by Mary Lyons
‘Just a minute!’ he ground out angrily. ‘What do you mean by “sexual harassment”?’
‘I was still employed by you during our trip to Tahiti, right? I’m sure any court would take a dim view of a boss wickedly seducing his poor, innocent assistant, miles away from the comforts of her home and family.’
‘Unless, of course, the wicked seducer claims that the so-called “innocent assistant” was, in fact, a raving nymphomaniac who seduced him!’ Jack retorted swiftly.
‘That...that’s a damn lie!’ she gasped.
‘Prove it!’ He gave a careless shrug, despite the glint of stormy menace in his hooded grey eyes.
‘If you want to play these stupid sorts of games, Laura, it’s entirely up to you,’ he continued. ‘However, if taken to court, I’ll certainly claim that you were more than wilting. Besides, we both know that I gave you several opportunities to change your mind about my wicked advances. Just as we both know that you’re still crazy about me! So, I don’t think a claim of sexual harassment is going to get you anywhere.’
‘You can say what you like, but I still reckon that I’ve got a cast-iron case against you for unfair dismissal!’ she retorted fiercely, determined not to let his vicious barbs get under her skin.
‘Oh, come on, sweetheart!’ he sighed, and shook his head. ‘What is the point of us quarrelling like this? If you don’t want to take the job with Bill Chapman, it’s hardly the end of the world. The important thing is that you and I—’
‘This row isn’t about that rotten job—it’s you I can’t take any longer!’ she lashed back angrily. ‘It’s obvious that finding me a dreary job in a voice-over agency is a good move on your part. It would certainly get me out of your hair, wouldn’t it?’ she added bitterly. ‘But, if you think that I’m also taking on the job of your part-time mistress, you’re very much mistaken!’
‘I did not say that,’ he retorted curtly.
‘True—you didn’t spell it out, but that’s exactly what it sounded like to me. Or are we talking about a serious commitment to one another? Because it’s about time you laid your cards on the table once and for all.’
‘For heaven’s sake, Laura!’ He shook his head with exasperation. ‘We hardly know one another. It’s really far too early to—’
‘Correction! We’ve worked closely together for a number of years. So I can’t imagine there’s much you don’t know about me—or vice versa,’ she retorted swiftly.
He stared at her incredulously for a moment, before giving a short, sharp bark of sardonic laughter. ‘Are you seriously suggesting...? You aren’t talking about marriage, surety?’
‘Not necessarily,’ she snapped. ‘I’m talking about something you clearly don’t understand: plain, boring, old-fashioned fidelity and commitment—either in or out of marriage. But that’s a foreign country to you, right? Because what you’ve been really saying all along is: “If Laura is a good little girl, and minds her ps and qs, she may get to see the great Jack Wilder—when he isn’t too busy seducing any other passing female who might catch his eye.” ’
Jack’s lips tightened into a hard, thin line as her high-pitched, sing-song tone of voice seemed to echo around the room.
‘For an intelligent woman you certainly can be incredibly stupid at times,’ he grated angrily.
‘Well, I’m sorry, but your idea of a relationship certainly isn’t mine!’
‘Rubbish!’ he growled. ‘You know that we care for one another.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong!’ she snapped, trembling with rage and fury at having been such a fool to have even let him inside her apartment. ‘You only care about Jack Wilder. So it’s a case of thanks—but no, thanks,’ she stormed. ‘I’d rather lose this apartment and go hungry than accept the few miserable crumbs you’re prepared to throw my way!’ she added, marching determinedly towards the door. ‘So get out—before I have you thrown out!’
‘You must be stark raving mad—completely out of your mind,’ he snarled, quickly catching hold of her arm as she tried to pass him, swiftly spinning her around to hold her hard up against his hard body. ‘You know you’re crazy about me.’
‘I’m certainly crazy to have had anything to do with you,’ she agreed bitterly. ‘I should have known that such a two-timing, flaky human being wouldn’t know what it means to really care about someone. Because caring means commitment—and you haven’t the first idea of the meaning of the word!’
