Page 13 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
Clasping her hands together, Polly leaned forward. Perhaps he wasn’t making it up. Zac seemed pretty agitated himself. Perhaps he really had thought he was coming here with the chance of getting the promotion? But if it was a mistake…
‘Yes, yes. I know exactly what you’re going to say, but to set the record straight, I didn’t have a clue either. I didn’t realise the job roles would change. I got you both the jobs I thought you’d be best suited to in good faith. Declan always was one to pull the rug out from beneath the feet.’ Mr Bob’s voice faltered before he spoke again. ‘He’s not there with you now, is he? With me on speaker?’
‘He’s not.’
‘Good, good. He’s a decent man, has the best of intentions but is well known for being a bit of a maverick where the?—’
‘Sorry to interrupt you, Mr Bob, but we’ve got to head into the office in a few minutes. The job roles were a bit of a surprise, yes, but that’s not the reason we’re calling.’
‘Right, right, of course. Time to start work soon, ay? What is it I can help you two with?’
Zac cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with where the conversation needed to go.
Lifting her hands to the table, still clasped, Polly spoke up. ‘Mr Bob, there seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding with regard to the promotion you promised me.’
‘And the fact you told us we were both in the running.’ Zac shot her a look.
‘You seem to have promised us both the promotion to project manager, but I think there’ll only be one job opening when Declan retires, is that right?’Please break the news to Zac that he’s misunderstood.
‘Yes, yes. One promotion. That’s right.’
‘Like I said…’ Zac narrowed his eyes as he pulled at the cuff of his sweatshirt sleeve.
‘As Zac said, either of you will be in the running for the promotion, of course! The best person for the job. That’s why you’re both there.’
‘Thank you.’ Zac nodded curtly.
Polly watched him grab the phone and bring it to his ear. Without thinking, she leaned across the table and tapped Zac’s phone, indicating to him to put it back in the middle of the table so they could both hear Mr Bob’s answer. How could Zac be right? And why hadn’t she been privy to this conversation?
‘…So you see…’
‘Sorry, Mr Bob. I didn’t hear what you’d said.’ Polly narrowed her eyes at Zac. ‘Can you repeat it, please?’
‘Of course, Polly. I was just saying that the promotion will go to the best candidate. And to be completely honest, things have worked out even better than I had anticipated. With you both being given new job roles, you’ll both be at the same starting point and therefore the competition will be much fairer than first anticipated.’
‘This isn’t a competition, Mr Bob. This is my life. I need this promotion.’ Polly swallowed as a lump formed in her throat. She needed it. She had to have it. He’d promised it to her. ‘When you assured me of the promotion you didn’t say anything about any other candidates, you made out that it would be mine. That it was expected.’
‘I’m sorry, Polly. That wasn’t my intention. Not at all. Are you certain I didn’t mention you were both candidates? I’m sure?—’
‘You did to me.’ Zac’s voice was low as he ran his palm across his face.
‘Well, if I didn’t to you, Polly, then I offer my sincerest apologies,’ Mr Bob continued. ‘Of course, I’m sure you’ll both be aware that the trust legally has to advertise the position externally too, but, of course, you’ll both have the advantage over any potential outside candidates as you’ll have been working there for a few months before then.’
‘Right. Thanks. We’d better go.’ Stabbing the pad of his index finger against the phone screen, Zac ended the call.
Bringing the mug of pumpkin spice latte to her lips, Polly took a sip, forcing it down. She felt as though her whole world had been torn apart. Her dreams shattered and the promise of a better future felled. What was she supposed to do now? Yes, she’d been volunteering at the Cotswold Wildlife and Wilderness Trust longer than Zac had been employed. But he’d been employed and worked full-time, whereas, apart from the last few months, she’d had to fit in volunteering around her teaching job. He had more experience. Plain and simple. The trust… No wonder he didn’t seem bothered by the fact she was his competition.
‘I need to go.’ Pushing his untouched mug away towards the salt and pepper shakers at the end of the table, Zac stood up.
‘Zac, are you leaving already? Don’t you want your breakfast?’ Laura bustled towards their table, carrying two plates in her hands.
‘No, sorry. Something’s come up.’ He held his mobile aloft before striding out of the kitchen.
‘Did I take too long?’ Laura frowned as she watched the kitchen door close behind him.
‘No.’ Polly shook her head. ‘It was a work thing.’
‘Oh, right.’ Nodding, Laura laid Polly’s plate in front of her. ‘Are you okay? You look awfully pale.’
