Page 5

Rosie rushed through the gate to the site, distraught. She was so late. Her heart pounded from speed-walking here from the train station. She joined Jessica near the entrance while attempting to get her breathing under control. Jessica had on a smart fitted suit underneath a bright orange high-visibility vest, chunky tan boots and yellow hard hat.

“Good morning, Rosie. Everything okay?”

“Trains. Delayed.” Rosie had got up at four in the morning and taken three connecting trains. “Sorry. It won’t happen again.”

“Don’t worry about it. These things happen.”

Rosie put on her hard hat, which she’d brought up with her.

Jessica began walking into the site.

Rosie followed one step behind for a few paces as she did up her bag before catching up.

“The surveyor has started already,” Jessica said, nodding in his direction.

Chris, one from their pool of contract surveyors, stood at the base of the crane with a clipboard marking things off. The last project they’d worked on together, Rosie had been a lowly junior architect and had struggled to handle him. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of working with him again, but this time, being the project manager.

Jessica came to a stop beside an old and rusty railing by the river. She turned and leant against it, hands in her pockets, looking towards the site before them. “What do you think?”

It was a mixture of greenspace and industrial land which had seen better days. The river ran east to west out to sea. The town was immediately north of the site, and sat overlooking it, rising off into a hillside. Now that she was here, it felt sort of abandoned and sad. With the solitary crane and row of disused warehouses, there was something slightly haunting about the land. It was ripe for regeneration that was for sure. It was lighter and more open than she expected, basking in the morning sunlight. She would make sure that was factored into the design. They had their work cut out for them with this relative blank canvass.

Jessica was watching her now. “Rosie?”

“I love it. I’m getting its vibe and already seeing its potential.”

“And what is its vibe ?”

Shit. She had to get this right. Misunderstanding the boss’s secret hometown on the first day was not going to go down well. “Neglected but hopeful.” What the hell was she saying?

Jessica gave her a hard stare for what felt like ages.

Rosie held her breath.

But the tiniest of smiles that tugged at Jessica’s beautiful mouth sealed the deal. “I like that.”

Rosie smiled in relief. “I already had that impression but seeing it in person is confirming it. It’s so important to see a place in real life, not just in the design suite.”

“Very true. Okay, let’s get to work.”

Rosie took a breath while getting her iPad out of her bag and logged into their computer-aided design account. Today was going to be an extensive site analysis looking at topography, gradient, existing structures, built materials, water issues, plant materials, environmental impact and any overall issues that might affect the design.

“I say we walk the perimeter and then do the interior,” Jessica said. It was more of an order rather than a question.

Rosie took pictures with her iPad, immediately sending the images for automatic upload. Their design platform would build a three-dimensional picture of the space they had to work with. When it came to a design like this, they couldn’t have enough images and videos.

“Did you bring the land schematics?” Jessica asked.

“I did.” Rosie took out the cylindrical container sticking out of her bag and attempted to remove the roll of paper inside it. She struggled to unroll it against the breeze. Working by a large body of water was going to be another challenge in itself.

“Here,” Jessica said. “Let me.”

Their fingers brushed as Jessica straightened and steadied the thick roll of paper on one side so they were holding it up together. A warm buzz ran through Rosie’s entire body. “Thanks.”

Jessica studied it. The skin between her eyes furrowed in concentration. “Drainage won’t be a problem.” She pointed at the pipes shown on the diagram. “These old sites were built to last.”

Rosie wanted more time to study it before making that conclusion.

Jessica walked on after guiding the rolled-up paper back towards Rosie. “Surfaces are mostly stone, gravel, some brick and grass. Topography is varied. There is an undulating overgrown greenspace to the west. Overall, gradient inclines about two to three degrees to the north towards the town. Hence excellent drainage and no expected water issues.”

She was supposed to be showing Jessica how on top of her shit she was, but Rosie couldn’t get a word in. Rosie looked towards the river to give her a confidence boost. It didn’t work. “Uh-huh.”

