Page 124 of The Reboot
‘I… I was wondering if I could have my old job back. If you’d have me, that is.’
‘Ah!’
‘Told you,’ Dylan said, grinning at Jake. ‘You owe me a tenner.’
‘So the research job didn’t work out?’ Jake asked.
‘No. I mean, it’s fine. I haven’t been fired or anything. I just … made a mistake. I’m sorry I left this place. I know it’s a long shot. I’m sure you’ve replaced me by now. But I just thought I’d ask – in case.’
‘Don’t ask, don’t get,’ Jake said.
‘Yes. Exactly.’
‘Well, we’d love to have you back,’ Jake said, ‘but—’
‘We did take on someone else,’ Dylan finished for him.
‘Right, okay.’ She nodded.
‘She’s no you, but she’s pretty good and we’d have no reason to let her go. So I’m afraid we can’t give you your old job back.’ Jake glanced at Dylan as he said it, and they exchanged a look she couldn’t decipher.
‘No, of course not. I wouldn’t expect that.’
‘Anyway, how’ve you been?’ Dylan asked.
‘I’m okay.’ She gave him a shaky smile. ‘I’ve screwed everything up, but I’ll be fine. How are things going here?’
‘Great!’ Dylan beamed. ‘We’re all systems go, getting the new urban collection together.’
‘It’s been hectic,’ Jake said.
‘Are you still doing karaoke?’ she asked wistfully.
‘Of course. Never too busy for a bit of fun.’
‘And how’s my replacement working out at that?’
‘Fantastic,’ Dylan said. ‘She does a mean Kiki.’
‘Oh.’ It was ridiculous how gutted she felt at that. ‘Well, I’d better let you get on. Thanks for your time. It was nice to see you anyway.’ She got up to go.
‘You too. We told you don’t be a stranger. And you’ve been a stranger.’
‘Sorry.’
‘Yes, don’t let that happen again, young lady,’ Dylan said. ‘You should join us for karaoke on Friday.’
‘And the door’s that way,’ Jake said, pointing to it.
As she turned to go, she heard them laughing and calling to her.
‘Ella, don’t go!’
‘Come back!’
She turned around to find them beckoning her over.
‘We were only kidding.’
