JUST THE JOB

"Come to my office now," she said and hung up. She was always brief and to the point.

This is it, thought Steve. She's going to give me that permanent job. No more part-time agency work, but security. I need a bit of security and stability. God knows, Mary needs it too, especially in her condition. I've always been the lad-about-town, no ties, no worries. Now all I want is a bit of security and to settle down, to feel I belong somewhere. If I can get started, then I know I can make a go of it. If I put my mind to it, I can show them what I'm really worth.

The others in the office had seen him pick up the 'phone and knew by the length of the call who it had been from. The buzz began before Steve was out of the door. Nearly all were on temporary contracts here, so the bitching started immediately. They all knew that there was a full-time job going and everyone had been waiting for a call from Helen Spiers, the office manager. The job situation was so tight. Here, you get a good salary, travel loans with a subsidised canteen. All you had to do was your job and put up with Helen Spiers. She certainly made sure you earned every penny. They said that this was the best-run department in the company. They didn't say it was the happiest, though.

Steve's long blond hair and scruffy good looks made all the girls want to mother him. But he made it clear that he was now a one-woman man - and that one was the one at home. He didn't flirt, except a bit with 'her', and that was so blatantly false it didn't count. He was quite distant from the others in the office, and this they saw as arrogance. In reality, he was rather shy. This had always been a pull in his carefree days, but it was more of a handicap now. Why couldn't they just leave him alone? All he wanted was Mary - instead, they just talked about him behind his back. He had heard them when they thought he couldn't hear.

So, the next best thing to having him, was bitching about him.

"The Lizard's well in with Gerda. Bound to be offered the job," said Marjie.

"Why is she called Gerda?"

"Rumour has it that she doesn't wear a bra and knickers, just iron girders."

Although it was an old joke, it still made them feel good to have a go. Helen Spiers usually only came in to tell them what they had done wrong - unless it was to see Steve. His good looks and groveling attitude seemed to protect him, which rankled with everyone else. She seemed to like having a good-looking male do her bidding so eagerly.

Whilst the others tried to enjoy themselves by moaning, Steve walked slowly along the corridor. He rubbed his palms on his trousers to dry them, then he coughed to moisten his throat. His long fingers ran through his hair to straighten it a bit, but it just tumbled down around his ears again.

He had reached her office now. Helen Spiers ruled her domain absolutely. What she said went and went immediately. She had got rid of people on the spot who had objected to her authoritarian way. No one was allowed to question or disagree. She was only thirty, but she dressed and acted more like fifty.

Steve knew he was in her good books. She sometimes smiled at him, something which did not happen to the others. She had patted him on the shoulder yesterday and told him how well he was doing. She was always so short with people that she was rude, but he had come to accept this as just her way of proving she was THE boss. He had had so many knockbacks recently that he didn't have an ego to worry about. If it made her feel good to put him down in front of the others, then that was OK by him. No, he was sure that the job should be his.

He knocked and opened the door with a confident smile.

Helen Spiers had her manager's face on today. She was looking forward to this. His smarmy manner rankled her. OK, he's young and good-looking, but I'll show him that he needs to do more in life than to smile at women. Here he comes with that cocky smile, flicking his hair back in his 'fancy-me' style. Well, I've got some news for you.

"Sit down, Steve. Work going well?" She didn't wait for a reply.

"Good, Good. Now I have several things to tell you, not all of it good. The good news is that I want to keep you. The bad news is that you will have to be part-time for quite a while yet."

Helen paused. Let that sink in for a moment, let him stew some. Now he looks a bit more human. He really wants that job. He looks like a lost schoolboy. I'll stay quiet a bit longer.

She fiddled with some documents on her desk and pretended that they were more important than him. This was an old managerial trick, but it always worked for her because people were so nervous in her presence.

"Still, there are openings," she said after a while.

Steve had just stayed silent, not trusting himself to speak without stammering.

"Things are changing rapidly around here." Let that sink in, too, thought Helen. He's squirming quite nicely in that seat.

"I have really noticed how helpful you have been. You work fast and accurately. I like that."

Now for the kill.

"Still, I do value you for yourself. Maybe you could help me ... personally!" That's got him thinking. I can see even his cogs turning. God, I hope he says 'Yes'. There must be some perks to this bloody job.

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