Colleague
Ladies, whose turn was it to tidy the break room? Mary set her coffee cup down firmly on the table and turned to her colleagues. Seriously, how many times are we going to have this conversation? I cleaned everything yesterday, and now its a complete mess again! Is it really that difficult to wash your own mug and put it back?
There was just so much to do, Kate squeaked back before ducking behind her computer screen. Mr. Edwards popped in right as we were taking our break, asked for the latest reports. We didnt have time to clean up after ourselves.
And afterwards? Mary was still fuming. Late for a date, were we? Or did you lot just decide Im your personal maid?
Lydia quietly stood up and made for the door.
Dont trouble yourself, Lydia. Ive already sorted it, Mary waited until her colleague had reached the door, then called out, But next time, do clear up after having tea. Its not that hard.
Lydia silently returned to her desk and pulled out another folder, sharing a glance with Kate. They were both a little afraid of Mary. Direct, uncompromising, she was brilliant at her job, and unlike young Kate or older Lydia, Mary didnt risk unemployment. She didnt hesitate over others opinions; she always knew precisely what she wanted and how to get it. Kate looked up to her, almost in awe, attempting to mimic her professionalism, while Lydia opted for neutrality, knowing that so much in their department, which Mary now ran, depended on her.
The office grew quiet as everyone returned to their work, trying and failing to fully focus.
Lydia had nursed a headache since the morning she was the sort who felt every change in weather, but lately it had become intolerable. The good days grew fewer. She avoided the doctor, fearing the worst, and was too busy anyway. Her younger son was always getting into trouble, the school rang so often that Lydia debated not answering every call. Meanwhile, her eldest a daughter was in the middle of a budding romance, but still not on good terms with her ex-husband, so their son, Lydias small grandson, stayed with her. That meant picking him up from nursery and looking after him in the evenings, especially with his seventh birthday and school approaching. No one remembered it except Lydia, who was busy teaching him letters and numbers while dreaming of just one peaceful evening alone, time for herself, a new book or a drama, not constantly awaiting someone elses crisis at the kitchen door. She awaited her ex-husbands return from another lengthy business trip. Only then could she perhaps send their son to him for a few days, ask her daughter to collect young Christopher for the weekend, and simply rest. Lydia and her ex, Paul, had parted ways a few years earlier without much fuss. He wouldnt have minded a row, but Lydia made her position clear.
Paul! We spent almost twenty years together, and they were good years. Ive nothing to complain about. Let’s not spoil things now. We loved each other until love turned familiar routine, so lets split with kindness. Well always be their parents. Shall we really burden them with bitter fighting? I know all about your new lady and her baby on the way.
How on earth did you find out?
She called. Put me in the picture. And you know what?
Paul eyed her carefully, What?
Well done, that’s what! Not dragging things out, taking responsibility. It doesnt make me happier, but I respect you more. Divorce means youre making things right for the child, yeah?
Well, yes
Good. Thats the right thing. At that, Lydia broke the conversation off she simply didnt have the strength to prolong it.
Her pride stung, of course, to see her family life turn to dust when it felt too late to start anew and to be honest, there seemed little point anyway. Her children still needed her; Paul would have a new family, a new baby, and, being given this fresh start and meaning, a second youth. Lydia tried to keep the bitterness at bay. Why poison what remained? Much better to remember good times and accept the rest there was no changing it now.
The birth of her grandson distracted Lydia from dark thoughts. He gave her life a new sense of purpose, even with all the fatigue and responsibility, as her daughter simply wasnt up to motherhood yet.
Mum! Hes your grandson! You have to help me! If not you, then who?
So Lydia would pop another headache tablet, rush to her daughters after work, and take care of Christopher. Her teenage son, meanwhile, had firmly walled his own life off. Lydia now realised shed perhaps spent too little time building true bonds with her children theyd grown to expect money and only rare heart-to-hearts.
Children? If theyre at nursery, school, aftercare what more do they need? I deserve a life too! I want a career, my own time, not endless stress over homework or art projects.
In the end, thats the sort of relationship shed reaped: always needed, but only in passing. Now, with little strength to change anything, Lydia simply did her best even if it felt unseen.
