“Aren’t you going to lunch?” Mr. Hancock asked as they were leaving.
She smiled as she put a receipt in the proper file. “I’ll be right along.” Of course, she had no intention of going to lunch today, but she didn’t want her new boss to know. For one thing, she hadn’t brought food with her, but besides that there was much to do, and three o’clock wasn’t so far off that she couldn’t wait. She planned to use the extra hour to get this space a bit more organized. And that meant moving a few things around—just temporarily, since she suspected Miss Bentley would probably want to go back to her old ways. But when Caroline returned on Wednesday, she wanted to hit the street running, as one of her old secretarial teachers used to say. Preparation was key to success.
After about twenty minutes of reorganizing, the big glass door swung open and Miss Fowler from the distribution department walked in. “What’s going on in here?” she demanded with a scowl.
“Wh—what?” Caroline looked up from where she was kneeling by a file cabinet.
“It’s the lunch hour, and here you are working.” Miss Fowler’s scowl melted. “You don’t want to make the rest of us look bad. Come to lunch!”
Caroline stood with a sheepish smile. “The truth is I didn’t bring a lunch today, so I thought I’d just work through. I didn’t think anyone would mind.”
“Don’t you know that it’s New Year’s Eve? Mr. G always treats the entire company to a special lunch on special days. The folks downstairs get soup and sandwiches. But the executive employees get a catered lunch. And I must say today’s selection isn’t half bad.” She smiled warmly. “Don’t you remember I said I’d see you at lunch? I looked all around, but you weren’t there.”
“I didn’t know about the catered lunch.”
“Well, it’s a tradition here. And if you want to partake, you better get moving.”
Caroline closed the file drawer. “Then, of course, I’ll come. Thank you, Miss Fowler.”
“When we’re off the clock, I’m just Doris,” she said lightly.
“I’m Caroline.”
“And since we work on the practical end of the company—Production and Distribution are considered the workhorses—we need to stick together.”
“Thanks.” Caroline gave her a grateful smile.
Doris seemed to be studying Caroline’s suit as they walked down the catwalk. “So…is that how they dress back east, or wherever it is you’re from?”
“Minnesota.” Caroline shrugged. “This was an old suit that I remade for work a few years ago.” She didn’t admit to how many times she’d remade it. She frowned down at the dark gray woolen pieces. The ultraconservative design resembled a military uniform. “I suppose it does look like I’m going to a funeral.”
“As long as it’s not your own funeral.” Doris laughed as she pushed open the break room door.
The room was bustling with people now. Besides the other secretaries, there were a number of men in suits, and everyone seemed to be in a festive mood. Some were standing in clumps and visiting, others were sitting at tables, but all of them appeared to have food and drink in hand.
“Check out this spread,” Doris said as she led Caroline over to the buffet, which, though somewhat picked over, still had plenty of food. “I’m going to grab some of that chocolate cake, then I’ll save you a place at my table.”
Caroline picked up a plate and was just dishing out some Waldorf salad when someone got into the line behind her. She paused to see who it was, then clumsily dropped the serving spoon when she realized it was her mystery man—Terry. Apparently he really did work here after all. “I see we meet again.” She tried to sound clever, but mostly felt awkward.
“What’re you doing up here?” he asked with what seemed genuine surprise.
“As a matter of fact, I work here,” she said lightly.
“Really?” He looked confused now. “You got hired on the assembly line?”
She chuckled. “Well, if that were the case, I wouldn’t be up here now, would I? I’m sure I’d be tossed out on my ear.”
He looked truly perplexed. “So, tell me, where do you work?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing.” She put some asparagus spears on her plate.
“What?” He glanced around as if concerned that someone might be listening in.
“Oh, all right.” She forked a slice of roast beef. “I suppose you haven’t heard that Miss Bentley broke her leg skiing.”
“Really?” He shook his head with a look of realization. “Poor Miss Bentley.”
