CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Chapter Eleven
Jackson
Claire told me on a regular basis that I shouldn't be allowed to be present in another's human's company until I had drunk at least two mugs of strong, caffeinated coffee. By Thursday she'd told me I shouldn't be allowed to communicate with anyone, whether over the phone, in person or via social media, until I'd also had a fix of Vanessa each day.
"For fuck's sake, Jacks," she said via Facetime on Wednesday morning. "I've already had someone at the Manchester office, who shall remain nameless, contact us to find out if you're okay. As in mentally okay. Turn down the crank else you'll be getting more like our father than Maxwell!"
"I'm not cranky!"
"Really? Why did you shout at the receptionist then? What catastrophic ineptitude did she present you with?"
"She... I... Oh fuck. I'm turning into Dad." I put my head in my hands.
"You're not just turning in to Dad, you're turning into Dad when Marie was away. I'm worried, Jackson," Claire sounded serious which bothered me. "You met Vanessa a week ago and you're pining for her."
"I'm not pining! That's something teenage girls do. Or Seph."
"Seph could be considered a teenage girl," Claire said thoughtfully. "Thank God Payton's back and is knocking him into shape. She's set him up on a date tonight with someone she knows."
"I assume she doesn't like them and doesn't want to speak to them again."
"Harsh, brother, harsh. Anyway, when did you speak to Vanessa?"
"I tried ringing her this morning but there was no answer. She texted back to say she had an early morning meeting," I said, breaking a croissant into pieces.
"And when did you speak to her before that?"
"Last night before I went to sleep."
Claire looked accusingly at me, adjusting the iPad so at least her face blurred slightly.
"I'm not discussing what we were talking about with you. Besides, you don't want details."
"Damn right I don't want to know about your freaky phone sex. She's in the office at the moment and she's so busy. Kirsty's being a shit with her and not helping things at our end. I'm going to speak with Hilary in HR about her as I think we might need to look at a verbal warning. Anyway..."
"If she's not supporting Vanessa get rid of Kirsty!" I said, "She's been dragging her feet in that department for months. Can you imagine asking her to organize Dad's retirement?"
"As someone who has studied employment law, you will know that it's not that straightforward. Back to Vanessa. And you. Are you sure she doesn't feel that she has to speak with you all the time to ensure you keep her company involved with the marketing rebrand? It's just you seem very... consumed by her. I don't want her to feel pressured. Her relationship with her ex-was shit, Jacks. He was awful to her," Claire eyeballed me, a technique she'd learned from our step-mum.
"I don't think I'm pressuring her. She's too direct and upfront with me," I sighed. My conversations with Vanessa had been the getting to know you ones that hadn't involved work or exes or her business. We'd talked about what was going on in the news, what we'd done at the gym, the random shit people discuss and it was easy. I could see she was tired and she could see I was stressed as mediation was not going well at this point and I had a shit ton of other stuff to do. But I was being difficult with everyone else. "Yeah, you're right, I'm being shitty with everyone because I want to be in London at this moment in time sorting the office out. I'm going to appoint a new office manager, I've decided, and potentially another commercial litigator to help Seph."
"And you want to see Vanessa," Claire said, biting a nail.
"I want to have the option. I'm not sure her schedule would've allowed us to get together before Friday. And I don't want to rush things. I'm not great with relationships, Claire," I said, feeling vulnerable which I didn't like and would result in me lifting a stupidly heavyweight later.
"I know. You've had two long-term girlfriends who were really convenient fuck buddies who could schmooze a social situation. No arguments, no pressure, no real connection except you found them physically attractive and they were well-behaved," Claire summed it up perfectly. "You've not reacted to someone like this before. Sunday surprised all of us."
"The whole weekend surprised me." I hadn't spent so much time with one person unless it was one of my family members. I should be running a mile from Vanessa but I wanted to do entirely the opposite. "I'll try to wind in my irritation. I don't want to scare her off."