‘Have you finished?’ he growled savagely through tight lips, the skin beneath his tanned cheeks pale with rage and fury.
‘I certainly have—now beat it!’
‘Don’t worry. I’m going! I should have known better than to fall for such an over-ambitious, work-obsessed virago, with hair the colour of carrots!’ he sneered, before tossing her aside and striding quickly towards the front door.
‘Carrots...? Are you colour-blind as well as being a two-timing bastard?’ she yelled, quickly seizing a nearby cushion and throwing it after him as hard as she could. ‘My hair is auburn—and don’t you forget it!’
Still trembling with fury, she was astounded when, after opening the front door on his way out of her apartment, Jack returned to her sitting room only a few moments later.
‘What now?’ she demanded angrily.
‘I found this left outside on your doorstep,’ he retorted through clenched teeth, tossing her a huge, Cellophane-wrapped bouquet of flowers. ‘So don’t you ever again have the sheer, barefaced audacity to accuse me of being a two-timing bastard!’
But, before she could demand to know what on earth he was talking about, Jack had quickly spun around on his heel, his fast-disappearing figure swiftly followed by the sound of her front door being loudly slammed shut behind him.
A few minutes later, her normally soft lips set in a grim, angry line, Laura picked up the phone and began impatiently dialling a number.
How dared Jack open the small envelope pinned to the bouquet? Quite apart from anything else, it was none of his business who was sending her flowers, for heaven’s sake! And how he could possibly take exception to the brief message—‘I hope you’ll reconsider your decision and agree to say yes to my proposal. Yours, Donald’—she had absolutely no idea.
However, this afternoon’s confrontation had finally pushed her over the edge. If Jack Wilder thought that he could just walk all over her, he was going to find out that he was badly mistaken! Because not only was she now going to accept Donald Hunt’s offer to set up her own theatrical agency, but she also had every intention of causing the maximum amount of trouble and grief for her rotten ex-employer!
CHAPTER FOUR
LAURA shook her head. ‘No, I’m afraid that it still doesn’t look right. Maybe it would be better if I sat with my back to the window?’
‘Mmm... you could be right,’ Susie agreed thoughtfully, both girls wincing at the sound of deep, audible groans from the removal men.
‘Give us a break, darlin’,’ the foreman protested. ‘You’ve already had us putting this flipping desk in more positions than the Kama Sutra!’
‘I’m sorry,’ Laura giggled. ‘It’s just that I can’t quite—’
‘Look—how about making us some tea or coffee in that high-tech kitchen of yours?’ the foreman suggested, shepherding them firmly towards the door. ‘And, while you’re doing that, we’ll see if we can’t get things sorted out in here. Right?’
‘That’s the best idea I’ve heard all morning!’ Susie laughed as she and Laura made their way down the corridor. ‘Quite frankly, I could cheerfully murder someone for a cup of coffee!’
‘While I’d happily sell my soul for a long, hot bath,’ Laura admitted ruefully. ‘I reckon that moving, whether it’s to a new home or into a new office, is strictly for the birds!’
‘High-tech’ certainly seemed to be the perfect word to describe not only the kitchen but their new office suite as a whole, Laura told herself as she began filling the kettle, while Susie unpacked some cups and sau
cers. In fact, the sheer size of the three large and well-lit rooms, plus a luxurious bathroom and fully fitted kitchen—together with a collection of ultra-modern office desks and chairs—was still something she was having difficulty getting used to.
It was also making her feel extremely nervous about her new business venture. So many firms went into liquidation these days. Maybe she too would find herself facing bankruptcy—just like the previous occupant of these offices?
“The poor guy had hardly begun to unwrap the stuff before going spectacularly bust and high-tailing it off to South America,’ Donald Hunt had explained, gesturing towards the smart, modern, Italian-designed furniture, when showing Laura and Susie around their new business premises. ‘Luckily for you, as it turns out, he’d given me a year’s rent in advance. So, have fun, girls!’ Donald had added with a grin, before tossing them the keys and leaving Laura to survey her unknown future with nervous trepidation.
