Jane drove into work early. This was going to be an important day. The managers had been given their tasks and it was now time to see how they had done.
She entered the car park to see several other cars were already there. In fact she had noticed the same cars had frequently been still there when she was leaving to go home over the last few weeks. She grinned. The managers had taken on some of what she had said.
She swirled into the office throwing her coat on the stand and her bag under her desk. Fiona came in with her tea.
‘Have you time for a quick chat, Fiona?’ Jane asked as Fiona went to leave.
Fiona shot to the door, pushed it shut then dashed back to sit on the desk with her arms folded in front of her. ‘Ready,’ she said.
Jane laughed at her. ‘It’s not my gossip I want to talk about.’
Fiona dropped her arms, slid off the desk and grabbed the chair. ‘Should have known you wouldn’t be that forthcoming,’ she moaned to herself as she sat in the chair. ‘Ok, what is it you want?’
‘The office gossip,’ Jane said, leaning forward on her desk.
Fiona looked at a fingernail with interest. ‘But you’re the office gossip at the moment.’
‘No. No. I want to know what the managers have been doing and what the staff think of it all.’
Fiona grinned. ‘As I said you are the gossip at the moment. Especially by the staff.’
Jane sat back, disappointed.
‘They cannot believe what you have done to the managers,’ Fiona said.
‘Come on, tell me, then,’ Jane sat up more interested.
‘Well, Mary said that David is being so nice these days and it’s distracted her so much she hasn’t been able to type a letter correctly for the past two weeks.’
Fiona laughed. ‘Only kidding. Mary thinks the change in David is great and ...’ Fiona bent forward, whispering, ‘the rumour is that he has also taken his wife in hand. Mary says when his wife rings for him now she is so much nicer.’
Jane looked at his file. It was also showing in David’s work. An examination of some of his client papers lately had shown a massive improvement. She was secretly pleased, as her original faith in David was now restored.
‘Okay, anything from Roger’s lot?’
‘Ooh, not so good, Jane,’ Fiona said gravely. ‘He is so full of bullshit that no one really likes him. He still thinks he doesn’t have to do anything. There is a rumour that Francisca is going to give her notice in shortly. He had her crying just recently.’
Jane picked up Roger’s personal file that was on her desk with the rest of the manager’s files. Jonathan had a list of grievances against Roger given to him by the staff. She and Jonathan were going to meet Roger after the managers’ meeting and it looked like it was going to be a difficult meeting. Roger wasn’t the kind of person to take criticism, especially from his own staff.
Fiona sat forward, hardly able to contain herself. ‘Big, big improvement. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?’
Jane smiled. She had noticed that Gary was dressing more brightly then he had before and even his walk through the office was distinctively more assertive. It was obvious that the training he took had impacted on him. ‘I’ve noticed changes about him but what about his staff?’
‘Some have been moaning about him giving them more work but they did it anyway. I told them to shut up and be thankful that they hadn’t been let go.’
Jane stared at her. ‘You didn’t say that, did you?’
‘Yeah, why not? They’ve got away with doing nothing all this time. I told them it had been noticed and they were lucky that Gary fought to keep them on.’ Fiona laughed slyly. ‘You should see them now. Can’t help Gary enough these days.’
‘Fiona, you are so devious,’ Jane said admiringly. ‘What about Paul?’
Fiona got up and walked around the desk. ‘Oh you should have seen the bust-up a few days after the last managers’ meeting. Wow, it was a biggie. Lisa thought Paul had told on her and so the affair is off.’ Fiona chuckled. ‘Now, she is trying to hit on Tom, but Tom has changed since that last managers’ meeting and is full of confidence. He told her where to get off and has disciplined her for sloppy work.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’
Fiona shook her head. ‘It’s all true. Lisa will leave, I think, but that’s no loss, as she did no work anyway.’
‘And Paul? How’s it affected him?’
Fiona grinned. ‘He’s still the office flirt but we girls know what he’s like so he isn’t going to get far. Could be why he’s doing more work now.’