Jessica set off on the walkaround again, head swivelling this way and that. It was like Jessica had already visited and done the assessment in her head already. “Area has previously been cleared of industry except for the original warehouses and one significant pile of rock from the last demolition by the looks of it. I suspect it was left due to lack of resources to clear it.”

The pile of rock and rubble and garbage was an eye sore. There was also some additional industrial waste scattered around the site. It all had to go.

“It will need to be cleared as soon as possible. Could you organise a waste management company to remove everything from the site that we mark to be cleared?” Jessica said, casting a glance her way.

“I’ve already booked them in.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow.

Why was she so surprised Rosie had it in hand? Rosie felt like they’d started off working well together but the way the site visit was going made her feel like she was not going to have much real influence over this project at all. Still, this project was important to Jessica and important for Rosie’s career so she would be willing to grin and bear just about anything.

They delved deeper into the overgrown greenspace, a large and unruly mess of brambles, thistles and nettles.

“Protecting ecological habitats and ensuring biodiversity is going to be important,” Jessica said, moving an overgrown bush out of her face. “I want at least one wildflower meadow in this new design.”

As they circled a bushy area because it was too dense to penetrate, Rosie filled out the online assessment form and added notes based on her observations and Jessica’s comments.

Jessica was also logged into the online platform and appeared to be watching what she was inputting.

“Some of these are broom; it’s not all gorse. See.” Jessica pulled a stem towards them. “It’s not prickly.”

Rosie nodded slowly, doing her best not to appear annoyed. Because she kind of was. She knew very well the difference between the two yellow-flowered shrubs, and she knew that they would be removing them all regardless of whether they were prickly or not. It was a tiny mistake, but its weight felt huge. “Of course. I’ll change it.”

Rosie slipped her iPad into her bag after amending the offending leaf.

Would Jessica let Rosie do her job already?

Rosie spotted a gap in the foliage. Her curiosity led her into the space. Thick scrub lined the tiny path. Rosie waded through. The hidden path led to an open space with a large Victorian bandstand. Its decorative but now rusted railings encapsulated the octagonal shape of the structure. It had a bench lining the inside all the way around. There was an ornamental compass on the top, covered in moss and leaves. It must have acted as a weather vane in the past. The bandstand was rundown, but it had potential.

“It’s still here?” Jessica said, behind her.

Rosie turned. Jessica was standing there, all glammed up in her power suit and hard hat. The picture of elegance and intelligence. But in the way she was looking at the bandstand, there was something else about her now. Something softer.

“According to the schematics, this shouldn’t be here. There’s no record of it,” Rosie said, amazed Jessica was so fond of it and that she had waded through the mostly prickly scrub to follow her here.

“It’s avoided demolition.” Jessica inspected the dilapidated bandstand. “She’s a survivor.”

“We should keep it.”

Jessica turned to Rosie, a wispy look in her eyes. “We’ll restore it and make it a heritage piece in the new park. That we know about it this early gives us more chance to factor it into the design. Well done.”

Rosie didn’t know if following her nose through dense bush warranted this much praise, but she would take it. She considered asking Jessica how she knew it had been there in the past, but didn’t want to force Jessica into sharing what she clearly didn’t want to. “I’m happy we know about it too.”

Jessica led them back into open space and they continued their assessment. Rosie took notes as Jessica listed things off. She was thorough and passionate. It was a masterclass. Their last stop was the warehouses. Buddleias and other plants grew from the enormous, red brick buildings. They entered the first one through the open dock doors.

Chris the surveyor was staring up at the cracked ceiling with a grave expression on his face.

“What’s the verdict,” Jessica said. “Can we keep them or do we have to tear them down?”

