A Fluffy Tale 2: Warm & Fuzzy Read Free Page B

redo.”
    His boss smiled approvingly. “Terrific. Let
me look.”
    “It’s on the server. I’ll just call it
up—”
    “No need. I can come and look on your
computer. Let’s see.”
    So Daniel opened the file up again, and
Tony leaned over him, his hand casually on Daniel’s shoulder. Daniel didn’t
find the position comfortable in any sense of the word, but Tony was a
touchy-feely kind of boss, and since Daniel had zero experience with an
employer in this situation, he realised he would have to adjust. He did his
best not to squirm or indicate in any way that Tony’s hand bothered him, but he
wished Tony wouldn’t wear such sickly cologne.
    “Good thing Legal found those graphics.”
    “Uh, they only had print outs, so I remade
them. Hope they’re okay.”
    Tony looked at him. “They’re wonderful, but
I didn’t realise you’d have to...I mean, those pictures were done ages ago.”
    “They lost the original files, Linda said.”
    “Right.” Tony frowned. “Did you have lunch
today?”
    “Not yet. I wanted to finish—”
    “Did you have lunch yesterday?”
    Daniel flushed. “Not exactly.”
    “Rest of the week?”
    “No. There was so much to do.” He realised
after he said it that it sounded like a complaint. “I mean, I’m still getting
used to things so I’m slower—”
    Tony held up his hand. “No, this isn’t good
enough.” Daniel’s heart sank. He’d failed already. “I don’t want my staff
burning out, and I certainly don’t want them starving. Now you go home early,
have a good, restful weekend, and I expect you to take a proper break in the
middle of the day. Employment laws and all that, you know,” he added, wagging
his finger sternly. Kani meeped and patted it with a paw. Daniel hastily picked
his kem off his shoulder and set him down on the floor. “Close this down, and
I’ll see you Monday.”
    “But what if it needs changes?”
    “I’ll have to ask someone. It looks fine,
Daniel. It’s on the server, you said.” He squeezed Daniel’s shoulder, and
smiled. “Off you go, and thank you.”
    “Uh...you’re welcome. Are you sure?”
    “Daniel....”
    “Okay. Thank you. See you Monday.”
    Tony smiled again and went back to his
office. Daniel did a quick check to make sure he’d left his desk in a tidy
state, that the files for the presentation were clearly marked and easily
locatable, then he scooped up Kani and his jacket, and headed for the lift.
Linda came around the corner, but pretended not to see him. Suited Daniel—he
didn’t want to have to explain why he was leaving early because he wasn’t at
all sure it didn’t make him look like a lame duck PA. Two secretaries from
Dennis Obi’s team joined him in the lift, but ignored him. Maybe they could
tell he was gay and disapproved? He had no other explanation to offer himself
as to why he was almost universally despised, and he certainly wasn’t going to
ask. He just had to do the job. That was all that mattered.
    The secretaries got off at the fifth floor,
leaving Daniel and Kani to ride the rest of the way alone. Kani wormed his way
back onto Daniel’s shoulder and licked his face, giving out quiet little chirps
of concern.
    “I’m okay,” Daniel said, petting Kani’s
tail. “Just tired. And starving.” Kani chirped louder. “You’re hungry too, I
bet. Sorry, kiddo. You should make more fuss.” Kani responded by sticking the
end of his tail into Daniel’s ear, making him laugh as the lift doors opened.
An array of bemused and slightly disapproving looks from waiting passengers
greeted the two of them. Kani squeaked and disappeared, and Daniel scurried
away from the lift area as quickly as he could. He didn’t want a reputation as
a lunatic.
    Kani reappeared seconds later, just as
Daniel spotted Spen’s unmistakeable figure striding towards them. His heart
gave a queer little lurch, half panic, half relief. Since Spen was one of his
few allies, Daniel was terrified of doing anything to