Friday afternoon and Barry was working over again in his office. Almost everybody else finished early on Friday but not him. He already knew that he stayed too long but also knew what needed to be done. He was in charge and had ultimately responsibility for everything that went out. He phoned Melanie, his wife, and told her he would be late home. He tried to explain that it was unfortunate but there were proposals that had to be completed for Monday. However, he had had a long discussion with Julie, his assistant, and starting next week he had reassigned more work to her. This had chewed up his morning schedule.
His good news was that he had a call from a client, Brenda Binley, who had extra items to add to their order. They had met, which took another hour, and he had taken her to lunch. The result was he had not got through all the outstanding paperwork. Then Brenda had wanted to collect her revised bid before finishing work that afternoon. So he had to wait in his office to see her.
"Come on Barry, why is it you alone have to put in such long hours? Couldn't you have delegated some of the work to your assistants?" Mel was exasperated by his tale and let him know in no uncertain terms. She pressed on, "Sweetheart, have you got anything to eat this evening?"
"No I haven't yet. Just don't nag me." Barry was on edge.
Mel got more annoyed and Barry could tell it in her voice. "Well you get something for yourself, I'm going out. I'll not be cooking for you at nine at night. You ought to call a pizza delivery and have one sent. Should I get one sent round? And you should remember to listen for the front door, don't let them go away as you have in the past."
Barry was getting angry at her tone of voice, "Yes, OK, if let me get on and I'll be home sooner."
"Barry, are you alone?"
"Yes, more or less. Julie is getting ready to leave but Clara the cleaner is still in the ground floor rooms." He paused, "Where are you going?"
"Oh, I don't know. To talk to somebody, to Mum and Dad, I think." Mel sounded despondent.
"Mel, give me 'til the cleaner finishes and I'll leave then. Wait for me. I'll ring you when I locking up."
Mel thought a few seconds, "Why is Julie stopping later than the other staff?"
He answered, "Well she is single and it is easier for her to drive home across town a bit later on Friday when the main rush is over."
"OK then, but don't leave any later. I'll order you something and get it sent across. And listen out for the door. Don't let the man leave and you miss him. Love you."
The idea of Julie staying with her husband troubled Mel. She was young, not long graduated. She was clever, pretty and unattached. Just the sort of girl to be on the prowl for a dissatisfied husband. owever she knew Clara was older than Barry and married, if that meant anything these days. Clara was a confident, mature woman in her late 30's. Probably an experienced seducer of lonely men as well. But who is Brenda Binley and what is she like? Clearly a woman with some intelligence, and with the influence that it earned. Was Barry doing overtime for her or with her? That made three women for Mel to be wary of.
"Yes and thanks. I won't be any later. I've told Clara I'm still in my room. I'll be away when she leaves. Love you too." Barry put the phone down. He knew that really should be worrying about what Mel was going to do and get back to her.
Barry worked a bit longer and soon was wrapping up. He had not checked the time but he heard the main entrance bell ring downstairs. Clara must have opened the door. Someone entered the outer office.
"Pizza!"
"In here," Barry called out and reached for his wallet. However it was not the usual pizza delivery man. He was surprised when a woman entered his room. Especially so, as when they had spoken earlier she had not mentioned she would come up to see him. Nevertheless he was particularly happy that she had turned up. He had not really expected her to come to his office at this time of day.