Jane leaned back in her chair, pleased. It would seem that the changes expected of the managers were going well, all except Roger, which meant he might be leaving them soon. She wondered whether all this would have happened even if she hadn’t changed herself. Something inside of her didn’t think so.
‘So what happens now, Jane?’ Fiona asked softly, sitting herself on the edge of the desk.
‘Those managers who deserve it will get their reward at the end of the year.’
Fiona leaned towards her. ‘No, I meant about you.’
Jane looked at her and smiled. ‘I have to help Mark and I think we have to go away.’
‘Where?’
‘I don’t know yet, but it will be soon.’
Fiona fidgeted with her bracelet. ‘How can you be so positive and sure about this when you don’t know anything?’
Jane thought about it for a moment. ‘I can’t describe it really, but it’s like a feeling. I just know it’s right.’ She still saw confusion on Fiona’s face. ‘So let’s take you for example, you don’t wear black, why?’
‘Because it looks awful.’
‘But anything will look great on you, even black, so why don’t you want to wear it? What makes you think it is awful?’
Fiona stood up and looked out of the window. ‘When I put it on, it just isn’t right. It feels wrong.’
‘And that is how I know. It feels right and from this feeling, I know it’s right. I can’t explain it any other way.’
Fiona turned back to her. ‘You know, you are getting weirder by the minute but what’s even scarier is that I’m beginning to understand you.’
Jane laughed. ‘Change happens to us all.’
‘Yeah, right, and I’m getting out of here before it starts happening to me.’ She walked to the door and turned back as she held it open. ‘I am glad you are my boss and I do like the change that’s happened to you.’
Before Jane could reply she was gone.
Jane stared at the door for a while before swinging her chair round so it faced the windows and the view across West Park. Six weeks ago she had been a different person, a businesswoman with a harder personality and even though she would never had admitted it to herself then, she had been a lonely person. Yes she had the flat, the car and a highly paid job but there had been no one to share it with, no one to love.
It was amazing that one six-week course had changed her whole aspect on life and what she wanted from it. When it started she had been afraid someone would reveal her secret. Now that secret no longer existed and it had given her a freedom she could not have imagined before. It had also given her someone to love.
Mark. Her destiny lay with him, she was sure of it. Her purpose was to help him even if he wouldn’t tell her much about himself or what his other secrets were. She had gone on faith so far, but she really needed to get him to open up a bit. If he were to leave the Island then she would go with him.
Adrian Stevenson.
The name appeared in her mind. Now why had she thought of that? It had been the Mayan Priest who had first told her the name, in her bid to help Mark go on his path. She hadn’t needed to use it. And then it had been at the beginning of the interrupted message she got in the circle on the last day at Jasmine’s. What did it mean?
Jane swung her chair round to face her computer. She opened the Internet and typed in the name.
A list of Stevensons appeared but one caught her eye. It read ‘Missing Person’. She was about to click on the link when Fiona came in.
‘Jane, you’re going to be late for the managers’ meeting.’
Jane glanced at the time. Damn, not enough time to continue this. She picked up her paperwork and files and started to move away from the desk. She hesitated and then pressed her return key, leaving the computer to load up the link whilst she walked with Fiona to the door. She would look at the link on her return from the meeting.
As she and Fiona left her office, Fiona said, ‘Oh by the way, Roger has called in sick. What a surprise eh?’
Maybe a blessing in disguise Jane thought as she headed for the lift. She entered the meeting room and was surprised to see that everyone except Roger was there. They all turned to greet her and her glance to Jonathan, who was sitting at the top of table, was rewarded with a large grin and a wink.
Jane smiled and returned the greetings as she took her place next to Jonathan. She laid her files on the table, noticing how quiet it had become as the managers’ attention focused on her.
She looked up. ‘Thank you all for coming. I have one apology and that is from Roger, who is sick.’
There was no reaction from the managers but she sensed that they were all not surprised by the news. She continued, ‘At our last meeting we gave you some measures that we wanted put in place and this meeting is to review what has happened since then.’
