“No, I’m fine thanks. Hey! He’s gone green, and the boards updated.” Laura could see the excitement on his face as he studied the screen, he loved games. “Moved his Pawn. Lets see. We’ll move our Pawn as well, like that.” Andrew talked to himself as he clicked ‘submit move’. After only thirty seconds the board updated again. “He’s moved another Pawn, trying to get control of the centre, standard stuff.”
“What are you going to do about it? You’re rushing it aren’t you? Is he any good?” Laura moved behind him to look over his shoulder and see for herself.
“Laura, don’t panic. This is how all games start. The early moves are fairly tried and tested. We get to the more testing tactical stuff later.”
“Let’s bring a knight out shall we. There we are. Submit.” Following a brief pause the board updated showing Weston’s move. Andrew countered with bringing another knight into play.
“He’s taken a pawn.” Andrew said in his casual manner.
“What, how bad is that?”
“It’s normal. You don’t play a game of chess without losses on both sides.” Andrew moved his knight. “And he’s left a message.”
“What does it say?” Laura asked, “I haven’t got my glasses.”
Andrew read it out. “You are now in debt to the tune of one pawn. Remember the rules.” Weston’s green dot disappeared.
“You know what that means now don’t you?” Laura asked. A hint of concern in her voice.
“What?”
“I’ve got to give the pieces back to him, it said so in the rules. I thought you were going to play on a proper board with real pieces. How am I going to give it back when it doesn’t actually exist. I mean it’s out there somewhere, in the cloud… thingy.”
“Hmm. I see what you mean.” His thoughts were disrupted by the sound of a car horn. Laura leaned back to see through the front windows.
“It’s Alice. I have to go. We’ll sort out what to do later.” She gave him a kiss. After stopping briefly to check her make up and hair in the hall mirror she picked up her bag and left by the front door.
Spending time with Alice returned her thoughts to everyday life and the things which filled it. They went to work, they socialised, they went shopping and all of the other things Laura enjoyed.
But during the journey into town that day her mind constantly returned to the chess game. Alice was unable to resist commenting on her unusual quietness.
“Come on, out with it. What are you so deep in thought about?” Laura knew there was no use in trying to brush it off. Alice would continue to give her a hard time until she discovered the truth, so she enlightened her on the situation.
“So you’ve got to return this pawn and you don’t know how? Or where it is? And if you don’t you can’t buy his shares?”
“That’s about it, and any other pieces Andrew looses. Yesterday it all seemed so straight forward; the men would play their game and, if Andrew won, we would buy the shares. Now, in the cold light of day the whole thing seems dubious, everything’s a bit… I don’t know, uncertain I suppose. The mystery of how I’ll be able to return the pawn, Weston’s strangely worded message and knowing how high the stakes are makes me feel nervous.”
“You’re an intelligent woman, and I’ll help you. Don’t worry.”
Laura felt happier after sharing her anxiety with Alice and grateful for her offer of help. Despite her unease, deep down she felt an excitement. She relished a challenge, and decided to regard this as an opportunity to show Weston that she was up for whatever his little game was. Yes, she thought, come on Mr Weston do your worst.
5
The start of each new week in the office followed a regular pattern. Conversation revolved around the weekend’s dating successes and failures, sporting controversies and critique’s of places visited. Laura had no problem with company time being spent in that way because she knew that when a rush job needed completing or an unforeseen problem came their way, the staff would step up to the mark and do their bit. They didn’t ask for overtime but worked a sort of unofficial flexible system.
As they drifted off to their desks, drawing boards and computers the space once again became a creative arena. As Laura made her way out Abbie followed, through her own section of the open plan area and into Laura’s private office beyond.
“Do I have anything urgent this morning Abbie?”
“Nope. Not until three this afternoon.”
“Oh yeah, then it’s Mr Sleazebag again isn’t it?” Laura screwed up her face as she spoke.
“I’m afraid so. Perhaps you’ve misjudged him and he’s a really a nice guy pretending.”
“If he is he’s bloody good at it. He’s got the drooling off to a tee.”
“You should be flattered. He doesn’t slobber over me.” Abbie said, sticking out her bottom lip.
“Tell you what, later on I’ll hint that you fancy him then send him through. Right if there’s nothing pressing I’m going to work on these proposals.”
