Part 11 (2/2)
Moments later she got a reply: R U CRZ T WL KL ME!
Lucy stared at the glowing letters, wondering if Zoe was on to something. Of course not, all she meant was that Tamzin was an abusive boss. She decided it was time to appeal to a higher authority and picked up the phone, dialing Trey's office at the converted sardine factory in Rockland.
”Bit of a problem,” she began. ”The job's not working out for Zoe. Tamzin kept her late yesterday and, well, frankly, she was really mean to her.”
”Tamzin? Mean?” Trey couldn't believe it. ”She's such a sweetie.”
”Zoe was really upset when I picked her up.”
”I'm sure she overreacted. She's very young, this is her first job, right?”
”I'm her mom and I don't like the way Tamzin treated her. That's the bottom line.”
Trey immediately backtracked. ”That's your prerogative, of course. But I pride myself on the company's employee relations. We value all our workers, they're our most important resource.”
Lucy felt as if she were listening to a public relations spiel. Like the layoff notice Pam had received from Winchester College notifying her she'd been chosen for a special program and would be able to collect unemployment insurance. Lucky Pam!
”How about this?” Trey was continuing. ”Give me a chance to talk to Tamzin. In the meantime, we'll put Zoe on leave. No pay, of course... .”
”Of course,” said Lucy.
”But we'll keep the job open for her in case she changes her mind.”
”I wouldn't hold my breath,” said Lucy.
The next step, she realized with a sinking feeling, was to let Zoe know. She sent another text and braced for fireworks, a cell phone screenfull of stars and other symbols. Instead she got a phone call.
”I'm in the girls' room, I'm not supposed to phone at school.”
”I know.”
”Mom, I just want you to know I'm really glad. Thanks.” Lucy thought she'd misunderstood. ”You're glad you're not working today?”
”I don't want to ever go back.”
”You don't have to.”
”Good. I think I'll stick to babysitting.”
”Good choice,” she said. ”Take the bus home. I'll see you later.”
Relieved, Lucy let out a big sigh just as Ted walked in the door. ”Glad to see you're working hard,” he said.
Lucy glanced at Phyllis, who ran her fingers across her lips in a zipping motion. ”That's us,” Lucy said. ”Busy little bees.”
Chapter Eleven.
Ted tossed his jacket, hat, and gloves in the direction of the coat tree and made a beeline for the bathroom, causing Lucy and Phyllis to exchange amused glances. Unable to resist tidying up, Lucy picked up Ted's things, stuffed the hat and gloves in the jacket pocket, and hung it up.
”You know, Lucy, I couldn't help overhearing,” said Phyllis. ”I think you did the right thing, getting Zoe away from Tamzin.”
Lucy turned and leaned her elbow on the battered Formica reception counter. Phyllis wasn't getting any younger, she thought, noticing the way her neck had developed crepey folds. And anxiety only served to emphasize the lines around her mouth.
”She's trouble,” said Lucy, with a sympathetic nod. ”One of those two-faced women who's nice to men... .”
”Wilf can't stop talking about her, he loves those truffles.”
”As long as it's only a truffle, you don't have to worry.”
”I do, though. She's prettier and s.e.xier than I am,” said Phyllis. ”He doesn't see through her like a woman would, he doesn't understand why I don't like her.”
”Don't be silly,” said Lucy. ”Wilf waited until he was practically fifty to get married and that's because he wanted to find the right woman, and that woman is you.”
”I can't help worrying.” Phyllis was chewing on the end of a ballpoint pen. ”She's got him doing special favors, bringing her coffee from the shop next door. And not just regular coffee, skim milk lattes or some such thing. That Tamzin's got Wilf wrapped around her little finger.”
Ted had emerged from the tiny toilet tucked behind the morgue looking much relieved, until he noticed Lucy standing by Phyllis's desk. Then he furrowed his brow and scowled. ”Haven't you got anything better to do than gossip?”
”Actually, Ted, I was hanging up your coat,” said Lucy, scowling right back at him.
”Uh, oh, sorry.” Ted was momentarily shamefaced until he thought of a fresh avenue of attack. ”I wish you wouldn't bad-mouth our advertisers. Chanticleer took out a six-month contract, so no more grumbling about them, okay?”
”We weren't grumbling about Chanticleer, we were talking about Tamzin,” said Lucy.
”And you should be ashamed of yourselves,” said Ted, self-righteously. ”You should welcome her. The poor little thing is new in town and wants to make friends.”
Lucy and Phyllis both laughed. ”Only men friends,” said Phyllis.
”That's right, Ted. You're not qualified to talk on this particular subject. Tamzin's got you under her spell, like all the other men in town.”
”Right,” agreed Phyllis. ”We women have a special sense that warns us about husband stealers like Tamzin. It's like when chickens know a storm is coming, or the wildebeests stampede because a lion's on the prowl.”
”Heaven help us if the women in this town stampede,” muttered Ted. ”Considering their average weight is two hundred pounds, there'd be nothing left. The place would be flattened.”
”Not funny, Ted,” said Lucy. ”Besides, the fact that Tamzin's a man-eater isn't all that I object to. She hired Zoe without getting a work permit and then she treated her badly and made her work extra time. It's Zoe's first job-and she's a rotten boss.”
Ted shook his head. ”You know what kids are like... .”
”So don't hire a kid,” snapped Lucy. ”She hired Zoe because she thought she could exploit her.”
”That's a reach, Lucy. Put yourself in Tamzin's shoes... .”
”Ha! I'd break my neck in those stilettos!”
”See! That's what I mean. What's really bothering you is pure female jealousy of someone who's more attractive... .”
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