Chapter 7
The Phoenix office was becoming even more populated as newly created positions were filled.
"Good morning, Lynda!" came the sunny greeting from the reception desk as Lynda entered the building one morning.
"Morning," replied Lynda distractedly, then stopped and did a double take. "Sophie?"
"That's me!" replied the new receptionist chirpily.
"What are you doing here?" asked Lynda, immediately suspicious. "Shouldn't you be in school?"
Sophie laughed. "Lynda, I finished last year. And with my impeccable reference, I got the job here as receptionist."
"References. Meaning Colin, I'll bet," muttered Lynda. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
The phone rang. Sophie held up a hand and smiled politely at Lynda before pressing a button on the switchboard. "Good morning, Phoenix magazine, Sophie speaking! How may I help you?" She paused as the voice on the other end of the line spoke. "Certainly. I'll just put you through." She pressed another button and returned her glance expectantly to Lynda.
"Well, you seem to have that part down," said Lynda grudgingly. "But who actually hired you?"
"The HR manager," replied Sophie with a grin.
"HR . . ." Lynda thought. "Oh, right. Tiddler."
"Right," agreed Sophie. "Or Toni, as she prefers to be called these days."
"My ears are burning!" said the blonde who came through the door.
"Good morning, Toni!" said Sophie.
"Morning, Sophie. Morning, Lynda!" said Toni.
"Tiddler," said Lynda. "Do you think you could consult me before doing any actual hiring? If it's not too much trouble, that is."
"Certainly, Lynda," replied Toni. "And do you think you could call me Toni, as I have repeatedly requested of you? If it's not too much trouble, that is."
The two stared each other down for a moment.
"Are there any other new additions to staff I should know about . . . Toni?" asked Lynda finally.
"Well, as a matter of fact, there is," Toni replied, trying to hide her smile of victory. "Colin has an accounts assistant and we have a person in Records."
"Isn't Colin's assistant that girl?" asked Lynda.
"If by 'that girl', you mean Cindy, then that's right. And the new girl in Records is . . ."
"Wait a minute, let me guess," said Lynda and turned to Sophie. "Your offsider, I expect?"
"Morning Lynda!" came the cheerful greeting from the door.
Without turning around, Lynda replied, "Morning, Laura!"