She was well aware that being driven by overwhelming rage and fury was not the best basis for the foundation of a new business. That sort of enterprise required, above all, a cool head and the ability to make objective decisions. On the other hand, maybe dashing in where angels might fear to tread had been the right approach after all. Because she’d been so busy over the hectic last few weeks that she really hadn’t had time to think hard and long about her impetuous decision.
Donald Hunt had been amazingly generous. Calm and matter-of-fact, when she’d phoned him in an almost hysterical state, following the abrupt departure of Jack from her apartment, his cool and relaxed reception of the news that she’d changed her mind and would accept his backing for her own theatrical agency had done much to soothe her battered feelings. And in their subsequent meetings—which had also included Susie, whom she’d asked to join the new firm as her personal assistant-Donald had laid out the ground rules concerning his investment.
‘You can have that office suite, rent-free, for the next twelve months,’ he’d told them. ‘And I’m also prepared to put in enough working capital to cover costs and your two salaries for the same amount of time. Which should enable you to get up and running.’
After mentioning the sum he had in mind, which had left Laura and Susie gasping at what they regarded as an amazing amount of money, Donald had also added a stern note of caution. ‘I don’t want you two girls to get too excited. Right here and now, twelve months might seem a long time. But you’ll both find that it passes very quickly—especially if things start going well and you find yourselves rushed off your feet. You’re also going to discover that I’m a hard task-master.’
However, Laura had been amused to note that his words of warning were accompanied by a warm smile in Susie’s direction. Clearly Donald had taken a shine to the bubbly, petite blonde girl.
‘While I’m not expecting you to repay me too fast or too soon,’ he’d continued, ‘I’ll be keeping a regular eye on your accounts. That’s just to make sure I’m not dealing with a lame-duck organisation, and that you’re well on the way to making some serious money in the future.’
He’d also given them two strong pieces of advice. ‘One: it’s essential that you engage the services of a first-class bookkeeper, to come in regularly—say, once a week. Two: never skimp on the support staff. Because, if you try to save money by doing all the boring, mundane jobs, you won’t have time to spend on the phone, or to get out and about meeting new contacts, which is essential if you’re to succeed in this business.’
Both she and Susie had been grateful for his advice, and had laid their plans accordingly. Apart from the usual steps taken when setting up a business, Laura had been undecided as to what to call her new firm. After mulling over various ideas, she’d had a sudden flash of inspiration, which had sent her laughing all the way to Companies House to register the name she’d chosen. However, well aware that Susie was not likely to give it her wholehearted approval, Laura had been grateful that they were both so busy, thus enabling her to avoid any explanations until, she’d hoped, it would prove to be too late to alter her decision.
And they certainly had been busy! During the few short weeks between accepting Donald’s offer and moving into their new business premises she’d spent long hours on the phone, contacting various casting directors and young, hot-shot theatre producers with whom she’d had a good working relationship in the past.
Unfortunately, Laura was only too well aware that in starting up a new agency she faced a difficult, chicken-and-egg situation. On the one hand, she must have the promise of exciting roles to offer her actors—while on the other she needed to have on her books a number of actors sufficiently talented to attract the interest of casting directors. It was a delicate balancing act, and there had been many times over the past few weeks when she’d wondered if she hadn’t, in fact, bitten off far more than she could chew.
Ashamed of having suddenly fallen victim to stage-fright, and desperately trying to combat her misgivings about the large step she was taking, Laura had been comforted by her new assistant’s brisk, no-nonsense approach to their business.
‘Don’t be ridiculous—of course you can do it! In fact, I’m quite certain that this firm is going to be a raving success,’ Susie had told her, refusing to take any notice of her new employer’s nagging doubts and uncertainty.
