Katy had only been working in the company for a few weeks and things weren't going well. Her boss was a total bitch, who was making Katy's life a misery but she needed that job or she would end up on the street.
She sat at her desk working her way through the week's invoices, keeping an eye on the time. "Only forty five minutes to go." She whispered to herself.
"If only you'd pay as much attention to your work as you do to the time, you wouldn't be messing up so often." Rachel said suddenly, Katy hadn't realised she was behind her.
"Rachel, I, uh... didn't see you there." She said, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks.
"No, I expect you didn't." The older woman said, perching on the corner of her desk. "There were two more invoices with mistakes on them, it's unacceptable. I've given you a chance, but I've had to take this further."
"Oh no please Rachel, I really need this job. I promise I'll get better!" She pleaded, almost in tears.
"It's done, I don't have the time to hold your hand and clean up your messes every day, it's been almost four weeks and your still fucking up every day." She stood, straightened her skirt, "Mr Collins wants to see you in his office at five." The smug smile evident on her lips, Rachel walked off.
Katy sat quietly at her desk, a lump in her throat and hot tears welling in her eyes. She took several deep breaths, she would not give that cow the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She composed herself and got back to work sorting the invoices, triple checking each one. As it neared 5pm she filed them away to be sent out and gathered up the few personal items from her desk - she wouldn't risk having to pack up after being sacked!
At five she made her way along the corridor, people saying goodbye for the day as she did, she did her best to smile and act normally. Right at the back of the building she came to Mr Collins office, the door was slightly ajar, she took a long deep breath before giving it a knock and pushing it open.
"Katy" he said impassively, "come in and take a seat." She did as she was told, she sat in front of his desk, crossed her legs, wringing her hands, she tried very hard not to cry.
"Sir." A sob slipped out along with one solitary fat tear. "I know I have made some mistakes, I can't apologise enough. Sir I need this job, I promise you, I will get better!" She raised her chin, looking at his from under her eyelashes with the faintest wobble to her lip.
"Come now, don't cry." He said, reaching across the table to give her a tissue. "I'm sure we can work this out."
