CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

 

At 8am, two weeks before Christmas, Jack pulled up outside Worldwide Shipping. Having heard of property being vandalised in the area, he parked his car directly underneath the window where he could keep an eye on it.

He wanted to clear the remaining backlog of assignments waiting for release at the dockside before the women arrived and the phones started buzzing. The office files were up to date, thanks to Oona, and he wanted to double check everything before he had to leave. The last thing he wanted was for her to take the blame for anything he might have overlooked.

His position was still unclear; in fact, he was more than surprised to find that Mr. Kovac hadn’t returned to work as his wife had predicted. If he was honest, he was reluctant to pursue the matter; he still couldn’t bring himself to precipitate any change that would mean not seeing Oona every day.

He removed his dark woollen coat and scarf, and threw them across the back of a chair. Sitting down, he swivelled round to face his desk and flicked open his diary, found the number he wanted, and reached for the telephone. It rang out before he could make the call. Surprised, he glanced at his watch. It was still only 8.10am.

‘Hello. Worldwide Shipping. Jack Walsh speaking. What can I do for you? Ah, Mrs. Kovac.’ He leaned back in his chair. ‘I’m glad you rang, I . . .’ He paused to listen. ‘I see! I presume you’ve thought this through carefully.’ He picked up his pen and began to doodle on the large pad that stretched across his desk. ‘What would you like me to do?’ He cleared his throat. ‘Okay, if you feel that would be best. We’ll talk later. Goodbye for now,’ he said and replaced the receiver.

For a few seconds, Jack pondered the consequences of the phone call, then he picked up the receiver and made the necessary calls to the docks. He had just finished a lengthy conversation on the phone to his old boss, Mr. Mountjoy, when he heard Brenda answer the phone in the other office.

 

***

 

Later, when Oona arrived, she was surprised to find Jack sitting on the corner of her desk absent-mindedly twisting his pen between his fingers. She couldn’t quite make out whether his expression was one of worry or displeasure.

‘Good morning, Jack. I’m not late, am I?’

‘Umm . . .’ he said distractedly. ‘Sorry. I was miles away. Good morning, Oona.’

It was unusual to find him so preoccupied. ‘Is there . . . something I can help you with?’ She removed her coat and scarf, and sat down.

‘No. Sorry,’ he said again, removing himself from her desk.

‘Hasn’t Brenda turned in then?’ she asked, lifting her hair and tying it up in a ponytail.

‘We’ve run out of tea.’ He half-smiled.

She uncovered her typewriter then began to write a list of urgent things to deal with, matters that had been delayed waiting for the appropriate paperwork.

Jack was still hovering. He appeared to be working something out in his head and she wondered what it could be. Before she could find out, he said, ‘When Brenda comes back, could you pop into my office?’

***

‘Sit down, please. I’m sorry about earlier, Oona. I’d better explain.’

She perched on the edge of a chair. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Mrs. Kovac phoned me earlier.’

‘Oh,’ she said, and eased back in her seat. ‘What did she have to say for herself?’

‘She and her husband have decided to return to Czechoslovakia. It’s taken me totally by surprise.’

‘But why? I thought her husband was coming back to work.’

‘His doctor doesn’t feel he’s fit enough, nor that he will be in the near future. That’s the reason they’ve decided to retire back to their own country.’

‘Goodness me!’ Her hand rushed to her face. ‘Will this office close? What will happen to the business, Jack? Did she say?’

He got to his feet and adjusted the knot of his tie. ‘I don’t know the answer to any of your questions, Oona. But she’s coming in this afternoon to talk to me. I’ve already discussed it with Mr. Mountjoy but, until I know whether Mr. Kovac plans to dissolve the agency, my hands are tied. I’ll certainly keep you posted.’

For the rest of the morning Oona was subdued.

Brenda, on the other hand, thought it was wonderful news and walked around with a permanent smile on her face. ‘Sure, Mr. Walsh won’t have to leave now, will he?’

Oona smiled back in spite of the doubts that crowded her mind. Would the Kovacs suggest that Jack should continue to run the agency? Knowing them as she did, she felt it unlikely they would hand the business over just like that. Her mind whirled with all kinds of possibilities – some good, some not so good. She was glad she had already begun her search for another job; perhaps she ought to advise her young colleague to do the same. Brenda needed a job as much as Oona did, in order to support her mother’s large family. For the first time ever, they both waited eagerly for the arrival of the woman who would determine their fate.

