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An age seemed to pass before he spoke. “Tell me, Amelia, is it usual practice in this company for a junior worker to present a report to senior staff?” His voice was even, deliberate, and had the texture of velvet, making me shiver.
“No,” I said, biting my lip.
“I didn’t think so.”
“I can explain?—”
“I’m sure you can. You must have a brilliant explanation as to why and how you went about impersonating another staff member with a similar name.”
He was patronising me, looking down at me with an unsettling fixation.
I lifted my chin. “I didn’t do it on purpose! It just sorta… happened.”
He fixed me a sardonic sneer. “Why are you here, and where is the real Amelia Crook? No, don’t tell me. Let me guess. She got made redundant, and you did not.”
“That’s right!”
“Yet, I distinctly remember making you redundant and keeping her on. Isn’t that strange?”
My heart dropped. “What?”
His tone turned a shade harsher. “Don’t play dumb with me, Amelia. You must have known there had been a mistake. Why else would you be here?”
“I thought I was being helpful… I didn’t know…”
“It didn’t cross your mind that perhaps the letter intended for Amelia Crook went to you, and she received yours?”
He had me in a metaphorical chokehold, and his grip was tightening around my throat, inch by inch.
“Of course it did! But I hoped it wasn’t true.”
“That’s not good enough, Amelia.”
“In my defence, someone had to present the report. David said it was important, and no one in the marketing department would hear me out—they’re too busy with the launch of the new product line. I felt like I had to go along with it, just this once.”
“I’m not interested in your flimsy rationale.”
“I never lied. Not once.”
“But you didn’t bother to tell anyone. How is that not dishonest?”
“I have an official letter saying my role remains. Of course, that’s what I’d believe.”
Neither of us spoke for a minute. He observed me while I avoided eye contact. Then he loosened his navy tie and massaged his neck. “Look, Amelia, a mistake was made, and I apologise for that, but like most mistakes, it can be fixed, and that’s what I intend to do.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“I’m going to call Ms. Crook, apologise profusely, and ask if she wants her job back.”
“What’s going to happen to me?”
The corners of Neil’s mean lips twitched, and he made a noise which was half exasperated sigh, half evil laugh. I knew I wouldn’t like what was coming next.
“You’re fired,” he said.
The words echoed in my head like he had shouted them into a cavern.
“Sorry?”
