A Life of Her Own Read online

  ‘Alice?’ David prompted, his eyebrows raised.

  ‘I know,’ she said, her thoughts turning back to the offer letter on the table in front of her. Yes, she was being picky. But why shouldn’t she want to do something she was at least a little excited about? And what sort of a name for a business is Outercover? Even if it is packaging.

  ‘Well, you’ve got the weekend to think about it. But we can’t afford for you to be too choosy. The salary is good. It’s a good job.’

  Alice stared down at her plate of food, her appetite having left her. David was right. He usually was. She needed to forget uni, and start being a proper adult and an active contributor to society, and their bank balance. Not that she hadn’t been, but she thought she’d never have an income that would equal David’s – even this ‘good’ salary was only around a third what he earned.

  Okay, so come on, get excited about it. It’s a great job. Be grateful, she told herself as she forcibly chewed a mouthful of pasta.

  ‘Todd’s nice and you said everyone else there seems nice too,’ David added.

  ‘Yes, they are.’ And wasn’t that a good enough reason on its own?

  ‘Half of any job is the people,’ David pointed out.

  ‘You’re right. I’ll accept it on Monday,’ she said, smiling as she stood up and started to load the dishwasher.

  David smiled. ‘All change is scary. You’ll be right. You just have to push through it,’ he said, drawing her to him and kissing her.

  ‘I know,’ she said quietly.

  ‘I’ve got an idea. We should celebrate – the new job and the house – and I know exactly how.’

  ‘How?’ Alice said, brightening and looking up at him.

  ‘Let’s go to the pet store and get a dog. Now we don’t have a landlord who doesn’t like pets. And it’ll be good training for us …’

  ‘Oh, wow. Really? You mean it?’ Alice nearly skipped in excitement, but restrained herself.

  ‘I don’t say things I don’t mean, Alice.’

  Well, you do, actually. Quite often, Alice thought, but let it go.

  ‘Can we go to one of the shelters instead?’

  ‘Sure. Whatever you want,’ he said, yawning. ‘I’m knackered. I’m just going to check my emails and then have an early night.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll be in soon.’ Alice smiled, properly this time. She was going to get her tablet out and look at what dogs were available for adoption. Something small but not one of the shrill, yappy breeds. They didn’t want to bother their new neighbours with a barking dog when they were both at work all day. They didn’t have much of a backyard but thankfully the park was only a few streets away.

  Chapter Two

  Alice sat at reception to do an hour-long stint filling in while Chelsea, the usual receptionist, went out to run a few errands. She hated doing reception duties, but as the casual, Alice didn’t feel she could refuse when asked. It didn’t help that she was tired after a couple of sleepless nights, thanks to their new Jack Russell terrier.

  She couldn’t believe such a beautiful dog was at the RSPCA shelter. Her heart ached to think of what the story of Bill’s first two years of life might contain. She and David had walked along the rows of cages, keeping their distance, before Alice had led the way back to Bill’s. He appealed to her because he was unlikely to be as raucous as a puppy and as he was an adult they might have a better chance of knowing his true personality from the outset. She was also drawn to him because he appeared smart and curious, and a little sad but not frightened.

  Bill sat back against the wall and observed Alice as she was observing him. This went on for a few minutes until he came over, sniffed the hand she offered through the wire and then sat and gave her fingers a lick before sitting back on his haunches just out of reach. When Alice went into the cage to sit with him, Bill greeted her like a long-lost friend, circling her while wagging his tail so fast that his whole body gyrated. He then threw himself into Alice’s lap and stood up with his paws on her chest, trying to deposit slobbery wet kisses on her neck. After his brief burst of exuberance, Bill curled up in her lap and settled for a nap. Looking down at him, Alice knew the deal was sealed – well, from her end, anyway. David approved because he was a handsome looking dog and not ‘one of those dangerous breeds the Bogans have’. Alice couldn’t be bothered pointing out that the RSPCA had a duty of care and wouldn’t offer dangerous or untested dogs for rehoming. She didn’t like the look of the thickset, bullish type of dogs anyway. She loved German Shepherds and Kelpies and Border Collies, but would never want to keep one cooped up in a small yard. Alice thought those breeds needed to run for miles, chase and round things up, to be truly happy.