“They have major structural issues. It’s amazing they’ve been left up for this long. I’m guessing there wasn’t the budget to repair them, and the value of the land was greater. I recommend you get rid of them. The smaller building at the far end is sound, however. It can be retained. I’d advise repointing and damp treatment, but other than that it’s good to go. These larger ones here have had their day, though, I’m afraid.”

“I agree. Let’s mark these warehouses for demolition and retain the smaller one,” Jessica said.

The fact they couldn’t save the larger warehouses didn’t seem to shock Jessica, but Rosie wondered if she was disappointed. Not that she could ask her that though. She’d thought maybe Jessica would tell her that she was from the area at some point, perhaps today, but nothing so far.

“How did the site assessment go?” Chris said.

Other than the fact that Jessica did it in twice the speed and completely took over, it went well.

“Fine. We got everything we needed,” Jessica said.

“When will you need my report by?”

“Oh, just whenever you can get it over to us, that will be great,” Rosie said.

“Okay, sure. I have a lot on this week so I can maybe get it to you next week, if I have time.”

“Great.”

“Wait. No,” Jessica said. “We’ll need it by end of day tomorrow. This is a top priority for us with a very tight turnaround. Was that not made clear to you in the initial briefing?” She gave Rosie a fierce look making it clear she was pissed off at her.

“Well,” he said. “If that’s the case I’ll get it to you later today.”

Rosie sighed inwardly at herself and her fuck up. She had indeed not made it clear to him, and she did that thing again of saying something to make the other person happy, even though it wasn’t what she needed. Things were moving so fast on the project, and it was wrong-footing her. Was she cut out for this?

Jessica’s phone buzzed. “Excuse me. I’d better take this.” She walked out of the warehouse leaving Rosie with the surveyor.

“Are you the project manager on this?”

“Yes. Why?”

He looked towards where Jessica had left. “Good luck with that.”

Rosie wanted to take her hard hat off and throw it across the empty warehouse in frustration at her own mistake and being treated like an assistant. Maybe guys like Chris weren’t going to be the problem.

***

The next day, Rosie sat with Carla at the drawing boards. It was like a mini art studio in the office. Rosie wasn’t drawing anything, however. The site visit had got under her skin. She told Carla everything that happened.

“How do you feel about it?” Carla held her pencil mid-air, poised for Rosie’s response.

“I feel like she’s micromanaging me. It’s so disappointing. I thought this was going to be my big opportunity to shine.”

“I believe that you are her bitch.” Carla put the pencil in the tray underneath her easel.

“Too far.”

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Carla smirked.

Gah, why had she let it slip that she thought the boss was hot. Rosie sat up straight. “I am a qualified architect looking to advance my career. So what, I had a crush on the boss? I don’t anymore.” Rosie checked herself. That wasn’t true. She still got butterflies in her stomach when she was around Jessica, but she could handle it. “What matters is the job. It’s an important project for the local town. My focus is on getting it done. I’ll do whatever she wants me to do.”

“What if that’s doing her?” Carla laughed. “Oh, this is too good. The tension!”

Rosie gave her a hard stare.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop.” Carla took a breath. “I know this is very important to you.”

“It is.”

“I’m sure it will work itself out. Maybe she’s throwing her weight around in the early days and then she’ll leave you to get on with things.”

“I hope so.” Rosie sighed. “Anyway. How are things with you?”

“I’m designing the interior structure of an office building. I’m working on the staircases. It’s going okay but it’s not exactly the sexy and exciting work I thought I’d be doing when I dreamed of being an architect, you know. Literally no one cares about the detail. They just want stairs.”

“It’s a step in the right direction though.”

Carla groaned. “Very punny. Yeah, it is. Clocking up my wins on these types of projects, doing my time. You know how it is.”

“You’ve got more freedom on this one.”

“I do. My principal is giving me space.”

“I wanted Jessica to be like that with me. Instead, I get the CEO’s passion project.”

Carla laughed. “It’s still a great opportunity. Don’t forget that. Enjoy this super interesting project you’ve got going on. It’s far more exciting than designing staircases.”

