Chapter 26: Monday 31st August.
At 7 am I woke, as usual, as the radio alarm clicked on and lay as the light shone through the window until the news finished.
“Just another dreary Monday” the DJ said, “31st of August.”
I agreed as I turned over for another forty winks.
“The what?” I yelled suddenly,
“Today I have to be in Glasgow for 10 a.m. for my first Board meeting.
You’re wrong,” I laughed towards the alarm, “I hope today will be anything but dreary.”
After breakfast, where I told Jaclyn I couldn’t drive her to work, I set off in some trepidation for Glasgow.
I felt a strange icy tension in the air when I entered the large glass doors of the warehouse.
Everybody I met smiled and said, “Good Morning, Brian.” but nobody stopped to chat with me.
I figured that now I was a Director of the company they regarded me as the enemy.
“It’ll be just a matter of time until I win their trust,” I thought.
“If I could emulate Mr. Paterson, who spoke to everyone from the Chairman down to the packing room boys, with the same friendly smile, I should be okay.”
I arrived about an hour early for my meeting so I made my way to find Mr. Swan in the hope he could fill in the details of my new job, but he was tied up with Mr. Hunter discussing last month’s budget figures.
I was wondering what I should do to, at least, look busy when the tannoy announced there was a telephone call for me.
Picking up the nearest telephone I called “Hi Lynette, Brian here.”
“That’s Sarah for you.” she announced clicking her through.
“Hi Sarah, missing me already?”
“Very funny,” she quipped sarcastically,
“I just thought that while you’re there you could do yourself a favour.”
“Such as?” I asked puzzled.
“Such as,” she replied, “you could stop by the personnel department and pick up the files on the four people who want your job.”
“Brilliant idea, Sarah, I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
“That’s what I am paid for.” she laughed before giving me the names of the candidates, which I wrote on a telephone message pad beside the phone.
“David Simmons from the Aberdeen office,
Eileen MacDonald from Dundee,
Colin MacLean from Inverness
And Andrew Baird from Glasgow.”
“Andy Baird?” I asked astonished.
“Yes,” she confirmed, “you’ll probably know him?”
“I know him alright.
Okay Sarah I’ll pick them up and probably be back this afternoon.”
We said goodbye and clutching the list I made my way to where Cathy kept a record of all employees of the company to request the files I required.
Cathy Parker has been with the company for over thirty years and prides herself on the way she keeps her files.
Often nicknamed ‘Nosy Parker’, she knows more about the people who work for the company than anybody, and often methodically inserts any gossip into her files.
“Cathy,” I asked entering her office, “Could you do me a favour?”
“Oh Brian,” she squealed, “What are you doing here?
I thought you weren’t starting until the middle of October?”
“You’re right Cathy, as usual,” I smiled. She hated anyone getting the better of her.
“I’m just passing through. Could you look out these people’s files?”
She examined the list. “Why do you want them?”
“This time it’s Personnel,” I laughed, “They’re the people who want my job in Edinburgh.”
I then noticed she had my file on the desk in front of her, “interesting is it?”
“What?” she asked confused, until I indicated my file,
“Oh yes, it’s very interesting.” She smiled.
“When I heard your name over the tannoy it came out of the cabinet again. It’s hardly been off my desk these past few months.
Tell me, what’s the story on this wedding of yours?”
“Oh,” I laughed sitting down, “There’s a long story and there’s a short story - which one would you like?”
“The short version should suffice.” She smiled taking several pieces of paper from my file.
“The short story is - I’m getting married on 26th September.”
“But,” she read a piece of paper; “your fiancée was killed in a car accident in July.”
“That’s correct,” I smiled, “so I’m going to marry her little sister instead.”
“I thought,” she sighed, taking several newspaper cuttings of the M8 pile-up from my file. “Tracey Collins was an only child?”
“You’re right again Cathy,” I beamed because I could see I had the better of her, “she was.”
“Then!” she bellowed, “How the hell can you marry her little sister?
“That’s the long story.” I laughed looking at my watch.
“I’d love to spend the time telling you all about it, but I’ve got a board meeting to attend.
If you could make copies of these files for me I will collect them on my way out. Thanks Cathy.”
It occurred to me, as I left her very confused, I was soon to be Cathy’s boss and that was how Dennis Swan always appeared to know so much about the staff.
Cathy also was very friendly with Mrs. Simpson, the Chairman’s secretary, and could be a very valuable ally if I continued to be successful within the company.
I have to be nice to Cathy for several reasons it seemed.
Dennis Swan had returned to Mr Paterson’s former office, so I called in to find out how things were going.
