Chapter 4: Chapter 4: An invitation

William took a deep breath. 'Davies left everything to his second wife. His first left him years ago and they didn't have any kids. Marion, his second, was quite a bit younger and they had two; a boy and a girl, I think. So far she's happy to let Nick manage. What'll happen in the future I have no idea. Maybe she'll sell. I imagine that would make Nick happy because he's enjoying being a one-man band.'

'And Alexander Patton's share?'

'His mother was his beneficiary. She lives in the States. Donaldson'll probably buy them both out.'

'He has that kind of money?'

'His wife does.'

'What about your two and a half per cent?'

'I think I'm safe. It's not enough to worry about.'

'So Donaldson is care-taking.'

'You could put it that way.'

'What expertise does he have, to run a company like Gem?'

'He's a business lawyer, a good one.'

'But what does he know about medical technology?'

'You don't have to know how to make the stuff to know what's best for the company. Come on, Noel, you know better than that.'

'An understanding always helps.'

'Naturally.' He stood. 'Let's get out of here, huh.'

He helped her rise and carried her handbag to the hostess' desk where he paid. Noel objected on their way to the entrance and he hugged her close to his side. 'You can pay me back later.'

That sounded like he had something other than taking her home planned. 'William, I'm tired. Would you mind if we called it a night.'

William ignored her, dismissing the attendant when the car arrived and handing Noel into the passenger side himself. 'I'll drive. I'll call a taxi from your place.'

As he made himself comfortable in the driver's seat Noel repeated, not quite as graciously, 'William, I'm tired. I'm not up to anything else tonight.'

He buckled his seat belt and smiled. 'I heard you.'

Surprise awaited her. All the way home she was thinking of ways to counter him coming upstairs and inside, so when he said he would call and wait for a taxi on the street while having a smoke it took an effort to conceal relief. It was the first time she could remember being grateful that he retained the habit. As they said goodnight he reached to touch her cheek, 'We've got a busy day ahead of us so get a good night's sleep.'

Noel was a little open-mouthed after he left; gentlemanly behaviour was not something she expected from William T for Thomas Hall.

The next morning Noel followed William into his office when he arrived and, ignoring the comfortable lounge he used for discussions, sat instead in a chair opposite his desk. She wanted to talk business and was making the point. Noting it he sat down and leaned forward, expectant over steepled fingers.

'I want to talk about Gem Techtronics' were her opening words.

William curled his fingers and sat back.

'What you said last night has made me think that Gem could very well be in need of our help right now. In the last six or so months it's lost all of its industry expertise at the management level. You made the point that Donaldson is competent to run it himself, but he is only one man, William, and a minority shareholder who on my understanding had a very minor role in the company while the original owners were alive. What's happening with its customers? I imagine there'd be a lot of waiting and watching and scrutinising going on. Is Gem going to continue to offer the same high quality product? Will the uncertainty at management level permeate downwards? Who is this Donaldson, a lawyer, who says he can handle it himself but who isn't making any effort to get out there and instill confidence in the marketplace? Has Donaldson spoken to you? Has he requested our help?'

'What's this leading to?'

Noel drummed a single tattoo on her chair's arm then stilled her fingers by curling them around the wood. 'Let me have the account. I can help.'

They looked at each other, Noel cool but earnest. William liked that in his people, especially Noel. Her hair swept smoothly back from fresh almost translucent skin devoid of powder, her eyes shone and her lipstick was dewy from recent application. He lingered on the lips. The daffodil-shaded dress lit her. It had long sleeves. He hadn't seen her in anything sleeveless since resuming work.

'I handle the Gem account.'

'I know.' She was prepared to convince. 'I think you're spreading yourself too thin. You run the company and look after half a dozen major accounts. You could say you were too close to get a clear picture, having a stake yourself.' She leaned forward, arms on crossed knees. 'I've captured a lot of business for this firm and kept it. And it was me who got the industry plaudits for crisis managing that council chemical spill last year which, as you're well aware, resulted in Raoul Treat's offer of a job in New York. You can't say I couldn't handle Gem's problems.'

William tensed. 'Is that what this is about? Has Treat made another offer?'

'Yes. Before I went on holiday. And I turned him down again. That isn't what I want to talk about. I don't want to leave Sydney. At least not for now.'

'So, what you're really doing here is bargaining. You want a raise.'

Noel relaxed back. 'I'll take one, but that's not what I'm after. I really do want the Gem account.'

William laced his fingers across his stomach. 'You can have the raise because I want you to stay. I'll think about Gem.'

Noel stood and gave him what she hoped was a meaningful look. 'Don't think for too long.'

She was leaving before he was ready to let her go. 'What are you doing for Christmas and New Year?'

Noel turned in the open doorway, eyebrows raised. 'Christmas I'm spending with my family.'

'And New Year's Eve? Got anything planned?'

The extended family had a big get-together every year and she had always been part of it. 'Nothing specific.'

William stepped around his desk and held the handle to his office door. 'I'm having a few people over ... clients, that sort of thing. Why not come.' He lounged against the door while Noel considered.

'Why not,' she said.

Back in her own office she flicked open her PC and stared at the screen. She felt satisfaction that he was so easily managed, but didn't feel in the least like smiling. The day after tomorrow was Christmas, and a week later it would be New Year's Eve. She supposed she should buy something suitable to wear.

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