She lowered her voice now. “I came in to apply for a job this morning. Naturally, I assumed it would be on the assembly line, which I must admit was not terribly appealing. But then I was whisked off to Mr. Stokes’s office. Well, I had no idea what was going on, so I just played along. The next thing I knew I was offered a job.” She paused to ladle some gravy onto her serving of mashed potatoes. “Of course, it’s only temporary, but I hear that Mr. Gordon likes team players and that this company is really expanding nicely, so perhaps if I play my cards right, well, you just never know.” She smiled as she set the ladle back into the gravy. Terry was really a strikingly attractive man, and it was sweet the way he seemed to have taken an interest in her like this. “And now, you must tell me about your—”
“Mr. Gordon,” Mr. Hancock called from across the room. “Glad to see you made it here. We heard you were running late.”
“Thank you for the delicious meal,” another VP said cheerfully. “And they say there is no such thing as a free lunch.” Everyone laughed heartily, and Caroline glanced around the room, trying to figure out which man was Mr. Gordon.
“You’re all very welcome,” Terry said loudly. “Happy New Year to everyone.” Now he turned to Mr. Hancock, who was approaching them. “And I’ve just met your new replacement secretary. So sorry to hear about Miss Bentley. But it looks like you’ll be in good hands.”
“I certainly appreciate the speedy decision on the part of Mr. Stokes.”
“That was fast, wasn’t it?” Terry turned back around to the buffet, reaching for the roast beef.
“Mr. Gordon?” Caroline stammered. “You are…Mr. Gordon?”
“Yes.” Terry smiled. “Pleased to meet you, uh, Mrs.…?”
“Mrs. Clark.” She set down her plate and nervously extended her hand.
“Ah, yes. Mrs. Clark.” He grasped it firmly. “Pleased to officially meet you. And welcome to the team.”
“Thank you.” As she made an uneasy smile, she felt her cheeks growing warm. How could she have been so stupid? Acting so smug, trying to be clever!
Evelyn sidled up to Mr. Gordon now. “I need to talk to you,” she said in a slightly terse tone. “I left several messages with your secretary this morning, but you never returned my calls.”
“I’ve been on the phone all morning.” He continued to fill his plate.
“Well, I want to show you a new idea,” she said urgently. “And I need you to see our revised Valentine ad campaign. I want it sent out by Wednesday and we need your approval by quitting time today—if that’s not too much to ask.”
“No problem. I’ll stop by your office after lunch.”
Caroline couldn’t help but overhear their conversation as she gathered her silverware and studied the dessert selection.
“And I’m feeling unclear about something,” Evelyn said a bit more quietly. “I thought we’d agreed that no executive staff would be hired without the exec team’s approval.”
Mr. Gordon glanced at Caroline as she put a piece of apple pie on a dessert plate. “I suppose you’ll have to speak to Mr. Stokes about that.”
“Really?” She sounded skeptical. “This was completely below your radar?”
“I only just learned of it myself,” he said quietly.
“But the team decided that—”
“She’s only a temporary replacement,” he said in a quiet but firm voice. “I assure you, any full-time permanent employees wil
l be approved in the future.”
Feeling like an unwanted guest, Caroline slunk over to the table where Doris was waiting. “Have a seat.” Doris lowered her voice. “And I see you met Mr. G. Isn’t he a dish!”
Caroline gave her a tolerant smile and picked up her fork. Staring down at her food, she suddenly realized she’d lost her appetite. In fact, the pit of her stomach felt as if she’d already digested a rather large stone. She had never felt so foolish in her life. As she poked at her food, she tried to remember what she’d actually said to Mr. Gordon when she’d blathered away like that. Really, what on earth had she been thinking? Acting so glib and cheeky? So completely unprofessional.
It felt as if he’d gotten the last laugh, though. When he’d told Evelyn that Caroline was only temporary—it felt almost like getting a pink slip. And why not? After her stupid little act, he’d probably decided that she should be even more temporary than six weeks. Caroline wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they’d found a replacement for her by the time she returned to work on Wednesday. Oh, why on earth had she acted like that?
