Alex and Lily spent the entire time until Alex raised her wrist at nine o clock the next morning talking about Sébastian, with Alex coming up with odd scenarios involving Sébastian serenading Lily in the middle of the cafeteria, which meant that when the imposing black door at the front of the room bearing the name ‘Natasha Holloway’ swung open ten minutes later they were still in fits of giggles, and had to duck behind the monitors to conceal their laughter. Alex and Lily’s boss was an impersonal, domineering woman, and about as strict a boss as could be found. Emerging from her office donned in one of her usual dull trouser suits and the eternal ponytail they had never seen her without, she stood a moment surveying her workforce, legs apart, one hand on hip, the other clutching that morning’s ‘The Daily Standard’ tightly to her body. Alex flashed her wrist bearing ‘onwards through the mist’ at Lily, and they both took a couple of deep breaths, resisted the impulse to descend into giggles again, and straightened up.
Natasha began pacing between the rows of desks, glaring at frightened workers as they stammered into their headsets, shaking under the pressure enforced by her presence. Alex rolled her eyes and calmly continued her typing. Lily had always envied Alex’s undying confidence. As Natasha approached the dingy corner where Alex and Lily’s desks sat, Lily crossed her fingers tightly under the desk, praying that her phone would not ring. Glancing at Alex, she saw her staring fixedly at the light on her phone, and Lily knew that Alex was determinedly hoping her phone would ring, and she would have a chance to prove to Natasha, and anyone else who was listening, how collected and professional she was. Lily chuckled under her breath. However, both phones stayed silent as Natasha stopped between their desks, and Lily and Alex typed frantically, doing their best to indicate how hard they were working. Feeling the heat of Natasha’s gaze, Lily felt sure that she was about to receive a telling-off, but Natasha instead turned to look at Alex.
“Your figures for last week were most impressive, Alexis.” she boomed, prompting several jealous glances in Alex’s direction from nearby workers.
“Thanks, Tasha.” Alex grinned, looking Natasha evenly in the eyes.
“Yes, 74% of calls answered. 81% of enquiries concluded. Very good. Keep these figures on the rise and you’ll be in line for promotion. Well, carry on.”
Lily signalled a thumbs up to Alex, who winked in reply, as Natasha turned and strode back along the line of desks.
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