Claire smoothed down her bobbed hair. "I don't think you will. I think she likes you quite a bit but she's nervous after what happened with Richard the dick."
I wanted to preen at my sister's words: I think she likes you quite a bit. This was good.
"Jackson," Claire started. I recognized her tone: she was about to tell me what to do in a way that I would think I wasn't being told. "I'm uncomfortable with having this security shit for the Katie Worthington case."
"Tough. Shit." There was no room for maneuver.
"Look, I get hiring the PI to do some background on them both, but I don't need my apartment being swept for bugs and cameras. And I don't need someone keeping an eye on me in the evenings and mornings until the case is well underway, which will be months," Claire said, looking tense.
"They've been told not to cockblock you," I confirmed. "If they get too in the way let me know."
"What firm did you use?"
I didn't want to answer; I knew what her reaction would be.
"A reputable one."
"You used Killian's didn't you?"
"Claire..." I huffed loudly. "I need you to have someone we trust and although you and Killian don't get along – and I have no idea why you don't – he will ensure everything will be as safe as it can be. He's not going to be in your apartment or anything like that, he's just overseeing it. From a distance."
She didn't respond. I waited some more for the fireworks to start. None calm. This was strange.
"Okay. I get that you trust him. But I'm uncomfortable with him knowing what I get up to." She blinked slowly which meant she was really anxious about something. "I'm not going to tell you why so don't ask. Just pull security in the evenings when I'm out. Or let me do it. I don't mind having someone there when I'm walking home from work, but not when I go out after. And let's face it, Jacks, once this case starts I'm not having a social life."
"Okay. I'll email Killian and copy you in. I know you're not stupid. And thanks for the kind of advice about Vanessa," I said, feeling slightly more grounded.
"You're welcome. She likes peonies, by the way."
I looked at her blankly, wondering whether she had started speaking a foreign language.
"Peonies. They're a type of flower. You want me to text you the number for the florist I use?"
I had never bought a woman flowers except for my step-mum, Marie. "Yeah, sure. What's a reasonable amount to spend without looking desperate?"
"Fifty or sixty quid. She's busy and stressed. Flowers will cheer her up. If you ring now they'll have them delivered by 5. Just don't put your name on, then no one in the office will suss you out. Right, I'm off to slay dragons in the next installment of 'custody wars: the sequel.'"
"I'm glad I didn't do family law," I muttered.
"You'd just shout at them until they hid under the table. You don't have my patience."
I ended the call before I said something that would really piss her off and waited for the phone number so I could order flowers.
***
By Friday my mood had lightened considerably. Mediation had ended late on Thursday and we'd ended up getting exactly what we'd set out to achieve, meaning I had happy clients and a sense of satisfaction. The other side was represented by a firm of lawyers I considered unprofessional at best and liars at worse. As well as getting a good result for our clients, I had wanted to wipe the smile off the face of their partner who had tried pulling every trick in the book and failed. After a decent night's sleep and a heavy work out at a gym in Manchester's city center I headed back to London, safe in the knowledge that I knew where Vanessa's clients' reception was tonight and I'd secured myself an invitation, thanks to a bit of work on Claire's behalf.
The office had a decidedly Friday mood; I heard more laughter than raised voices and noticed Mandy on reception already had her Friday night make-up on.
"Afternoon, Jackson," Mandy said as I walked passed. "Good trip?"
"Not bad. Anything I need to know about?"
Mandy knew pretty much everything that went on in the office and if she'd ever been inclined, would've been the perfect person to run the HR department. "Kirsty was looking for you earlier. Shall I let her know you're back? I think she wanted a quiet word."
"Give me twenty minutes to have a coffee."
"Sure." Mandy turned her attention to answer the phone and I escaped into my office before anyone could catch me and tie me into a conversation. Friday was not the day to start anything new, or get engaged in office politics.