  They purchased Bill along with all the bedding, toys, food, treats and assorted stuff that would be needed to ensure his comfort, and made their way home with Alice talking non-stop to the dog, reassuring him. David remained silent – most likely too busy holding his breath in the hope the dog wouldn’t soil the Beemer, Alice thought.

  They spent the rest of Saturday showing Bill around the house and settling him in. While cooking dinner that night, Alice had looked out the kitchen window and smiled when she saw David on the small patch of lawn in the backyard, testing Bill’s obedience with treats and tossing him a tennis ball. She laughed out loud when she noticed that it was David doing the fetching.

  ‘He’s got you sussed,’ she said when she went outside to join them.

  ‘I know. Call me a sucker,’ David said, laughing. ‘Mate, I’m taking it easy on you today because you’re new,’ he told Bill, who was sitting with what looked like a big grin on his face, his tail wagging.

  When they called Bill for dinner he trotted in carrying his tennis ball. He gently deposited it between David and Alice and sat to attention, looking from one to the other as if waiting for it to be tossed. David and Alice laughed.

  ‘Aww, who’s a clever boy?’ Alice said, leaning down and patting the dog.

  ‘Later, Bill, not in the house,’ David said firmly.

  ‘Go and lie down on your bed,’ Alice commanded, and was actually a little surprised when Bill obeyed, taking his ball with him.

  ‘That’s one smart dog,’ David said with obvious satisfaction as he set the table.

  ‘But he looks so sad.’

  ‘Better get used to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s his signature move. We’re going to have to learn to ignore him a bit.’

  ‘Hmm, yes, we don’t want him spoilt and naughty.’

  ‘Or fat – I might have given him too many treats before.’

  ‘Yep, I think saying no is definitely going to be the hardest thing,’ Alice said, and turned her attention back to dishing up their meals.

  All had been well until it was time for bed and Bill was left on the other side of the closed bedroom door. After he’d whined for seemingly hours, Alice wanted to relent and bring his bed in and let him sleep on the floor. But David reminded her that they’d agreed the dog needed discipline, boundaries and consistent routine, and insisted Bill stay where he was while grumbling that he hoped the dog wasn’t doing any damage. Reluctantly Alice agreed, briefly wondering how they would be when it came to agreeing on how to raise a child. She pushed the thought aside. It was not something to dwell on at three o’clock in the morning.

  When the alarm went off on Monday they both dragged themselves through the shower and off to work, after too little sleep thanks to their naughty but loveable new dog. The second night had been a little better, with Bill settling down at around two, when Alice and David could finally get some sleep. At least he hadn’t shown any inclination towards chewing anything he shouldn’t, and there hadn’t been any toileting accidents, Alice thought with huge relief as she reluctantly got ready for work.

  She blocked open the sliding glass door just enough so Bill could squeeze through to get outside if he needed to and not so much that anyone could get inside. She really hadn’t wanted to leave and had hovered in the hall patting th
e dog for ages. Being a casual employee, she didn’t get paid if she didn’t turn up and calling in sick wouldn’t be a good look, especially when Todd would have seen her and David’s Facebook posts announcing the new arrival. He would know the real reason why she didn’t come in. Anyway, she was going to accept the permanent position today, even though she still hadn’t signed the contract.

  At the reception desk, Alice wished the phone would ring or someone would walk in and she’d have something to do. Sitting around with nothing going on wasn’t helping her state of tiredness at all. She’d give her left pinkie to curl up under the desk and take a nap. She was afraid of getting caught with her eyes closed, but she was losing the fight to keep them open. Her phone pinged, but checking messages or talking on her mobile while on reception was an absolute no-no.

