A/N Hello friends. Thank you so much for all the reviews on this story, you really are all just top people!
This is another short chapter to finish up the business of Edith's first day before getting into the heart of the story. Thank you for your patience
I"m sorry its taken me so long to update it. I do have a significant chunk of the next chapter written so hopefully it shouldn't be so long until the next on is up.

"Come in." Anthony stood awkwardly at his desk as Edith walked into his office.

"Hello Edith. Please come in, sit down. Are you settling in alright? Team looking after you?"

"Oh yes, everyone has been great. Michael, I think that's his name? He's been especially welcoming."

Anthony forced his lips into a smile and said, "Oh I'm so pleased" his displeasure obvious.

Picking up on his change of tone, Edith wondered what the history was between Anthony and Michael. Clearly something had happened. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, Edith cleared her throat and awkwardly began to speak.

"Anthony, I mean, Dr Strallan…"

"Call me Anthony, please."

"Alright. Anthony. I wanted to apologize for the tirade I subjected to you to during my interview. It was incredibly unprofessional"

"And I told you then, that you need never apologize for being passionate about your work. That 'tirade' is the reason that you're sitting here."

That and the fact that I think you're wonderful, he thought to himself.

"Now, shall we get started? I've prepared this briefing pack for you with all of the details of the exhibition and the first of your 'to do' lists. There's a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it but I have faith in you Edith!"

Edith blushed and felt ridiculously proud of his trust in her. "Get a grip!" she internally chided herself

"Thank you, Anthony, I won't let you down."

Looking at her intently with his deep blue eyes, he said

"I know you won't."

"I'm here if you need anything, anything at all." He hadn't taken his eyes of her the whole time.

Edith blushed, smiled awkwardly and rose to leave.

Finally alone in her office for the first time all day, Edith took a deep breath and sat down at her desk.

In truth, she couldn't quite believe she was here. She had the job she always wanted, using her degrees and the single most attractive man she had ever met, was just along the corridor. It was all a bit overwhelming.

Well, if Anthony thinks I can do this. I won't make a liar out of him. She thought. She opened her folder of papers and began to read.

Edith was completely immersed in her reading when there was a knock at her office door. Without waiting for a reply, Michael stuck his head around the door.

"Hey newbie! It's after 5 o'clock, fancy getting a drink to celebrate surviving your first day in the nuthouse?!"

Edith, shocked out of her reverie, struggled to answer.

"Oh! Hello Michael. Well, I er, I have rather a lot to do here….but yes, alright".

"Will the others be joining us?"

"Oh well, actually its just the two of us."

"Oh, right. Okay…"

Edith wasn't entirely comfortable with this arrangement but not wishing to seem impolite or make an enemy on her first day, she agreed; telling Michael that she would see him in the lobby in 20 minutes.

Anthony meanwhile, had spent the day in his office, trying not to ruminate on the fact that Edith was working 40 feet away…

As the clock swept past 5 o'clock, he rose from his desk and walked to Edith's office.

"Knock, knock" he said quietly.

Edith looked up from her papers and flashed him a full faced smile. Anthony's heart dropped to his knees and jumped into his throat.

"Hello! Do come in! Please, sit down"

"Well, you've made it through day one. Is everything in the briefing pack making sense to you? I'd love to hear your input on the material, of course."

"It is, but I do have some ideas about how we can make the exhibit a little more 'hands on', particularly if we are looking to attract school groups, but we can talk about that tomorrow."

Taking a deep breath, Anthony continued….

"Or, if you're not busy, perhaps we can grab a bite to eat now and you can talk me through your ideas?"

"Oh Anthony! I wish you'd come in 2 minutes earlier, I've just agreed to have a drink with Michael."

"Michael? Ah, righto, well, I, er, won't detain you any further. Have a pleasant evening." Anthony made to move towards the door.

"You could always come too? I'm sure Michael wouldn't mind?"

"Oh no, no. I wouldn't wish to intrude. I'll see you tomorrow, Edith."

And with that, he left; leaving Edith feeling more than a little uneasy.

Anthony drove home alone and, as you might expect, was thinking about Edith. Of course she would be attracted to Michael. Michael was younger, more outgoing and charming than he was. Anthony felt very old, very tired and very lonely.

As soon as she sat down in the bar, Edith knew she had made a mistake. Michael was every bit the tedious flirt that her first instincts told her he would be. He sat way too close to her, less than subtly attempted to put his arm around her and much to her annoyance, was less than complimentary about Anthony.

"I don't envy you working directly for the old boy! What a humorless control freak!"

"Really? I don't get that impression at all. He's clearly very driven and extremely knowledgeable, I'm actually really looking forward to working with him and I think I can learn a great deal from him. As to him being a control freak, I haven't seen that at all. I have a task list as long as your arm and autonomy on how I choose to complete them!"

"My my! Such an impassioned defense of our fearless leader!"

"If you're so unhappy working with him, why do you stay? I'm sure you could secure a position elsewhere?" asked Edith.

"Anthony and I have very different philosophies on how museums should be run. Its fun sparring with him!" Grinned Michael.

Edith rolled her eyes at Michael and tiring of the whole conversation, rose to leave.

"If you'll excuse me, Michael. Its been a very busy day and I've still got some reading to complete before my meetings in the morning. Thanks for the drink."

Michael, in quite possibly the smartest move he'd made all day, said nothing and stood to let her out of the booth.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Michael. "

"Yes, goodnight Edith."

Michael's gaze followed Edith out of the bar, a shrewd expression on his face.