‘Right, Alice, Carmel,’ Brenda said, ‘we’re meeting to ensure all is working as well as it can be.’
‘Well, clearly it’s not, is it? Because I’ve been summoned here away from work that actually matters, to be criticised for goodness knows what,’ Carmel said.
‘Carmel, there’s no need to get defensive,’ Brenda said.
‘Really?’
Alice noticed the cold glare Carmel directed at Brenda, the intensity of which told her there was some history to Carmel’s hostility towards the HR Manager. Suddenly she found herself wondering how many of Carmel’s PAs had sat here before her, how many meetings like this had been called. Alice straightened her back and became determined not to be the next one to leave.
‘I suggest you just get on with it. What petty complaint has been made about me this time? Let me guess, Alice is complaining about being too busy, unable to cope with the fast pace of this office, my exacting manner. We’ve had words along these lines already, which doesn’t bode well for long-term employment, does it, really? Alice, didn’t you tell me in the interview you were known as “Little Miss Helpful”?’ Carmel said sweetly, her head cocked to the side and smile firmly in place.
‘Carmel, I’d be fine if you didn’t have me running all over the city for you on personal errands,’ Alice said, unable to remain silent another moment.
‘You’re my personal assistant, Alice, it’s what you signed up for,’ Carmel said with a sneer.
At that moment Alice thought her the ugliest woman she’d ever seen – how could she have thought Carmel beautiful, been in awe of her? Alice had no response that wouldn’t sound petty. Thankfully Brenda took control again.
‘We’re here to find harmony, not attack anyone, Carmel. If Alice can’t get all her important work done, then we have a problem.’
‘No, we find someone who works quicker and smarter,’ Carmel said. ‘And I thought you held such promise, Alice.’
And I you, Carmel, Alice thought, too bewildered and scared to speak. This wasn’t what she’d been expecting at all.
‘She’s under probation, just get rid of her,’ Carmel said. ‘Why is she still here if she isn’t happy, anyway?’
‘She has impeccable credentials and comes highly recommended, Carmel,’ Paul said.
‘Well, someone or several somebodies lied,’ Carmel said.
‘She really was the best candidate,’ Mary said.
‘Yes,’ Rose said, nodding.
Hey, I’m right here, Alice wanted to say.
‘Look, can we please just stick to the facts and find a satisfactory way forward,’ said Brenda. ‘Carmel, I’ve seen the volume of, um, personal texts and emails you’ve bombarded Alice with and …’
‘Oh dear, it’s like being in high school all over again,’ Carmel said, with a brittle laugh.
‘No one should be expected to respond to them all and fulfil their other obligations,’ Brenda continued, ignoring Carmel. ‘And, bombarded is not an understatement,’ she said, looking at Paul. ‘Frankly, I’m surprised Alice has done as well as she has so far.’
‘Oh, come on, Brenda, what would you know about anything? You’re HR, for goodness sake.’
Again Brenda ignored the barb directed at her. ‘For the record, Carmel, Alice didn’t come to me. I asked her to meet with me to check how she was settling in, which is actually an important part of my job. Alice is too much of a professional to …’
‘But you’re not, Brenda. I know you’ve got it in for me. Just remember whose name is on the door.’
‘I’m fully aware, Carmel, you don’t need to threaten me,’ Brenda said patiently, keeping her tone neutral. Alice was impressed at her fortitude and restraint.
‘Ladies,’ Paul said, ‘we don’t have time for squabbling. I want to see these text messages and emails. Or have you deleted them, Alice?’
‘No, they’re pretty much all there,’ Alice said and passed her phone over. There was silence while he scrolled and read, his eyes opening up wide as he went.
Alice looked down, feeling Carmel’s gaze burning into her. Her head pulsed with the intensity of a hammer hitting her temple over and over.
‘What’s this about Saturday?’ Paul asked, looking at Alice. ‘We haven’t approved overtime for Alice yet,’ he said, now looking at Carmel.