We chatted until ten o’clock, and then made our way to the massive boardroom, where the others had assembled awaiting the arrival of Mr. Hunter who usually appeared a few minutes late.
The entire meeting, which lasted nearly two hours, went very well.
I was greeted warmly by Mr. Hunter and ‘officially’ introduced to everyone, who smiled a welcome, as they probably recalled their nervousness at their first meeting making me feel more at ease.
All went well, that is, until the end when they announced the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 30th September.
“Excuse me Mr. Chairman?” I kindly asked raising my hand,
“I know it’s a hell of a thing to ask, being the newest member of the team, but may I possibly be excused from the next meeting, Sir?”
“Ah yes, you will be on honeymoon?” he smiled.
“That’s correct sir,” I timidly replied, “If I must attend I can be here but….”
“You’d rather be with your bride?” he laughed and everyone else joined in.
“Wouldn’t you, sir?” I laughed back.
“Tell me,” he smiled, “It’s almost a fortnight since we last saw you.
Any more ‘last-minute’ substitutions?”
“Oh, I hope not.” I smiled.
Mr Hunter smiled and shook his head laughing loudly.
“Sure Brian, you may be excused.
Perhaps, some day you can regale us with the story of how you managed to marry an only child’s little sister?”
This made me very aware Cathy indeed talked with Mrs. Simpson, who, in turn, passed on any gossip to Mr. & Mrs. Hunter.
This confirmed the kind of regime I had joined.
“I can assure you, Sir, I will be more than happy to tell you the whole story someday.
Perhaps it’ll give us something to look forward to if these meetings become dull or boring or we have little to discuss.”
From that day to this, Emily, I have managed to avoid the subject and felt extremely pleased with myself as I drove east at midday relishing telling Sarah what had happened.
“You didn’t,” she laughed hysterically. “I hope I have as much fun working for one of these four guys as I’ve had working for you.”
“I sure hope so,” I assured her, “I really hope so - now let’s see who we’ve got?”
“Okay,” Sarah smiled opening the first file reading,
“David Simmons - age 32 - married with two kids and is presently employed as Office Manager in Aberdeen, He’s been with the company for twelve years.”
She laid down the file picking up the next.
“Eileen MacDonald is 25 – married - doesn’t have any children and she’s chief cashier of Dundee office where she’s been with the company for eight years.”
“Next we have Colin MacLean, he’s divorced and has a little three year old girl.
He’s 26 and has been with the Inverness Branch for five years, presently as chief cashier.
“And finally, Andrew Baird from Glasgow.
Accounts Manager, he’s 28 years old, single, and been with us for ten years.
He’s been recommended for several key posts, but it appears he hasn’t been too successful.”
“May I see that file?” she handed it over.
“That’s because,” I explained scanning his record,
“Everything he went for I applied for too, and I managed to keep one step ahead of him.”
“I remember him now,” Sarah smiled snapping her fingers,
“Isn’t he the guy you took Tracey from?”
“No,” I corrected her, “He’s the guy, who took Mary from me, and so, I went out with Tracey just to get my own back on him.”
“Ah ha,” Sarah nodded knowingly.
“But that is all in the past,” I smiled handing her the files.
“Could you call these guys and ask them if they can come on Wednesday morning for interview?
“Sure will, boss,” she confirmed and complied leaving me to reflect on all the cruel things I had done to Andy over the past five years.
Wednesday 2nd September.
This morning I, for a change, perched myself on the edge of Sarah’s desk to address my girls.
“Okay girls. Could you stop whatever you’re doing for a few minutes, I’ve got something important I would like you to do for me.”
Sarah, Julia, Norma, Maureen, Jean and Margaret all listened intently as I relayed my plan.
“This morning there will be four people coming here for interview for my job as your boss. I really don’t particularly care who gets the job because, basically, I don’t have to work with the guy, but you do.
So I’m not going to interview them - you lot are.”
They looked at one another in confusion as I relayed the plan.
“We have checked all their qualifications and expertise and on paper there’s nothing to choose between them. Any one of these guys would make an excellent boss for the department.
So before they arrive, Sarah will tell you all you need to know about them, then she’ll tell them I’m running late and ask them to wait for a couple of minutes.
Then you lot can ask them anything you like for ten minutes and it’s all up to you while I have a word with them in my office.
You can use any method you like to assess them for compatibility and I will get the results later. Okay? Anybody any questions?”
“We can ask them anything we like?” Maureen wickedly giggled.
“Within reason, Maureen,” I laughed,
“Remember, I don’t have to work with the guy - you do.
So, like they say in all the best game shows on television – ‘the decision is yours.”
