Despite his entrance, Katie first reaction was to lower her head to her papers and bring her hand up to her forehead. Her hair flopped forward and hung half across her face. Her heart had given an immediate lurch and she felt sweat break out across her brow and over the rest of her body. As she heard her name mentioned by Sue, she realised that the game was up and she stole a quick glance at Peter. She was not surprised to see him staring at her with an amused and quizzical expression on his face, one eyebrow raised slightly. There was a pause before he spoke.
“Ah, THE Katie McGovern no less. Funnily enough, I already seem to know a lot about you. Congratulations on the deal with Logistics…..they're not an easy company to crack,” he said slowly. He turned back to Sue and, with what Katie thought to be a sly smile on his face, nodded at her to continue.
“Yes, thanks Peter. Anyway. Katie has already discussed implementation timelines with Logistics and we have a six month window starting today. I've discussed role allocations with Julie and we want Katie to continue to project manage and David, as your current assignment finishes at the end of the week, we want you to head up the tech side. Is that OK with everyone?”
Sue looked up and, not expecting any challenges to her previous statement, she continued. “Great. OK, so.....”
At that moment Peter Jarvis looked up from some notes that had been handed round and said.
“Hang on a sec, Sue. What are the parameters of the deal? How big is it exactly?”
“Well, I think we should let Katie outline those. She's closest to their requirements. Katie?”
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Katie who had gone into complete meltdown mode. She stared down at her papers and started mumbling.
“I, well, thanks, Sue, um, it's difficult to say really. Logistics are looking to, um, well I need to confirm the final details and …..” Katie fell silent. She knew she was making a total fool of herself but her mind had gone into a sort of mush. She stole another glance at Peter and his piercing eyes bore into her with astonishment. She turned her head towards Sue and saw that her face bore an expression of surprise.
“Well, I can see you've still got some prep work to do on this.....Katie,” said Peter. “I haven't got time for this. Let's re-convene when you've got yourself together. Sue. Julie.”
With that comment, Peter got up, acknowledged everyone with a quick nod of his head, and walked purposefully out of the room which was left silent.
Katie drew in a huge breath and willed herself to be calm. She had cocked up badly and now she knew she needed to get herself together to salvage both the deal and, probably, her reputation.
“So what the hell was that all about?” said Julie, looking accusingly at Sue and Katie in turn. “The boss comes in for the first time in months and we look like total idiots. Great!”
“Look, I'm really sorry. I've got all the information here, it’s just that.....” said Katie.
“Just what exactly?” retorted Julie. “It’s like you've seen a ghost.”
“I'm really sorry about that Julie,” muttered Sue, back peddling like mad to appease her boss. “I'm sure Katie knows the info. Let's press on anyway and get some of these things sorted.”
Katie drew in a big breath, knotted her hands together and started to speak again.
Later, as she sat at her desk, she shuddered as she relived the meeting. With a superhuman effort, she had managed to run through the objectives and, even though she knew her performance had been woeful, everyone had seemed satisfied and the meeting had broken up about thirty minutes later.
Katie still felt in shock when she saw Sue beckoning at her from behind the glass wall in her office. With a heavy heart, Katie made her way down the corridor between the workstations and into Sue's office. She sat down on one of the chairs behind the desk and started talking.
“Look, Sue, I'm sorry about that, I was just a bit taken aback when Peter Jarvis came in, I kind of had not been prepared.....”
“You behaved like a love lost teenager. God, it was so embarrassing. I hope he doesn't start asking questions, otherwise we could both be in trouble. What's it all about anyway?”
“Nothing, really nothing. I was just a bit tongue tied.” Katie said earnestly. “Nothing's wrong, really.”
“Well, I don't know if there is going to be any backlash from this. I'm sure our Mr. Jarvis doesn't like to get taken for a ride,” retorted Sue, clearly angry with Katie.
“Look, it was a one off thing. Nothing's the matter and I will handle this project brilliantly. If I don't, you can sack me…..” As soon as the words were out of Katie's mouth, she stopped, seeing Sue's eyes half close and her mouth purse.
“Mmmn. That moment might come quicker than you think if you go on behaving like you did today. Just take my advice, steer clear of Peter and if he wants to get involved in this deal personally, I might have to take you off the project.”
“You can't do that.....no don't worry, everything will be OK.” Katie said, now almost in desperation.
“OK, OK, I'm sure it will be fine. You'd better go and get on. You've a lot to do…..and prove, now.”
Katie arrived back at her desk seething to herself. In a matter of a few days her career had almost gone off the rails.....and all because of a man! Not only that but her pathetic reaction to one. God, she had to get a grip otherwise it would be curtains.
