John looked taken aback by her tone. “I didn’t say—”
“You didn’t need to say. Do you think I can’t read between the lines?”
“No, but—”
“But what? You did me a favour, therefore I’m never allowed to move on with my life? I must be stuck here forever. Is that it?”
“I’m not saying that, Lisa—”
“So what are you saying, then? Because from what it sounds like, you’re acting as though I owe you something. Have I ever taken anything from you? Yes, you helped me get my affairs in order in terms of my ID, but have I ever actually taken anything from you?”
“No. I’m not—”
Oh, John. Just give up now. You’re not winning this one.
I looked down at the ground so neither of them would see me smothering a laugh. Not that either of them were paying attention to me right now. Rachel was on a roll, and John looked like he was about to piss his pants.
“Have I always gone above and beyond with my job? Am I not the hardest working employee here? Am I not doing way more than my job description and taking on more responsibility than my wage demands?”
“Yes—”
“Okay, so what’s with the passive aggressive blackmail?”
“I’m not blackmailing,” he said, his tone sounding affronted. “I’m just looking for an explanation.”
“I gave you one. I’ve moved countries. Or weren’t you aware that Scotland and England are different countries? Do you expect me to commute daily? If that’s not reason enough, shall we say that I’m currently working in an uncomfortable working environment? What doesyourcontract say about visiting the homes of your employees at night?”
And there it was. Illusion shattered.
John’s head reared back as though she had slapped him. “I was acting as your friend when I did that. Not your boss.”
“And I’m acting as your friend when I tell you it would be impossible for me to work my two-week notice. I apologise, and obviously you do not need to pay me. I told you yesterday that I would be taking some paid time off because of my holiday days,but I won’t take them. I’m trying to be reasonable with you, John, but I’m really going to need you to meet me half way.”
“Does this have anything to do with him?” John said, tipping his head in my direction.
Oh, this should be good.
“Nothing at all,” she said, placing her hands on her hips.
“I guess I’m just confused, that’s all. You turn up here with… well, the only way to describe him would be hired muscle, as though you were expecting some sort of reaction from me?”
“She wouldn’t need me to defend her if that was the case. Lisa has always been able to handle herself, eh, Lisa?”
She shot me another nasty look.
“See this?” I pointed to the slight bruise on my cheek from where she had slapped me yesterday. “Bad tempered, this one.”
“You hit him?” John asked, frowning at the both of us.
“It wasn’t like that,” she sighed, rolling her eyes. “Just ignore him. He’s no one important.”
“Is that true, Lisa?” I asked, loving the way she stiffened every time I used her false name.
“Lisa?” John questioned, looking back and forth between the two of us, a frown creasing his forehead.
“He’s Axel’s dad,” she said through gritted teeth.
“And?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at her.