I returned to my desk to await my first victim hoping I had done the correct thing by letting the girls decide, then if Andy wasn’t picked it wasn’t my fault - on the other hand if Andy was selected I couldn’t be accused of bias.
By the time Colin MacLean left, a few hours later, I reckoned I knew enough about him, and the previous two candidates, as I needed.
David Simmons would make an excellent choice, as he wanted to move from Aberdeen to Edinburgh so that his two children, aged 12 and 9, could get a better education.
He graduated from Edinburgh University and has very fond memories of the city, especially since he met his wife here, has family nearby and they are very happily married.
I got on extremely well with him and felt he would make an excellent replacement for me.
Eileen MacDonald I thought would win because the girls would have taken to her instantly due to the fact she was the only female and looked every inch a lady.
Eileen’s husband works in a bank in Dundee hoping a move to the capital would further his, and hopefully, her career.
She, at, twenty-five had talked about having kids, but, decided to wait a few years until they were both ready, which seemed a wise move.
I cautioned her not to leave it too late though as kids can take it out of you and she will want to enjoy them while she is young enough to keep up with them.
I got on very well with her during our brief meeting.
“She’s surely going to be a big hit with Sarah.” I thought.
Colin MacLean was less secure than the others.
He was, basically, hoping to move anywhere away from Inverness to put as much distance between his three-year-old daughter and his estranged wife.
He looked confident, spoke well, and certainly had the necessary qualifications, but his home life was so jumbled he didn’t impress me.
Perhaps the girls would understand his problems and take pity on him, as he was a very likeable person.
I was studying the notes I had on the three candidates when Sarah entered and announced. “Contestant number four is Andrew Baird from Glasgow.”
I smiled as a shook him warmly by the hand. “How are you doing mate?” He asked trying to make himself sound more friendly and interesting.
“I’m fine Andy,” I coyly replied, “how’s yourself?”
“Quite fine,” he replied, then he sat in silence smiling at me for a few seconds.
“Well Andy, I won’t need to ask you anything as I know everything about you already.”
“Yeah - and I hope you won’t hold that against me?” he joked nervously.
“I can guarantee it,” I smiled, “tell me what you’ve been up to recently?”
“Look,” he said getting fairly serious, “I’m really sorry for what I did all those years ago.” he humbly apologised.
“Tracey was the only girl I’ve ever truly loved.”
“Then why did you two-time her with Mary?”
“Because I didn’t know what a good thing I had until I lost her, and what made it worse is, I lost her to you.”
I could sense he was trying his best to control a deep and intense hatred for me.
“But,” I sighed sorrowfully, “I’ve lost her too.”
“That’s another thing,” he almost growled at me,
“When I heard she was killed, I felt sorry for you, and I forgave you for all the times you’ve stabbed me in the back over the past five years.
Then you tell me that your wedding is still ON, except you are marrying her sister.
Where - in the name of God - did she get a sister from?”
“Tracey never had a sister,” I reassured him,
“When she died, she was Mr. and Mrs. Collins’ only child.”
“Then how the hell can you marry her sister?” he was raging now.
“It wasn’t my idea to marry Debbie,” I confessed, “It was Sarah’s.” knowing he knew neither of these names.
Andy buried his head in his hands because he knew it was pointless arguing any longer.
“I give in,” he sighed raising his hands to shoulder height, “Okay, I surrender.”
I looked with pity on this man who had been my friend for five years, then my enemy for five years, and I hoped that we could become friends again.
“Andy,” I sighed sympathetically,
“Perhaps it’s time we called a halt to this nonsense and bury the past with Tracey?”
He agreed and we shook hands to confirm it.
Andy left
my office a broken man thinking he had no chance of getting the job, but he was wrong - as he usually was in my opinion.
Once I was sure Andy had left the building I perched myself on the edge of Sarah’s desk and asked my girls for their results.
Sarah and the other girls, with great ceremony, treated the exercise like a TV talent show and regally announced the results in reverse order.
“In 4th place,” Sarah announced while the other girls rapped their desks imitating a drum-roll.
“The public have voted for…contestant #3 - Mr. Colin MacLean.
I decided that as I had initiated this bazaar selection process I should allow it to continue in the faint hope nobody outside the finance office would ever hear it had taken place.
“In 3rd place,” Sarah continued,
“We have…contestant #1 – Mr. David Simmons.
“In 2nd place, and a very close runner-up we have voted for …contestant #2 – Mrs. Eileen MacDonald.
Leaving, as our winner, contestant #4 – Mr. Andrew Baird.”
Sarah and the others voted Andy the most suitable candidate for the job and although I pointed out the various advantages of each candidate, they could not be swayed.