‘We’ve both got masses of contacts in the business,’ the other girl had reminded her. ‘So it’s my betting that it won’t be long before we’ve got more work than we can handle. And for goodness’ sake stop worrying about Jack Wilder’s reaction,’ she’d added firmly. ‘I can’t think why you seem to be so obsessed with our former employer. After all, he’s such a big fish in the theatrical pond, why on earth should he be bothered about tiny minnows like us?’
Everything Susie had said made perfect sense. But, all the same, Laura was quite certain in her heart of hearts that Jack wasn’t likely to be at all happy about her new venture. He would—quite rightly, of course—see her attempt to form an agency as a direct attack on him personally. And that was an aspect of their relationship which she couldn’t, under any circumstances, discuss with Susie.
However, she’d done her level best to be honest and up front with her new assistant. After explaining that she and Jack had fallen out following a monumental row, the details of which she preferred to keep strictly private, Laura had been brutally frank about her feelings for her ex-employer.
‘I don’t want you to misunderstand the position,’ she’d warned. ‘Jack and I are now at daggers drawn with one another. In fact, it’s probably true to say that we hate each other’s guts! And, since you used to be his personal assistant, he might well resent the fact that you’re now working for me. Once he discovers that I’ve set up my own agency—and in the same building as his office—I can virtually guarantee that he’s going to be very angry indeed.’
But Susie had refused to listen to her words of caution. ‘So you had a row and parted company. So what? It happens all the time, and especially in the theatrical business. Maybe it’s something to do with looking after all those highly strung, temperamental film stars. Besides,’ she’d added, ‘I did contact Jack’s office some months ago to see if there was any possibility of returning to work in the firm. But apparently he’s now got a marvellous secretary, who has no intention of leaving her job.’
Laura nodded. ‘While Betty and I didn’t particularly like each other, I have to admit that she’s the perfect, super-efficient and loyal-unto-death type of personal assistant.’
‘Well, there you are.’ Susie shrugged. ‘If Jack couldn’t offer me a job, it stands to reason that I was going to have to find one somewhere else. However, although I worked for him over a number of years and know just how hard and tough he can be at times, I refuse to believe that he’s capable of being either mean or spiteful.’
Well, let’s hope that Susie will prove to be right, Laura told herself now as she spooned instant coffee into the cups. In any case, it was pathetically feeble of her to be wor
rying about that ratfink Jack Wilder, who picked up and discarded women with the speed of light. She wouldn’t be starting up her own business if he hadn’t deliberately chosen to give her the sack. Not to mention his typically arrogant, male assumption that she’d still be willing to continue their relationship outside of business! Well, she’d certainly made her feelings clear about that crazy idea.
‘Excuse me, darlin’,’ the foreman said, interrupting her unhappy thoughts, as he put his head around the door.
‘We won’t be a moment,’ Laura told him hurriedly.
‘Nah, it’s not that. I just wanted to let you know that a smart geezer has just walked into the office, wanting to see whoever’s in charge. And he don’t look too happy, neither,’ he added with a grimace.
‘I can’t think who...’ She frowned. And, as Susie was gazing at her with an equally surprised and puzzled look on her face, Laura shrugged and followed the foreman back down the corridor.
Momentarily dazzled by a strong shaft of sunlight pouring in through the window of the largest office, Laura could only see the silhouette of a man outlined against the light. However, she immediately recognised the tall, dark figure, even before he swung around at the sound of her approach.
‘My God—it really is true!’ Jack ground out furiously. ‘When Betty told me that a new firm had taken over these offices, and that she’d also caught sight of you entering the lift, I refused to believe her!’
‘Betty always was a nasty bit of work. It’s about time she learned to mind her own business,’ Laura retorted breathlessly, desperately wishing that he hadn’t caught her so unprepared. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, with virtually no make-up on her face and her hair in a mess, she hardly reflected the scenario she’d had in mind for their first meeting in her new offices.
‘Kindly leave my secretary out of this!’
‘That’s no problem. Especially since I wouldn’t dream of employing such a ghastly old snoop,’ Laura countered grimly as the removal men scuttled hurriedly from the room.