‘How’s the girl going to get a grasp of the industry without attending auctions and opens? I was doing her a favour, for goodness sake. What is wrong with you people?’
Girl? Excuse me, I’m a thirty-year-old woman!
‘It’s too soon – let her get a handle on how things work back here first,’ Paul said.
‘She should be able to handle both, otherwise she’ll never get anywhere.’
‘Carmel, you need to keep it work-related – her job description might be personal assistant, but … We’ve been through this before,’ he added with a tired, exasperated sigh.
Uh-huh, Alice thought.
‘Well, thanks a lot for your support, Paul,’ Carmel practically spat.
‘Seriously, Carmel, just leave Alice alone to do her job,’ he said.
‘I might if I thought she had enough initiative, enough smarts.’
‘Perhaps you need to trust her. We won’t know what she’s capable of if you keep hovering and overloading her unnecessarily, Carmel,’ Brenda said.
‘Carmel, I really want to learn from you,’ Alice said, looking up pleadingly at Carmel. I need this job.
‘Well, lesson number one. Don’t be a tattle tale,’ Carmel said, rising, flashing Alice and then Brenda sickly smiles, and striding across the room. Mary and Rose grimaced apologetically at Alice before getting up and following her out.
‘I’m sorry, Alice, Brenda,’ Paul said, nodding to them both. And suddenly Brenda and Alice were alone.
‘Well, that was fun,’ Alice said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
‘I’m really sorry, Alice. Some people just can’t take constructive criticism of any sort.’
That’s the understatement of the year, Alice thought, but kept the comment to herself. ‘Where to from here?’
‘Carmel might have seemed unwilling to listen, but Paul’s words might have hit home.’
‘Hmm. I’m not the first, am I, Brenda?’
‘Unfortunately not. But I can’t say any more than that. I hope you’ll understand.’
‘I really need this job.’
‘I know. And Carmel really needs a decent PA, so let’s hope something good has come out of today’s meeting, even if it doesn’t look like it right now. I’m sorry about how uncomfortable it was for you, especially with her bringing an entourage. I had no idea she’d do that.’
‘Thanks for standing up for me, Brenda. I really appreciate it.’
‘There’s no need to thank me, Alice, I’m doing my job. I’m just sorry it didn’t go better. I’ll keep in touch, but remember, you’re not alone. I’m just a phone call away if you need to talk. Any time.’
‘Thanks.’
Alice returned to her chair feeling dejected. Thankfully Carmel had left the building.
‘How did it go?’ Pip asked, her head appearing over the partition.
‘Terrible. I don’t think we achieved anything except piss Carmel off.’
‘Oh dear. Well, that’s not hard. Hang in there. Please don’t think it’s you.’
‘Thanks. I’ll try. Um, Pip?’
‘What?’
‘What happened to her last PA?’
‘Carmel happened,’ Pip whispered. ‘And to the one before and the one before that.’
‘How many?’
‘Something like six in the last two years.’
‘Wow.’ Alice’s eyes were wide. ‘Seriously?’
‘Yup,’ Jared said, popping up beside Pip.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Alice said.
‘I really wanted it to work out with you,’ Pip said. ‘It didn’t feel right to taint your experience.’
‘Yeah. Jobs are ha
rd enough to get at the moment as it is,’ Jared said. ‘When you said you were talking with HR, we really wanted to share some home truths, we really did. But we’re not allowed to talk about it – under threat of being fired.’
‘Mmm, that’s right,’ Pip said.
‘Really?’ Alice said, her eyes now even wider with slight disbelief. ‘God.’
‘Yes. Seriously. It’s like the company’s dirty little secret. But you didn’t hear that from us,’ Pip said.
‘No, you most certainly did not. Please don’t be mad at us,’ Jared implored, tilting his head and putting on puppy-dog eyes and a pout.
‘Of course I’m not mad with you guys. It’s not your fault this place is strange and secretive. And I do get that rules are rules. I really appreciate you taking the risk now. It’s a bit of a relief to know it might not be just me, so thanks for that.’