A strong cup of coffee later, Katie felt well enough to get up and make the short trip to David's office. As she approached she distinctly heard her name being mentioned.
“.....and you should have seen her…..she went all tongue tied and pathetic. It was as if he had kicked his cat. She must have a crush on him or something.....” laughter followed and, as Katie entered the room, her face burning, the conversation abruptly stopped. David and a colleague were standing by his desk with amused smiles on their faces.
“Well, well, here's the love struck girl herself. What's this thing between you and Peter Jarvis then?” said Chris, the other group technical leader.
“Oh, shut up Chris,” replied Katie angrily. “I was just a bit stuck for words. After all, it’s not everyday you have to present to the boss. It just took me by surprise. I bet you would struggle.” Katie stopped, realising she was now blabbering. This situation was getting worse and worse, she thought to herself fleetingly. She took a deep breath.
“Anyway, if you two have finished your rather girly gossip, can we just run through the initial work schedules?”
“Sure Katie. Keep your hair on. We're just joking. I mean....Peter Jarvis! He is pretty formidable and I wouldn't fancy him being in one of my meetings. So calm down, OK?” David responded.
Katie smiled gratefully. “Thanks David. Let’s get on then, shall we?”
Later, when she was ensconced back at her desk, Katie realised that she had to get a grip of the situation otherwise things could get out of hand. But what should she do? Peter Jarvis' intervention this morning had hit her both physically and mentally and she realised that this whole issue between them was still open. She needed to discuss it with someone and definitely not anybody here at work. She was just about to ring Josie when her phone rang. Picking up the receiver, she saw it was Hugo ringing on an internal line. She sighed. She was not in the mood for a conversation with this particular person and she knew things were coming to a head with him.
“Hi Hugo, how goes it?” she said.
“Great, thanks Katie. I was just wondering if you fancied going out tonight for a drink, or something to eat. No work talk, I promise,” said Hugo.
Despite her misgivings a few moments ago, Katie made a split decision and replied.
“That would be nice. I could do with some distraction from this place…..it’s driving me bonkers at the moment.”
“I am your official diversion then. Let’s meet at the wine bar round the corner and go on from there at, say seven?” Hugo replied.
“Can we meet at that new Italian on Bridge Street instead? There'
s less likely to be anyone from here there, if you know what I mean.....”
“Sure, understood, I'll see you there.”
With that, Hugo said goodbye and hung up. Katie put the phone down and smiled. That was good. She needed to return to some semblance of normality and a nice meal with Hugo would suffice. She knew she would still have to confront the future of their relationship, but, in the meantime, he was good company and that is exactly what she needed at that moment.
The rest of the day was filled with spreadsheets and timelines as Katie drew out the project on her customised software. Despite the problems of the day, she felt confident that she was on the right track with the work, and a good e mail from the French client at the very last thing, cheered her even more. She headed out of the office feeling more upbeat than at anytime that day.
By 7.10, she was sitting at a table in the restaurant, flicking through the menu and sipping on a cold glass of wine. She spotted Hugo coming in and rose to greet him. They embraced warmly and sat down.
“Sorry I'm late,” said Hugo, slightly out of breath. “I got stopped by Alastair in IT. Do you know him? No? He's one of the tech geeks and he had a question about.....anyway that doesn't matter. So how are you? Did you have a good weekend? How are your parents? What's new?”
Katie smiled. “Whoa…..calm down. Yes thanks, I had a good weekend. Mum and Dad are fine thanks.”
Hugo smiled back and they fell into an easy banter. Katie fell a surge of warmth for the man and realised that they did get on well. He was smart, good looking (although not in Peter Jarvis' league!) and he made her laugh. He was obviously very fond of her and Katie of him.....but....Katie didn't really know what the “but” was at this stage. She just knew that her life had been irrevocably changed with regard to men and that was going to affect her relationship with Hugo - and probably her attitude in general to opposite sex going forward.
Dinner finished with a liqueur, a real treat on a Monday, and, as they went outside and stood by the side of the road, Katie knew that Hugo wanted to come back with her. He put his arm around her shoulders and looked around for a cab. She turned to him and their lips met. He smelt good and his tongue tasted of the drink they had just had. However, before she could stop herself she was mentally comparing his kiss with that of Peter Jarvis and immediately realised it was not in the same league. Despite these feelings, their tongues lazily circled and Hugo's grip on her tightened. He drew his head back and smiled.
“You're lovely Katie, you know that?” he said in a low voice. “Let's get a cab.”
Katie took a deep breath, knowing what she had to do.
“Hugo, I've had a great time but I'm knackered and have an early start tomorrow…..can we take a rain check? I know that's what I said on Friday and I'm sorry.” Katie then quickly added, seeing the look on Hugo's face.
