Page 107 of Just Do It
‘It’s just the way it’s written. You know these lawyers and their legalese.’
‘Obviously as someone in the lowly position of “supplementary staff” it’s understandable that you would think I might struggle with comprehending such complicated terms and conditions but, hmm, let’s see. From what it says here, you are the one and only lead of the team. Absolutely nowhere does it suggest that that role is to be shared.’
‘I just haven’t had time to get it amended yet, that’s all.’
‘How strange that it has your signature on it then, with today’s date, advising that the team is now all in place with, now what was the exact wording, ah yes, here it is, “we reiterate that the hiring of supplementary staff with the specificity of field knowledge required now being added to the team is done so on the basis of forwarding their own research only, and that thereis no extra funding available for these additional persons”.’I looked back up at Friedrich. His face was now as pale as the intern’s, which was a perfect contrast to my own which from feel alone was chilli red with fury.
‘At exactly what point were you going to tell me that I was not onlynotgoing to be joint lead of the dig, but neither was I actually going to be paid at all.’
‘I told you.’ Friedrich cleared his throat and drew himself up. ‘You’re misunderstanding.’
‘Really? Then do explain how else one is supposed to interpret this?’ I thrust the paper at him and he flinched. A silence so thick you could have cut the air with a wooden spoon hung heavily between us.
‘I have answers.’ He sniffed. ‘I’d just rather discuss them when you’re calmer and less hysterical.’
‘Hysterical?’
‘Yes. It really is quite undignified.’
If he thought this was undignified, he wasn’t going to like what was coming next. I made a step towards him.
‘Dr Heckler?’
Both of us spun round at the interruption. The intern who had shown me in was now back at the door, his pale eyes darting from one to the other of us.
‘What?’ Friedrich snapped.
The young man gave an audible gulp. ‘I… I’m sorry to interrupt. It’s just that you said to let you know when Mr Matthews had arrived.’
‘Matthews?’ I swivelled my head back to face my ex. ‘He’s the money man?’
‘What? No! Not that Matthews.’
But I was already on my way. ‘In the lobby, is he?’ I asked as I marched past, the sound of Friedrich’s footsteps walkinghurriedly to catch me up. He would never demean himself to run.
‘There’s no need for you to be here now,’ Friedrich said as I walked purposefully down the winding mahogany staircase at the centre of the old mansion that housed Friedrich’s office. ‘Clearly you’ve decided not to be a part of this project.’
‘You lied to my face,’ I said, stopping momentarily to glare at him. ‘Blatantly. You said the money was all in place.’
‘It is all in place!’
‘Just none allocated for me. Oh, and also that minor fib about me leading alongside you and being named on any research papers from the dig.’
‘Nobody ever looks at things like that.’
‘Of course they do, and you know it! Having peer-reviewed articles published is all part of taking part in any expedition. Do stop being so bloody condescending, Friedrich. You know, Colette called you that and I defended you.’ I gave a short bark of humourless laughter. ‘What an idiot I was.’
‘It’s hardly like you need the money. Your house is already paid for!’
‘Oh my God!’ I threw my hands in the air. ‘Have you really still got a chip on your shoulder about that? It’s been years and quite frankly, I’d far rather have had the chance to have my grandmother around, given the choice.’
Friedrich huffed air out of his nose.
‘Everyone was right about you. They said you weren’t to be trusted but I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I thought you’d matured but you haven’t, have you? The only question I have now is why the hell did I waste so many years of my life with you?’
‘Rather have spent it with that gorilla you were seeing, would you?’
I gave myself a mental kick for being unable to prevent the automatic flinch and hoped Friedrich had been too wrapped up in himself to notice. But of course that would have been too much to ask. He took it and ran with it.