For Kate, things had always been more straightforward. Dotingly adored, a long-hoped-for only child, her early years were filled with love, pink ponies and wonder. Her father held a prominent position in the council, so Kate enjoyed every advantage. She took ballroom classes, sang, played guitar, attended art school, and spoke fine English. Her life was meant to be easyuntil her father suffered a heart attack in his early fifties and died. Her mother, keen to pursue her own happiness, remarried and moved to another town, leaving Kate the central flat, a decent bank account for her studies, and a final bit of advice:
Be happy! And remember, youre in charge of your own life now. Youre a grown girl!
To her credit, Kate didnt panic. Shed always been indulged, but she was clever too. Now suddenly and truly alone, she phoned her fathers old friend, a solicitor, for advice. She realised the money would only last a few years, but the flat was hers outright. She canvassed the neighbour for advice on utilities and paperwork, then spent two days online, choosing two universities with practical courses, so she could work while she studied. Realising she probably wouldnt qualify for a grant based on her grades, she budgeted carefully her mothers money would see her through the early years. She exhaled in relief and set about building her new plan.
Kate had been working at the company for over a year alongside her university studies and was currently debating whether to accept her boyfriends proposal and move in with him or just wait a while longer. She still wasnt completely sure of his feelings.
Mary, meanwhile, knew little of her subordinates and wanted to keep it that way. She had her own struggles and sorrows. With her hopes of having children dashed for health reasons, Mary had decided to adopt. For over a year, shed quietly pursued this, worrying only that her lack of a husband might scupper it. She thought briefly of a marriage of convenience but dismissed the ideashe didnt want a child to wonder what happened to their temporary dad. So, with her good salary and large family house, she hoped the adoption agency wouldnt refuse her. Every evening, she scoured websites and adoption galleries, searching for the child shed recognise as her own. She told no one about her dream, certain that joy prefers utter silence rather than just secrecy.
Evening fell outside, cold drizzly rain tapping the office windows. Each of the women dreaded leaving the warmth to plunge into the dreary, gusty darkness all just to return home for another round of chores and demands, with no moments respite, even as autumn stretched ever longer, cold winds stripping trees bare and rare sunny days taunting them with impossible opportunities for calm.
Kate stretched out her arms after finishing her report, mouth agape, as the office door opened and something unexpected materialised. Everyone sat up, staring at the curious sight.
The young woman was odd, to say the least. She wore an outrageously bright, stripy bobble hat and carried a goldfish in a tank. Her mass of blonde curls spilled everywhere. The women gaspedjust imagining what it would be like to have hair so thick and joyful. Her huge blue eyes looked at them calmly, directly, as if privy to some great secret she might be compelled to reveal at any moment.
Hello! Im Annie. Ill be working with you! Where do I sit? Here by the window? Lovely! You all are so thoughtful, leaving it for me!
Mary, thunderstruck, finally found her voice:
Youre quite the character! Where have you come from?
HR just sent me through. I was told to settle in so I can get started first thing tomorrow.
Annie placed the aquarium on her new desk, unwound her scarf, and took in her surroundings.
Nice place, so cosy! Needs a few more plants, though. If you like, Ill bring in my palm tree tomorrow! Well put it right here, pretend were in Brighton, or maybe even the Seychelles, anywhere sunny and warm! I loathe autumn! Too little sun, too much gloom. If I had my way, Id live at the beach all year, running around in a swimming costume. I bought a great red one with white polka dots last yearlooked a fright, but I felt like a queen! Never understood why women with non-model figures insist on hiding away in black suits. Black swimsuits? Ghastly!
Mary, owner of two black swimsuits herself, barely held in a laugh and cut Annie off. Kate was openly giggling by now, hiding behind her hands, and even stern Lydia found herself dabbing her eyes with her sleeve.
Annie, do slow down! We get youre from HR, but whats your role here? Our department is full.
Oh, programmer. I wont exactly be in your department HR just couldnt find a desk elsewhere. Im glad! It seems fun here, and youre all nice. So, Im staying! Oh, by the way, meet Horace!she pointed proudly at the tank. Hes a goldfish.
Why fish and not goldfish? Kates giggles returned.