‘If only there was something we could do to actually help,’ Pip said, offering a grim, sympathetic smile.
‘Well, it means a lot to know you care.’
‘Oh we so do,’ Pip said. ‘We’re here for you, Alice.’
‘Yes, chin up. You’re too beautiful to be sad,’ Jared said, pouting again. ‘Chin up.’
‘Yes, hang in there, Alice,’ Pip whispered, putting her hand over Alice’s and giving it a quick squeeze. ‘Come on, Jared, we’d better get back to it. I’m not entirely sure this place isn’t bugged,’ she said. Their heads disappeared and the next moment they could be heard tapping on their keyboards.
Alice didn’t think the office really was bugged but found herself shuddering nonetheless. After today, she’d put nothing past Carmel.
Chapter Twelve
Alice was pleased she’d already told Pip and Jared that morning that she had to get home early and wouldn’t be staying for Friday after-work drinks. As she made her way down Bourke Street to the train station, her head was still spinning from the meeting and the brief conversation afterwards over the partition. Wow, what an exasperating but eye-opening day! She wasn’t mad with her work friends for not saying something before. She’d probably have taken the same approach if she were in their position. And really, knowing the truth didn’t change anything, except perhaps make her more determined to succeed. She still needed the job.
Alice was looking forward to David arriving home in a few hours; that’s what she needed to focus on. Boy did she need a hug and his calm, solid, sensible presence. She was cooking a lamb roast with all the trimmings to celebrate. It would be a late meal, but one worth waiting for. She was also making a sticky date pudding from scratch, knowing that cooking always eased her tension and tonight it would take her mind away from work. She really hoped David’s plane would be on time and he’d be home at a reasonable hour. At this point she was aiming to eat at eight o’clock.
At least I don’t have to worry about being summoned by Carmel tomorrow, Alice thought as she settled into a seat and the train took off smoothly. She wouldn’t dare now. Though Alice did feel a slight pang of regret. It hadn’t been such a bad day and she was keen to learn all the inside tricks from someone so successful.
On the way home, Alice noticed that her anxiety levels had gone down a notch, now that the barrage of requests of a personal nature had ceased – suddenly and completely, as if a tap had been turned off. Actually, there hadn’t been a single text or email from Carmel since the meeting. Like Brenda said, she’d be off processing what had gone on and deciding how to proceed. Alice really hoped it would be a better, more realistic and productive relationship going forward. But the knot still tied in her stomach told her Carmel’s reaction had been quite benign and that she was kidding herself if she thought the woman would change her ways because some newly appointed PA happened to call out her behaviour.
Oh well, at least it was all in the open now and Alice seemed to have the support from Paul higher up. And of course she had Brenda on her side. It felt good to have aired it – she didn’t feel quite so alone – but being a ‘dobber’ didn’t sit well with her. It was such a no-no at high school and she’d carried that attitude with her into her adult life. But she really hadn’t been left with any alternative, had she? Perhaps she should have told Carmel she was struggling and asked if she could tone down the personal requests. Yeah, right, Alice scoffed. She actually shuddered at picturing herself approaching Carmel direct. She wished she could put her finger on what it was about Carmel that so intimidated her. It wasn’t just that she was her boss and one of the heads of the organisation. Alice had never had a problem with authority. And she certainly didn’t with Paul. She really liked him. And it wasn’t because Carmel was extremely wealthy. Rich or poor, people were just people to Alice.
She opened the front door and looked around to see where Bill was. As usual he was well back out of the way, sitting like a good boy.
‘Darling Bill, god, you’re a sight for sore eyes,’ she said, picking him up. She was so tired and over-wrought from the meeting and the subsequent toing-and-froing in her head she almost wept. She knew that owning a pet was good for one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. She’d read plenty about it in the press recently. But she never would have thought that the effect of just seeing Bill’s wagging tail and non-judgemental face greeting her at the door would be so dramatic and immediate. She didn’t even care that her clothes got covered in a fine layer of white and brown fur.
