Page 110 of Just Do It
I began rereading the email once more from the beginning.
It was good to see you a few days ago. Having spoken over the situation with the board, we feel that the dig would indeed benefit from your knowledge and specific expertise.
As such, it would of course be difficult at this late stage to replace the current lead but we would like to formally offer you the position of joint lead. Any papers you writein association with any discovery or research from the expedition would be written in your name only.
The funding has been adjusted to reflect the addition to the team. Details of this, including financial renumeration due to you, can be seen in the enclosed contract.
Should you be willing to proceed, please do take time to read through the attached and ensure you are happy with everything. If there is anything you wish to discuss, we will all be most happy to do our best to accommodate any changes.
Best wishes,
Jed Matthews
I sat back in my chair and wondered what the hell I should do. On the one hand this was an opportunity I had been waiting for. Jed’s assurance that any peer-reviewed papers would be mine alone gave me peace of mind. Unlike some people, I knew him to be a man of his word. On the other hand, I would still have to work with Friedrich which did not exactly give me the warm and fuzzies. And there were a lot of sharp tools to hand on a dig. However, even though Friedrich could be astoundingly obtuse at times, I knew even he was bright enough not to push his luck twice.
I pressed ‘reply’ and began to compose a message.
The grand opening of the Pharaohs of Egypt exhibition in its brand-new location was about to take place. I stood and took in the sight before me, thinking how this had once, quite literally, been a building site. The remembered panic of how this could ever come together was replaced by the image of Finn, assuring me that it was all in hand and everything would be perfect in the end. He’d been right on one aspect. His replacement, whohe’d apparently had a hand in choosing, might not have been the most personable, but I had to give credit where it was due. He’d finished the job on time, and within budget by following the plans his predecessor had set in place.
‘Doesn’t it look magnificent?’ Beside me, Inis’s voice was low and wondrous.
‘It’s incredible. I never thought it would look this good.’
‘You did a brilliant job liaising, Lizzie.’ She hooked her arm around mine, both of us looking out at the two colossus that framed the entryway to the main exhibition. ‘Even though I know that wasn’t always easy.’
‘Don’t worry about it. I’m a big girl. I can look after myself. It’s all character-building anyway, isn’t that what they say?’ I turned towards her.
‘That’s what they say.’
‘There we are then.’
‘But forget character-building.’ Inis took a step back from me. ‘Can we talk about wardrobe building? You look stunning!’
I gave an unnecessary smooth of the black sheath dress I wore, accessorised with gold jewellery. Between us, Colette and I had decided that the full-length Grecian style dress was a fitting tribute to the location without being at all costumey.
‘Thanks.’
‘I love the new look in general. It seems like you’re a lot more comfortable in your skin these days.’
I turned back towards the exhibition, my eyes roaming over the space. ‘I think I am. A lot’s happened over the past year, not just with the whole Finn thing, but Mum and Dad, and Friedrich and all sorts. It made me take a hard look at myself and decide whether I was actually happy with what I saw. I was so bothered about other people’s opinions and felt the only way I would be taken seriously was if I looked like their image of what they thought a woman in my position should look like. Now I’verealised that I can, that I need, to be myself. I’m damn good at my job and how I dress has absolutely no relevance to it.’
‘Yes, it can be tricky to navigate, can’t it? Certainly in the more stuffy departments.’
‘Quite.’
Inis threw a glance over her shoulder, checking for earwiggers. Determining we were still out of others’ earshot, she took a small step back towards me. ‘I am sorry things didn’t work out with you and Finn, though. I have to say I was surprised. When he took me home that time, all he did was rave about you.’
I gave a low chuckle. ‘That must have made for a very boring journey.’
‘Not at all. In fact I was agreeing with him. I know you had several other choices when we offered you the position here and some were more money than we could table. But I’m forever thankful that you chose us.’
I touched her arm. ‘So am I. Money is definitely nice. No one is going to argue with that. But you have to love what you do too otherwise what’s the point?’
Inis gave me a long look. ‘You really do.’
‘What was that about?’
‘What?’