“Aren’t you hungry?” Doris asked.
“I, uh, I guess not.” Caroline glanced to the door, wondering if there was a graceful way to cut through the crowd and escape this room without making a further spectacle of herself.
She was about to stand when Mr. Gordon began to ding his fork on a water glass. “Excuse me, everyone,” he said loudly. “I’d like to make a little announcement while you’re all still here.” He waited as the room grew quiet. “First of all, I want to thank you all for your hard work this past year. Although the year started out slowly, due to the war shortages and such, the last six months have surpassed all expectations. Thanks to everyone’s efforts and our recent expansions and improvements, MG Chocolates has experienced its highest annual sales in the history of the company!” He paused while they all clapped with enthusiasm. “And now I want to wish each and every one of you a very happy and blessed new year.” He held up his glass in a toast. “Here’s to making 1946 even better than 1945.”
“Hear, hear,” everyone said heartily.
Mr. Gordon pointed to Evelyn now. “And I believe you have an announcement to make as well.”
She smiled at everyone. “Mrs. Gordon and I have decided to combine our efforts for tonight’s celebration. As some of you know, we were both hosting a New Year’s Eve party this evening, and it was causing some controversy with our guest lists—some of you couldn’t decide which party to attend.” She laughed. “Therefore I have relocated my gathering to the gracious home of our founders, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, and of course everyone here is invited.”
“And my mother expects everyone to come, along with your wives or husbands or dates,” Mr. Gordon told them. “Be there or be square.”
They all laughed. Well, everyone except for Caroline. Despite her pasted-on smile, she felt like crying. But as the crowd grew loud and boisterous again, she saw her chance for a smooth getaway. Whispering to Doris that she felt unwell, she slunk around the backside of the buffet table, dumped the contents of her uneaten lunch in the kitchen area, then slipped out the door and back to the production department.
Sitting at Miss Bentley’s desk, Caroline wondered if she should put everything that she’d just rearranged back into its former place. Just like she’d found it. But then she realized that her reorganization would actually make it easier for the returning secretary. Besides, she reminded herself as she started to transcribe a letter from Miss Bentley’s steno pad, it was possible that she wasn’t really about to be shown the door. Perhaps, if she minded her p’s and q’s, she might be able to keep this job until the end of the week.
As she continued working, finishing up some correspondence that Miss Bentley had left behind, pausing to answer the phone as needed, Caroline was determined to be so efficient and well mannered that Mr. Hancock would not want her to leave until her six weeks were up. After that, well, who knew?
When three o’clock finally came, she felt as if she’d put in a ten-hour day. She knew it was mostly due to the stress—stress she had brought on herself by acting so silly in front of Mr. Gordon. Something she would never do again! Not that she’d get the opportunity.
“You seem to be settling in just fine,” Mr. Hancock said as he was leaving the office. “I really appreciate your efforts, Mrs. Clark.”
“Thank you,” she said a bit meekly.
“And you heard what Mr. Gordon said today.” He shook a stern finger at her.
“What do you mean?” she asked nervously. Had he overheard her conversation with the president?
“Everyone is expected to be at the Gordons’ party tonight.” He smiled. “That means you, too, Mrs. Clark.”
“Oh…well, that’s very kind, but I’m not sure I can make it.”
“You’re part of our team,” he reminded her as he opened the glass door. “You heard what the boss said. Be there or be square.” He laughed as he exited.
Caroline took time to straighten her desk, waiting until three fifteen to gather her things. Her hope was that most everyone would be gone by then. She simply wanted to slink out unnoticed. She even took the stairs instead of the elevator and was completely outside when she heard someone say her name.
“Mrs. Clark!” a male voice called.
She turned to see Mr. Gordon hurrying behind her, waving his hands as if he thought she’d just made off with the company’s payroll. More likely, he simply wanted to fire her with little ado.