  She looked up on hearing quick, heavy footsteps on the polished floorboards. Someone was walking towards her from down the hall where all the offices were located. Please don’t be Todd or Aaron wanting the signed contract. It was Aaron. She heard his voice before she saw him stride past without looking at her, heading to the photocopier at the far side of the room. He held his mobile up to his ear and he was now shouting to whoever was on the other end – something about a fucking debacle and heads rolling. He was beyond red – more a purplish colour. Careful, you’ll have a heart attack. Alice looked down so she wasn’t in his line of sight if he turned around.

  The next moment she heard the distinctive sound of the photocopier’s lid being raised, none too gently – the creak of the hinges straining – and then a crash of plastic as it was closed again, hard. She could hear buttons being stabbed at with fingers, over and over, and Aaron growling. Alice slowly raised her gaze. He was ending the call. She half expected to see the phone flying towards her, but watched as he roughly shoved it into his trouser pocket. Then he started shouting at the machine in front of him. Someone should point out that he needed to – gently – press the button to take it off standby before it would be any use to him, but Alice wasn’t about to be the one breaking that particular news.

  Her eyes bugged when in the next second Aaron ripped the lid up and shouted, ‘Oh for fuck’s sake! Fucking work, you stupid fucking thing!’ Then he slammed his clenched fist onto the glass bed holding the sheet of paper he was presumably trying to scan or copy. There was an almighty crash and the unmistakable crack and splintering of glass. Alice ducked her head down behind the panel in front of the reception desk. Her heart was racing. She didn’t have a problem with swearing, could let out a few choice words of her own when the need and feeling arose, and she hadn’t exactly been raised in a gentle household, but she did have a problem with aggression and violence.

  What should I do? Her flight instinct was kicking in, but she was trapped behind the desk. There was no getting out without passing within striking distance of Aaron. Alice began to feel queasy.

  Suddenly the front door opened. On shaking legs, Alice pushed back into her chair and sat up straight, willing the heavy thumping in her chest to ease as she took in a deep breath. A man in taxi company livery walked in.

  ‘Taxi for Aaron Troubridge?’ he said, beaming at Alice.

  ‘About fucking time! You’re late!’ Aaron shouted, striding across the room before Alice had a chance to say anything. ‘And get that fucking thing fixed!’ he said, pointing back towards the photocopier as he passed by.

  Alice’s heart was beating wildly. She ventured over to check the damage – yes, there was indeed a big crack diagonally across the glass. Back at the desk she retrieved the number of the copier repair business the company used and wrote it on a sticky note. Her fingers and voice were still a little too shaky to call yet. Thankfully the phone hadn’t rung. And so far no one else had needed to use the copier.

  ‘Are you okay? What the hell was all that commotion?’ Steve from sales appeared at the end of the hallway.

  ‘Um, Aaron just tried to put his hand through the photocopier in a fit of rage.’

  ‘Shit. Are you all right?’

  Um, no, not really. ‘I’m fine. But I’d better get someone to come around and fix it.’

  Steve went over to the copier and lifted the lid. ‘Christ, I thought you were exaggerating.’ He looked back to Alice with wide eyes. ‘He really did a number on it.’

  ‘Yup. He certainly did.’

  ‘You sure you’re okay? You look a little pale. Can I get you a cup of tea, glass of water, or something?’

  ‘I am a little shaken up, to be honest. Thanks, but I’ll be okay.’ Can I go home and be with Bill?

  Actually, Alice did need a cup of tea, which she realised as soon as she’d taken the first sip of the sweet milky tea Steve had delivered to her desk without another word – simply a sympathetic smile – a few minutes later. One by one staff members filed past and expressed their disappointment in the situation and what Alice had had to witness. Gradually she came to realise no one was actually expressing any surprise. She was relieved when Chelsea came bouncing back in and walked around behind the reception desk to unload some bags of stationery supplies.

  ‘What?’ she said, looking at Alice who was trying to find the right words to say, the right questions to ask. ‘Yeah, I heard about Aaron’s hissy fit,’ she said. ‘Paula in accounts texted me.’ She waved a dismissive hand. ‘Don’t worry about it. He gets over things pretty quick. I’m sure he’ll be fine by the time he gets back.’