Twenty minutes later there was a knock at my door and Kirsty appeared wearing a tight fitting dress, her hair done up in an intricate style. "How was the north?" she said, looking wide-eyed and slightly nervous. I knew Claire had spoken with her about her attitude towards Vanessa and Kirsty had apologized profusely, citing a bad break up with her boyfriend as a reason for her moodiness. I wasn't convinced.
"Successful. What can I do for you?" I sat back in my chair, stretching out my legs, hoping this wouldn't take long.
"It's about the marketing department. I have a few ideas on how we could make it more profitable and engage new clients. I know we've brought Vanessa in, and she's really good..." the sincerity was completely forced, "...but I know this firm better than she does and our potential market so I was wondering if I could run through some of the thoughts I'd had."
I didn't want to inhibit her enthusiasm even though I was pretty damn sure her ideas wouldn't have the same caliber and depth than the ones Vanessa had discussed with yesterday evening, when we had a scheduled just-work discussion. "When do you think would be a good idea to meet about it? I'm more than happy to listen to what you've come up with – it's what you're employed for." It was a dig at her as this was the first time in nine months that she had requested such a discussion, despite at her interview producing a portfolio of work that she had allegedly completed with a previous employer.
"I was wondering if you could fit me in after work tonight? I know it's short notice and you've spent most of the week away, but I checked your diary and you're free," she smiled.
I considered my options. I did need to hear her out but it wasn't urgent and it wasn't protocol to arrange a meeting on the same day as mentioning it. Plus, Vanessa's event started at six and I wanted to go home and get changed. "Why don't you email me an outline with your ideas then I can have some time to consider them." I checked my diary. "I've time on Wednesday morning at ten; we can look then at what we're going forward with. I'll see if Vanessa has availability to join us then too."
"I'm not sure I want Vanessa in on this. I mean, I know she's only here short term but she's already passed one of my ideas off as hers. It's unprofessional to say that, I know, but I feel I'm being caught in between a rock and a hard place," Kirsty said, sitting down uninvited in the chair opposite me.
"What was the idea?" I asked. I could see where this was going.
Kirsty sighed. "I mentioned to her about bringing in some of the kids from the hospice Mr. Callaghan has supported before the retirement ball for a mini-celebration. It's great publicity and I knew it would be something your dad would enjoy from everything I've heard about him," she smiled sweetly, covering herself as I knew she'd never actually met my father. "It highlights the charitable work the company does and helps fix the image of the company being more than just a law firm, it shows us as being part of the wider London society."
"When did you discuss this idea with Vanessa?"
"Tuesday afternoon when she was in the office."
"When did you find out Vanessa was going ahead with this?" I didn't know if to laugh or shout.
"Wednesday. She sent me an email asking me to look for a children's magician."
"Did you find one?" I kept calm.
"Of course. I might be able to get a couple of celebrities involved too, you know, through a couple of contacts I picked up from my previous firm." She sat up straight. "I'm not bothered about it, Jackson, but I'd rather Vanessa not be there when I speak to you about my ideas, and I'd really like to chat with you after work. If you like what I suggest I could put a few extra hours in over the weekend."
"Are you sure it was Tuesday afternoon when you discussed it with her?" I gave her even more rope.
"It could've been late morning. You were in Manchester else I'd have discussed it with you straight away. It is such a good idea, isn't it?"
"I thought so. When I spoke with Vanessa about it on Monday evening I thought it was an excellent idea. We went through the charities my father had supported over the years and the ones we were involved in now. That was Monday night." I watched her face drop and her bottom lip start to shake. I never knew quite what to do with crying females, especially ones that I had made cry. I rubbed my face. "Look, Kirsty, I know you've found it difficult working with Vanessa..."
"I don't get why she's here! I mean, I'm doing my job. I'm good with clients, I have a good list of contacts. Why wasn't I asked to oversee the rebrand or the retirement ball? Bringing her in makes me look like I'm incompetent!" She started to cry, large tears dripping down her cheeks.