“I just need my beauty sleep tonight, if you know what I mean.....” she squeezed his arm, knowing that she was floating out an obvious invitation, one that she was suddenly almost certain now she would not act upon. She had a pang of guilt but it was only fleeting, particularly as she saw the look of disappointment on his face turn into one of anger and frustration.
“Fine Katie. You do what you want. We'll see each other soon, OK?” He bent to kiss her again and their lips touched. Gone, however, was the intimacy of a few moments before, to be replaced by a more brusque and businesslike feeling. And with that he turned and walked off up the street towards the tube.
Katie watched him go with a curious twinge of regret. She knew that the exchange could have signalled the end of their fledgling relationship and she was not sure how she felt about that. Above all, the last few days had turned all her preconceptions and thoughts on men and relationships on their head…..even though she was trying desperately hard not to let it. The moment of intimacy with Peter Jarvis had, however fleeting it may have been, changed her, and she now realised there were deeper emotions within her waiting to be unlocked.
She watched Hugo disappear around the corner and turned back to the road to find a cab. Seeing a familiar orange light she raised her hand, waited until the vehicle drew up alongside her and climbed in.
As she watched the familiar streets of London pass by, she let her mind wander into a world where she and Peter did get together. She wondered what type of world that would be and how she would possibly fit into it. And then she thought of Peter Jarvis himself and felt that unfamiliar tug of emotion and desire. Despite her misgivings and whatever the consequences, she couldn't stop the earlier feelings that there was unfinished business between the two of them.
CHAPTER 6
The following morning, Katie had made up her mind on the course of action.
After she had arrived home last evening, and then later in the middle of the night, she had thought long and hard, weighing up all the pros and cons and possible outcomes. Despite her determination to put the incident in the south of France behind her, she knew she could not without some sort of closure. Her current feelings about men, manifesting themselves in her actions the previous night with Hugo, screamed out for her to do something and, as the morning sun rose up into the sky, she had decided her course of action.
After she had logged in to her computer, she rose from her desk and made her way to the stairs. She had purposefully come in a bit early to beat the rush and, as she walked up to the executive offices, she was glad she had made that decision. This was going to be hard enough without the prying glances of her colleagues.
She walked up to Nancy Kleiner, Peter Jarvis' trusted assistant, who was already engrossed in her monitor. She knew Nancy slightly but was still aware that this course of action was slightly unusual, to say the least.
“Morning Nancy, in early as always I see. I was just wondering if Peter was in and free?”
Nancy looked up inquiringly and smiled at Katie.
“Oh hi.....” Nancy was obviously having trouble remembering Katie's name, so she stepped in
“Katie McGovern, from sales”
“Oh yes.....of course. How are you Katie? Yes Peter's in…..but I don't recall seeing a meeting in the diary with you.”
“No, you wouldn't....” Katie said quickly, “because I haven't…..got a meeting that is. I was just wondering if he had a few moments to discuss an agreement I have been working on in France. Peter knows about it.”
Katie was aware that she was again starting to babble. What was it about this man that reduced her to a nervous wreck?
Janice looked at her strangely. Katie knew what she was thinking. Why on earth would Peter Jarvis want to discuss a deal with a lowly salesperson?
“I'll check….to see if he has a spare moment.”
She rose and walked behind her chair to open the door to the Chief Executive's office. She went in, closed the door behind her and Katie heard muffled voices. Despite the slightly incredulous look on Nancy’s face as she went in to the office, Katie pretty much knew he would see her and the thought of being alone with him again was making her stomach start flipping again. She felt her pulse hammering in her throat as she stood nervously in the hall. She took a deep breath and Nancy retuned through the door.
“He'd be happy to see you,” she said, obviously surprised that he had agreed so readily.
“In you go.”
Katie smiled gratefully and, shaking her hair out from behind her ears she walked purposefully into the office and shut the door behind her. She then turned to look at the person who, singlehandedly, had turned her life upside down in a matter of days.
“Hello Katie,” said Peter, smiling. “I'm so glad you came by. Please sit down.”
He pointed to the couch at the side of his office and stood up himself. He came round his desk and stood in front of her.
Katie backed over to the sofa and sat down. Peter seated himself on an armchair next to her and she was immediately pleased he had not sat on the sofa as well. This was going to be hard enough without the threat of physical proximity.
<
br /> “I thought it would be a good idea to come and speak to you.” Katie started, a trifle lamely.
“And I'm so glad you did,” murmured Peter, a small smile playing around his lips. Katie looked at him hard, wondering just how much he was playing with her. Nevertheless, she plunged on.
“Yes, I realise I should have mentioned something about me working for you in France but it never really came up and the more time passed, the more difficult it was to say anything.....and anyway, what difference would it have made?”
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