dynamic in the group. Suki had adopted the practice herself, and it had served her well, but watching Diane ignore her and Angus’s empty hands while gleefully sipping from her cup, she realises her previously inspiring role model might just be equal to the ‘old boys’ in another way: selfish.

  Diane gives Suki a knowing look. Suki acknowledges it with a nod.

  Diane lowers herself in the armchair next to her, facing Angus. ‘Well, guys. We’re going to have some celebrating to do tonight.’ Diane raises her cup. ‘Suki’s done an excellent job; don’t you agree?’

  Angus leans forward and says, ‘Yes, great job.’ He opens his mouth.

  Diane speaks instead. ‘And apparently PeopleForce’s CEO was so impressed with Suki, and her technological insight, that he is retaining us to keep them informed of any exciting new companies in Scotland they could be interested in.’

  ‘He is? That’s excellent.’ Angus rubs his hands. ‘That will certainly help with the monthly fees. And there may well be more acquisitions to follow. Excellent work, young lady.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Suki lets the ‘young lady’ slider. She waits for Diane to strike. Her wet blouse itches at her armpits. It’s one thing to play hardball on behalf of your client; it’s quite another to shake things up for yourself.

  Diane clears her throat and smooths her dark grey skirt. ‘I think it’s important to capitalise on this. The technology sector is where it’s all at. Our manufacturing clients are in decline. Other sectors are stagnant. This can help us propel Madainn to the forefront of corporate finance in
Scotland again — don’t you think?’

  Angus nods, looking slightly puzzled at Diane telling him what he surely already knows.

  Diane purrs like a Jaguar engine. ‘Here’s the thing. If we’re going to be the pre-eminent corporate finance boutique for the technology sector, and maybe attract more companies like PeopleForce to give us a watching brief on the sector, I think we need to be projecting a fresh, modern brand. Hipper. More diverse.’

  Suki inhales deeply.

  Diane delivers the lines they’d agreed upon perfectly. ‘I’m convinced — and Suki is too — that this is the right time for a renewal, a change in leadership.’ Diane lets that hang a few seconds, no doubt expecting Angus to sputter, to object.

  But Angus grins.

  Suki’s heart is racing.

  Here we go.

  ‘Funny you should say that, Diane,’ Angus says. ‘Because Suki and I are thinking the same thing. It’s time for you to go.’

  Diane’s head flips between Angus and Suki.

  Suki struggles to maintain a neutral face as she squeals inside. She shrugs demonstratively. The two dinosaurs can fight it out. She’s keeping her powder dry.

  Angus rises from his seat. ‘You see, Diane, I do not believe that condoning sexual harassment fits with — what did you call it? — a fresh, modern brand.’ He’s pacing, as if speaking to a wider audience. ‘In fact, we don’t think it’s very hip to be covering up for your pathetic son’s disgusting habits.’ His eyes grow cold. ‘It’s time you retired.’

  Diane pushes herself up. They stand squared off against each other, only a foot apart. She’s lifted to his eyeline by her heels.

  She purses her lips, then spits, ‘You’re making a big mistake.’ She looks down at Suki, nostrils flaring. ‘You both are.’ She presses her index finger against Angus’s chest ‘Don’t you pretend you’re such a pillar of morality... adulterer. And I thought we had an understanding... Or would you like me to share your dirty dealings with the wider world?’

  How predictable. When Diane plotted her coup with Suki, she shared some of the accounting skulduggery that Angus had been involved in as a director of a trust. It was dirt she’d had on him for years. Last night, Angus had confessed to Suki that he was tired of Diane holding that over his head, forcing him to go along with the payoffs to the women Robert had pestered.

  They were both despicable people. Privileged, old school, believing they had all the power. On that, they were wrong. Suki had just allowed them to treat her like a pawn in their games, while she figured out who was worse, who deserved to be booted out. She knew the firm wouldn’t survive if they both went, and she couldn’t do that to her colleagues. One would stay standing today.

  Suki feels she has the power. And still, she waits. And watches.

  ‘Listen, Diane,’ Angus snarls. ‘I think it would be in your own interest to leave voluntarily, on good terms. You see, Suki’s tremendous achievements in this firm have opened my eyes to the value of a diverse work force. I’ve become a staunch supporter of the MeToo and TimesUp movement.’ His tone is a little too sarcastic for Suki’s taste, but she’ll deal with that later; he’s on a roll. ‘And I believe that in this climate, the press would be very hungry for a story of an older, complicit woman. One who put the interests of her badly-behaved son above the interests of her sisters. Bring in a couple of poor victims who’ve been bribed into silence, and you’ve got yourself a cracking story. And a son whose career prospects are utterly shattered.’

  Diane’s mouth opens and closes like a fish. ‘You wouldn’t.’

  ‘I would,’ he says, calmly.

  ‘But Angus, you signed off on these payments too. Plus, I’ve still got the trust files on you.’ Diane’s voice wobbles like the last, defiant pin on a bowling alley.

  ‘Indeed,’ he said. ‘And doesn’t the story get so much better when the despicable, conniving woman has also blackmailed her partner to cover it all up? I bet they’d find that much more interesting than “financier fiddles with accounts”. Who hasn’t seen that a hundred times before?’