‘You’ve no idea how much joy you bring, Billy boy. If only you could come to work with me. You’d have Carmel wrapped around your little paw and the ice in her veins would melt and flow warm in no time.’ Alice reluctantly put the dog down. She didn’t want to stop feeling his warm little body and heart beating against her.
‘You deserve a walk before we start on dinner,’ she said as she went through to the bedroom and got changed. ‘A walk, what do you think?’
‘Woof,’ was the response.
Alice laughed. ‘Good boy. Come on then.’ She did her shoes up and grabbed his lead and clipped it on. ‘Your dad’s going to be home later and we’re cooking him a yummy dinner.’
Alice heard the key in the front door just as she put the pudding into the oven. She slid her hands out of the oven mitts, placed them on the bench, and raced down the hall to greet him, Bill trotting ahead of her.
‘Welcome home, darling,’ Alice said. ‘Ooh, that’s nice, you don’t smell like an icky traveller at all.’
‘No, I managed to get a shower in Sydney on my way through. God, it makes such a difference,’ he said. But still he didn’t embrace her.
‘How are you feeling, how was the flight?’
‘Okay. It’s nice to have a welcoming committee,’ he said, reaching down to pat Bill. ‘Something smells good,’ he said with a smile.
‘Roast lamb and then sticky date pudding,’ Alice said proudly. ‘Thank goodness you’ve already showered, because it’s ready right now. If you’re okay to eat?’
‘I certainly am! The trip was good, thanks. Everything is coming together.’
Alice wasn’t sure what David did on these trips or what the meetings or social functions entailed or what was discussed, and she didn’t care to know. A few years ago she’d given up really listening to his work chatter after she’d realised it was more about him venting, debriefing, and getting stuff off his chest than helping her to understand what he did in his job, or encouraging her to have an opinion. She’d learnt the hard way that he thought it would all go over her head. These days she nodded with interest and made soothing, encouraging noises and shows of sympathy when appropriate.
‘How did your meeting go with HR and Carmel?’ he said a few mouthfuls into his plate of roast meat and vegetables swimming in gravy, just the way he liked it.
‘Terrible. But it feels good to have been heard and I’m not so alone. But she turned up with Paul, Rose and Mary. And there I was with Brenda. Talk about mortifying and intimidating!’
‘I guess that was rather the point. I don’t blame her, though. I probably would have done the s
ame.’
‘But why? It was just meant to be a meeting between Carmel and me, facilitated by Brenda.’
‘I guess she felt threatened. It’s unlikely a meeting like that would be called to give someone a pat on the back for a job well done. Of course you’re going to get straight on the defensive, if you’re smart.’
‘Right. Well, anyway, she threw a hissy fit – well, a Carmel-completely-measured-and-composed-hissy-fit. She got snarky, wouldn’t really listen and sort anything out. Defensive, really, and then she walked out.’
‘And you’re surprised, why?’
‘I don’t know, I suppose I thought she’d be more interested in working through things and sorting out a satisfactory way forward.’
‘You dragged her into a meeting with HR because you complained about her, Alice, of course she’s going to be pissed.’
‘What else was I meant to do? Anyway, you suggested it!’ Shock mixed with Alice’s rising frustration.
‘I know, but I didn’t think you’d take that option quite so quickly. It’s been less than a month. There are always going to be a few teething issues and settling in time needed. I’ve told you all this. And don’t forget, as far as she’s concerned she’s done nothing wrong – you’re the newcomer who’s meant to be working for her.’
‘So, you think I’m being a petty dobber? Well, thanks a lot!’
‘Come on. I just think you’re taking longer to get into the swing of things than you’d hoped and you’re letting the frustration get to you.’
‘You don’t know what it’s like. It’s horrible,’ Alice said, picking up her empty plate and taking it to the sink.
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