She turned to Tom, noticing how tidy his hair was and how casual but smart his dress code had become. He had been given four new clients and Paul’s secretary, Lisa. ‘How has it been going, Tom?’
Tom sat forward and his voice rang with confidence. ‘The four new clients have settled into the team well and we are coping with the extra work it has provided.’ He opened his file and pulled out a sheet of paper. ‘I have today received Lisa’s notice to leave. Whilst she was happy with the move at first she has found it difficult to cope with the extra work I have been giving her.’ He looked up quickly, glancing at Paul. ‘I have to say that the work wasn’t that difficult or excessive but in fact it is Lisa’s ability to do it that is the problem. We have talked about it and she has decided to go for a job at another company.’
Jane admired the way in which Tom had developed over such a short time, he had such confidence that he was happy to face Paul with the truth of Lisa’s abilities, here in the managers’ meeting.
Almost immediately, Paul spoke. ‘I accept what you say, Tom. You’re right, she was struggling in the role of secretary and I should have done something about it myself. I’m sorry you had to do it.’
Jane nearly fell off her chair. This was unbelievable, but so exciting.
Paul continued. ‘As for my tasks, the two new clients from Jonathan have been a challenge for my team. We have been working hard to accommodate their needs and this has paid off with a recommendation from one of them to another client who has just transferred their business to us.’
Jane couldn’t hide her delight. ‘That’s fantastic news, Paul.’
She saw him flush slightly.
‘I just want to say that it wasn’t just down to me, Jane, my staff worked really hard. I know you and Jonathan are implementing a system for rewarding us managers but I think maybe you should think about some reward system for the staff.’
Jane looked at Jonathan, saw the slight nod and said, ‘We’ll look at it Paul, thank you for raising it.’
Jane couldn’t believe the change in him, but it was for the better and she was pleased. She turned to Gary. ‘And what about you, Gary?’
He smiled. ‘Your client is pleased with the work we are doing for him. I have also looked at the efficiency of what my team does these past few weeks and made changes.’ He pulled out a spreadsheet from his file. ‘I have some analysis here that will back up the changes I have made if you want it.’
‘That’s useful, thanks Gary. Jonathan and I have already noticed the changes to the attitude of your staff. Well done.’
Gary looked down, but Jane could see a slight smile of self-satisfaction touch his face. She turned to David, the last manager around the table.
He spoke immediately. ‘I have good news too. Jonathan’s client was unhappy with moving at first, but I met with him and Jonathan and we agreed a trial period so the client could decide if he was happy with the move. So far, he is.’
He cleared his throat before continuing. ‘I have to admit I hadn’t been aware about the morale of my staff or, for that matter my own. These few weeks have opened my eyes to what was causing it and I have made an effort to put things right.’
Jane smiled. ‘We have seen a difference already.’
‘I know it will improve even more over time.’
Jonathan turned to them, his eyes gleaming with delight. ‘Gentlemen, Jane and I are impressed at what you have achieved in such a short period of time. I am sure things will improve even more as we go on. Thank you.’
With the meeting over they got up to go, and Jane noticed how confident and assured they were as they mingled with each other. They were chatting amongst themselves in a relaxed and friendly way. Tom opened the door and they filed through, all waving back to her and Jonathan as they left the room.
For the first time since she could remember she felt no hostility from them towards her. In fact the meeting had been pleasant and respectful and she felt the managers were now working as a team with her and Jonathan. That could only mean one thing: everyone in the firm would benefit from their success.
Jonathan waited until the managers had gone before turning to Jane. ‘Great work, what a difference. I wish we had considered doing this sooner.’
‘So do I, but at least we are on the way now. We still have Roger to deal with tomorrow, that’s if he comes in from being sick.’
‘Don’t worry about him. I can deal with it. I sense you will be going soon.’
Jane was a little taken aback as she hadn’t given anyone any dates yet, mainly because she didn’t know them herself.
‘I haven’t made any plans, so I don’t know.’
‘Well, I just got a feeling that something was coming up soon and I took it that meant you.’
Jane laughed. ‘Are you getting psychic on me?’
