Part 31 (1/2)
”Thank you, Sam. But John is right about Dave. Hes p.i.s.sed off with me.”
”But you said that even Harry thought you were doing a good job. It was Dave who gave him this impression.”
Mike joined in the ”strategy” discussion and kept coming back to what people had said about my work. He thought the company would be crazy to sack me. I knew he was biased, but it was good to have his support.
”How long have you been there, Mike?” asked John.
”Nearly 6 years,” he answered.
”Now look at this from Harrys point of view. Is he going to believe someone hes worked with closely for 6 years or a probationer that hes met just once or twice?” asked John.
”Hes going to look at the truth, surely?” responded Mike. ”h.e.l.l see through Dave, wont he?”
John gave Mike a dismissive look, showing considerable irritation. Elaine, who had been listening more than talking, now joined the conversation.
”Lets a.s.sume for a moment that John is right,” she started. ”Lets a.s.sume that Dave is going to look for a way to get Penny out. Hes under no obligation to keep her on. He does not even have to give her a proper reason. The only thing Dave has to fear is Harrys reaction. I concur with John. If there is a conflict, h.e.l.l control what Harry hears. Its not whats going to happen, but what we are going to do about it.”
Everyone around the table stopped for a moment to consider her remarks. I noticed John smile at Elaine and she raised her gla.s.s to him.
”Thats right,” said John enthusiastically. ”If Im wrong then we have nothing to worry about. But if Im right then we need to ensure that Dave does not control what Harry is hearing.”
”And also give Dave a few worries of his own!” added Elaine.
Everyone turned to look at her.
”What do you mean?” asked Sam.
Elaine had talked to me about some of the corporate battles that shed been in, the subtle political pressures and pragmatic alliances that work behind the scenes. I began to catch her drift.
”Youre not suggesting we get involved?” queried Sam.
”I certainly am,” said Elaine. ”Weve invested a huge amount in this partners.h.i.+p. If Dave wants to f.u.c.k it up because he cant deal with Pennys rejection then I want to apply some pressure.”
”But isnt this between Penny and Dave?” asked Sam.
”No. If he sacks Penny, then Im going to kick his a.r.s.e it will affect my working relations.h.i.+p with him!” she said pointedly. ”And how is Mike going to be able to work when Dave sacks his future wife. This isnt just about our friends, Sam, this is about our companys well-being. Mikes our sales manager. Daves the Director of Business Development. Cant you see the threat?”
Since I had told both Elaine and John about my marital aspirations it had been common knowledge within the group. However, Mike was not aware that Id talked to the others and he shot me a quick glance then cast his eyes down at the table.
”We all have an interest!” said Elaine. ”You too, Sally!”
Sally had remained fairly quiet throughout.
”Im keeping out of this,” she said.
”Youd stand by while Dave s.h.i.+ts on Mike?” asked John.
I wondered for a moment whether Sally might secretly want me off the scene to open the way to Mike again. Since wed become a couple, Id taken over his life and he saw her much less. With John returning home in a couple of weeks she might start to miss Mikes company.
”Its not that,” she said. ”I dont have a way of influencing things the way you do.”
”Okay, Sal. Perhaps youre right!” responded John. ”But you can influence things on the ground.”
”On the ground?” she asked.
”Stuff like this doesnt stay secret. If your colleagues talk about it, you can put them straight!”
”And have Dave on my back?” she asked.
”So little confidence!” complained Elaine.
I could understand Sallys fear. Elaine had both political and financial independence whereas Sallys life was more precarious. She was also in a line management situation with Dave. Only Mike stood between her and Dave. If Mikes position was threatened then Dave would be able to exact personal revenge on Sally.
”Sal has to be careful,” said Mike.
Elaine, I realised, did not understand the complex background and network of relations.h.i.+ps involving Dave, Mike and Sally. I made a mental note to update her.
The debate continued over more bottles of wine. Various scenarios and plans were hatched, debated and discarded. By the time Mike and I left, we had some idea of what to do if Dave tried to block my appointment and there was talk of a ”last resort” action plan if he succeeded. It was rea.s.suring that my friends took such a keen interest in protecting my future, but they were protecting theirs at the same time. In fact, as we talked, I realised that it was not so much that they were protecting me, or protecting themselves, as protecting the group. We all wanted to work and live together and this guided our discussions.
My security came from the knowledge that there was no shortage of organisations seeking HR professionals. My mind, therefore, was not over worried regardless of the outcome of my appraisal. I focussed more on Mikes reaction to Elaines comment about our marriage plans. He had been much quieter after her comment. I did not have to wait long. As soon as the car sped away from Sallys house, Mike opened up.
”We have to talk,” he said.
”Yes, we do,” I replied. ”Are you having second thoughts?”
”Not exactly,” he replied.
”What then?” I enquired.
”Im much older than you, Penny!”
”So what?”
”What if you want children?” he asked.
”I dont want them. You know that,” I answered.
”You dont now. But what if you change your mind? What if you accidentally get pregnant?”
”I dont know!” I answered.
”I had a friend once who 'didnt want children until she got pregnant.”
”Whatre you saying?”
”Im saying that I know for sure that I dont want children.”