An hour before they were due to go home, Jack glanced up from his paperwork just as Mrs. Kovac lumbered her way into the outer office, dressed like she’d come from the North Pole. In spite of the cold weather, a trickle of sweat moistened her brow. A heavy red shopping bag, filled with fruit and vegetables, hung from her arm and she was carrying a large brown briefcase. Putting her shopping down, she unlocked the filing cabinet and thrust two large buff folders, marked “Immigration Papers” and “Contract”, into her briefcase. Then she plodded into Jack’s office.

Despite straining to hear, the muffled voices revealed nothing to Brenda and Oona. Brenda grimaced, huddled into her coat and picked up the post. ‘Tell me everything in the morning.’

Oona glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll stay and catch a later bus, but if they’re not done by then, I’ll have to go.’

It turned out she had to wait until morning to talk to Jack. When she arrived, he was at his desk, his face buried in his hands.

‘Is it that bad, Jack? What did Mrs. Kovac have to say yesterday?’

He glanced up, his expression sombre. ‘First of all, to answer the questions you asked me yesterday, I don’t think the agency will close so there’s no need for you or Brenda to worry about your jobs,’ he said. ‘According to Mrs. K, my replacement will be sent soon. So it doesn’t look like I’ll be here for much longer.’

Oona felt numb. Jack had been treated shabbily and she couldn’t find the right words to alleviate the humiliation he obviously felt at being passed over. He had done so much to build up and establish new clients.

‘Didn’t . . . she . . . even suggest that you should take over the agency?’

He shook his head. ‘No. I’m afraid not.’

‘I can’t believe it,’ she couldn’t disguise her amazement.

He sighed. ‘She was more concerned about terminating their agreement. Apparently, after five years they’re legally bound to give three months’ notice. But, in view of her husband’s illness, she’s hoping to have it waived.’

‘I see. Did she thank you for the work you’ve done?’

He raised an eyebrow.

‘I’m sorry, Jack. The company knows you’ve been running the agency successfully for eight months, don’t they?’

‘I suppose they must, although I’ve never had confirmation from Head Office.’

‘Well, I suppose after this madhouse, you’ll be pleased to be back working for Mr. Mountjoy.’

‘I don’t know about that. I’ve enjoyed making decisions and being my own boss. With the Kovacs out of the picture, I think I could make a success of this agency.’

Hearing him say that gave her hope. ‘Did you let her know you were interested?’

He nodded. ‘I made enough references to the fact, but she didn’t appear interested in my plans.’ He gave a little laugh. ‘She said things had a way of working themselves out. What she meant, I’ve no idea.’

‘If it’s what you want, Jack, you shouldn’t give up without a fight. What have you got to lose?’

Folding his arms, he leaned back in his chair. ‘Exactly my thoughts, Oona. I’ll give it some serious thought.’

‘Good, and if there’s any new developments, you’ll let me know?’

‘Of course.’

She stood up. ‘By the way, Jack, did you know that Mrs. Kovac kept her immigration papers in the office?’

‘Where?’

‘In the filing cabinet. Why would she do that?’

‘I’ve no idea. Why would she risk important documents being stolen?’ Jack ran his fingers through his hair.

‘It’s probably a duplicate.’ Oona laughed. ‘Mr. Kovac was always sending me to Getstetners to have things photocopied. I never thought much about it at the time. She probably has the originals in a safe at home.’

Jack drew his lips together. ‘Very odd behaviour, if you ask me.’

Smiling, she walked towards the door.

‘One other thing before you go, Oona. A delivery van will arrive here tomorrow morning to take away furniture that’s been stored upstairs.’

‘Furniture!’

‘Yes, apparently Mr. Kovac collects antique furniture as a hobby, so they’re having it shipped to Czechoslovakia. You might find it noisy, as they have to pack it all before carrying it down.’ He turned round and picked up a piece of paper. ‘You’ll need these details to prepare the necessary documentation. I’ll get on to the shipper this morning.’ He sighed. ‘When it’ll be shipped, I really couldn’t say.’

This was going to take her most of the morning, on top of her already busy day. The whole business left her feeling unsettled and undecided in her plans to find other employment.

She told Brenda what she needed to know and left her to her opinion that Jack would automatically become the new agent for Worldwide Shipping. Ideally, that is what should happen, Oona thought, but life was never that straightforward. Even if Jack sent off his application tomorrow, it would be New Year before he knew the outcome. If he did get the job, she certainly wouldn’t want to leave. She loved working with him. He had a calming influence on her.

She couldn’t deny that she enjoyed the unpredictability of the shipping business, and found the movement of cargo to and from Poland, Hungary and Russia interesting. Destinations such as Sweden and Norway were places she could only dream about visiting one day. Working in a typing pool all day, with earplugs in her ears, seemed boring in comparison.

All she could do for now was wait and see what changes the months ahead had in store for her.