Well, fish is masculine! Goldfish are always she, arent they? But Horace is very much a he. Now, since were colleagues, its only fair to share a secret.
What sort of secret? Lydia asked, surprised to find her headache easing.
Hes magic, see! He grants wishestruly! Dont laugh! You just need to believe he can, otherwise hell sulk. So, come on, make a wish! Annie edged the tank towards the group.
Kate looked about, got up, and asked, How do I do it?
Touch his nose, quick! Annie grabbed Kates finger, pressed it to the glass right as Horace hovered, and whispered, Now wish, while he listens!
Out loud?
No, unless you want world peace. Otherwise, just in your mind.
Kate pressed her eyes shut, whispered, Let everything work out for the best
When she opened her eyes, the fish sat motionless, waving his fins.
Hes heard, Annie grinned.
Next! she ordered, waving Lydia forward.
Lydia was unsure why she obeyed, but she came round, touched the glass, and closed her eyes. Hundreds of wishes buzzed through her head, but above all: Let my children be happy
Annie watched her seriously, then beckoned to Mary: Dont wait, before Horace decides its bed time.
Mary was tempted to wave it away, but gave in. She pressed her finger, thinking just one wish, but too afraid even to admit it.
Let me find him she thought, almost without hope.
Annie clapped and burst out laughing, lifting everyones spirits.
All done! The process has begun!
She bustled around, eyeing the room. Wheres my chair? I suppose standing is possible, but I nap occasionally, and with no sofa, Ill just have to manage.
Nap? Here? Kate was astonished.
Yes! I hardly sleep at night, have to catch up in the day. Just give me fifteen minutes, and Im as fresh as a daisy. I get more done in a day than others all month. Horace can confirm! Annie gave the office a last spin and trotted out, announcing that shed find herself a chair, and perhaps make a few introductions.
The three women exchanged glances.
What was that? said Kate, breaking the silence.
Something extraordinary, Id say Lydia checked her watch, gathering her things to collect her grandson.
Mary shut down her computer, preparing to leave tooshe had no pressing reason to linger.
Annie soon returned with a chair, grabbed her things, and vanished, bobble hat askew.
That night, as rain pattered against the windows, all three women found themselves oddly less bothered by the weather, the evening not so bleak, and each quietly delighted that a real goldfish now lived in their office, one that (perhaps) granted wishes. No one frowned; instead, smiles lingered, for tomorrow already promised to be a little less dullsomething new had begun.
Their expectations werent misplaced. The next morning, Annie trundled in with an enormous potted palm, ordering Mr. Edwards, whod kindly offered to help, on where to position it.
In the corner, please! Out of sighteveryone dreams of a holiday, after all!
Too right! Mr. Edwards wiped his brow in relief.
Well, for your gallant help, Horace can grant one wish!
Who? he asked bewildered, spotting only the women.
Him! Annie pointed at the tank. One wish, but don’t squander it, he’s still young.
Mr. Edwards shyly did as suggested and left, clearly bemused.
Annie, youre something else! How do you talk to bosses that way? Kate hung her wet mac and umbrella in the corner.
Bosses are people too, arent they? Of course they have wishes. Now, whos up for coffee? Annie fished a shocking pink mug and a tiny copper pot from her rucksack. Thank goodness youve got a hob in the kitcheninstant coffee at my last job nearly drove me mad.
Once the others nodded approval, she grabbed a bag of beans and bustled off. Ten minutes later, the whole department was treated to the most marvellous coffee anyone had tasted.
Incredible! What is this? asked Lydia.
Kopi luwaka neighbour brings it over. I give his mum massages, he gives me coffee.
Kate frowned at her cup.
Oh
Whats the matter, Kate?
I read once how this coffee is made
And? So what? Tastes good, doesn’t it? And by the time it gets here, its perfectly safe! Besides, youve drunk half already.
Kate glanced uncertainly at the cup, saw Mary winking, shrugged, and took another sip. Youre rightits delicious.
With Annies arrival, office life transformed. There was laughter, quicker work, and even visitors left happier, usually after Annie had dragged them to the tank to make a wish and pressed a sweet into their hand from her perpetually full bowl.