“Okay, Sarah.” I sighed before leaving her desk, “Could you call Andy later this afternoon confirming his appointment to commence in four weeks from Monday 5th of October and confirm it by letter.
Could you also write to the other 3 candidates thanking them for attending for interview today and inform them that, on this occasion, regretfully, their application has not been successful.
The selection process has not been an easy one with several candidates, such as yourself, very suitable for this particular assignment. May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your continued commitment to the company and trust you will find suitable promotion in the very near future.
Finish it with my usual sincerity then return these files, with copies of all the letters, to Cathy Parker in personnel.”
“Sure boss,” she smiled lifting her phone, which rang as she spoke.
As I returned to my office I didn’t know how I felt about Andy getting my job. Maybe it would mend the feud between us, maybe not.
At that precise moment I felt hostility towards him and needed to vent my frustrations on someone.
Sarah provided the very person when she phoned and announced. “That’s your brother for you.”
“Hello.” I called.
“Hello brother,” John called. (Strangely he never referred to me by name - always ‘brother’).
“It’s yourself brother,” I snapped, “What can I do for you?”
“Guess who I was talking to?” he asked.
“How many guesses do I get?”
“I was just talking with Mum and she tells me that this wedding of yours is still on.”
It hadn’t occurred to me to confirm if John was still available to be best man.
“Do you have a problem with that?” I cruelly asked.
“Well,” he replied, “I would count the death of the bride as a major setback.”
“Listen brother,” I smiled wickedly,
“Did I, or did I not, inform you that I would be getting married on the 26th September in Saint Simon’s church at 3 p.m.?”
“You did.” he answered.
“Did you, or did you not, agree to be best man at the aforementioned wedding?”
“I did.” he replied. “But.”
“John,” I asked teasing him, “Did I inform you that my wedding was cancelled?
“No, but I assumed...”
“Unless I officially tell you that my wedding is off, you can assume that it is on - because ON, brother, it is.”
“I don’t know why I waste my time talking to you,” he sighed, “I never get any sense out of you.”
“The wedding is on brother,” I assured him, “and, unless I officially tell you any different, your services as best man will be required.
So I’ll see you then if not before, okay?”
“I suppose so,” he sighed then he was gone.
“Sarah!” I called realising that everything for the wedding was indeed confirmed except possibly the five items Tracey had asked me to arrange - Reception - Best man - Diamonds - Edinburgh and Honeymoon.
“Yes boss?” she poked her head around the door.
“Sarah, the wedding reception, was it confirmed before or since Tracey’s accident?”
“I believe it was before,” she replied, “Why?”
“Could you phone them and confirm it encase they’re in any doubt and can you get me Melanie on the phone?”
“Sure boss,” she said, somewhat apprehensively.
I waited a few minutes until my telephone rang.
“Hello.” I called into it.
“The hotel have confirmed the booking,” Sarah informed me, “and here’s Melanie for you.”
“Melanie.” I began cheerily.
“Hi Brian,” she answered equally as cheerily, “What can I do for you?”
“Three things.” I asked.
“Now that you’re famous I hope you and your girls haven’t forgotten we have a date for the 26th September?”
“We haven’t forgotten,” she laughed, “we will be there as promised.”
“Brilliant,” I smiled, “Item number two concerns a certain engagement ring?”
“Oh damn,” she winced, “that’s something I had forgotten all about, I still owe you a refund. I’m sorry Brian, I’ve been so busy with one thing and another - I’ll sort it out immediately.”
“No Melanie,” I interrupted, “I’ll be wanting it back or another one for Debbie.”
“Sure, No problem,” she laughed, “It will probably need re-sizing though. I’ll sort it out for you.”
“Fantastic,” I smiled, “and I’ll need another two rings as well.”
“Oh?” she asked puzzled.
“Wedding rings.” I informed her.
“Okay,” she laughed, “I’ll sort it out with Rachel for you.”
“Good, thanks Melanie,” I sighed, “You are a diamond.”
“So I keep getting told.” she laughed then she was gone, just as Sarah placed a pile of letters on my desk for signature.
“Sarah?” I called as she made her way to the door, “is my honeymoon still on?”
“I have a much better idea I am working on - I will tell you all about it later.” she smiled closing the door, while I read the letter to Andy and smiled.
“Are you sure you won’t change your minds?” I asked the girls when I returned the signed letters to Sarah’s desk - they wouldn’t.
Thursday was, by all accounts; a very boring day compared with Wednesday.
Sarah spent most of the day on the telephone to Debbie and Catherine confirming any details for the wedding that I may have missed.
The highlight of the day being when Sarah announced Debbie had asked her to be bridesmaid number four, which cheered her up immediately.
I offered to treat her to lunch on Friday to celebrate.