"It's common practice for companies to bring in an outsider for something like this as an impartial view gives a fresher approach. I'm sorry that you've feel you've been sidelined but this is a perfect opportunity for you to learn from someone who's been in this field for some years and has been incredibly successful. What we do need you to do is show what impact you being good with clients and having good contacts is having, as I'm not seeing justification at the moment for the lunch meetings you bill expenses for or how our client base has grown since you've been working for us," I knew I sounded harsh but I wasn't the most patient person when dealing with someone who had just blatantly lied and tried to take credit where it wasn't due. I passed her a tissue.
"Honestly, I'd feel so much better if I can have some time with you. This evening would be perfect. It'd stop me from having a shitty weekend," she wiped her eyes, smearing mascara. I decided I wouldn't point it out, it'd give something for Mandy to say when Kirsty left my office.
"I'm afraid I am busy straight after work, it's just not in the diary. Like I said, email me your thoughts and we'll discuss them next Wednesday. If it makes you uncomfortable, we won't have Vanessa here, but be aware that she is being employed as an advisor so I am likely to be discussing them with her." I fixed my eyes on my computer screen as a hint for her to go.
She stood up and I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Sure. I'll email you this evening. I'd prefer it if we can have a conversation before Wednesday. I think you can imagine I feel very insecure and stressed right now and that's not good for my mental health."
It wasn't good for mine either. No employer likes to hear the word 'stressed'. "I'll recheck my diary and email you when you've sent your ideas. I don't need this right now as I probably won't have a chance to look at them in any depth until after the weekend. You should spend your weekend enjoying yourself. You still have a job; just remember you're still learning and having someone like Vanessa working here is a perfect opportunity for you to expand your skills base."
"No worries." She turned around and headed for the door, her hips swaying and I got the feeling that there was another agenda for suggesting tonight after work.
"Fuck." I left my office and headed for Maxwell's. My older brother did not deal with staff, other than to yell at his secretary or delegate to his team. He was academic, far more so than me, and loved the law and arguing. But he had a decent pair of ears and more than an average portion of common sense.
"You busy?" I asked, standing in the doorway. His head was down and he looked focused, so clearly, he was busy.
"Always. But I always have time to pass on my sage advice to my inept baby brother," he said, looking up.
"Seph's not here," I said, closing the door behind me. He laughed. I filled him in quickly on what had gone on with Kirsty.
Maxwell shrugged. "Record the conversation and your advice. She's out of her depth in that role and I suspect she's lied at interview. Let's get HR to have a good check as if she has falsified anything its grounds for dismissal. You know she's been after your ass since she started though?"
I frowned at him. "Seriously? I'm a good few years older than her to start with."
"Seriously, brother. But you're not ugly – you couldn't be, you're related to me although God knows what happened with Callum; you're the figurehead for this place; girls dig bodies like ours and you're loaded. Besides, Amelie overheard her discussing you with one of her friends in the café a few months ago."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"For fuck's sake, Jackson. It's not the first time it's happened and you don't need a bigger ego than what you've got already. I'd just be a bit careful though." He looked back down at his papers.
"Why's that?"
"Vanessa."
"Come again?"
"Many times. The ladies for sure. No, you and Van have chemistry; you sent flowers for her on Wednesday which Van loved by the way and everyone cooed over. Thank Ghaving od Claire told you not to put your name on them – genius woman. As soon as Kirsty notices she'll make it harder for Van," Maxwell said. "I'd speak with Van about it. She'll have some idea as to how to handle it."
"Cheers, bro," I left him to it and returned to my office, emailing HR so the conversation went on record. I'd wait until later to let Vanessa know; no point distracting her when she was busy enough. It was only a few hours until I'd surprise her by being at the event she'd organized to launch a new restaurant opening in Mayfair. Sometimes it helped to have a few connections of my own.