for one am glad Stella was able to get Tino again. Knowing Stella, and knowing Tino, I think they’ll do each other a world of good.’
‘That’s not the point. You know as well as I do that if we offer her the position, if she takes it, she’ll have to be able to maintain objectivity.’
He offered her his usual don’t-take-life-so-seriously chuckle. ‘O’Kelly, she doesn’t know that, does she? Just a few weeks ago you were convinced she wouldn’t even accept Tino. I’m not stupid. I knew that it would be a big leap for her, a frightening leap for someone of her restraint. But she took that leap, didn’t she? She feels safe with Tino, that’s all. Most people are only willing to nosedive into the unknown when absolutely necessary, and for Stella, this time it isn’t necessary. Let her enjoy Tino. She’s earned it. And stop worrying.’
‘Yes, sir.’ It was a lie, of course. She never stopped worrying. It was a part of her job.
‘Oh, and O’Kelly, I think I’ll send Stella to meet with the Vanguard folks over in Portland.’
‘Really? Seems a strange thing to do under the circumstances, don’t you think?’
‘It’s time we let our little bird fly. And there’s no place nicer for her maiden flight than the American North West. I was going myself, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Stella should handle Vanguard. Most of the best suggestions are hers anyway.’
‘If you’re sure, then I’ll make the arrangements,’ O’Kelly said, feeling the tension beneath her sternum. That little edge of mystery in the Boss’s voice when he changed plans in the middle always put O’Kelly on her guard. He was up to something. The question was what, and how many sleepless nights would she spend worrying about it?
If Stella hadn’t worked for Strigida, the days would have dragged waiting for her weekend with Tino. But the Boss made sure she had little time to dwell on her upcoming hot weekend. Anne had reassured her that the Pet Shop would see to the proper billing for Tino’s services. And though Stella was relieved that her weekend with the Pet would not be cancelled for lack of payment, the niggle was there in the pit of her stomach that she was, in essence, paying for a glorified prostitute.
In spite of the long hours and the super-human schedule, the Boss dismissed her promptly at five on Friday. The disembodied voice she had now grown used to communing with on the speakerphone ordered her to go home and enjoy the weekend. She’d earned a break. She’d worked long enough at Strigida to learn that if she didn’t follow orders, he’d know. He always knew. Strange that it should be more difficult to manage anything sneaky behind the back of a boss she seldom saw in person. Even stranger that most of her sneakiness had involved doing more work rather than less, a testament to how little life she actually had even when she had a life. None of that mattered though, not with Tino coming in just a few hours. When he dismissed her the Boss didn’t mention Tino, but she suspected that he knew.
She’d had time to stock the cupboards and fridge with yummy morsels, all tidbits she thought it would be fun to feed Tino. She had bought several exotic shower gels, along with oils and lotions and a soft-bristled body brush that she was dying to try on him.
She couldn’t decide whether to wear clothes with easy access or to wear clothes that Tino would have to nibble and tug to get off her. She settled for a bit of both. She wore a loose-fitting summer dress that flounced around her body to mid thigh. It was a soft jersey print patterned in tiny mauve and melon flowers. If she moved just right, her braless breasts played peek-a-boo at the easy-access plunge of the front. She was sure Tino would have fun with that. Beneath it she wore French-cut knickers of ivory satin that she figured he could sink his teeth into.
When the doorbell rang, she gave her make-up and hair one last check in
‘That’s not the point. You know as well as I do that if we offer her the position, if she takes it, she’ll have to be able to maintain objectivity.’
He offered her his usual don’t-take-life-so-seriously chuckle. ‘O’Kelly, she doesn’t know that, does she? Just a few weeks ago you were convinced she wouldn’t even accept Tino. I’m not stupid. I knew that it would be a big leap for her, a frightening leap for someone of her restraint. But she took that leap, didn’t she? She feels safe with Tino, that’s all. Most people are only willing to nosedive into the unknown when absolutely necessary, and for Stella, this time it isn’t necessary. Let her enjoy Tino. She’s earned it. And stop worrying.’
‘Yes, sir.’ It was a lie, of course. She never stopped worrying. It was a part of her job.
‘Oh, and O’Kelly, I think I’ll send Stella to meet with the Vanguard folks over in Portland.’
‘Really? Seems a strange thing to do under the circumstances, don’t you think?’
‘It’s time we let our little bird fly. And there’s no place nicer for her maiden flight than the American North West. I was going myself, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Stella should handle Vanguard. Most of the best suggestions are hers anyway.’
‘If you’re sure, then I’ll make the arrangements,’ O’Kelly said, feeling the tension beneath her sternum. That little edge of mystery in the Boss’s voice when he changed plans in the middle always put O’Kelly on her guard. He was up to something. The question was what, and how many sleepless nights would she spend worrying about it?
If Stella hadn’t worked for Strigida, the days would have dragged waiting for her weekend with Tino. But the Boss made sure she had little time to dwell on her upcoming hot weekend. Anne had reassured her that the Pet Shop would see to the proper billing for Tino’s services. And though Stella was relieved that her weekend with the Pet would not be cancelled for lack of payment, the niggle was there in the pit of her stomach that she was, in essence, paying for a glorified prostitute.
In spite of the long hours and the super-human schedule, the Boss dismissed her promptly at five on Friday. The disembodied voice she had now grown used to communing with on the speakerphone ordered her to go home and enjoy the weekend. She’d earned a break. She’d worked long enough at Strigida to learn that if she didn’t follow orders, he’d know. He always knew. Strange that it should be more difficult to manage anything sneaky behind the back of a boss she seldom saw in person. Even stranger that most of her sneakiness had involved doing more work rather than less, a testament to how little life she actually had even when she had a life. None of that mattered though, not with Tino coming in just a few hours. When he dismissed her the Boss didn’t mention Tino, but she suspected that he knew.
She’d had time to stock the cupboards and fridge with yummy morsels, all tidbits she thought it would be fun to feed Tino. She had bought several exotic shower gels, along with oils and lotions and a soft-bristled body brush that she was dying to try on him.
She couldn’t decide whether to wear clothes with easy access or to wear clothes that Tino would have to nibble and tug to get off her. She settled for a bit of both. She wore a loose-fitting summer dress that flounced around her body to mid thigh. It was a soft jersey print patterned in tiny mauve and melon flowers. If she moved just right, her braless breasts played peek-a-boo at the easy-access plunge of the front. She was sure Tino would have fun with that. Beneath it she wore French-cut knickers of ivory satin that she figured he could sink his teeth into.
When the doorbell rang, she gave her make-up and hair one last check in
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