“Yes?” She stood her ground, waiting for the ax to fall, suspecting he was about to say they wouldn’t need her to return on Wednesday.
“I’m glad I caught you,” he said a bit breathlessly. “I saw you taking the stairs and—well, never mind. I just wanted to—”
“I’m so sorry,” she burst out. “I was very disrespectful and unprofessional at lunchtime. I honestly had no idea who you were, Mr. Gordon. Not that it’s an excuse. It certainly is not. I have no legitimate excuse. Except that I was a complete and utter fool. I do hope that you’ll accept my most sincere apology.” She fought to hold back her tears of frustration. She would not let him see her cry.
He blinked in surprise. “Well, yes, of course I accept your apology. But there’s no need for that.” He made a sheepish smile. “I actually enjoyed the whole charade. When you know me better, you’ll understand that I’m a bit of a jokester myself. And, to be fair, I owe you an apology, too. I should’ve revealed my identity that day we met at the coffee shop. That was pretty thoughtless on my part. Not to mention bad manners.”
“Oh…?” She didn’t want to show it, but that exact thought had gone through her head this afternoon. Why hadn’t he given her his name the first time? Almost like he’d been playing cat and mouse.
“The reason I stopped you just now was to make sure you understood that you’re invited to my parents’ big bash tonight. I know you overheard me telling Evelyn that you were just temporary, and I’m sure it sounded all wrong. But I do hope you’ll come tonight, Mrs. Clark. And, please, bring your husband, too.”
She took in a quick breath. “My husband was killed in the war, Mr. Gordon.”
His face grew somber. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I didn’t realize.”
“Thank you.” She tugged on the cuff of her glove. “He was a good man.”
“I’m sure he was.” His expression seemed full of concern now. “How long has it been since you lost him?”
“His plane was shot down fairly early on in the war. Almost four years now. It was in the South Pacific.”
“I was in the Pacific theater, too,” he said quietly.
“Really?” This caught her completely off guard. For some reason she’d imagined him running the chocolate factory throughout the war. But then again, she’d imagined the president to be much older, too—and not the same man she’d crossed paths with in the coffee shop. Apparently she was wrong about a number of things.
He glanced at his watch.
“I hope we can continue this conversation later, but I promised to run some errands for my mother right now. You are coming to the big party tonight, aren’t you?”
“Oh…I don’t know…”
“Please, say you’ll come, Mrs. Clark. Otherwise I’ll feel guilty. As if my little prank has turned you against me for good.”
Just then she remembered what everyone had been saying about team players. It was possible she would not be considered a team player if she snubbed their get-together tonight. And just when she was feeling a bit more hopeful about keeping her job, too. “Okay,” she agreed. “I’d love to come.”
“Good.” He tipped his hat. “See you then.”
Just as he turned to go in the other direction, Doris emerged from the building. “There you are,” she called out as she joined Caroline. “Are you feeling better now? I was worried about you. It looked like you’d eaten a bad piece of fish.”
Caroline laughed as they walked down the sidewalk together. “Yes, I’m feeling much better. Thank you for asking.”
“And you’re going to the big wingding tonight?” Doris paused under the striped awning of the chocolate shop to retrieve a set of car keys from her handbag.
“I guess so.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Especially since the boss just insisted I should be there.”
“Oh, that Mr. Gordon. He’s such a good man. Always going out of his way to make people feel welcome and important. I just saw him talking to one of the janitors a bit ago, sincerely inquiring about his wife’s ill health and telling him to pick up a box of chocolates—complimentary.”
“That is nice.”
Doris pointed across the street. “My car’s over there. Need a ride?”
“No, I’m only a few blocks from here.” She put her hand on Doris’s arm. “Do you know how we’re supposed to dress for tonight?”
“Oh, it’s always very formal.” Doris patted her hat. “I’m off to get my hair done right now.”
“Formal?” Caroline felt her spirits sink.
“Oh, yes. You’ll see sequins and satin and furs and the works. It’s all very glamorous. Such fun, too!”
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