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“But you just said you would?—”
“I said it was the simplest fix. But nothing’s simple.”
“Then what else can we do?”
“I can promise pay rises in the next financial year and offer something non-monetary for now. Flexible hours and work-from-home options. That should suffice.”
“I think we should publicise that you saved the company from a merger?—”
His reaction was swift. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because the merger could still go ahead if I can’t turn the business around in a timely fashion.”
“But shouldn’t the staff know about this?”
“I don’t want them to operate in an environment of fear. This is my burden to shoulder.”
He had a point, even if it seemed like a wasted opportunity.
He retreated behind his desk and sat down. “The information I just shared with you is confidential, understood?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good. Now leave. You’ve stalled me long enough.” He shooed me from his office with a wave of his hand.
I had learned by now not to take offence at his brusqueness. Instead, I felt satisfied that we had just engaged in a productive discussion.
Progress.
I shut Neil’s door. Rather than returning to my desk, I visited the kitchen to make a cup of tea. My thoughts lingered on the conversation with Neil as the tea brewed. He had saved the company from a merger… He was trying to turn the business around…
“Hey, Milly.” James entered the room, carrying a coffee mug.
“Hey.”
He strode to the microwave and put the mug on the turntable with a thunk.
“Forgot to drink your coffee?” I asked.
“You got it.”
He pressed some buttons, and the microwave whirred to life. “Any plans for the weekend?” he asked.
I was about to answer “no” automatically, then I recalled I did, in fact, have plans. “I have a hen party tomorrow night.”
“Oooh. Fun! What are you going to do? Men of Steel?”
I laughed. “No. I think it’s going to be pretty low-key. We’re having drinks and nibbles at a bar, then going clubbing.”
“Perfect. I’m jelly.”
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”
“And the wedding? When will that be?”
“Late next month, at a vineyard on Waiheke Island.”
