Page 21 of Just Like That

‘Wow… you… have. This… is… better… drama… than… my… TV… show. Tell… me… the… whole… story.’

‘OK, but let me grab my dinner first.’ I get up, clearing Seth’s now empty plate away, and head for the kitchen.

As I potter around, getting myself a drink and some cutlery, my mind defiantly ticks over what Seth’s just said. I do not like Nick in that way. I barely even know the guy, and he’s not my type either. He might be quite attractive if you forget the fact that he’s all gruff and antisocial and covered in animal faeces (at work anyway). My normal type couldn’t be more different: well groomed, well dressed, the life and soul to match my extrovert personality. That’s the kind of guy I’m drawn to.

No.Nick and I just need to get on, so that I can get through this contract without doing any further damage to my career. That’s all. We’ll be civil, maybe even friendly towards each other, but once the work is done and the park is back on track, I’m sure we’ll be more than happy to go our separate ways: me back to the land of sophisticated events with VIP tents, and him to his beloved world of dung-filled animal pens.

Carrying my dinner through to join Seth again, this is solid and clear in my mind. I don’t like Nick that way, nor do I have time for dating right now with everything that’s going on. This project is nothing more than a temporary and unsolicited diversion for me.

Chapter 10

The next morning, after spending the late evening poring over employment law websites, I’ve come to the conclusion that not only is Craig being unfair, I think he might also be discriminating against me. Though it seems that’s hard to prove – he’d essentially have to admit it, because he’s using the excuse that the big contracts need someone full time on them otherwise it will be detrimental to the business. The only way for me to disprove that is to show that I can successfully manage those contracts in my part-time hours. And, of course, he won’t allow me that opportunity. While I’m pretty pissed at him, I’m unwilling to kick that can to the point he decides I’m more hassle than I’m worth. Unfortunately, for now, it seems I have no options in that respect. I need to think of something else before Isla and Ravi get too comfortable running my projects.

Arriving at the wildlife park at nine a.m., I meet Lauren in the park office for an overview of her and her team’s responsibilities. Though my priority is getting a feel for the customer-facing side of things, it will be useful to understand their skills and capabilities and how much I’ll need to teach them – and the rest of the team – about running their own events. Her comprehensive tour of the office includes introducing me to each of her team members, all of whom seemed to regard me with some suspicion, as if I’m here to steal their jobs away, rather than help save them.

‘And that’s pretty much it,’ Lauren concludes with a sweep of her arm.

‘This has been so helpful, thank you.’ I look around the room one more time, trying to commit everything she’s told me to memory. ‘You seem to be very well-versed in everything that goes on. How long have you worked here?’

I ask this because she seems very young for an office manager.

‘Basically since the park opened,’ she replies. ‘I started working here part time doing admin when I was at school. Gwen is my mum.’

‘You’re kidding. I would never have guessed that.’

Though the position she’s in now makes sense. She’s had a head start with her skill set. I squint at her, trying to find any trace of a family resemblance, but with Lauren’s slight frame, delicate facial structure and thick curly red hair there is none. Gwen is much sturdier looking, with harder features.

‘I look more like my dad,’ says Lauren, and I have to swallow down a laugh as my mind unhelpfully conjures up the image of a petite Little Red Riding Hood-like man being swept off his feet by Gwen.

‘Right. And does your dad work here too?’

‘No, he and mum are divorced.’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’

‘Don’t be.’ She smiles at me kindly. ‘It’s way better that way. So, what’s the deal with you and Nick?’

I was waiting for this. In fact, I’m surprised that Gwen hasn’t yet hauled me aside and asked me the same question. Perhaps she’s done so with Nick instead.

‘Oh, nothing.’ I keep my tone breezy. ‘We met briefly by chance and had a bit of a misunderstanding. It’s all sorted now. I don’t really know him.’

‘I see.’ She nods reflectively, as if she doesn’t quite believe me. ‘We wondered if you were exes or something. It certainly seemed that way.’

‘Who’s we?’ I raise a curious eyebrow.

‘The rest of the management team. Excluding Nick and Gwen, of course.’

Great. We’ve managed to become the talk of the park, thanks to Nick’s lack of self-control. Not the look I want when I’m trying to earn the trust and respect of the leaders here – and with Lauren being Gwen’s daughter, it’s unlikely that gossip will stay off her radar.

‘I assure you, Lauren, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Nick and I are on good terms now we’ve untangled our crossed wires, and I’m here purely in a professional capacity. I prefer to keep my work life and my dating life separate.’

To my surprise, Lauren leans in conspiratorially as one of her team members passes us, giving me the evil eye.

‘We were actually sort of hoping there was something going on,’ she says in a low voice. ‘Nick’s been on his own for too long. Hasn’t been the same since his wife left him.’

‘Oh… right.’ I’m not sure how to react to this information. ‘Well, as I say, I barely know him.’

‘Maybe you should get to know him then.’ She gives me a mischievous wink. ‘He may be a bit grubby-looking from the work he does around the park, but I assure you, what’s under those overalls is far more impressive.’

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