'Nine, please.' Connor swallows. 'Mr Harper, may I quickly introduce myself?' He eagerly
holds out his hand. 'Connor Martin from Research. You're coming to visit our department
later on today.'
'It's a pleasure to meet you, Connor,' says Jack kindly. 'Research is vital for a company like
ours.'
'You're so right!' says Connor, looking thrilled. 'In fact, I'm looking forward to discussing
with you the latest research findings on Panther Sportswear. We've come up with some very
fascinating results involving customer preferences on fabric thickness. You'll be amazed!'
'I'm sure I will,' says Jack. 'I look forward to it.'
Connor gives me an excited grin.
'You've already met Emma Corrigan from our marketing department?' he says.
'Yes, we've met.' Jack's eyes gleam at me.
We travel for a few seconds in an awkward silence.
This is weird.
No. It's not weird. It's fine.
'How are we doing for time?' says Connor. He glances at his watch and in slight horror, I see
Jack's eyes falling on it.
Oh God.
' I gave him a really nice watch, but he insists on wearing this orange digital thing '
'Wait a minute!' says Jack, dawn breaking over his face. He stares at Connor as through seeing
him for the first time. 'Wait a minute. You're Ken.'
Oh no.
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh-
'It's Connor,' says Connor puzzledly. 'Connor Martin.'
'I'm sorry!' Jack hits his head with his fist. 'Connor. Of course. And you two -' he gestures to
me ' are an item?'
Connor looks uncomfortable.
'I can assure you, sir, that at work our relationship is strictly professional. However, in a
private context, Emma and I are yes, having a personal relationship.'
'That's wonderful!' says Jack encouragingly, and Connor beams, like a flower blossoming in
the sun.
'In fact,' he adds proudly, 'Emma and I have just decided to move in together.'
'Is that so?' Jack shoots me a look of genuine surprise. 'That's great news. When did you
make that decision?'
'Just a couple of days ago,' says Connor. 'At the airport.'
'At the airport,' echoes Jack Harper after a short silence. 'Very interesting.'
I can't look at Jack Harper. I'm staring desperately at the floor. Why can't this bloody lift go
quicker?
'Well, I'm sure you'll be very happy together,' Jack Harper says to Connor. 'You seem very
compatible.'
'Oh we are!' says Connor at once. 'We both love jazz, for a start.'
'Is that so?' says Jack thoughtfully. 'You know, I can't think of anything nicer in the world
than a shared love of jazz.'
He's taking the piss. This is unbearable.
'Really?' says Connor eagerly.
'Absolutely.' Jack nods. 'I'd say jazz, and Woody Allen films.'
'We love Woody Allen films!' says Connor in amazed delight. 'Don't we, Emma!'
'Yes,' I say a little hoarsely. 'Yes, we do.'
'Now Connor, tell me,' says Jack in confidential tones. 'Did you ever find Emma's'
If he says 'G spot' I will die. I will die. I will die .
' presence here distracting? Because I can imagine I would!' Jack gives Connor a friendly
smile, but Connor doesn't smile back.
'As I said, sir,' he says, a little stiffly, 'Emma and I operate on a strictly professional basis
whilst at work. We would never dream of abusing the company's time for our own ends.'
He flushes. 'I mean, by ends, I don't mean I meant'
'I'm glad to hear it,' says Jack, looking amused.
God, why does Connor have to be such a goody-goody ?
The lift pings, and I feel relief drain over me. Thank God, at last I can escape-
'Looks like we're all going to the same place,' says Jack Harper with a grin. 'Connor, why
don't you lead the way?'
I can't cope with this. I just can't cope. As I pour out cups of tea and coffee for members of the
marketing department, I'm outwardly calm, smiling at everyone and even chatting pleasantly.
But inside I'm all unsettled and confused. I don't want to admit it to myself, but seeing Connor
through Jack Harper's eyes has thrown me.
I love Connor, I tell myself over and over. I didn't mean any of what I said on the plane. I love
him. I run my eyes over his face, trying to
reassure myself. There's no doubt about it. Connor
is good-looking by any standards. He glows with good health. His hair is shiny and his eyes
are blue and he's got a gorgeous dimple when he smiles.
Jack Harper, on the other hand, looks kind of weary and dishevelled. He's got shadows under
his eyes and his hair is all over the place. And there's a hole in his jeans.
But even so. It's as if he's some kind of magnet. I'm sitting here, my attention firmly on the tea
trolley, and yet somehow I can't keep my eyes off him.
It's because of the plane, I keep telling myself. It's just because we were in a traumatic
situation together; that's why. No other reason.
'We need more lateral thinking, people,' Paul is saying. The Panther Bar is simply not
performing as it should. Connor, you have the latest research statistics?'
Connor stands up, and I feel a flip of apprehension on his behalf. I can tell he's really nervous