“You’re right. Thanks for talking some perspective into me.”

“Anytime.”

“I will admit. It’s not the worst thing in the world being around her all the time. She’s so… brilliant .”

“You do still have a crush on her.”

Rosie opened her mouth to protest but nothing came out.

“I know I’m teasing you about it, but be careful, right? You don’t want things to get messy and complicated. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“How could I get hurt when it’s not even a thing. Falling in love with your boss and living happily ever after is the stuff of romance novels. I’m just someone who works for her. I know she’s not interested in me and never will be.”

“Why wouldn’t she be?” Carla frowned.

“What?”

“Lots of people meet at work. You’re going to be spending a lot of time together. You’re both single and attractive lesbians. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.”

“She’s my boss.”

“So?”

“Don’t encourage me.”

Carla’s eyes softened. “I’m just saying that she’d be lucky to have you, that’s all.”

“Aw, thank you.”

“Wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.”

“Delusion aside, I need to deal with her micromanaging. Should I call her out on it?”

Carla considered it. “Dunno. What if it backfires and she fires your arse into oblivion?”

“What else can I do though? She obviously doesn’t trust me with anything.”

“Then get her to trust you.”

Rosie nodded. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do. I’ll keep going. She’s got to chill out, eventually.”

“You know, if she’s like this at work, she could be quite controlling in a relationship.”

Rosie laughed, but she didn’t find it funny and wasn’t sure why she laughed.

“She seems like a closed book, emotionally.” Carla loved psychoanalysing people. She often said she would have made a great therapist if she hadn’t gone into architecture. “She strikes me as quite a cold person,” Carla continued, as if the cogs of her psychoanalysis were only just getting started, tapping her fingers against her sheet of paper. “I can’t imagine her at a family dinner or something, know what I mean?”

“I know.” Rosie exhaled. But in truth, these were the things that attracted her to Jessica. “But maybe she’s just a bit shy?”

“Pfft, no one that hot is shy.”

Rosie shrugged. Being reserved didn’t make someone cold inside, but she didn’t want to argue the case for the boss’s human side too much. Apart from the way she helped find her grandmother’s pendant in the bathroom at the awards, there was very little to go on. Then again, the way Jessica’s eyes had lit up at seeing the bandstand had been so heartwarming. There was something so pure and vulnerable about that moment. But for the vast majority of the time, she was always so logical and efficient at work. No room for nonsense.

“I hope she’s happy, deep down.” Carla picked up her sketching pencil. “Well, staircases must be designed. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.”

Rosie headed back to her desk after her chat with Carla. All these thoughts were getting her nowhere. Rosie simply needed her boss to think she was good at her job. Jessica would never be interested in her that way, no matter what Carla said. She logged into her computer. Her head was hurting, and she had so much work to do. How she was going to clear her schedule to focus on Clydebank wasn’t straightforward. Joe was depending on her for another project to complete within the next month. She could hardly let him down, could she?

The blinds to Jessica’s office were open. That was unusual. She was standing up at her desk, analysing something on her screen. Jessica’s posture was perfect. Her hair had been tied back and some loose strands fell around her face, but the rest of her outfit, a fitted suit, was as professional as ever. The number of times she’d imagined Jessica standing before her in a bedroom, slowly undressing from such a suit was unreal.

Rosie dragged her eyes away. She was most definitely not going to think about Jessica in that way anymore. Not since she had a job to do with Jessica as her boss in the very real world.

***

Rosie waited for Jessica to arrive for their eleven o’clock meeting. Rosie went over her project updates again. To the best of her knowledge and ability, things were in good shape. This gave Rosie confidence.

Ten minutes later, Jessica slipped into the meeting room and glided into a chair. “My apologies.”

“No problem.”

“The meeting overran. Terrible chairing. At least they weren’t one of ours.”

Rosie winced. She’d never heard Jessica be so openly critical of people’s abilities. She so did not want to be on the receiving end.

