Bishops Move

4. Cressida

"Breathe" Em ordered as the lift doors shut, leaving Commander Fraser and Jamison watching us from the other side. "They can take the next lift" she muttered, looking at me.

"Who is he?" I whisper out, closing my eyes but his face remains etched in my mind.

"His name is Commander Bishop Fraser, he was all over the TV early last year, the face of a army navy thing, the man's a genuine hero, decorated" she gave me a quizzical look when I looked at her blankly.  "Do you really not know who he is?"

I shake my head, "I didn't take a television with me when I moved, I figured the radio would do, any other key things I could learn from the news, and you know I would rather read than watch TV". I pause and sigh "He's famous?"

"Yes' she pauses and grins at me "He's also Maisie Brietmeyer's cousin, that's why he's here, he is visiting her"

I feel tears well up in my eyes, that's it then, I can kiss the job goodbye, he saw what happened, he won't want that around his cousin.
"Stop worrying" Em tells me as the doors open "Maisie is fab, you'll like her, let's deal with the commander and then get you to your appointment" she guides me along the corridor and into a glass walled office.

Then a knock at the door let's me know time has run out, he's back... Jamison opening the door preceding him into the room.

"Are you okay?" He asked stopping a little way away, my and gaze scanning him.

"Yes, thank you for what you did at the airport" I whisper out, knowing I had to say something.

"I can identify him, he shouldn't get away with what he did" his gaze is fixed on my face.

I look away "It doesn't matter, Burke will get away with it, he always does, and if I push he will ruin any chances I have of getting another job"

"Always does... He's hit you before" he growls, stopping abruptly as I cannot stop my reaction I shrink back into the chair, my whole body shaking as his raised voice triggers a flashback and I feel my mind shut down to protect itself as the images flash across my mind, my father stood screaming at my mother then her screams and the sound of fist hitting flesh, again and again before there was a moment of silence, then his voice again, calling my name, then shouting as my body froze me into my hiding place, his voice growing ever more virulent as he searched for me...

"Cressy, come on Cressy, you're okay, Cressy, come on" Em's voice finally broke through the dark thoughts and I blinked up at her, my gaze searching the room, both scared and embarrassed. He had gone and I could see the back of Jamison at the door, a phone to his ear. "Cressy?"

I turn my gaze back to Em's worried one, "I'm okay, sorry"

"A flashback?" She questioned softly and I nodded silently, tears filling my eyes and I blinked rapidly, wishing them away.

"How long since your last one?" She leaned into my side, giving me comfort without crowding me.

"A year, nearly... I thought I had got a handle on them, even with Burke I had managed to stay in control, I don't understand it"

"Oh Cress" she whispered and I could hear the understanding in her tone, she knew what I had been through and the demons that haunted my mind. "i'm going to more your interview, Maisie will understand, let me give her a ..."

"NO" I gasped the word out. "No, Em, I'm okay, I need to do this... please"

"Bishop is up with her, is that going to be a problem for you?" She sighed, I knew she wanted to argue with me, to protect me, but that she would also listen to what I wanted.

I gulped but shook my head "No, I will be fine, it was just a build up of everything, I'm good now" I promise her and after searching my face, she nodded and sat back.

"Okay, I'll take you up, you know she knows about you... and what happened, Jamison had to do a thorough background search, everyone gets one, Angus and Hector are very very protective of Maisie. I checked the information to make sure it was accurate and you know I've spoken to Maisie about you. Just be you and she will love you like I do" she hugged me and stepped away, moving to the door and opening it, Jamison immediately turning and checking her over with his eyes.

I smiled to myself, Jamison obviously cared greatly for Em and my god she deserved someone to see her for her. She had told me a little of what happened to her with her previous employers and how Jamison had saved her.

When she had suggested a PA job for Maisie Breitmeyer I had been worried, my confidence at an all time low, my eye black from Burkes smack and then feeling out of place because my landlord was acting like a stalker. She had reassured me I could do it, talked me through my fears and been very clear about how invasive the background search would be. I had been scared of someone knowing what happened to me, to my family, would they judge, would they pity me, fear me. It was the same fear that had led to me taking jobs that did not look too deep. A mistake that had let Burke make me a victim...

"Ready?" Jamison asked from the door and I nodded, straighten my jacket as I stood.

"Ready" I agreed following Jamison to the lifts, Em at my side, her little finger wrapped around mine for a brief second before she smiled at me.
"You've got this" she whisper as the doors opened to a new floor and she led me to a open door before stepping back. I could hear quiet voices inside and felt my body prickle as I realised he was here, in the room.

Knock knock

'Come in" called a soft feminine voice.

I stepped into the room, my gaze flicking to him before I focus on the petite woman sat at the conference table, my gaze widening slightly as she got to her feet slowly, the tell tale bulge at her middle and slow movements making me hurry forward to greet her.

"Mrs Breitmeyer, thank you very much for this opportunity" I rush out holding my hand out to her to shake.

"Call me Maisie and your Cressida, or do you prefer Cressy?" She beams back at me and I feel myself relaxing with her, even with his lingering presence.

'"Cressy" I agree.

"I hear you've met Bishop" she looks over her shoulder at him and I can't help but look at him, his eyes catching and holding mine as I reply.

"Yes, we met downstairs" I whisper out.

"Good, good" she grins back at me before waving him out of the room "Out Bishop, I will let you know when I'm done, close the door behind you" she orders him and he goals lightly causing her to laugh as he does what she instructed.