Page 47 of The Reboot
‘Really, well done. I was here almost a year before they gave it to me.’
‘Oh!’
‘Although apart from the month Steve came up with the Eaziglide zipper, I’ve won it every month since.’ Kerry grinned smugly. ‘Until now.’
‘Oh. Sorry.’
‘It’s cool.’
‘I don’t feel I’ve done anything to earn it. I think they just gave it to me as a bit of encouragement because I’m new – to make me feel like I’m pulling my weight as part of the team.’
Kerry nodded. ‘Yeah, they’re very keen on building in rewards to keep everyone motivated. Maybe you did earn it, I don’t know. But to be honest, they’d probably have given it to you anyway.’
‘Oh!’ Ella had suspected as much, but she’d have thought Kerry would at least go along with the charade out of politeness.
Kerry laughed at Ella’s obvious dismay. ‘Sorry – no offence. I’m not being mean. I’m glad they gave it to you. I just think they’re worried you’re going to leave and they’re a bit desperate to make you stay.’
‘Really? Ella frowned.
‘Yeah, you’re the best admin person we’ve ever had here – and they know you’re well over-qualified for the job. Dylan and Jake are great to work for, but they’re not so good at attracting the right people when it comes to the business side of things. It’s the same with investors and bankers – they have a hard time getting people to take them seriously sometimes.’
‘I wonder why,’ Ella said under her breath as Jake strode past in his Fortnite outfit.
Kerry laughed. ‘They’re really good at what they do, but they like to have a laugh at the same time. Nothing wrong with that, is there?’
‘No. Nothing at all. How did you end up here anyway? I mean, Jake said you studied fashion—’
‘Yeah. I knew Jake from college. I helped them with their crowdfunder, and then they asked if I’d come and work for them when they started this place. It’s not easy to get a break in fashion design, to put it mildly. So here I am. It was supposed to be for just a few months,’ she said with a wry smile.
‘Wow!’
‘Yeah, they kind of suck you in. Get out now while you still can!’ She laughed.
‘You’re really happy here, aren’t you?’
Kerry nodded. ‘I love it. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. The most fun, definitely. They’re great employers – decent pay, sick leave and all that, obviously – but they also make you feel part of it, you know? Like you have a stake in the business, and it’s something you can be proud of. You feel appreciated, and they notice if you go the extra mile. You don’t get many jobs where you can say that.’
‘Careful, you sound like you’re trying to convince me to stay.’
‘I am. I don’t care if I never win Employee of the Month again. Honestly, you should have seen the one they hired before you. Some old school friend of Dylan’s. Totally clueless.’ Kerry rolled her eyes. ‘And not in a cute Cher kind of way either.’
Predictably, Roly was a big hit with Jake and Dylan. They cornered him and Ella as soon as they arrived at the pub and monopolised them for most of the evening, bombarding Roly with questions and generally geeking out over him. They kept him supplied with a steady stream of exotic mocktails as they plied him for stories about his time in Oh Boy!, making no attempts to tone down their enthusiasm or hide how impressed they were by his stardom. They weren’t acting cool at all, and she loved them for it.
Roly had taken a little persuading to come along with her tonight, but he was in his element now, enjoying the attention and adulation. She could tell he liked Jake and Dylan, and the three of them gelled instantly. Ella felt like a proud matchmaker.
‘So, how do you two know each other?’ Dylan was looking at her and Roly like they were the most fascinating creatures on the planet, his eyes glittering excitedly.
‘We were at school together,’ Ella said.
‘You’re such a dark horse,’ Jake said. ‘You’ve been with us a month now, and you never mentioned you live with Roly Punch.’
‘What was this one like at school?’ Dylan asked Roly, nodding to her.
‘Same as now, really. Brainy, over-achiever, teacher’s pet…’
Ella swatted him playfully. ‘Shut up!’
Roly laughed, fending her off. ‘Come on! Only you could come home from work with a fucking trophy!’
