Page 145 of Good Sisters

‘Louise, I’ve just received a call asking you to report to the HR office immediately.’

I looked at her. ‘Okay. I’ll just finish this and head over.’

She hesitated. ‘Just to let you know, one of the girls over there gave me a heads-up. There’s been a serious complaint made against you. I’m just saying that so you’re prepared. It sounds like there’ll be a few of them waiting to talk to you.’

I sighed. ‘Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I know what it’s about. I’m sure you can guess that Zoë’s involved.’

Jenny nodded. ‘No surprise there, it’s been coming for a while, hasn’t it?’

‘Yes, it has. Right. I’ll go and talk to them, see what’s happening.’

I got up, smoothed my dress, then walked purposefully down the hallway. I was aware of all eyes on me as I went by – obviously word had got round that there had been a drama between me and Zoë. I held my head high and looked at no one.

Outside the door of HR, I took a deep breath, then rapped smartly.

‘Come in.’

I opened the door and stepped inside.

Julie handed me a coffee laced with whiskey. ‘So, you were asked to take a day or two off to cool down?’

‘HR said the video was “problematic”, and as I had no evidence of Zoë calling me a bitch and bully, it looked one-sided. They told me to work from home for a few days while they try to figure it out.’

‘That sneaky little bitch.’ Julie handed me a brownie.

‘I shouldn’t have lost my temper. It was unprofessional.’

‘You’ve a lot on your plate. Give yourself a break.’

‘Yes, but I still have to be unflappable in work.’

Marion came through the kitchen door holding up her phone. ‘Louise, you’re trending on Twitter.’

‘What?’ Julie and I looked at her.

‘There’s a video of you online losing your shit.’

‘Oh, my God, she posted the video,’ Julie gasped.

I felt sick – the thought of her doing that hadn’t even entered my head.

‘You have about fifty per cent support. Pro you is hashtag mentalhealthisreal and the ones against you are hashtagbossbully. They’re tearing into each other, one side saying you were bang on, the other saying you can’t talk to anyone like that in a work environment.’

I put my face in my hands. This was bad. It was really, really bad.

Julie tutted. ‘Don’t worry. Marion said lots of people support you.’

I groaned. ‘Julie, no one is going to hire a lawyer who is videoed losing her temper with an intern. This is a disaster.’

‘I think you come across like a total badass. I’d want you to represent me,’ Marion said. ‘I’ve been on happy pills for years, and it pisses me off to think some spoiled cow is faking problems and throwing anxiety around like it’s a fucking joke.’

I took off my glasses and put them on the countertop. ‘I’ll have to get a cease-and-desist, but it’s too late. It’s out there now. I may be looking for a new job.’

‘But is this not a good thing?’ Julie said. ‘I mean, Zoë has launched a private company matter into the public domain. Is that not against her work contract?’

I shrugged. ‘You may be right, but you know how law firms are. They hate adverse publicity of any kind. So, yeah, it’s a strike against her, but she only posted a video. I’m the one shouting and roaring. I’m the one who lost control. She’ll play the victim card and Walter is so besotted with his precious goddaughter he’ll probably believe her.’

‘It’s a shit show,’ Marion said, staring at her phone. ‘This video has caught fire. It’s all over Instagram now too. That young one has royally screwed you.’

---