“Okay. Shall I reply to Anderson’s and tell them you’re going ahead with them?”
“Oh God. Yes, thanks. I’d forgotten about that.”
“There you are you see. I keep telling you I’m worth the pittance you pay me.”
Abbie left, closing the door behind her. Laura hung up her jacket in the small wash-room leading off her office. She had always considered it quite a luxury having a private shower and toilet available to her at work.
As usual Laura lost track of time as she worked on developing her ideas. Designing was the part of the job she loved; the meetings and business aspects she viewed as a necessary evil. An hour and a half had passed before she thought of taking a break. Suddenly the pencil slipped from her grasp as the door flew open, startling her. A tall, well dressed man with greying hair entered, closely followed by a flustered Abbie.
“I’m sorry, he just rushed past me as I went to call you. Shall I get some help?”
“You can if you like,” the well spoken man answered in a deep voice, “but I’m sure that would be seen as a very uncooperative gesture. Alistair Mason’s the name by the way, just here to see whether your employer’s implementing the terms of the agreement, correct any fundamental flaws and report back to Mr Weston. I don’t think we’ll need you for now… er, Abbie isn’t it? but thank you for the offer.” He turned back to face Laura, a devious smile spreading across his face as he waited for the realisation to sink in.
As soon as he dropped Weston’s name into the exchange things started to make sense to Laura. Abbie continued with her anxious look, waiting for guidance. Laura slowly nodded “It’s OK Abbie, thank you.”
The man watched her intently as she gave Laura one further questioning look before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Unsure of how to handle the situation Laura decided to play a waiting game and remained quiet as the man began to speak.
“He didn’t mention that you were such a looker and you obviously keep yourself fit, that’s good.” He slowly walked around her as he spoke. She knew he was trying to intimidate her. The small trickle of sweat she felt run from under her arm indicated that he was succeeding. She remained still, facing ahead.
“I take a pride in looking after myself, yes.”
“I much prefer dealing with your type,” he said.
“Oh yes, and what type is that?”
“Stylish, your own woman, confident.” Whether it was his compliments or that she was relaxing just a little she didn’t know but as he once again passed in front of her, she noticed for the first time his ruggedly handsome features. The outdoor type she’d guess. Her thoughts were broken by his voice from behind her, so close to her ear and almost a whisper. “I love this part, the anticipation and potential.” He moved round to face her. “So lets see how you’ve been doing with the rules.”
“I don’t have any rules.”
“We all have rules Laura, that’s how the world works. And things tick along beautifully until the rules are broken. So if you’d like to lift your skirt we’ll be able to discover whether that’s the case here.”
“What! How dare you. I think you’d better leave–now.”
“I can do that of course but do you really want me to? It would mean you’d chosen to quit the game.”
“Chess is the game, which my husband is playing,” Laura spat. “We didn’t agree to anything like this.” Realising that her fortitude had no effect on him and losing more of her resolve with every passing minute she decided to ditch her pride and appeal for his sympathy. “Look can’t you just leave? I’m sure there’s been a mistake. You can go now and we won’t say any more about this.” She hoped her plea sounded more confident than she felt.
“Oh Laura, you know that’s not possible. You signed the agreement. You see things through to the end or loose your shares, simple. And, I’ll repeat, the agreement was that you follow the rules. So lift the skirt.” He watched her absorb his words, her confidence rapidly ebbing away. To her it was an unfamiliar situation, she was used to being the one in control. Blushing furiously Laura slowly raised her skirt. He moved away and perched on the edge of her desk.
“Oh dear, what rule have you disobeyed?” he said, slowly shaking his head.
“How would I know. I wasn’t told anything about your stupid rules.”
“Women like you are used to getting your own way, aren’t you? You ask for things and they’re done. If you’re told ‘no’ you find another approach until you get your own way. Well in this game you’re going to find out what it means to earn what you want, not have it given to you. You’re going to do things by the rules or quit. Now, remove them.” She couldn’t believe what he was telling her and expecting her to do, in her own office. She remained still, unsure of her next move. The hesitancy proved too much. He rose from the desk at speed, reached out and grabbed for her hair. His fingers twisted round taking a firm hold. Laura stood on tiptoes to try and ease the sharp pain in her scalp.
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