Her hand went to the phone, but before she could carry out her intention to put a call through to Symington Technology she had another thought. How about if she got all the paperwork already to hand checked over, then typed as much as she could of the new stuff before she went home? Then, with her computer installed at home in that apology for a second bedroom, she could work as late as she had to after her dinner with Philip. Brilliant, or what?
Having gone over the notion, Chesnie couldnt fault the idea. Shed have to get up early to have everything ready on Joels desk for when he came inshe wished she knew what time that wasbut couldnt see any problem. If this was what being a senior PA was all about, then she would prove she was very much up to the job.
She was glad to make herself comfortable in Philip Pomeroys car on the way to the restaurant. It was the first chance shed had to sit and relax since that half past four phone call. She had rushed from the office at five past six, laden with folders and stationery. She had taken the quickest of showers and had selected a short-sleeved, straight-skirted black dress. Although her wardrobe was not extensive it was of good quality. She had been ready and, anxious not to waste a minute, had been busy typing when the outer door buzzer had sounded, announcing the arrival of her escort.
The Linton, the restaurant Philip had chosen, was elegant, discreet, and, she didnt doubt, pricey. Chesnie found Philip Pomeroy a pleasant companion, too sophisticated to be obvious or pushy, and she began to relax more and more.
I had no idea you worked for Joel Davenport, Philip remarked as they began their meal. You cant have been at Yeatman Trading long or Im sure Id have heard.
That surprised her. Then she wondered if it should have. Being a business rival, would Joel know the name of Philips PA? Very probably he did, she mused.
Ive worked for Joel for almost two months now, she saw no harm in admitting.
You changed jobs around the same time you moved into your new flat, Philip documented. How do you find working for Davenport? Is he?
Hmm, Im sorry, Philip, would you mind very much if neither of us talked about our work?
He stared at her, plainly liked what he saw, and agreed. Its a pact. Business if off the agenda. But he smiled you can tell Davenport from me that hes a lucky devil, able to look at you every day. Now, tell me how youre settling in to your new flat?
During their second course Chesnie learned that Philip had been married and divorced. That didnt worry herwho hadnt? She was growing to like him very much, even though she knew that it would never be more than that. He was amusing, and had just said something that made her laugh when, glancing from him, laughter still on her curving lips, she was startled to find she was looking into the steel-blue eyes of someone several tables away. The glint in those eyes warned her she was in trouble over something.
With a coolness she was suddenly far from feeling Chesnie turned back to her dinner companion. She offered some light comment, she knew not what, her mind busy with the fact that Joel Davenport had flown back from Scotland and all too plainly, if her answers at the job interview meant anything, fully expected her to still be slaving away at the office.
It annoyed her that he should think she had fallen down on the job. And that annoyance caused her to smile more, perhaps laugh a little more, at Philips amusingly light conversation than she would otherwise.
At any rate Philip seemed pleased, and she didnt give a button what Davenport thought. She knew what he didntthat she was going home to do his work so he should have it on his desk for eight in the morning. So he could go and take a running jump.
More coffee? Philip asked.
No, thank you, she refused pleasantly. Its been a super evening, but
But youre a working girl?
Something like that, she answered with a smile, and smiled again when, having to pass Davenports tablecurse itPhilip civilly paused to say hello.
Pomeroy, Joel acknowledged, getting to his feet. Chesnie. He included her, and introduced his sultry, if terrific-looking companion. Do you know Imogen?
Brief introductions followed, where Joel did not mention that Chesnie was his PA and that he was saving a few short and sharp words for her. After the way she slaved for him! Let him try! Then she and Philip were moving on.
Philip came to the outer door of her apartment building with her. I hope youre going to allow me to see you again, Chesnie? he asked.
She liked him, he was good companyand she had an idea it annoyed Joel Davenport that she went out with the opposition. Id like that, she answered. But, thinking he might have this coming Saturday in mind, added, Ill give you my phone number. Perhaps next week some time?
Ill look forward to it, he said, and when he had her phone number he leaned forward. Though, perhaps sensing her instant withdrawal, he satisfied himself to kiss her cheek, and stood back to wait while she went indoors.
