Irene was blunt to a fault. Whatever the office folk knew about her, she never sugarcoated the hard truthwhether anyone wanted to hear it or not.
Take Emily, for instance. One morning she spent the whole day flirting with the new system admin while simultaneously clearing the backlog. She wasnt just strolling around the office she was buzzing from desk to desk. I hope youre aware his wife is in the maternity ward, Irene said, and the whole flirtation vanished in an instant.
Then there was Violet, who could never kick the habit. She tried nicotine patches, special lozenges, the works, but nothing helped. She bought a miracle cigarette and darted out for a puff every half hour. Irene called her out: Did you even check the ingredients on that magical stick? I havent seen anyone else look at it. Curious, isnt it?
People started steering clear of Irene; no one wanted to get caught in her sharp tongue. She seemed indifferent, as if the truth was a stone that never moved. But who really needed that blunt truth?
When Irene left for a threeweek placement in Dublin, the office collectively breathed a sigh of relief. The corner smokers carried on, the new clients got the usual casual banter, Friday drinks ran wild, and secret kisses happened in the dim corners of the openplan. Married, single it didnt matter.
She came back after three weeks, always impeccably dressed in a tailored dress, high heels, a trailing whiff of heavy perfume and flawless makeup. This time, though, she slipped in wearing faded jeans, an oversized sweater two sizes too big, no trace of cosmetics, her hair tied in a loose bun, and dark sunglasses she kept on until she vanished into her office. The heavy perfume was replaced by a faint spritz of Calvin Kleins Truth.
Crucially, she didnt chide the secretary for missing the morning briefing papers, nor did she reprimand the admin for constantly being on the phone with his wife. She walked past a stack of documents where the solicitor was rummaging, and left everything untouched.
The placement didnt go through, the solicitor declared.
Shes ill, the secretary guessed.
I think shes fallen in love! Emily laughed.
And thats why the sweaters two sizes too big? the translator teased.
Regardless, the next briefing is in an hour. Lets prepare, not gossip.
An hour later she still hadnt appeared in the conference room. The team waited, nerves taut.
Then the admin who always sat by the window shouted, There she is! Look! Everyone rushed to the glass.
Across the street, at a cosy café, sat Irene but she looked different. Not just because shed ditched the makeup and the sleek bun; she was simply facing a man who was talking, and she was laughing.
Honestly, I couldnt find my blouse this morning, she told the man, smiling, so I borrowed your sweater.
I prefer you without any extra layers, he replied.
She flushed and gave his shoulder a light tap.
Stop it.
I cant, he leaned closer. We need to finish up and get you home or me home. It doesnt matter. Ever since we met at the airport, everythings changed.
Agreed.
By the way, he whispered, youve got the sweater on insideout.
Blast!
Then we should get you back to my place and sort it out.
She giggled, fished out her phone and dialed.
At the reception desk the speaker crackled, Welcome to Whitford & Co. Ms. Irene? Good. Youre expected at the briefing. Not coming? Feeling unwell? Get well soon!
She bolted for the conference room.
Our Irenes taken ill! the secretary shouted.
We see, the admin nodded, watching Irene, perfectly healthy, climb into a car with the stranger. Shell be off for at least a few days. No point calling or emailing.
Why? the secretary asked.
Ever turned up to work in a sweater insideout? Emily teased. And then wore sunglasses so nobody could see how wildly you spent the night? When you dont care about makeup, you exude that carefree, Im still thinking of that bloke vibe, she added, flicking her shoulder.
The secretary mulled over the comment, as did everyone else.
Emily smiled, headed for the exit.
Ill, placement failed I said shed fallen in love. Now our Irene is a different person.
How long will it last? the admin muttered darkly.
Emily met his gaze, That depends on you lot, and walked out.