“So, where are we?”

“I’ve reached out to all the contractors, and everyone is on board. I sent you all the documents this morning.”

“Excellent.”

“I’ve briefed Tara and Tom. They’re very excited.”

“Good to hear.”

Tara and Tom were junior architects, not long qualified, who would work with Rosie to deliver the project. Tara was highly intelligent and had an excellent eye for detail. Tom looked like he had all the time in the world no matter what he did. He made everything look easy. Rosie didn’t think she’d ever seen him stressed. They were both good people to have on the team: eager to learn and impress, with lots of good ideas, energy, and common sense.

“I had some ideas about the design,” Rosie said, hoping to get in there early.

“No need. I’ve already completed it.”

“Huh?”

Jessica logged into the design platform and pulled up a file which was in a new folder, casting it to the screen. “Take a look.” Jessica slid the wireless mouse across the table to her.

Rosie zoomed in and clicked into every square segment of the reduced to scale map. The whole site had been filled, down to planters lining the main entrance. Most principal architects brought the team in on their designs and did some level of brainstorming. At the very least, they consulted the manager. She thought her input might be minimal, at worst, but this was non-existent. She felt cheated out of the bit of her job she enjoyed the most. Anyone could come in and project manage, but only an architect could add their creative stamp to the build. And there were things she wanted to add to the design, even now. At least she would get to use her creative input on the individual elements to be designed and built. “It looks,” she paused, careful not to come across as too disappointed. “Great. You seem to have it all covered.”

“On that,” Jessica said, watching her. She’d been watching her look at the screen the entire time, come to think of it. “I’m sorry. I should have said previously but I have a special interest in this build. That’s why I haven’t consulted you much on the design. I have a very clear vision of what I want it to be.”

There was zero consultation. But it was her boss, what could she say? And she knew what that special interest was and understood how important it was to her. “That’s okay. If there are any more opportunities to feed in, I’d be more than happy to.”

“Of course. There might be one or two comments from the client and the wider stakeholders. Perhaps you can field them? And please can you organise a survey in the local area? We need to consult with the town on what would work for them for the site, in addition to the engagement sessions. We’ll show the town some options, once we get feedback from the local authority.”

Jessica was giving her the hardest job to get the design over the line. One or two comments could easily turn into a minefield, especially on a build like this with so much history and local significance. And she’d have to work with a research agency on the survey. “Of course. Thank you.”

As the meeting continued and Jessica went over her requirements for the structural engineers, Rosie did her best to listen and pay attention, but she couldn’t shake the disappointment over not being included on the design. Jessica was her own boss, literally. It was clear Jessica preferred to work alone. On one level, Rosie respected Jessica’s single-mindedness, but it did nothing to help further her own career. She was just the personality hire to help get the thing past the locals.

“For the meeting on Thursday, I’ll present the design. Please can you take notes?”

“Absolutely.”

“Remember,” Jessica said. “This project has a lot of history. There have been some bitter disagreements for years about this site. We’ll have to tread carefully.”

“No pressure, then,” Rosie said.

Jessica tilted her head as her icy stare pierced Rosie. “It’s pressure we can handle.”

“I’m pretty sure they’ve never worked with one of the best architecture companies in the country before. You are going to blow them away with this design.” Rosie cringed inside. She was aware of her people-pleasing side, but that was just plain ass-kissing.

Jessica turned the screen off and ran a hand through her hair. “I hope so.”

“I’ll see you there on Thursday, then.”

“How are you getting there?”

“I was going to take the train.”

“It makes more sense for you to travel in the car with me, especially since we will have all the materials for the community engagement session in the evening.”

Rosie’s insides did all sorts of things at the invitation to ride in the car for hours with her. She wanted to pump her fist in the air to let out the excited energy that had gripped her at the prospect. Instead, she kept her cool, smiling politely. “Thank you, yes that works for me.”