Angela's New World

ANGELA'S NEW WORLD

She stood in front of her full-length mirror and flicked the back of
her hand down the lapel of her jacket. The speck of white which had
adhered itself there would not budge. She tutted impatiently and licked
the tip of her index finger and deftly lifted the speck from the
material. After buttoning the jacket she tugged its hem smartly,
pulling her frame upright against the downward motion as she did
so.
" Yes, you'll do very nicely Angela," she whispered confidently to the
mirror. She turned, swept out of the room and descended the stairs.
After picking up her new briefcase and her car keys she pushed open her
front door and strode out into the street, more than ready for whatever
this day could offer.
The offices of Byatt, Stringer and Cornfoot had a narrow, squashed
exterior and Angela remembered thinking that it did nothing to satisfy
her aspirations on that day, a month ago, when she had stood outside
pondering whether she would even bother to attend the interview. As she
entered the foyer on this, her first day at work, however, she indulged
in a smug smile as she, once again, admired how the meager frontage
belied the capacious interior. The light from the domed skylight above
reflected cleanly from the polished beech surfaces with their chrome
fittings and Angela liked the effect: it was, as she had said to Mr.
Byatt during her interview, "Almost clinical."
As she moved towards the lift she shot a glance towards reception and
was greeted with a cheery smile from the security guard. "Morning," he
piped. Angela shot him a look, designed to dampen his cheer and choke
off his intimacy and noticed, with dismay, that he was not wearing a
tie. She made a mental note to take the matter up with Mr. Byatt later.
She entered the lift and pressed the button for the third floor and
stood with her briefcase held against her thighs waiting for the moment
she had been dreaming of, when she would enter her new world and make
her mark.
"Good morning Angela, and welcome," said Mary, the receptionist. " Best
of luck for today."
" I would prefer to be called Mrs. By&;#8230;. I mean Miss.
Browning," retorted Angela. " I feel it is better protocol, don't you?"
She cursed her choked off Freudian slip and tossed her hair to restore
her composure. "As you like," replied Mary. Angela turned her back on
reception and surveyed the carpeted lobby with its warren of beechwood
doors. She was as much aware of the weight of this moment as she was
unaware of the upraised middle finger which Mary was proffering behind
and the whisper that slipped from under her breath to accompany it:
"Snooty bitch!"
Angela took a moment, then tugged at her jacket hem, straightened
herself and walked towards the door marked 'A.M.Byatt'. She knocked and
without waiting for a reply, went in.
At first she could see no one; Andrew Byatt's chair had its back to her
and she was about to turn tail when the chair swiveled and revealed
it's occupant. It was then that Angela nearly fainted! Andrew Byatt was
dressed in a cashmere sweater and a pair of corduroy trousers! She
gasped audibly, tried to stifle it and ended up emitting a curious
choking sound, which made Andrew look at her in startled surprise. "
Angela are you unwell?" He asked.
Angela just stared, she was lost for words, and overpowered by an
emotion she quickly identified as disgust. Trying to speak, she once
again emitted a strange gasp. Andrew Byatt's face grew grave with
concern and he approached her and held out his arms. "Angela&;#8230;
Angela are you alright?" "Y&;#8230;yes Mr. Byatt, I was just a
little surprised." "Please," he said, "call me Andrew." " I could never
do that Mr. Byatt," stammered Angela, a hint of disgust now slipping
from her face her voice. "Did I startle you in some way?" said
Andrew.
"Well yes actually, you did," she looked him up and down and this time
Andrew detected her feelings. "Oh," he said gesturing at his attire,
"didn't anyone tell you?" "Tell me what?" Retorted Angela. "It's
Friday, Angela." "I'm aware of that Mr. Byatt," she said. "Dress Down
Friday Angela, we all turn up in civvies on a Friday unless we are in
court." "Yes", said Angela making for the door, " I can see
that!"

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