He laughed back. ‘No. I don’t think so, but it could be good for business if I was.’ He packed up his paperwork. ‘Whenever you need to go you have my support. Just give David your clients and I’ll oversee things until your return.’ He kissed her gently on the forehead.
‘Thanks Jon. I really appreciate it.’
‘Oh, and by the way, you look fantastic. I like it.’ He grinned and left the room before she could reply.
Jane stared at the empty chairs and felt a warm glow flow through her body. Jonathan had been right, for the first time since she had joined the firm the meeting had been productive and engaging rather than competitive. She had given out compliments to the managers and she had really meant them. She genuinely felt grateful and excited for the managers’ accomplishments. She hoped they appreciated her comments in the context she had given them.
She picked up her files and left the room, the contentment clearly showing on her face as she entered her office. Dropping the paperwork on her desk she sat down and grinned at Fiona who had rushed in behind her.
‘Well, look who’s full of herself. It’s clear the cat has got the cream.’
‘Fiona, you should have been there.’
‘I tried persuading that Telecoms guy to put a spy camera in the room last week but my charms just didn’t cut it with him. He must have been gay.’
They laughed together.
‘So it obviously went well,’ Fiona encouraged.
Jane couldn’t stop smiling. ‘I got good feedback from the managers.’
‘Great, but what about any thanks?’
Jane shook her head but saw a sly smile appear on Fiona’s face.
‘You may not have had it at the meeting but I have just printed off some emails you received seconds ago. Here.’
Jane took the hard copies of the emails from Fiona. The four emails were addressed to Jonathan and her and were from the managers. She noticed that her name was on the “To” line same as Jonathan’s name, where as previously in all correspondence from the managers she had been relegated to the cc line.
She read each one. Tom said: “Thanks Jane and Jonathan, really feel we are getting somewhere now.” David said: “Just wanted to thank you both for giving me a chance to push myself.” Gary said: “I feel we are going places now, thanks.” And Paul said: “I appreciate the confidence you have in me, thank you.”
Fiona pointed at the emails. ‘That’s a first. Are they sick?’
‘Thank you Fiona, you know how to bring me back down to earth.’ Jane pretended to grumble.
‘You know I’m only kidding. It’s fantastic. Really, you deserve it. Can I get the bubbly out now?’
‘No, I don’t think so. It will have to be tea for now.’
‘Yuck, you cannot make merry drinking that stuff.’
Jane smiled. ‘It’s not home time yet, you’ll have to wait till five o’clock.’
Fiona groaned. ‘You always take the fun out of everything. There’s nothing like trying to type a letter under the influence. Oh well, tea it is then.’
Jane turned to her desk, smiling and Fiona left the office. Today had been great, everything had turned out fine and she felt like she was going to burst with pleasure.
She wanted to tell Mark and didn’t know if she could hold on until she saw him later. Perhaps he would meet her for lunch. She moved the files she had put down to the other side of the desk so she could get to the phone. One of the files caught the keyboard and the computer monitor came alive asking for her password and stating she had messages. She smiled to herself, she already knew what those messages were but all the same it would be nice to view them again in her in-box. She typed in her password and the screen opened to the Internet. An alert message stated. “Please confirm you wish to enter this missing persons link.”
Jane pressed the button marked ‘yes’ and a page opened on her screen.
Immediately she stopped smiling.
Her body stiffened as she viewed and recognised the person in the picture staring back at her.
It couldn’t be, she thought. It just wasn’t possible. But the smiling face staring out from the picture belonged to Mark. The hair was blond and longer and the face was clean-shaven and chubbier, but the eyes and smile was his. It was definitely Mark.
She swallowed hard and looked from his face to the script below the picture.
“Missing. Adrian Stevenson. Husband to Solita and father to Sophie and James. Last seen Friday evening May 26th 2006. Resigned as a research engineer for NASA 1900 that evening and has not been seen since. His wife and children are desperate for any news or sightings of him. Please email the above address if you have any information.”
Jane just stared at the screen. Mark had lied to her all this time.