Page 87 of Chaos Theory
He holds his hands apart, then brings them together in prayer mode. ‘I can’t argue with results. Although I amveryinterested in your methods.’
I’m emboldened by Ron’s apparent approval. ‘I was wondering – if you think it’s okay – if I could still see Kobi every now and then? Like I was saying, I feel like we’ve built a strong connection, and I didn’t really get to say goodbye to him?—’
‘Well, now we’re getting to it, Maeve. I think I can do you one better than that.’
He stops to take a sip of water. It’s all I can do not to fill the silence with questions, but I exhale andwait.
‘From what Josh has told me, I’m impressed. Surprised, but impressed. At first I was mad, yes, but when I saw the data, I saw gold. Because you were operating outside the system, shall we say, you were able to carry out experiments it would’ve taken us months to even approve, let alone trial. You took all the shortcuts. And to be fair, without a safety net. A blind man walking a tightrope who somehow manages to get to the other side unharmed.’
I struggle to follow the metaphor but enjoy the general flow of it. I realise this is the first time anyone with real authority has praised me for The Kobi Project. After weeks of struggle and worry, I could cry with relief. I take a few sips of water to swallow down my emotions.
‘So, Maeve, I want you to come and work for me.’
The water goes down the wrong way. I splutter and cough. ‘Sorry, what did you just say?’ I put my sleeve to my mouth, try to regain some composure.
‘I want you to work here. Let’s call it an internship to start – three months. Paid, of course. I’ve already talked to JP and he’s agreed we can borrow you for a while. I have a special project in mind for you.’
My brain scrambles to get up to speed. Not only am I not in trouble, but now I’m being offered a job as well? ‘Does it involve Kobi?’
He laughs. ‘Well, I sure as shit am not interested in your tourism skills. No offence – I’m sure your tourism skills are mighty fine.’
‘They’re really not,’ I say with a laugh.I can’t believe this is happening.
‘I reckon it would be a shame to break your momentum with Kobi now. He’s made great progress, but he still has a way to go until he’s ready.’
‘Ready for what?’
‘All will be explained once you come and work for us.’ Ron’s million-dollar smile beams down on me again.
‘When would you want me to start?’
‘Tomorrow would be just fine.’
‘Tomorrow? That’s… that’s really soon.’
I need a minute. What about my job at Go Ireland? Shouldn’t I give them some notice? Is JP really okay with this? And if I took the job here, would I be working with Josh?
Ron raises an eyebrow at me.
‘Can I think about it, please?’
He sighs. ‘Not many people say no to Ron Tron. I can see some of that determination Josh told me about.’
‘I’m not saying no. I just… I should really talk to JP first.’
‘I can respect that. Okay, take the rest of the day to think about it. I’ll expect your answer by tomorrow morning. Here, take my card – call me anytime.’
FORTY-SEVEN
5:30pm
Shane holds out the mug of peppermint tea, handle pointing at me. He winces but doesn’t vocalise the heat his fingers must surely be suffering.
I accept it gratefully. It’s a while since I’ve been in Shane’s open-plan living room slash kitchen. I realise I’ve missed these bare plasterboard walls, the deflated leatherette couch, the deserted kitchen island.
‘God, I don’t remember this place being so…so…student-y?’ I say to tease him.
‘Student living means student prices.’
