Page 89 of Chaos Theory
‘Hey, we’re not talking about me right now. I don’t understand what’s holding you back. It’s not like you particularly love Go Ireland. Besides, JP said you’d still have your job there whenever you wanted to come back.’
I sigh into my mug again, blowing up steam. Shane looks good through the mist. I suddenly can’t bear to withhold anything from him. I bite the bullet.
‘It’s because of Josh.’
I sit back, look straight ahead.
‘I don’t want to work with him. I can’t face it after, after – you know…’
I let that hang in the air, unsure how to continue. I feel so foolish, letting myself be strung along by Josh, in every sense.
Shane doesn’t say anything, and I can’t bring myself to make eye contact. I’m suddenly very interested in examining the mug I’m holding. Merchandise for a band I’ve never heard of: Zombie Police.
Finally, he makes an indeterminate noise.
‘Ah, you can’t let a bit of awkwardness ruin this for you. It’s too good to say no to. It sounds like RoboTron really want you. You’re actually in a position of strength. Maybe you could negotiate some good terms before you accept.’
I’m suddenly overwhelmed by his kindness. His concern for my well-being. His wanting of the best for me. His willingness to overlook my flaws.
He’s here for me. He’s always been here for me. I want to put my tea down, put my hand on his chest, melt into him. But I find that I can’t move. My body is stiff, frozen.
I take a tiny sip from my mug, then hold it up in front of me. ‘Were the police force turned into zombies, or were they a special unit deployed to fight the zombies?’
He laughs. ‘Alek’s latest band. Confrontational. But fun.’
On my way home I leave a voice note for Jen, asking her advice about RoboTron. She sends me one back saying the doctor has put her on bed rest until the baby is due, but she reckons I should ‘go for it’.
When I get home, I call Ron’s number. He doesn’t answer, but I leave him a voice note: ‘Ron, I gratefully accept your offer. On one condition: I don’t have to work with Josh.’
FORTY-EIGHT
Tuesday, 9:30am
I arrived at RoboTron at 8:30am, fully prepared to argue my case to Ron for not working alongside Josh. Josh acted unprofessionally; I would only work with people I could trust. No need to mention my own professionalism, or otherwise, of course.
But I’ve yet to see Ron. He left instructions with his PA, a creature so polished and polite that part of me wondered if she might in fact be a bot. I was to sign a nondisclosure agreement – standard practice for all new staff – and then go directly to the robot bay, where an assignment was waiting for me. HR would contact me later to fast-track me through the employee induction process, apparently.
So I’m making my way to the robot bay. I have many questions but no one to ask them of. I guess all will be revealed in time. I’m excited to see Kobi again and to find out what we’ll be working on together. And I’m looking forward to getting a proper look around the robot bay. As long as I don’t have to see?—
‘Josh!’
The sliding doors open to reveal him standing there, like acontestant in a cheesy dating game show.Here’s what you’ve won. But I don’t want the prize any more.
‘I wasn’t expecting to see you,’ I blurt.
I falter on the threshold. The doors begin to close but then swish open again when they detect a confounding object – me.
Josh holds his hands up as if to say ‘don’t shoot’.
‘Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing me for long. I’m just here to brief you on your assignment. Then I’ll be on my way. I need to book a flight.’
‘Oh?’
‘Apparently I’m urgently needed in the California office.’
‘Oh.’ Good. He won’t be here. I guess he’s lucky he hasn’t been fired.
He turns away. ‘I suppose I could use some sunshine.’
