fumbled with her phone and passed it to Anna. Anna studied the picture of a white mass with drawn-on claws in black Sharpie and a conical-shaped head with yogurt pots for ears. It did resemble an animal of some kind but she would have struggled to identify it as a polar bear. More like a ghostly aardvark. ‘It’s amazing,’ she said, in what she hoped was an encouraging voice.
‘I thought so,’ said Sophie, her voice changing into something akin to Linda Blair’s in The Exorcist. ‘It’s not rubbish, is it?’
‘Nooooo,’ said Anna, shaking her head firmly.
‘What’s this?’ asked Hudson, popping up at Anna’s shoulder. He started to laugh and Anna gave him a Paddington Bear stare. He turned his laugh into a cough. ‘Wow, that is the scariest Ku Klux Klan member I’ve ever seen. His hat’s slipped a bit.’
Anna failed to stifle a splutter of a laugh. ‘It’s a polar bear.’ Hudson almost pushed his face into Sophie’s phone for a second look.
‘Arlo refused to wear it. He said it was the worst polar bear in the world and it deserved to be endangered.’ Sophie looked glum.
‘Kids can be harsh critics,’ said Hudson.
‘Dave agreed with him.’
Anna feared for Dave’s safety. ‘And where is Dave now?’
‘He merrily trotted off to work leaving me with a completely naked Arlo who refused to wear anything unless it was an endangered species. I was tempted to tell him to go as he was because his life expectancy was diminishing with every second.’
‘Here, have my coffee. It’s decaf,’ said Anna, passing it to Sophie.
‘Thanks.’ She didn’t look like she meant it.
Anna hardly dared to ask how it all ended but she had to know. ‘So, what happened?’
‘He’s gone to school dressed as the Pink Panther. It’s the costume he wore for World Book Day last year. It’s too small. I had to slit the legs and arms so he looks like he’s had an Incredible Hulk moment.’
‘As long as he’s happy,’ said Anna, trying to ignore Hudson who was still chuckling behind her.
‘He freaked his teacher out when he pulled the long pink tail between his legs and waggled it at her.’ Sophie gave a weak smile. ‘That was almost worth it.’
‘Brilliant.’ Anna giggled as she pictured the scene.
‘What’s brilliant?’ asked Karl, arriving at his desk. ‘They’ve decided to introduce my idea of Naked Thursdays?’ he offered. ‘The next team event is mud wrestling? Roberta’s been abducted by Aston Villa supporters?’
‘Nope, sorry. Sophie’s son went to school as the Pink Panther,’ said Anna.
‘I already knew about that,’ said Karl, plugging his laptop back in. Both the women looked confused. ‘It’s front-page news everywhere. Bloody hell, your lives are riveting.’
‘Shut up, Karl,’ they chorused.
He held up his hands in defence. ‘Okay, okay.’ He turned to Sophie. ‘I read your outline paper. It’s really good. When this syncs …’ he pointed at the laptop ‘… there’s some feedback coming your way. Then you can update and issue it.’
‘Thanks,’ said Sophie, viewing him as if he were an unexploded bomb.
‘What? Don’t look at me like that. I can do a good impression of a sensible person, you know. I’ve got a certificate and everything.’
Silvie wandered over and they all tried to appear as if they were busy. ‘Can we move our three o’clock to four?’ she asked Karl.
He checked his diary.
‘Have you lost weight?’ Silvie asked Anna.
Anna was standing next to Sophie and she immediately straightened. ‘Um, no. I don’t think so.’ Anna’s size was fairly static thanks to her running.
‘Actually, I think it’s just where you’re standing,’ said Silvie, eyeing Sophie.
Karl coughed. ‘Yep, no problem moving the meeting. I’m loving your tan, Silvie.’ Silvie beamed at him and sauntered off.
‘You are such a liar,’ said Anna, once Silvie was out of earshot.
‘What? It’s not a lie. Orange happens to be my favourite colour,’ said Karl, putting his hand to his chest as if saying an oath.
Sophie was looking puzzled. ‘Did that cow imply I was fat?’
Roberta managed to intercept Anna first thing by thrusting a scribbled note at her and demanding she and Hudson organise a team event, and that it should be treated as their absolute priority, thus sending Anna’s day immediately into a tailspin. Despite her best efforts she had failed to track Hudson down, which was typical, so she had ended up doing most of the legwork herself.
Anna checked her phone whilst walking back to her desk after lunch and found a text: Hi, A. How is your week going? Any more texts from strange men? C. It made her smile involuntarily.
She replied: Hi, C. Week going okay. How about yours? pressing send and then instantly regretting it. His text had been witty whilst hers was simply dull – and who was she kidding anyway? Her week wasn’t okay, it was utter rubbish.
As she sat down her phone pinged again: My week is going great, just bought a new car.
Anna replied without engaging her brain: Exciting! My week has been rubbish by comparison.
The response was almost instant: You need cheering up. Anything I can do? C. Anna smiled again. He was quite sweet really, for a total stranger.
No, but thanks for asking. Got to go, I’m at work.
Anna was aware someone was watching her and she looked up suddenly. Hudson was right behind her. ‘Did you want something?’
‘Nope.’ Hudson slunk back into his desk and started to work. Anna slid her chair over to him.
‘Actually, Roberta was looking for you.’
Hudson glanced over his shoulder in the direction of Roberta’s office.
‘On top of this project we’re also managing a team event – like an away day thingy.’
‘Another clear brief from Roberta I’m guessing,’ he said, with a wry smile. It was a lovely smile, warm and reassuring.
Anna blinked and pulled her concentration back to the matter in hand. ‘Yep, there’s virtually no budget and she’s expecting lots from it. I’m thinking something outdoors and a hostel in the Peak District.’
‘Sounds
