Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 11:49:34 +0000 (GMT) From: Nathan Me Subject: James chapter 24 'James' by Nathan Email address nathan7new@yahoo.co.uk My stories are now archived at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nathansstories/. This story contains material of a sexual nature and describes sexual acts between adults and children. If you find this kind of material offensive, if you are under the legal age to read such material or if it is illegal in your country, please do not read any further. My stories may contain some factual or autobiographical elements, but they are works of fiction and any apparent similarities of my characters to real people are not intended. This story is protected by copyright. It may not be downloaded, copied, printed or otherwise reproduced in any way other than for your private enjoyment and may not be changed in any way without express written consent of the author, me! I hope you enjoy this story. James: Chapter 24 "No, wait 'til it's 1.8 then sell." "But..." "You're seriously gonna argue?" "Guess not. You can be a smug prick sometimes, Tom." "Yeah, but it's nice to be right. Has Neil mentioned anything to you yet?" "What about?" "Hold on." Tom picked up his phone and buzzed Neil. "You got a mo'? I've got Leigh here with me now. I though we could tell her together." He smiled at the puzzled woman sitting across from him. "Right, two minutes." He hung up and sat with the same smug grin Leigh had just complained about. "What is it?" "Hmmm. Gonna have to wait and see." She was just about to say something extremely caustic when Tom's boss, Neil, walked in. Although Tom was her supervisor, they enjoyed a fairly equal relationship and she was never afraid of telling him exactly what she thought. Neil was a different matter. He was her boss's boss. Neil sat down in the vacant seat next to her, also wearing a huge grin. "Ok, boys. What's the big joke?" "You are actually? Tom smirked. "What?" Sometimes she didn't know how to take Tom, but she didn't think he would be mean in front of Neil. Neil was a holy Joe and a fairly straight character, really. "Stop teasing, Tom." Neil chastised. "Tom and I have been talking about you behind your back. All nice things actually." He watched her expression change from one of caution to one of puzzlement. "Tom is going to be taking part in a social project the company is running and that will take him away from work one day a week. You know the problems we had when Mary was on maternity leave, well that and Tom's project have made us asses what we need to do in the long term to strengthen our management team and we have decided to create the post of Assistant Team Supervisor in each team." He watched her reaction and she didn't seem to catch on. "So, Julian..." "No, not Julian, you, if you want it. Tom tells me you are his equal work wise and very intuitive. I personally think you would also be a little better with people than Julian, for all his good qualities and length of service." They all laughed and that broke the surreal spell that had seemed to grip Leigh. "So you're offering it to me?" "Yes. You would still work in the team, there's no space for another office I'm afraid, but you would get an extra 8% salary increase over and above the annual increase you already know about. The core of it is that when Tom is not around, you would act as supervisor. You would cover his weekly absences for about two months and any holidays he takes. You would also take on responsibility for certain trading areas including..." She sat, not realising her jaw had dropped. Neil listed her new responsibilities and the benefits, including that when any supervisor was promoted, took extended leave or left the company, it would be the three assistants who would automatically be considered for the vacant position, increasing her chances of further promotion. "So what do you think? Want it?" Neil asked. "Yes." "Excellent. I've got a new contract ready in my office; you just need to sign it. Please, though, don't say anything to anyone. I saw Adam in team two this morning and I've got to go and see Liz now. Once She has accepted, I'll call everyone together and announce the changes. It'll be better coming from me, as I am sure it will put some peoples noses out of joint for a few days. We have been thinking about this ever since Mary was on maternity leave, because that was a right mess up and we weren't ready for it, even though she gave us plenty of notice. My fault really, but hopefully this will solve the problem." "Well, thanks, I guess I should say." "Tom is going to run a systems admin day to show you the extra bits of the system you and the others will be using to monitor the teams performance and trading. There are some compliance issues you need to be aware of as a supervisor that weren't an issue just as a trader. Someone from legal will run the three of you through those. So, after all that, you'll have the weekend to get used to it and start in your new role on Monday." "Congratulations, Leigh" Tom stood up and offered her his hand. She stood, took it and gave it a firm shake. "Thanks, Tom, Neil. Do you mind if I just go and phone..." "No problem, but just not from the office. I'm sure he'll be pleased for you." "I'm sure he'll like he extra cash." She laughed. Tom followed Neil back to his office. "So what was it you wanted to see me about, Neil?" "I got a response to the forms you filled in." He handed Tom a letter. Tom melted slowly into one of the chairs and read it. "So they have to wait for the CRB check, but all baring the interview, they would love to have you join them for a couple of days a week over the next two months." "Any idea what I would be doing?" "I think they'll explain the details when you go for the interview next week. Mostly, I think the volunteers just supervise activities and stuff. I don't know too much as I never got involved myself. Too busy at church." "Was that another less than subtle hint?" "What? Me? Less than subtle? I can't imagine what you mean." The two