Page 113 of Just Do It
‘Some people wouldn’t like to take the focus away from the actual exhibition, I guess.’
‘Well, I’m notsome people.’ The pointed look she gave me as she said it made me smile. She may as well have said I’m not Friedrich. It was what she’d meant and perhaps what I’d meant but I knew he wasn’t the only one who might think like that. I’d not really noticed the snobbery in the world I operated in before, not until Finn brought it to my attention. Thank God I hadn’t had that at this job. Inis was a brilliant boss and for a moment, I began to second guess my earlier, perhaps rash decision to move on.
‘So I saw Professor Kareski having a very in-depth conversation with you earlier.’
I felt the colour whoosh up from my chest to my face. Inis laid her hand on my arm. ‘Don’t worry. She spoke to me first.’
‘Yes, she said she had but still…’
‘But still what? This is what you wanted, isn’t it? I know how much you enjoyed getting involved in the educational side here, on top of your other duties. Selfishly, I asked her not to say anything until the exhibition was completed.’ This time it was my boss’s turn to flush. ‘Was that horribly self-serving?’
‘No,’ I laughed. ‘Not at all. It makes sense and I would have wanted to see this through anyway.’
‘Good.’ She made a ‘phew’ gesture, mock-wiping her brow, a wide smile breaking on the elfin face. ‘So, what did you say?’
‘Umm, I sort of said yes.’
‘Sort of?’ Inis laughed.
‘Definitively.’
‘Good.’
I shook my head. ‘I’m not so sure. Perhaps I should think about it some more.’
‘That’s fine. I don’t think she was really expecting an answer tonight, especially since there’s champagne involved.’
I pulled a face. ‘Yeah, not all my impulsive decisions made after quantities of champagne have worked out that well.’
Inis’s expression softened. ‘I’m sorry about that, Lizzie. I really am. Are you OK?’
‘Yeah.’ I nodded. ‘I am. If nothing else, this came out of it.’ I tilted my head towards where Greg and Colette were being congratulated by a bunch of people they didn’t know and absolutely loving it. ‘I can never wish it hadn’t happened if this was a result.’
‘That’s a very magnanimous view.’
‘Is it?’ I asked. ‘I’m not so sure. Colette has been there for me through a lot. And she’s put up with a lot, some of which Ihad no idea about. It’s about time she found someone who truly appreciates the wonderful woman, and friend, she is.’
‘And what about you?’
‘What about me?’
‘What about someone to appreciate the wonderful woman you are?’
I let out a sigh. ‘Who knows? Besides, if I take this job, I’m going to have plenty to occupy me for while.’
‘If you take this job?’
‘Yes.’
Inis drew herself up to her entire five foot two inches then looked down at her feet. ‘This is when I wish I’d worn heels.’
‘Would it help if I sat down?’
‘No. But let’s pretend you are.’
‘Fair enough. Go ahead.’
‘You’re taking that job, even if I have to fire you to make you.’
