Got to work late again this morning. Knew I was pushing it when I stopped for a second coffee. Had just settled in when the boss appeared beside my desk.
“Can we chat when you’ve got a moment?”
He didn’t sound annoyed. Maybe a little concerned, which is probably worse. I followed him to his office and sat down. He closed the door behind us. Shit.
“Look. You’ve been coming in late a lot lately, and I want to make sure everything’s alright. Are you doing OK?”
I said, “I’m fine.”
He nodded like he was trying to coax more out of me. But I had nothing more.
“I don’t mean to pry. I want you to know if anything’s going on, you can tell me. I’m not trying to catch you out.”
I shrugged and said, “I must walk slower than I think I do. I leave home on time. And then somehow it’s ten past.”
He chuckled politely at that, like I’d told a joke. But then he flapped on. He said my output had dropped a bit. Nothing dramatic. We’d discussed this before.
“I’m fine,” I repeated. This was all bullshit. We both know I’m the best worker in the whole damn building.
“If you’re struggling, I’m happy to make adjustments.”
He thought he was being supportive. I could see it in his little head. But it felt like I was being nudged towards a confession I didn’t have.
“No need,” I insisted. “The dog next door barks a lot. I’m just tired.” There is no dog.
He sat back and looked at his screen. Clicked away at something.
“I need to issue a formal warning. It’s nothing to worry about. But I wanted to speak first, to get your side of it.”
I said I understood. Then we shook hands like we’d agreed on something.
“Oh, and Jolon. Never flip me off in the office again.”
Prick. I made a coffee before I went back to my desk. Three is too much before lunch. I get jittery. Was thinking about drinking it anyway when the formal warning pinged into my inbox. I reread it till the mug went cold. Thought about deleting it, replying to it, or walking out and never coming back because of it.
Clicked Mark as read and looked up the best decaf. Apparently Pret does a decent one.
Was still mulling it all over when I got home. The email said no further action would be necessary if my timekeeping improved. Still got into bed with my shoes on.
Might try Pret tomorrow.
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