One of my ex-boss’s clients persuaded me to go solo and take over his contract. I got a bank loan and set up a new business – GB Facilities – with just that one contract. Now, nine years later, I have contracts with various local firms who rely on me to look after their office buildings. But Cosgrove is one of the biggest fish in the area and could propel my business out of the small-time and into the big league. I want to land him and I’m determined to win him over this morning.
The lift opens onto the third-floor lobby and I see a man in a well-tailored suit standing in the doorway to the kitchen, having a cup of coffee with Damien, my PA, and Dave, my head of security. I’ve never actually met Cosgrove in person, but I’m guessing this must be him. He and Dave seem to be having a laugh about something. Thank goodness he doesn’t seem to be in a bad mood. I mouth a thank you to Dave before Cosgrove turns towards me.
My potential new client is tall, dark and charismatic, his brown eyes full of humour. But when he sees me, Cosgrove’s smile disappears and he gives me a frosty nod. Straightening my shoulders, I hold out my right hand.
‘Mr Cosgrove? Hello, I’m Gemma Ballantine. I’m so sorry to keep you wait—’
‘You’re late,’ he replies, leaving my hand floating in mid-air.
‘You’re right,’ I say, hoping he doesn’t decide to leave. ‘It’s absolutely inexcusable. Please accept my apologies. Honestly, I don’t make a habit of keeping people waiting. There was a van blocking my parking space and… but you don’t want to hear the details of my commute.’ I’m aware I’m babbling like a demented person, but I can’t seem to help myself. Looks like I should have stayed home with the girls after all.
‘Luckily, your head of security kept me entertained,’ Cosgrove says, his manner softening a little. ‘Seems we’ve got a few acquaintances in common.’
‘That’s good to hear. Dave’s great. And again, so sorry I’m late, Mr Cosgrove.’
‘As long as it doesn’t happen again. I’m a busy man. And I was under the impression that you’re supposed to be organised and on top of things.’
‘Of course. I am. Today was… out of the ordinary.’
‘Okay, well let’s start over. Call me Mick,’ he adds with a slight upwards quirk of his mouth.
I allow myself to relax a little. ‘Thanks. Okay… Mick.’ I gesture down the corridor. ‘Shall we go to my office? Damien can get you another drink, if you’d like?’
‘I’m fine.’
Once in my office, I tidy a space on my desk and pull my laptop out of my bag.
‘Nice view,’ Mick remarks, gesturing to the distant sea glimpsed beyond the other three rows of buildings – mainly low-rise apartments and hotels.
‘It’s not bad, is it? I’ve got my eye on the next floor up. You can see the Purbeck Hills from up there.’ Although I’ve meticulously prepared everything in advance for our meeting – PowerPoint presentation, facts, figures etc. – I had banked on having at least half an hour to set up and get myself into the zone. Right now, I’m on the back foot. It’s not a great start. Luckily, it looks like Mick hasn’t been put off. After a couple of minutes of small talk about our professional lives, I launch right into my pitch about the business and what GB Facilities can do for him. Once I start talking, my nerves disappear and I actually begin to relish the challenge of winning Mick over.
We’re in the middle of a complex discussion about figures when, annoyingly, my phone starts buzzing on the table. I ignore it, but then it pings several times and resumes its buzzing.
‘Feel free to get that if you need to,’ Mick says, leaning back in his chair and staring at me.
‘Oh,’ I shake my head, ‘no, that’s okay. I’ll just…’ I reach over and turn off my phone. After my terrible first impression this morning, I need to keep him sweet.
Mick smiles. ‘Annoying things, aren’t they?’
‘Tell me about it.’
‘You’re not allowed to talk to just one person any more,’ he muses. ‘You have to have multiple conversations. I’ll be talking to you in person while you’re replying to someone on messenger…’
‘… and tweeting about who you’re talking to,’ I add.
‘… while taking a selfie.’
‘… to put on Insta.’ I grin.
‘Well, thank you for turning off your phone,’ he says. ‘I’m happy to have your undivided attention.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘Look, I have to shoot off soon,’ Mick says, ‘but do you want to finish this meeting over dinner tonight? I’d like to go over that information I asked for regarding those security systems. Will that give you enough time to get prepared?’
Dinner tonight with a client will not go down well with Robert. And I really wanted to spend time with the girls this evening. I’m so worried about Katie. A knock at my office door saves me from answering. It’s Damien.
‘Phone call for you, Gemma.’