  They’ve both still not moved. They hiss at each other within a breath’s distance, oblivious to Suki’s presence. She watches the exchange with her heart thumping in her chest. Witnessing her strategy fall into place.

  One more push.

  Angus shuffles a few steps to the side. He raises his open palms in a gesture of offering. ‘It doesn’t have to be this way. You can leave and maintain your dignity. You can keep your reputation intact, if you leave. Both you and Robert need to leave.’

  Ashen-faced, shoulders slumped, Diane surrenders. ‘Agreed.’

  ‘Good. I’m glad we’ve sorted this out.’ Angus moves towards his desk. Smug, self-satisfied. It makes Suki sick that he got this victory — for now.

  ‘I want to be the one to fire Robert.’ Suki’s voice startles the other two. Their heads turn towards her. She fixes her gaze on Diane. ‘If you want both of you to leave here smelling of roses, I am the one firing your son. Unless you’d like to do it yourself? You’d be more than welcome to.’

  Diane’s jaw falls. ‘No.’

  Of course not. What mother would?

  Suki extends her arm towards the door. ‘You can go. I still have some business with the firm’s one and only partner.’

  A perplexed-looking Angus falters midway through sitting down. Did he really think that was it, just because it had all gone to plan?

  Diane slams the door.

  Angus shakes his head and gives Suki a cynical look. ‘I know what’s coming.’ He drops into his chair, elbows on the table, his fingers steepled. ‘I bet you want me to make you partner. After all, you’ve now got the dirt on me, too.’ He blasts a whiff of air from his nose. ‘You’re all the same.’

  Suki rises and shifts her bum from the chair to the corner of his desk. The word insolence springs to mind. She smiles.

  ‘Ah, Angus, that’s where you’re wrong. I have no interest in blackmailing you with what I’ve learnt. And that’s my problem with you.’ She runs her hand through her hair. ‘Women are not all the same. Women are not all “girls.” There’s as much difference between women as there is between men. And women are as competent as men are — if not more. Think what I’ve achieved with PeopleForce.’

  Of course, he hasn’t even heard the latest.

  She continues, ‘Women are not subordinate. We are equal. And attitudes like yours have got to stop. Here’s what is going to happen...’

  Suki raises three fingers.

  Not one.

  Three.

  Angus strokes his neck nervously.

  ‘I really have no interest in blackmailing you.’ She watches him, imagining his internal fight: could he trust her? Only she knew she was telling the truth. ‘First, the easy one,’ she says. ‘We’re going to change the tone in this organisation. No more talk of “girls”, no more tolerance of sexual innuendo — by anyone. You will lead by example, and discipline where needed. You’ll need to take a course on systemic bias.’

  Angus follows her lips, nodding. Probably has no idea what she means. She sees his jaw stiffen. He’ll be wondering what number two is.

  ‘Second, initiate a progressive recruitment policy. No more old boys’ network. No more nepotism. I have shown you what women can do. Now get more of them, openly and fairly.’

  His features relax.

  Oh, I’m not done.

  Suki tells him about number three.

  ‘You can’t be serious,’ he sputters.

  ‘I am. This is what it will take for you to keep leading this firm, for your unsavoury financial dealings to remain buried. It’s a steep price to pay, but you’ll pay it.’

  Angus’s spirited objections fall on Suki’s deaf ears. He looks defeated. ‘I’m worried that when I tell Diane, she’ll explode and who knows what she’ll do. It’s like kicking her after she’s down. It’s just not gentlemanly.’

  ‘Ha! Have her announce it, then. I’m sure she’ll be delighted wit
h the boost to her reputation. Consider it a farewell gift.’

  Angus wipes his brow with his handkerchief. ‘Are we done?’

  Her mind jumps back to the start of their conversation. He opened a door; and she wasn’t one to leave such a door ajar. ‘I said I had no intention to use your secrets against you to force your hand in making me partner. And that’s true. I promise you that they’re erased from my mind.’ Suki sweeps her fingers across her forehead and whistles. ‘But let’s be clear: I do want to make partner. And you’re in a bit of a pickle because legally, the firm can only be a partnership if there is more than one. Diane will soon be gone. You need to pick someone, and I want that someone to be me. And believe it or not, I want it on merit. No special treatment. Nothing sinister. Purely on performance.’

  Angus frowns. ‘And what? You think the Empisoft acquisition ticks that box?’

  ‘Oh, no. That was me merely doing a good job. It’s time for you to see what a great job looks like.’ Suki smiles. ‘I bet I can squeeze another three million dollars from PeopleForce — on top of the hundred million valuation — by the time the acquisition is announced this afternoon. And if I succeed, I’ll have proven myself worthy of your blessing.’ She curtsies for effect.

  Angus guffaws. ‘You, my young lady, have a giant pair of balls.’

  ‘Now what did I tell you about the language around here?’

  He crosses his arms. ‘You’re on. It’s too late, anyway. You’ll never manage that.’

  Except she already has.

  Suki closes the door to Angus’s office behind her, her throbbing heartbeat punching holes into her breaths. She checks the corridor is empty and does a little dance on the balls of her feet. The front door slams shut in the distance; she retracts her outstretched arms. Was that Diane leaving?

  She struts toward her office, mentally playing out the further victories today will bring. She spots Robert walking to their office from the front of the building, head down, texting on his phone.