Protector Plus

"That seemed to go really well,” said my new temporary boss, Lorna Masters, as she steered the car towards the A1.

We had just finished the presentation and coaching session for the launch of the bank’s new protection product called ProtectorPlus in the Newcastle area. It was my first day on attachment in the training department with a view to becoming permanent if things went well. I was excited to say the least, at 25, I was getting the opportunity to get myself noticed, which was bound to open doors for the future. In the short term, it was a promotion and the chance to work with one of the youngest female managers in the region.

The plan was to do the first presentation in Newcastle, our home base, then drive to York, where we would spend the night before doing the presentation in that area. Then across to Manchester, up to Lancaster, and finally Carlisle before home.

“Cat got your tongue, Jenny?” Lorna laughed.

“Sorry, Ms Masters,” I stammered as I broke from my daydreams.

“For goodness' sake girl, call me Lorna, after all, we have the whole week together.”

I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she drove confidently and calmly, her blue/green eyes never wavering from the traffic. She wasn’t muscular like a man would be, but her arms were strong, controlling the car with a relaxed but firm touch. She had a strong jawline, with piercing green eyes that were looking intently at the traffic as she calculated who was doing what. Her hair was cut short, almost boyish, but the blonde tips softened the appearance as they framed her face.

Lorna Masters was a bit of a legend coming to the North East of England from London five years ago at 40 to take over the training department for the north of England. She was renowned for being dynamic and forthright in her views, but also charming and getting results. She was everything I wanted to achieve in my career. Now at 45, there was a rumour that she was going to be promoted again, perhaps moving back to London to head office, but I was praying she would stay for a little longer.

My phone buzzed, and glancing at it saw it was from my boyfriend Callum with the words, “Missing you already.” We had only moved in together six months before, and things seemed to be going really well. If I did get the job on a permanent basis, the extra money would help towards saving for the deposit for our first house. If I could get the famous Ms Masters to mentor me, then my life would be complete.

“Boyfriend?” Lorna said without taking her eyes off the road.

The drive was a good hour and a half, and for the next hour, we chatted as I told her about Callum and our plans for the future. I wondered if she was very informally asking me about my plans for having children, something that was strictly forbidden under employment law, so I decided to make a point,

“Of course, we have no plans to start a family anytime soon. I have a career to pursue first,” which I hoped created the right impression.

“Good for you, young lady. It’s not easy getting ahead as a woman in a man’s world, despite all the bullshit about equal opportunities."

I wondered how her family coped with her moving about, and then it occurred to me, did she even have a family? Was there a Mr Masters? Before I could work out how I could even raise the subject, she announced, “Here we are,” as she drove into the underground hotel car park.

We checked in, and as we parted, she said, “Listen Jenny, I would love to have dinner with you as it gets pretty lonely on your own, but I am meeting an…old friend. How about breakfast at eight?”