men, the two friends, laughed. Neil called Shona and asked her to get two coffees. "Ok, now, so we have the assistants coming on line; your 'humanising' is progressing, but how are things with you now you've been back a few days?" Shona brought in the coffees and handed them out. "Well, I still struggle a little with some of the stuff in my head, but I think I got a better handle on it now. Things happen that confront you with who you are and if that isn't who you thought you were, it's a shock. It takes time to assess and adjust to the new reality." "Reality or perception?" "Maybe perception, but isn't the way we interact with the universe based more on our perceptions than the universe's realities?" "Maybe, in some things." "I think that it's not what actually happens to us that makes us who we are, but how we respond to what happens to us. You can't control circumstance, but you can control what you choose to do, how you respond and it's those choices that define you." "Wow! You really have been thinking deep about this." "I had to Neil. I did some stuff that I am too ashamed to admit even to you and if I don't get a handle on it, well, it could only destroy me." The two men chatted about Tom's personal growth and revelations until it was time for Neil to see Liz. Then they had a meeting with all three teams which, predictably upset Julian, who disappeared into the gents where he locked himself into a cubicle and wouldn't speak to anyone for an hour. At six, Tom said 'bye' to the workaholics and made his way out onto the busy evening street. He hailed a black cab and made his way across the city to the Elephant and Castle, a part of London south of the river Thames. In ancient times this had been the less desirable part of the city. Today, apart form some troublesome council housing and high-rise tower blocks, most of the buildings were given over to shops and office blocks, being so close to the centre of London. The cab travelled further south and eventually reached a more middle class housing area. The typical pre war (WWII) English semi-detached (Duplex) lined every street and mature trees with large leaves, planted at regular intervals between the pavement (Sidewalk) and the road, offered shade to parked cars and pedestrians. Tom pointed to the house and the cab driver pulled into a space opposite. Tom crossed the road in large strides and walked up to the mahogany door of number 173. Before he even got chance to ring the bell, the door swung open and Sara stood, beautiful in a natural, off-white cotton skirt and blouse. This wasn't a date, as such, as neither of them was interested in going back there, but when Tom had proposed going to see a film and getting a late bite together as friends, Sara was astounded and found she had accepted before she had even thought it through. He had called several times. He didn't have to; it wasn't as if he had infected her. She still didn't know who had, but she was amazed that Tom was showing such concern. This was the Tom she had initially been attracted to, not the brute she later found him to be. They greeted each other cautiously and she followed him over to the waiting cab. Once settled, he complimented her on how pretty she looked. He could never get over that blazing red hair, and contrasted against the natural cotton of her blouse, it seemed to Tom like a never-ending fire. They had agreed, just friends. As Tom sat next to her, he wondered if, maybe, if she wasn't HIV+, this evening might not have another outcome. He rebuked himself silently. That was old Tom and he was trying so hard to be kind and supportive, to repair some of the hurt he had caused her. He seriously wanted to be there for her, without making her feel uncomfortable. He was increasing uncomfortable himself. He wriggled, trying to adjust himself without being obvious or touching himself. She always made him hard. He couldn't help nature, could he? Maybe this was a bad idea, a very bad idea. He smiled at her and she smiled back. There was a clear eighteen inches between them in the back of the cab. Just friends. He remembered the vodka advert, 'Just good friends'. Was it possible for a man and a woman to be 'just' good friends? The movie was easy. They sat next to each other, but focused straight ahead. Dinner was less so, but they remained polite, if a little uncomfortable. "Why, Tom?" "Why what?" "Why this, tonight, the phone calls?" "Sara, you gave me a real fright when you said I had HIV, but all I thought about was me, myself. When I found out I was negative, I suddenly realised that although that was great for me, it made not a blind bit of difference to you. I can't undo what I did before, or stop you being ill, but I can be there for you and be a friend instead of a bastard." "Tom, you don't have to feel you have to be there for me. I don't want you to do this because you feel guilty about how you treated me and I certainly don't want another boyfriend." "That's good, because I don't think I'm ready to be anyone's boyfriend at the moment. I just want to do something right. Neil, my boss at work, is arranging for me to work a couple of days a week in a kids home..." Sara burst out laughing. "What?" "I'm sorry, I just can't imagine you with a hoard of kids screaming at you. I think it'll drive you mad." "Maybe. I just have to do something to find out who I am. I kinda got lost after my grandfather died. All that mattered was money and position and when I got those I couldn't see what else to do. Now I'm trying, that's all. I don't know if it'll work, but Neil thinks it's a good idea." "Well I hope it works out for you. When do you start?" "Don't know yet. Got to go for an interview next week. Actually kinda scared about it, apprehensive." "Why?" " I guess maybe I think they'll see through what a fraud I am." "I think it's an excellent idea and you're not a fraud, Tom. Just a little lost. I think we both are a little lost at the moment." She took a sip of her wine. "So, thank you for this evening. It's been a great distraction." "Glad to oblige." More to come...