Kate was first to see her wish work out. One day when the power went out and they left early, she spotted her boyfriend outside her block, arms wrapped around a tall, attractive girl. Reluctantly, Kate snapped a quick photo, then strode up, heels clicking.
Kate
Im just here for my stuff, she said calmly, holding out her hand. Keys, please.
He tried to explain himself, but she only shook her head, No need. Ill just change the locks. All the best.
Inside, she debated crying, but decided it wasnt worth it. She ditched her diet, baked an apple crumble, and laughed herself silly at her favourite sitcoms. Horace, she concluded, was a wise old fish.
The next morning, she patted the tank: Thank you!
Annie only smiled and nodded.
Lydias wish took a few months. She returned home one evening to find her ex-husband helping their son with a pile of forms.
Mum! Just in time. I need these documents and my birth certificate.
What for? Lydia turned the paper over. Youve had a passport for years.
Its for college in London! If it all works out, I can go to uni and become a scientist, like Ive always hoped.
Reading the form, Lydia sank onto a chair, stunned.
And the accommodation, the extra lessons Son
Mum, calm down! Its a real chance. Ive wanted this forever, I never thought theyd take me, but Dad helped me get in through the science olympiad. I know its far, butwill you let me go?
She absorbed it. He was already taller than her, living his own life physics wasnt whimsy. To let him follow his dream meant letting him go. Who was she to clip his wings?
All right, she said finally.
That evening, they filled out all the paperwork. Later, Lydias daughter phoned.
Mum, could you have Chris for the weekend?
I was hoping to get some rest for once
Mum, pleasewe, well, me and Chriss dadwere thinking of giving things another tryhes asked me to remarry
Lydias tears surprised her, but she agreed immediately.
Horace the fish got another thank you the following day. Annie only grinned, Told you so!
Marys wish was the last. In this case, Horace needed Annies help. One morning, Annie arrived early, printed something off, and called Mary into the corridor.
Here, she said quietly, handing the printout over. You know the company monitors everything online. Normally I shield you, but I had to show you this.
Mary looked at the photograph: two little children, a boy and a girl, siblings faces sweet and hopeful, the photo clearly a rush job.
Where?
Theyre neighbours of mine. Father ran off, mother drinks heavily and couldnt cope. Shes just lost custody. Theyre lovely kids bright, sweet, just unlucky. I thought of you.
Mary studied their faces, heart pounding.
How old?
Three and two. Only a year apart. If youre interested, Ill give you the details.
A few months later, Mary became a mum.
Not long after, Annie packed up, left the palm tree and Horace behind, and said her goodbyes.
Kate and Lydia, who never cracked her mystery, took turns feeding Horace, thinking often of their odd whirlwind of a former colleague. Mary, unwilling to see this sadness fester, finally told them Annies story.
Her mother was very ill bedridden for almost a decade. Annie stayed in town because of that, though shed had great offers in London. Shes a brilliant programmer. Got marriedbadlyhad a daughter and is raising her alone now.
Shes left?
Yes. Her mother passed, and Annie decided to move on. She says shes finished what she needed to do here.
Kate stepped over to Horace, stared into the tank.
Where did she get the strength? Mum, child, so many problemsYet she always smiled, always spotted the bright side, even on the worst days. Remember when she brought in those swimsuits and made us do Friday sunbathing under the palm, sipping her wild concoctions? Who thinks of that? Only her!
I wish I knew, Mary admitted. If theres a secret source for that, Id chase it down. To love people and the world around you like that, to spot joy in the smallest thingswe could all do with some of that.
Were not so bad anymore, are we? Lydia smiled, producing a small bag of richly-priced coffee. Its a shame we dont have Annies kind neighbour, but after this, I cant say no to a treat. Coffee, girls?
So we sat beneath Annies palm, clinking mugs with Horaces tank, and toasted that eccentric girl who shook up our little office, gifting us something priceless: the knowledge that warmth, faith, and kindness arent bought or forced, but given freely by those bold enough to share. Not everything in life improves instantly, but that dose of light, hope, and the will to embrace life thats worth everything.
Looking back now, that’s the lesson I carry: sometimes a whimsical storm is exactly what you need to remember the value of simple, generous joy.