  Alice had to stop her mouth from dropping open. There was nothing fine about what happened, and certainly nothing to be flippant or dismissive about. Oh well, it doesn’t really matter, she wouldn’t be here much longer. It was a small company and she knew that since the marketing manager had left, all marketing for the company was under Aaron’s control. There was no way she was taking a job that would mean working closely with such a man, regardless of how good the salary was and the great opportunities down the track. He was the founding owner of the business, so Alice was sure there would be no repercussions, no change of behaviour.

  ‘I’ve called the photocopier people. They’ll have someone here as soon as they can,’ Alice said, picking up her handbag and coffee mug.

  ‘We’re probably keeping their service department going. No, it’s not the first time,’ Chelsea said, rolling her eyes.

  ‘Right,’ was all Alice could manage in reply. ‘Well, have a great day,’ she said as she left with a wave.

  ‘Thanks for filling in. Sorry you had to … you know.’

  Alice offered a weak smile in response before hurrying along the hall and then up the three flights of squeaky stairs to her office at the top of the ancient building. The term ‘office’ was being far too generous – it was barely more than a cupboard, and didn’t even have an air-conditioning duct. It had been as hot as a furnace during the middle of summer. Thankfully it had a small sash window that opened just enough to let out some of the stifling air. She squeezed her long legs behind the small but sturdy desk that took up nearly all the space, feeling pleased that she was tucked away from the action in the offices below. The solid old stone walls and heavy desk for protection in front of her had never felt so comforting. She reached into her bag and drew out the envelope containing the offer letter and the contract, opened it up and took out the documents, and then tore them in two. And two again. And again. The job offer had felt wrong all along, otherwise she’d have signed up and been on the permanent payroll as of last Friday. She raised her eyes to the peeling paint and stained patches on the ceiling. Thank you, she said silently to whomever, whatever, had been looking after her and, with a satisfied smile, she placed the pile of torn paper on the corner of her desk. She really hoped David would understand.

  The disappointing thing about this was she now had to head back into the horrible, murky pool that was job hunting – not that she’d ever actually left. Oh well, she consoled herself, she’d thought the house hunt would go on forever and it hadn’t, so she’d find a job. Soon. She had to. She really didn’t want t
o go back to temping. She wanted to belong somewhere, feel connected. Sighing, she put her thoughts aside and turned on the computer to get to work securing more leads for Business Development Manager Todd.

  An hour or so later Alice looked up at hearing a gentle tap on her door. ‘Oh, hi,’ she said to the tall man filling up most of the doorway.

  ‘Can I come in?’ Todd said.

  ‘Sure, it’s more your office than mine,’ she said. She waved a hand to indicate the space in an effort to welcome him in, though there was nowhere for him to sit. So he leant against the wall.

  ‘I heard about this morning. Sorry you had to witness that.’

  ‘Thanks. It wasn’t pleasant. Todd,’ she said, ‘I’m really sorry, but I can’t take the job. I appreciate the offer, but …’ She suddenly was lost for words.

  ‘Not because of this morning?’ he said, staring at the torn-up paper on her desk.

  ‘Yes, because of this morning. Well, that sealed it.’ Alice was incredulous. Why was Aaron’s behaviour okay? ‘I’m not spending my days wondering if I’m going to have a laptop or lever-arch folder or something thrown at me from across the room.’

  ‘He’s not that bad.’

  ‘Well, I can’t know that, can I? Todd, this is not okay. It’s not appropriate behaviour anywhere, let alone a workplace – and for the CEO. This is supposed to be a successful national company, for Christ’s sake. Can’t you see that?’

  ‘But I thought you liked working here – liked working for me.’

  ‘I did. I do. It’s not about you, Todd. The man needs help.’

  ‘But it’s such a great opportunity.’ So everyone keeps saying. ‘You can get trained up and then leave if you want. You’ll be set up and well on your way after a year or two here. I’d give you a brilliant reference.’

  ‘Sorry, Todd. You know I think the world of you and I’ve been so grateful for the work these last few months, but I just can’t do it. I’ve been a nervous wreck since it happened. I can’t work like that. And I’m not over-reacting. It might not affect you, but it’s not something I’m prepared to put up with.’