Two Sided Triangle Introduction
Jill
After arriving at the hospital I settled myself at my desk and began to open my post before commencing morning surgery.
Test results, an invitation to a medical seminar, and then a brown envelope marked with the words private on for my attention. I opened the envelope and began to read its contents.
'Dear Doctor Weatherill…
Thank you for expressing an interest in the vacant Gynaecology post at Ashfordly General...'
I couldn't believe what I was reading on the piece of paper in front of me. I carried on reading, picking out significant words from the letter...
Senior position...Two days a week… interview… next Friday…
What was this? I sure as hell hadn't 'expressed an interest' in any job, and nor was I going to be attending its interview for a two-day-a-week job at Ashfordly.
If I hadn't applied for it then I knew exactly who had.
Adam.
He was the only person that had mentioned it to me, merely to make me aware of the position. How dare he apply on my behalf? I was perfectly capable of applying for my own jobs. What was he doing? I was seething.
I bolted from my seat and marched down the corridor to his office. Knocking to alert him I was outside, I didn't wait for a 'come in', as I turned the handle and entered.
He was on the telephone and looked surprised as I wandered in and closed the door behind me, standing patiently with my arms crossed as I waited for the call to end.
Adam seemed to conclude his call abruptly as he noted me watch over him.
"Jill, what's the problem?" he seemed annoyed I had burst in to his office mid call.
I waved the letter in front of him, letting it fall on to his desk, so he could gauge what I was on about.
"When you mentioned this to me the other day, I didn't expect you to apply on my behalf…" I began as he read the letter. "I told you I was happy here, that the job wasn't for me, so why apply?"
"Jill… I… I didn't apply." Came his stuttered reply, as he handed me back the letter.
"Then who did?" I demanded, forcibly ripping the letter from his hand.
Adam shifted in his seat. I could tell he knew more than he was letting on.
"Well?" I pressed again, wanting an immediate answer from him.
"It was…Gordon..."
Gordon
With morning surgery completed, I put my coat on ready to go grab some lunch, and as I wandered up the corridor I thought I would see if Jill was free to add some variety in to my day.
Noting the door to her office was ajar, I wandered in, gently tapping on the door in the process so I could alert her to my presence if she was still with a patient.
She briefly looked up from her patient notes at me.
"Hey, I'm off out for a bite to eat, are you free?" I asked.
She lowered her head and continued with whatever it was she was writing.
Bemused, I repeated the question.
"No Gordon I'm not free." She eventually muttered, still not looking at me.
"OK, well I guess I'll see you later then." I replied tentatively, turning and heading for the door again. She was evidently busy.
"Maybe, but then again I will be awfully busy for the next few days…"she began, before slamming the pen she was holding down and standing up to look at me. "Preparing for an interview for a job I didn't apply for!"
She had gotten the invitation, but far from be pleased she didn't seem too happy about it. I couldn't understand why?
We had spoken about her cutting her hours down a few days ago when she first mentioned the job to me, partly because she was doing so much as it was, as well as trying to run the home. She could still work part time at Ashfordly with her position with it only being twice a week, unlike here where she was working on average of 6 days a week, and maybe one day soon we would be blessed with a child that she could look after as well as continue to work. She hadn't sounded keen, but nonetheless it was a fantastic opportunity, something I was certain I could draw her round to.
"Ah." I mumbled.
To stop an audience outside her office, I closed the door and waited for both barrels.
Maybe I had made a mistake but I was doing what I thought would be best for my wife.
"Yes, 'ah' Gordon. Just when were you going to tell me?" The anger telling in her voice.
"Tonight over dinner." I replied, shifting on the spot. "It's a great opportunity, it's just as well Adam told you about it. I mean what's the worst that could happen, you might get a senior job for half the hours you currently do at nearly double the pay." I gave a small laugh. How could she be unreasonable at what was on offer to her?
"I don't care about money Gordon, I love my job here, and I am not going to give it all up on a whim, just because you feel I should be taking things easy."
"It's not just taking things easy, I was thinking ahead, I mean if we ever had more children... I'm sorry Jill, I was just trying to do right by you. I still think you should at least have the interview, why don't we discuss it tonight over dinner..."
She glared at me and shook her head.
"I've discussed it now Gordon. I am not applying for the position. You can call Ashfordly yourself and tell them there has been a mistake." she snapped, brushing past me as she reached for the door handle and opened it up. "Now if you don't mind I'm busy."
I guiltily left the room, hearing the door slam shut behind me as I wandered aimlessly up the corridor. I guess now I was in the doghouse.
