Page 77 of Happier Days

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose. Was this really what her life would be like for the next few months? At this man’s beck and call, making him money when she could be banking it for herself?

She looked at Brendon, eagerly awaiting her response as if he’d handed over the Crown Jewels. She’d like to see his reaction to being toldhe’dbe working out of the city for long periods, travelling the length and breadth of the country.

Either way, it wasn’t going to be her. She’d had her fill of Bateman PR.

‘No, I won’t do that,’ she said.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘I said no. It was barbaric when you insisted I work away at all when it wasn’t part of my job. And now you think I’ll work my weekends away, too? It’s not happening.’

‘I believe you’re going to sign a contract to say that it is.’

‘I won’t be signing anything.’ She folded her arms. ‘I suggest you advertise the job to someone who likes working away fromhome, giving up all their spare time for a man who doesn’t care about anyone’s welfare but his own.’ She stood up. ‘This might be your business, Brendon, but for the past few years, Nancy and I havecarriedit for you, while you’ve sat there and taken all the glory. We’ve covered up your mistakes, put up with your lousy manners and your crap time management. Not to mention your…’ she pointed at his desk, ‘ability to pile work on us just as we’re going home that you’ve been sitting on for hours. Well, not anymore, because I quit.’

Brendon’s eyes widened. ‘There’s no need for dramas, Ava. Perhaps I was being a bit too ambitious by expecting you to work over a weekend as well, but I thought a woman ofyourcapabilities would seize the challenge.’

‘Mycapabilities are far too good for you and this firm.’ She slapped herself on the forehead. ‘I must have been mad to come back at all, when I have a perfectly decent…’ She stopped, not wanting to share anything with him about her opportunities. ‘As from today, I’m handing in my notice. My current contract, not the one you’re changing, says I have to give a month’s notice, but I reckon you owe me that in unpaid hours overtime as well as holidays I’m due for summer. I’ll write it out before I leave, but that is it. I am done.’

She turned to leave.

‘Ava, I’m sorry,’ Brendon held out a hand. ‘Don’t go, we can sort something out. I’ll up your raise to two thousand pounds and throw in a few more days holiday, how about that?’

‘You don’t get it, do you?’ She turned back to him with a look of exasperation. ‘I am worth far more than you could ever pay me. I just haven’t seen it until right this moment. I was walked over by Giles for far too long as well. I won’t be a doormat any longer.’

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Ava could tell by the silence that had dropped on the room that Nancy and the admin staff at the next bank of desks had overheard everything.

She flopped into her seat and blew out a breath. Nancy, across from her, was grinning.

‘Way to go, Ava,’ she said. ‘I wish I could do the same, but I need this job. At least I can’t take photos like you so there is no chance that Brendon will rope me into working away.’ She laughed.

Ava smiled, even though it was tinged with sadness. Nancy was going to be the one thing she would miss. Across the office, Brendon sat with his head in his hands. He only had himself to blame.

No, actually, she had to take some of the responsibility. She’d let him walk over her for far too long, and if it wasn’t for the chance to go and work at Sapphire Lake, reconnecting with friends, and Jack, then she might still be here. Now she was ready to take a chance on her own business. And she had a lot to thank the bull for, really.

She gathered her things together quickly.

‘When are you leaving?’ Nancy asked.

‘Right now.’ Ava wrote out a very quick letter of resignation by hand, explaining that she had holiday entitlement overdue, and that she would be leaving with immediate effect. ‘I have packing to do.’

‘You’re going to Sapphire Lake?’ Nancy clapped with glee.

She nodded. ‘I’m goinghometo Sapphire Lake. But I’ll miss you so much.’

They hugged in the middle of the room, tears welling in each woman’s eyes as they said their goodbyes. Brendan hadn’t moved from his chair at his desk, even though she had no doubt he didn’t believe she’d go through with it. But she would never be back.

She treated herself to a taxi home to the flat. She didn’t need that commute anymore. She didn’t have to dread going into the office each morning, dragging herself through nine hours before she could leave. Not to mention all the weeks away from work she’d probably have to do. Brendon wouldn’t stop using her after she’d done the jobs he’d lined up. And why? Because she was a bloody good photographer.

She smiled.Yes, I am.

She got out her phone to call Jack but then decided she’d leave it until later. She had plans to make for her future before that.

Jack closed his laptop, pleased with the words he’d written that day. He’d been on a roll and got four thousand of the blighters down.

He glanced up to see it was nearly half past seven. Ava would be calling soon. He couldn’t wait to chat, to hear how her day had been. He’d missed her so much already and was counting the hours until he could collect her on Friday from the station.

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