Page 13 of Glow

Lydia opened her mouth to say something then thought better of it.

“Anyway,” Elliott continued. “Let me tell you about this pub in Worthing. They bet me drinks for everyone that I couldn’t down a pint in five seconds.”

“Did you do it?” Darren asked.

“Nah,” Elliott replied. “Bloody seven.”

“You had to buy everyone a drink.”

Elliott nodded his head. “Mad, eh? Cost me a bloody fortune.”

“Elliott.”

They all jumped to attention. The imposing presence of the IT Director, Richard Brammin, did that to people.

“Hi, Dad.”

Everyone other than his son. Richard was standing behind Prin and glaring at everyone.

“You’re late with the server reports. I want them now.”

“But—”

“I said now.”

Elliott shrugged.

Richard beckoned Prin to one side. He leapt up from his desk and followed him.

“Why am I having to beg for these reports?” Richard snarled when they were out of earshot of the rest of the team.

“I had no idea you were waiting.”

“You’re his bloody manager, aren’t you?”

For any other member of staff, Prin would have told Richard how workshy he’d found Elliott and let Richard tear a strip from him. He had a feeling it would be career limiting to give Richard that kind of a report about his son.

“I’ll keep a closer eye on him,” he managed.

They stared at each other. Prin’s toes were curling.

“Was there something you wanted?” Richard asked.

“Did you get the email from HR?” Prin asked.

“The theft?”

“Yeah. I wonder who it is. They’d have to be pretty clued up to get away with that.”

“I don’t really care,” Richard replied. “All I know is it’s not someone from our department.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I do,” Richard fired back, his face bright red. “We don’t need to start inventing trouble. Let HR do whatever they want.”

Prin took a step away. “Sure.”

Richard walked away, signalling the conversation was over.