Hi. My name is Janet. As you know, from my first three instalments, I'm an enthusiast for sexual pleasure. Some would call me a slut but that's not how I see myself. I think of myself as a free spirit taking and giving pleasure where and when I can. Nobody is exploiting me and I'm not exploiting them. Not often anyway. Though some are hurt a bit that I don't want more of a relationship with them. I'm sorry boys; it's just that I don't want to eat in the same restaurant every night.
Edwin and I - you remember Edwin, the world's best pussy-eater- are in some sort of relationship now. But he is a free spirit too and we are not about to buy a semi in Southgate and have babies. Trust me girls, if Edwin had pleasured you, you would remember him.
Anyway, today's memoir is an exception to the rule. My friend, Sue Barron, was very grateful to me for introducing Toby to her. It's been a lot of years since she had enjoyed anyone his age (with the sexual strength and stamina that youth brings) and his evenings and lunchtimes with me had developed his skills enormously. And, despite the age gap, Sue it seems provides something that Toby really likes. I'm very happy for them. With Edwin in my life my need for Toby has declined. We still check in occasionally and I'm pleased to report that Sue has tamed some of his impatience.
I digress. Sue and I were chatting over a glass of Pinot a couple of months ago and she told me that Sir Edward, our MD, had the hots for me. She didn't actually say that but that's what she meant. "Your name gets mentioned considerably more than most of the HR managers and since the ball last month it seems to crop up even more. I think it provides....opportunities...for you to, er ....progress."
My ball dress had certainly caught the attention of a number of my colleagues that night. And of several colleagues' husbands and boyfriends. I ended up that night in the arms of the North Western regional sales manager, who was also there by himself and had a handy room at the Mardlin. Which was OK. Not the greatest of lovers but good fun and discreet and back off to Preston out of the way the next evening. But of much more interest were the business cards from Alison's husband and Bridget's new French boyfriend. And the snatched ten minutes with Paul from Marketing while his wife was with a group of girls on the dance floor. Who knew that he had such a lot hidden away in his trousers. At the first opportunity I mean to get to know Paul and his boy a whole lot better.
I have nothing against Bridget but her Frenchman seems very very cute and very very interested in getting to know me. Alison on the other hand is an absolute bitch who I loathe with a passion. It would be a gross misuse of my position in HR to get her sacked but borrowing and bedding her hunky husband will give me and him a great deal of pleasure.
"I think you should find reasons to come down to my office a lot more. I'll let you know when he's around and not too busy."
Which was not something I had really considered before. Not that I had anything against using my charms to develop my career. My first job I got purely on merit but my next move, up to London, had certainly been helped by 'sleeping with ' the interviewer. The interview was at four and the girl from HR was idly chatting while we waited for the third panellist to arrive. "Will you travel back to Gloucester this evening?"
"No, I'm staying overnight so I can see a couple of agencies in the morning." Whoops. I probably shouldn't have said that "Naturally I'm really hoping I get this job, but ... since I'm in town....it just seemed....."
"Very sensible. It always pays to have options and alternatives." Mr Callaghan paused. Weighing the options and plucking up courage. "Staying with friends?"
"No, I've booked in at a hotel round the corner from here." Now I weighed the options. "I was going to stay at a Premier Inn but a friend suggested I stay at the Lion. He said the food's good and the lounge was nice to sit and relax."
The interview went OK. Mr Callaghan, the department head, seemed keener on me than the other two. But it felt reasonably positive. Jenny said they had others to see and would be in touch and I said how enthusiastic I was and Mr Callaghan wished me well while looking at my chest. "I do hope we meet again" I said. And wrote '7?' on the pad in front of me. Jenny escorted me out.
I changed into something less demure, more casual, and installed myself with a small glass and a book in the lounge at 6.50. Bless him, at 7.01 precisely Rob Callaghan walked in. At about 7.31 I demonstrated that casual on the outside could mask raunchy underneath. At 7.41 he agreed I would fill the job vacancy perfectly and at 7.42, as I agreed he could fill me, the randy old goat took wicked advantage of me. And then again after dinner. Again about 2.30 in the morning without even asking if I was awake (I was) and a final time in the shower before breakfast. Who would have thought he had it in him.
But that was then, and this is now. So I made it my business to deliver the recruitment statistics personally to Sue, for her boss's attention, the following Tuesday. Sue, in her new role as procuress, had made sure he knew I was coming and he had told her that he had some questions so would she make sure that I didn't rush off. "Good afternoon. Janet, isn't it? Miss Anselm?"
"Mrs"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just... I thought.. I understood you were single. Anyway, you're our head office recruitment specialist?
"That's right Sir, I am single these days but I just feel that once a woman is out of her twenties... and yes, I manage our recruitment, here and at a couple of the other offices. I gather you had some questions for me?" Sue was right. He was attracted to me. But this was a big fish. Angling for big fish and pulling them in takes care and time. Let's get the work stuff out on the table first.