Fire in the Blood Read Free Page B

‘I’m really sorry, Mr Davidson, I got a bit carried away there. I always do that. I didn’t mean to be so critical. Obviously it’s your business and you can run it any way you want. But I just can’t help myself when I see things being done in a sloppy inefficient way, when it’s really just as easy to be organised and on top of things.’
‘That’s absolutely okay, Annie, but to return to my original question … why do you think I need an assistant?’
Annie appeared reluctant to answer at first, but then said, ‘Look, I hope you won’t be offended, but I think the most likely explanation is that you need someone to drive you around because you’ve recently been done for drink-driving and lost your licence.’
Jack frowned and said, ‘Really …what makes you think that?’
Annie looked round the office once again, before answering, ‘Well firstly your coat’s soaking wet, so you obviously walked a fair bit this morning, although there’s a half-empty car park just round the corner. Your shoes are also pretty muddy and I can see a pile of old bus tickets in the waste paper basket, so I think you haven’t driven to work for a while. As I see it, there are only two possibilities, either you can’t afford a car, or you’ve lost your licence. But given your age, beer gut, red nose and the strong smell of booze and mints coming from your breath … my money is definitely on the driving ban.’
Jack was sincere in his praise and said, ‘Christ, you don’t hold back, do you? But I’m impressed. Honestly.’
‘Oh, there was something else.’
‘What’s that?’
Anniepaused and then smiled. ‘My auntie, Peggy McKay, has the Royal Bar. She told me about you losing your licence and needing an assistant who can drive. So when I saw your ad in the local paper I thought, why not? This would be something completely different for me. I definitely need a new challenge, you know?’
Jack had been making occasional scribbled notes on his A4 pad as the interview progressed and at last he interrupted the opinionated young woman and said, ‘Let’s take a quick time-out here, okay? Correct me if I’m wrong. But so far, and we’ve only been going around twenty minutes, you seem to strongly disapprove of the fact that I don’t have a website, a social media presence, a functioning computer or a smartphone. In addition the standard of housekeeping here in the office apparently leaves a lot to be desired and my breath smells of booze, despite the fact that it’s only ten o’clock in the morning. At least my poor old fax machine gave you a laugh. So does that just about cover it, or have I missed anything else that annoys you?’
Not for the first time at an interview, Annie James suspected that she had gone too far with her answers. Probably way too far. But she just couldn’t get a handle on this guy. He actually seemedto want honest answers and at least appeared to be interested in her opinions. This was definitely a first, but maybe he was just weird.
She decided to say exactly what was on her mind. This was a high risk strategy and giving straight answers to his questions might give her a good chance of actually landing the job. But, by the same token, it could also mean she would crash and burn and probably get thrown down the stairs into the bargain.
She bit her lip and continued, ‘Okay then, there’s also the missing name plate at the front door and, since you’re asking, I think you definitely need to get a haircut and spend some money on new clothes. I mean, honestly, that crumpled old suit you’re wearing and the naff shiny tie with the mystery stains would be ideal if you were selling the Big Issue outside Queen Street station. But, for anyone else, this is definitely not a good look. I mean, if you go to meet potential new clients looking like that , you’re giving out completely the wrong impression.’
‘Which is?’
‘Sad, clapped-out, curled up at the edges, over the hill, out of touch