Page 4 of Faking It (and falling in love)

“I do it every morning. He likes me to,” said Sienna, smiling. “And it seems unfair not to include you.”

Philippa felt her hackles rising. “What’s Roderick’s order?”

“Extra hot cappuccino with a double shot and a squirt of hazelnut.” It rolled off Sienna’s tongue with the confidence of someone who had ordered the drink many times before.

“I see,” said Philippa. “Well, as it happens, I wanted to grab some breakfast from the coffee shop myself, so I’ll pick up Rod’s order. You sit tight.”

“Oh, really? Ok. I mean, I could get your breakfast for you if you like?” said Sienna, looking a little confused.

“Oh no,” said Philippa, “I’m very picky, and I’m more than capable of ordering my own breakfast.” She smiled and then looked at Sienna. “What would you like to drink?”

“Oh, um, a skinny chai latte, please,” the paralegal said, apparently surprised she’d even been asked.

“Jolly good. A croissant, too?”

“Oh, I mean, yes please. But only if it’s not too much trouble,” said Sienna, retreating to her own desk.

“No trouble at all,” replied Philippa with another smile. She was going to enjoy this.

Twenty minutes later she arrived back in the office from the cafe over the road.

“Here you are,” she said, dropping Sienna’s order on her desk.

“Oh, thanks,” said the young Black woman. “Shall I take Roderick’s into him?”

“Oh no,” said Philippa, “that won’t be necessary.” She made her way towards the new lawyer’s office. He’d only been part of the firm for a few weeks, and she had some feedback for him.

“Good morning, Roderick, how are you?” said Philippa, as she swept into his space.

“Ah, Philippa, good morning,” he said. She eyed his pinstriped suit, shiny shoes and well-oiled hair appraisingly. He was in his thirties, and she’d met plenty like him during her years in the legal profession. “I sent the girl out for my coffee,” he frowned. “Don’t tell me she got you to do it?” He rolled his eyes.

“You did indeed send Sienna out. That’s her name. In fact, she’s a talented paralegal working hard to progress her career. I think she could learn a lot from you. I’m not sure, however, that she will learn much by ordering your coffee every morning,” said Philippa, painting a sweet smile onto her face.

“Oh, well, no, but it’s part of the pecking order, isn’t it?” said the man, his face flushing.

“Is it?”

“I did it when I was a junior, making my way,” he said.

“And now it’s her turn?”

“Yes. Well I suppose so,” he replied, plunging his hands into his pockets.

“How are you finding it, working for Samfire and Partners?” asked Philippa, placing his coffee on the desk in front of him before taking a seat opposite him. She took a sip from her own drink and made herself comfortable.

“Well,” said Roderick, his eyes roaming desperately about the room. “It is of course a privilege and a wonderful opportunity for me. I’m, er, really enjoying the challenge.”

Philippa smiled and allowed for a moment of silence. It was a cardboard cutout of an answer. She knew it and he knew it. She took another sip from her coffee. “Well,” she said, “I’m very pleased to hear that. You came with excellent references, and I have high hopes for you.”

“Thank you,” said Roderick, now looking exquisitely uncomfortable. “Um, can I give you some cash for the coffee?”

“Oh no,” said Philippa, standing. “This one’s on me. But from now on, please remember that Sienna, and other junior colleagues, are not here to do your bidding. You will fetch your own coffee in future.”

“Of course,” said Roderick, his face turning a deep shade of purple as he shifted in his seat.

Philippa turned and left the office, before returning to her own. She sat in her office chair and gave herself a celebratory spin. The full three-sixty. She’d had her suspicions that Roderick wasn’t behaving appropriately towards the junior staff, and she was glad to have been able to pick him up on it at last. There was no place in her firm for those who thought younger staff, particularly women, were there to run errands. If Roderick wanted to remain in her employ, he needed to learn that, and fast.

She opened her email inbox to find a reminder for that evening’s so-called entertainment, a professional networkingevent being held in consultancy offices the next street along. She sighed. It was crucial for her to be seen at events like that, to maintain the profile of her company and make connections. But it was incredibly tiring. She grabbed her phone and texted Charlie. He often came along, too, and at least if he was there, she wouldn’t be without a friendly face.

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