With thanks to Dean Writers member Carol Sheppard for the prompt.
He’s full of her, his new work colleague. Lauren this, Lauren that. So clever, sees right through management’s stupid demands, does a mean impression of the boss, gets to the core of clients’ issues. Articulate, funny. The team haven’t laughed so much since Lauren arrived.
In answer to my snappish question, he guesses, thinking about it, not that he’s really noticed, yes she’s attractive.
I’ve never met Lauren, but I already know I don’t like her.
The first time he mentioned Lauren, I was curious.
‘Where’s she come from?’ I asked.
‘A competitor.’ He snorted with laughter. ‘She managed their client database, got lots of contacts for us.’
‘Can she share that with you?’ Seemed a tad unethical to me.
‘Bits, the stuff that if you looked hard, it’s in the public domain.’ He grinned. ‘Saves us time, and she can give us a few verbal steers on how to approach them.’
‘Is it working?’
‘Early days yet.’ He shook his head at my business ignorance, smirked. ‘Softly, softly, catchee monkey.’
It’s being going on for a week, and I’m thoroughly fed up with Lauren’s brilliance, her humour and her insightful business aptitude.
Tonight he messages me, late, saying he has to stay behind to deal with a crisis. Doesn’t know when he’ll get in.
Crisis? There’s never been a crisis before. I open a bottle of wine and wait up.
When he stumbles through the door at 10 pm he doesn’t look like a man who’s been out on the town, or worse. Face strained, eyes anxious.
He slumps onto the sofa, helps himself to my glass. Sympathy stirs.
‘What happened? What was the crisis?’
‘That bloody cow, Lauren.’ He gulps the wine. ‘Stole our full client database, left us with a heap of scrambled garbage. Not a name left.’
I turn away to hide my grin. I’ve never met Lauren, but I know I like her.
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“I’ve never met Lauren, but I already know I don’t like her.”
This bold statement from my 14-year-old daughter, referring to a woman who I had recently begun to date.
I had been in two minds whether or not to tell Angela about my latest adventure – given I had not been out with another woman since my wife died some years earlier.
It had been a lonely and difficult time. I missed the warmth and closeness of having someone share my marital bed and the challenge of bringing up a young girl, now turned headstrong teenager, had not been easy.
Angela’s expression was petulant as she gazed at me defiantly.
“We don’t need anyone else in our lives,” she raged, stamping her foot like a five-year-old denied her treats.
“Well, I do,” I sighed patiently. “Mum has been dead for five years and I miss having adult company around.”
“What’s wrong with my company?” she demanded angrily, colour rising in her cheeks.
“Nothing. Nothing is wrong with your company, but you are a child and I would like to find someone my own age to share time with,” I said.
“I’m not a child – I am almost an adult!” She stamped her foot again, her face turning an even brighter shade of red.
“I know,” I said reassuringly, “but this is different.
“Look, I’m sure you’ll like Lauren once you meet her. Why don’t you give her a chance?”
Despite my best efforts, Angela was not to be persuaded and I was somewhat forlorn as I entered the restaurant where I had arranged to meet Lauren for dinner.
She could not help but notice my demeanour and sympathetically held my hand as I explained the situation.
“Perhaps she just needs time to get used to it,” she said understandingly.
I nodded, though was not really convinced. Despite only knowing Lauren a short time, I had already begun to have strong feelings for her and was hoping it would lead to a long-term, permanent relationship. I believed she felt the same way.
“I’m not so sure,” I said. “It has been a long time since Deborah died and she has become very used to having me all to herself.”
“I could talk to her, if you like,” she smiled and I began to feel a little more optimistic.
Lauren was a practising psychologist used to dealing with people facing difficult situations and I believed Angela would soon warm to her once they had met.
Apart from wishing for a partner with whom I could share my life, just as importantly I believed my daughter needed a mother figure to share her dreams and fears as she approached adulthood.
I knew Lauren was that person. Now all we had to do was convince a recalcitrant 14-year-old. I could only cross my fingers and hope.
Some of us have been there! It’s an interesting age LOL
Good one! I wonder if anyone will get the better of Lauren at some point in the future.