|
I'm
not the first and I doubt if I'll be the last. In fact my immediate
predecessor only lasted three weeks.
I should
explain - for the last six weeks I've been team leader of a section
who don't think they need leading anywhere.
This
morning we've had our normal Tuesday team meeting. I thought it
had finished but judging by the group huddled round the photocopier
it hasn't.
The
amount of whispering suggests that I'm probably the current item
on the agenda. I decide to leave them to it. I can't face another
confrontation, besides I could do with some fresh air to clear my
head.
"How
are things going?" A dark haired older man in reception spoke
as I walked past. I turned; there was no one else about, so I reasoned
he must be talking to me.
"That
lot of dysfunctional misfits got you pulling your hair out yet?"
I grimaced, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a trying week". "Let
me guess, they're not prepared to change, insist it鈥檚 always
been done another way", he wagged a finger, making a pretty
good imitation of Martha.
I laughed,
"they keep telling me it was never like this in Jock鈥檚
day".
"That
surprises me. From my first day to almost my last, they told me
it was never like that in Stuart鈥檚 day".
He
held out his hand, "Jock Lewis," he added as an afterthought.
"鈥淔aye
Williams, pleased to meet you".
"If
you've got time for lunch Faye, why don't I fill you in on some
of the personalities. It might help".
I hesitated
briefly but the fresh air could wait, I accepted his invitation.
"If you want to know anything, ask Joan"鈥 he said.
"She's the self assumed mother of the department and best person
to turn to in a crisis.
"She's
not the five foot nothing streak of pure venom that she seems on
first acquaintance. She knows everything about everyone but she'll
happily share her information. The others look up to her.
"If
you want to make any changes make sure Joan's on your side".
I warmed
to this charming man who kept me laughing with office tales from
days gone by. I was sorry when I checked my watch to discover I
had to get back to the office for my next meeting.
"Thanks
Jock", I said as we parted company. "I really feel much
better, but I still don't understand why you left. You clearly loved
the job and the others adored you".
"Ask
Joan, she's always good for a gossip. She'll love you for it",
Jock raised one hand and walked off.
It
was Thursday by the time I had the chance to mention Jock.
Joan
looked at me as if I had gone completely insane. "Jock didn't
leave, he had a heart attack," she said, her face registering
an expression that suggested she had been expecting something like
this to happen all along.
"Tuesday
was the first anniversary of his death".
Return
to the Ghost Story index
听
听
|
