Page 3 of Just Like That

‘Gosh, Craig, you’d be a rubbish poker player.’ I chuckle. ‘I’ve spoken to less desperate claims cold callers.’

‘And you only get away with a comment like that because you’re indispensable and you know it.’ He taps his fingers on the table. ‘So, come on, hit me with it.’

I pick up my coffee and take a long thoughtful slug, which is more about playing the game than reflecting, because I already know exactly what I want.

‘Craig, you know I’m less about the monetary side and more about career growth and visibility on the high-profile projects…’ I tail off for emphasis.

‘I do.’ He nods and waits for me to continue.

‘But that doesn’t mean a monetary gesture wouldn’t be welcome. I’ve considered this carefully, and based on the value I bring to this place, I’m thinking—’

My thoughts are interrupted by my phone buzzing on the table, showing a call from an unknown number. Frowning at it, and assuming it’s a spam call, I hit reject and return my attention to Craig, who gestures for me to continue.

‘Sorry about that… so, yeah, as I was saying… by way of an uplift, I was thinking maybe ten per cent and perhaps a modest bonus for the events that exceed expectations – which by the way, are all of them.’ I offer him a sparkling smile to punctuate this message.

Craig guffaws loudly. ‘I should have known you’d come in here ready to play hardball. OK, yes and yes. What else? Because I’m well aware from your opener that you’re by no means finished.’

‘Correct. From a development point of view, I’ve been looking at professional qualifications and—’

I’m thrown off once again by my phone buzzing with another call from an unknown number.

‘What the heck?’ I jab at the reject button for a second time. ‘Sorry, Craig. These spam calls are a pain in the backside.’

‘Not a problem.’ Craig doesn’t seem fazed at all. ‘Tell me about this qualification.’

‘Oh yeah, so it’s a professional accreditation in events leadership that would give me new skills and insight into how we can lift our offering to clients to a whole new level. I’m talking rivalling the best companies in London.’

‘Well, that’s an easy one to say yes to. Anything that takes the business forward and keeps our balance sheet looking healthy.’

‘Thanks, it will be money well spent, I promise. And my final request is to be the lead on all high-profile events, including everything based in and around Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament and the Glasgow deal you’ve just secured, as that’s going to be mega.’

‘Jess, you can be the lead on whatever you want,’ says Craig. ‘That’s the easiest request of all to—’

This time it’s Craig who’s interrupted by my phone buzzing with yet another incoming call.

‘Do you think maybe you should get that?’ he suggests. ‘Might not be a spam call after all.’

‘Uh, yeah. Maybe.’ I grab my phone, mouthing an apology as I answer it. ‘Hello?’

‘Oh, hello, is this Jess?’ the caller asks.

‘Speaking.’ I offer a perplexed shrug to Craig.

‘Jess, my name is Simone. I’m a nurse at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary A&E. We found your name as an ICE contact in the wallet of a patient we have here.’

Thrown by this unexpected introduction, I rub my forehead in confusion. ‘I’m sorry, what do you mean you found me under “ice”? And in whose wallet?’

‘ICE means “in case of emergency”,’ the woman named Simone says. ‘So, he’s obviously someone you know well if you’re his emergency contact. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to communicate with the patient, but there’s a driving licence in the wallet that suggests his name is Seth McKenzie?’

As she says this, my stomach drops like a stone, then a chill runs through my spine alongside a rising nausea.

‘Seth,’ I murmur. ‘He’s my brother. What’s happened? Why can’t he talk to you?’

Chapter 2

Thirty minutes later, my taxi pulls up outside the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Hurriedly paying the driver, I sprint across to the accident and emergency department, not stopping until I reach the reception desk panting like a tired dog.

‘Hi, my brother’s been brought in and I got a call from one of the nurses,’ I say to the receptionist before he even looks up. ‘His name is Seth McKenzie.’

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