Despite the fact that her home had been cobbled together with pieces of furniture given to her by her parents, grandparents and her sisters, and the few additions she had contributed herself, Chesnie had to admit everything blended in well to give her apartment a very homely feel.
But there was no time to make herself comfortable in it now. Time only to rinse her hands and head for that tiny second bedroom now laughingly called a study.
She had been at work for forty-five minutes when someone rang the outer buzzer. Philip? Why would he come back? She left her work and went into her small hall to take up the telephone that was connected to the outer front door.
Who is it? she enquired, and felt faintly staggered at the reply she received.
Davenport, he informed her crisply.
Davenport! Surely he hadnt left the lovely Imogen to have those few short and sharp words with his PA that had been brewing? At this hour? She didnt believe itthough he wasnt sounding too affable.
Youd better come up! she replied, equally crisply, while wonderinghad she done anything that could be called grounds for dismissal? She didnt think so, and surely Joel Davenport wouldnt call at her home to sack her! Or would he?
She stayed in the hall to wait the minute or so it would take him to reach her door, and mentally braced herself for whatever he had called to see her about. At his first ring she had the door open. For several seconds, like warring adversaries, they stood coldly eyeing each other. He was the first to speak.
Youre still dressed! he stated hostilely, his glance going over her black dress, drawn for a second to the delicate contours of her cleavage, which had never before been on view.
Feeling very much like holding her hands protectively in front of her bosom, Chesnie instead turned from him. Come in, she invited, and led the way into her sitting room, realising that it would have been just the same to him if she had gone to bedhe would still have rung her apartment buzzer.
In her sitting room she turned to face him. But before she could ask him why he had called, he was telling her, You knew I needed that paperwork for the morning! Clearly he had stopped by the office from the airport and discovered that the paperwork hed ordered wasnt locked away in his drawer. Yet you deliberately He began to sort her out. But shed had enough before he started.
Im glad you called, she cut in calmly, inwardly boiling. There are one or two queries I need your help with. If youre not too tired after your busy day, I wonder if youd help me? He was looking at her with narrowed eyes, as if wondering what her game was. Oh, joy; oh, bliss. Have you a moment to come to my study? Study? Pretentious or what? Im working on your paperwork now.
There was a definite glint in his eyes now, she saw. He had called looking for a fight. She had disarmed himand he didnt like it. Tough.
Whether he was impressed or not that shed had no intention of letting him down, she had no idea. But he followed her to her study, where she had already printed off some of the matter she had typed.
Swiftly he dealt with the queries which she had been going to make a note of, but from the unsmiling look of him she suspected he didnt care at all to have his cause for righteous anger taken away from him, and was still looking for a fight.
Naturally, I intend to have everything completed and on your desk by eight in the morning. She nicely rubbed it in.
A hostile look was the thanks she received for her trouble. She was almost purring as they left her workroom and she accompanied him out to the hall. He soon put an end to any lofty feelings, however.
Joel Davenport had his hand on the door latch when he looked down on her from his superior height, paused, and then commented shortly, After our discussion yesterday, I hardly expected you to be out with Pomeroy tonight!
What discussion was that? Her memory of it was that Joel had enlightened her to the fact that Philip Pomeroy was head of the opposition. And she felt incensed again that Davenport, for a second time, felt he had to remind her of the confidentiality of her position!
Do you honestly believe that Philip would have telephoned me at the office and told you who he was if he was after sensitive information from me? she flared. And, her cool image suddenly in tatters around her, Do you honestly think, when Ive worked for you for almost two months now, that I would part with any information, confidential or otherwise? she eruptedand came the closest yet to setting about him when, infuriatingly, he stared at her, seemed again to enjoy seeing her lose her cool front, and then had the sheer audacityto smile!
It seems a shame that, because of pressure of work, you sent him from your first date without even a goodnight kiss, he commented charmingly.
Oh, to kick his shin! Chesnie strove hard for control. It rather looks as if youre going to bed kissless too, she answered sweetlyand was on the receiving end of a look that very clearly stated Fat chance. Though he made no comment with regard to whether the delectable Imogen was waiting for him somewhere.
Instead, he opened the door, and was on his way out when he bade her silkily, Dont work too late.
Chesnie glared at his departing back. Pig!