She laughed at me and shook her head. ‘Says the guy who gets up on stage and rocks out to Bowie and Whitesnake.Andthe guy who has just agreed to front a rock band.’
I scrunched my face. She had a valid point. ‘You got me there.’
She slipped her arms round my neck and tiptoed up to kiss me. Her lips touched mine lightly. ‘Have a wonderful first day, and let me know how it goes, okay?’
‘I sure will.’
She pulled away and I opened the door for her. As I watched her go, my stomach knotted, and I wasn’t sure if it was nerves about the job, or sadness at watching her leave.
* * *
And this is your office.’ Alasdair waved his arm at the plush-looking space surrounded by glass walls. I wasn’t expecting an office right away so it was a pleasant surprise. I stepped inside and glanced round the room. A sleek modern desk and chair sat against the window wall and was juxtaposed with the period features adorning the ceiling, but it somehow worked. The view from the window was stunning. A clear vista that took in some of my favourite architectural features of the city of Edinburgh.
‘Thanks, Alasdair. This is great.’ I could hear the enthusiasm in my own voice and cringed at my over-eagerness.
Alasdair smiled and patted me on the shoulder. ‘This is what youshouldhave had for a long while now, Finlay.’
‘Look... call me Fin, okay? I feel like I’m getting in trouble when you use my full name.’
He laughed. ‘Well, we don’t want that, do we? Fin it is. I’ll let you get sorted, and I’ll get your new secretary to make you some coffee or tea, or whatever you’d like.’
‘Actually, I’m good at the moment. I called at my girlfriend’s coffee shop on the way here and had my caffeine fix.’
‘Ah, I see. That’s fine then. You just get settled in and she’ll get you for the morning meeting.’
He turned and left me in my new surroundings. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dropped a quick text to Star. I’d only seen her briefly when I collected my coffee, and it hadn’t been anywhere near long enough. I had it bad. There was no doubt about that.
F: Hey beautiful. Guess who has a luxurious new office.
After a few minutes, I got my much anticipated reply.
S: Hey yourself. Let me guess... ;-) You seem happy.
F: It's been a long time coming and I’ve only been here ten minutes but so far so good! Speak to you later. Miss you.
S: You’re so sweet. Miss you too.
After the morning meeting, Alasdair called me into his office to go through some of the current cases that the firm was working on. He was big on environmental cases and I know it may sound a little cliché, but McKendrick Law seemed to be the goodguys. They fought for the underdog; the folks who struggled to fight for themselves. I was shocked to discover how much pro bono work went on. And it was clear the passion that Alasdair had for his workandthe respect he had for his employees.
Things finally felt right.
It was as if, for the first time in my life, someone was actually interested inmyopinions. And that, for once, I was going to be a part of somethinggood. I was going to be a part of something positive and fulfilling instead of being both my father’s scapegoatandhis yes man.
As I sat there letting the whole situation sink in I heard raised voices coming from down the corridor. Out of pure curiosity I opened the door to my office just a crack so I could listen to what was going on. That phrasecuriosity killed the catbecame a little too realistic at that precise moment.
‘So you thought you’d poach him from his own family? Is that it? Can’t find your own staff, eh, McKendrick? Do you know how pathetic that makes you appear?’ My father’s voice boomed and everyone in the corridor stood, glued to the spot, not daring to move and probably not willing to.
‘Oh shit,’ I whispered as I closed my eyes. I inhaled a long, shaking breath and stormed towards the direction of the shouting.
‘Campbell, I can assure you this has nothing to do with our past disagreements,’ Alasdair McKendrick was saying, hands raised and voice calm.
My father was standing in the middle of McKendrick’s office, wielding his walking stick—a new acquisition since his heart attack. ‘You and I both know what this is about, McKendrick. It’s jealousy and bitterness! Can’t deal with losing that’s what it is. So you decide to use my own son to score points against me. Like I said, pathetic,’ he spat with no little venom.
Alasdair rolled his eyes and then glanced at me. At this point my father spun round and became immediately aware of my presence.
‘Ah, here he is. The traitorous son. Do you know how much you’ve hurt your mother, Finlay? Well of course you don’t! You have abandoned your family to come and work for this charlatan.’
‘Dad! You need to stop now.’ I insisted, hoping he would remember how sick he had been and bugger off home. ‘And you’ve got this whole thing wrong. It was my decision to work here because I want to do some good for once. Now calm down and think of your blood pressure, eh?’
