Читать книгу The Park Bench Test - Sarah Lefebve - Страница 19

I’m making a habit of turning people down, it seems.

I’ve done it. I’ve told Malcolm I don’t want the promotion. Or to work at Penand Inc at all, thank you very much.

He was ever so understanding, as it happens. In fact, he even congratulated me on an ‘excellent decision’ and wished me all the best for the future. Until I pointed out that he had misheard me, that is – that I hadn’t said “thank you for the offer, I’m going to take it, you won’t regret it,” and that what I’d actually said was “thank you for the offer, but if I take it I’ll regret it”. Seems I’d never noticed his hearing impairment before.

“I don’t want to look back in ten years and wonder why I never did something I really wanted to do,” I explain, once he has recovered from the initial shock. The concept of not wanting to spend your whole life working for Penand Inc is not one with which Malcolm is familiar. Here is a man who has earned his carriage clock, and then some.

“I see,” he says, despite, I suspect, not seeing at all. “And you don’t want a bit more time to think about it?”

“No. Thank you. I knew as soon as you offered me the job, if I’m honest. But I have thought about it – a lot – and I still feel the same. Now just seems like the right time to make the break, what with Alex and I, and…well…you know…”

“Okay, Rebecca,” he says, getting up from his chair. He’s probably worried I’ll start pouring my heart out. “You’ll be sorely missed, though. You’ve been a great asset to Penand Inc. And of course, it goes without saying that I’ll be happy to give you a glowing reference.”

“Thanks Mr Hurley,” I say, shaking his hand, before turning and leaving his office.

“And Rebecca,” he calls after me. “Do let me know when your leaving do will be, won’t you. I should very much like to help give you a good send off.”