Lessons in Love

‘Fine,’ Jane said, as brightly as she could manage, then hung up, groaned and pulled the duvet back up over her head.

Ray Jacobson refilled Jayne’s champagne glass and then lifted his in salute.

‘You know, I think this is such a great idea, a kind of pilgrimage to your past. I’m almost envious. And you don’t have to worry, everything here will be in safe hands.’

‘I know that,’ said Jayne. ‘Just one thing. I’ve asked someone to help mind the store while I’m away.’

‘Really?’ He watched her face for a moment or two to see if she was joking and then laughed. ‘You’re serious?’

‘Yes, yes, I am. I met someone recently.’

‘Really?’ he purred. ‘How recently? I thought you were still seeing Carlo.’

She waved the words away. ‘No, not like that. Her name is Jane Mills, and I met her a few days ago. She’s looking for a job.’

‘Jane Mills?’

‘Exactly; it felt like some sort of omen. In fact, it’s because of her that I’ve finally decided it was time for me to take a sabbatical.’

Ray set his glass down and sighed. ‘Jayne, darling, how long have we known each other? How many years have we worked together? “All I need are the bright ideas and a man with an abacus and an eye for detail and I’m set”—isn’t that what you used to say? I don’t want to tell you how to run your business or your life, Jaynie, but do you really think—’

‘Don’t lecture me,’ Jayne said lightly. ‘I’m not stupid. I haven’t just picked someone at random off the street. She’s in her late twenties, working as a manager in the public sector, a very bright girl, funny, clever—in lots of ways she reminds me of me at that age. She seemed—no, she felt like—the last piece in the jigsaw. She’s been working in community outreach development for the library services.’

‘How terribly worthy.’

‘Stop it, Ray. She’s joining us for lunch. I’d really like you to show her the ropes, guide her through the business. I know it’ll take some time but my gut feeling is that she could turn out to be a real asset.’

‘You could have mentioned it earlier,’ Ray said grumpily.

Jayne stroked his arm. ‘I know, but the idea only really came to me yesterday, and you know what I’m like.’

‘An unpredictable pain in the arse.’

‘Ouch, that is so cruel. I prefer spirited.’

He snorted and refilled her glass.

Lunch at Lorenzo’s. Faultless service, fabulous food, wonderful wine and a hum of conversation that implied intrigue, intimacy and money. It had been Ray’s idea that they should use it for their regular out-of-office business meetings. It was a good choice.

‘And what is your protégée’s role supposed to be exactly?

‘I’m not sure. How about management trainee?’

‘Trainee? I thought you said—’

‘OK, OK, not trainee. Maybe assistant manager—managerial assistant—assistant development manager. Come on, this is not a bolt out of the blue, Ray. We’ve both talked about taking someone on before.’

‘Hypothetically. A hypothetical assistant. And to be honest I had rather assumed I would be involved in the selection process.’ He looked round. ‘Can you still smoke in here?’

‘Ray, you know very well you can’t smoke anywhere.’

‘Bloody nanny state. The thing is, we’ve got several good people on the staff who could just step into the role—people who already know the ropes.’

‘Please don’t sulk, Ray. If she doesn’t work out then that’s fine, but it seemed like an omen.’

‘Because her name is Jane Mills?’

‘It’s an instinct, a hunch.’

‘It’s a whim.’

Jayne picked up the menu and avoided meeting his eyes. ‘I thought she could start off by helping with the product selection, buying, as well as some of the day-to-day stuff. It just felt right. We need to find the right title for her.’

‘How about lucky mascot?’

‘Don’t be spiteful.’

Ray, unable to light up a cigarette, grunted and took a canapé from the tray proffered by a passing waitress. ‘So where is your lucky managerial rabbit’s foot now then?’

‘I told her to meet us here at one so that you and I could have a chance to talk first. I’d really like to get everything organised and leave as soon as possible. We need to go through my diary. To be honest I don’t think there’s that much on for the next few weeks.’

She pulled her organiser out from her bag and ran a finger down the entries.

‘Damn, I’m supposed to be giving a speech at the Cassar’s dinner. I’d forgotten all about that…’

Ray waved her anxiety away. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out,’ he said between mouthfuls of shrimp. ‘When is it? I’ll make sure it’s covered.’

‘So you’ll do it for me?’

Ray just stared at her.

‘OK, OK,’ she said, ‘I know, I can’t delegate—and I also know everything will be fine and you can manage perfectly well without me. Speeches and all.’

‘Is there anything else?’

‘I’ve also arranged to see several new suppliers—’

‘Your new managerial puppy can do that. It’ll give her something to cut her teeth on. Don’t worry, I’ll walk her through it. Just relax. Have you got any idea where you’re going yet?’

Jayne shook her head. ‘Nope, I thought I might just turn up at an airport and see what they’ve got on offer.’ She looked up from the diary.

‘Seriously?’

‘That was how I did it last time. I just need to get going before it’s too late.’

Ray smiled. ‘I understand that, but trust me, it’s not too late. And, Jayne?’ There was a little pause as their eyes met, and then he leaned across the table and caught hold of her hand. ‘It’s going to be fine. This thing you’ve been looking for—I truly hope that you find it.’

Jayne touched her glass to his. ‘Me too.’