Dear You

Chapter 4- Savighon Blanc

Waiting in the que with my four bottles of Savighon Blanc and sushi I replayed the conversion with Chris over and over again. I acted like a complete baboon. I was cold and I got personal. I was not prepared to discuss the past 8 months to anyone. Dammit , I came across so high and mighty but so did he. He was a huge unsympathetic arsehole. I'm not imagining this, am I?

Clearing the checkout I made my way to the trainstation and waited for 18.45 train to Surrey.

I was beginning to get more agitated replaying what happened I was breaking point. I needed some form of reassurance that I was right and that my impression of Barker was completely valid. Holding my shopping in one hand and my phone in the other I managed to call Helen.

"Hi Sarah, everything ok?" 

"Hi Helen. No doubt you have heard about my resignation?"

" Ehat? Your leaving? Why?" She screech

" Oh. So you don't know?" I was surprised. How come no one  knew?. Liz from HR would surely of  known by now and her and Helen tell each other everything...

"Oh Sarah please don't leave , we need you, I need you, we all you need you"

Taken back by what she said I brushed it off quickly. I needed to stay strong.

"It's too late"

The phone went silent. It's now or forever hold my peace.

"Helen, What do you think of Mr Barker?"

"Well, he has Jamie Dornan a run for his money, he is gorgeous, have you seen that arse and those eyes"

I cut Helen off " I'm not interested in his looks, I was more thinking of his character and as a CEO"

"Well , he seems very efficate, cares about his employees, fair but firm. Clearly takes no shit"

"Really? Well me and him.... he is, well we don't , its just , he is just a complete arsehole"

"Really? Well he does need to be the arsehole sometimes but he is good for the company I can see why Mr Swansport choose Mr Barker"

"What?"

" I thought you knew,? " Helen persisted

"No... I didn't "

*******

Dear arsehole you!! 

Why? Why did you lie to me?, you said that investors wanted to choose the new invester but it turns out it was you all along. Why? Was I not good enough? Chris is an arse. Like you.

He was so cold today. Why was I not  good enough to run the company. It was ours. I would of done made you proud.

Doesn't matter now as I'm leaving. I could of heard this from you so I could of understood but I had to hear it from Helen! Now I will never know. 

I am a big girl. I would of survived so don't even say you was trying to protect me. I am so mad at you right

I love you! But I am so incredibly mad at you. 

********

Second bottle down and series 3 of Ally Macbeal playing in the background I opened the door to our office and began to rumange through his files and correspondences and there was nothing from Barker or anything regarding him.

Why didn't he tell me?
There must of been a logical explanation. I opened the third bottle of wine as I hit Google on my laptop and search Barker.  The guy has been everywhere ,

Profile
Single: never reported being in a serious relationship (obviously) so many women on his arm, all models....

Education: Manchester Law
My stomach tied in knot. He went to the  same law school as my husband, same year, did they know each other? Why have I not heard his name? Might of been a coincidence....  He has done a lot.

Wealth:2.5 billion, gees, does he need to work?...

Wow, he is founder of Hanfords Association in New York. We have done a lot of work them ... why have I  not heard of him?.

Under a different name maybe?...

I have always delt with Nathan Brooks
I looked at the clock, it was 11pm ... they would still be open. I dailed. A lady answers

"Hi there please could I speak to Nathan Brooke's its Sarah Swansport.

" I'm sorry Mrs Swansport he has left for the day. He on vacation as tomorrow and will be back a fornight today. But he is on email"

"That's ok I will catch him on the mobile. Also, I was wondering if Christopher Barker is available"

I heard the secretary stop her typing motion "Mr Christopher Barker, one moment Mrs Swansport I will put you through"

"What wait"
Oh crumbs... Maybe there is another Barker on the payroll....

"Mrs Swansport" he sounded sleepy, 

" Mr Barker, I am very sorry to have woke you. I wasn't aware . I just wanted to confirm our discussion from today and that I will be sending my resignation tonight. I have a few people who can be interviewed this week. I was thinking Friday. Does this work for you?"

There was a silence whilst I mentally hugged myself for the saved victory.

"That works for me , if we could do the meeting before lunch as I have an appointment at 1 on the otherside of town"

"Great I will forward the preparation to you now "

" Great" he hissed
"Oh and Sarah" he paussd "Mrs Swansport, this could of all been discussed tomorrow as we will be seeing each other"

" I know. I like to prompt and get the ball rolling "

"Also, you don't need to go through my New York office; number is on my work emails"

Oh the the smart , he was teasing

"Just for future reference, good night Sarah"

Thursday 1st November 2018
00:10
Email: C.B@Pressprintacs.co.uk

Dear Mr Barker,

It's is a heavy heart that I have decided to leave the company to explore my opportunities.

Please accept this as my months notice. 

Best wishes 

Sarah Swansport 

Thursday 1st November 2018
00:15
Email: C.B@Pressprintacs.co.uk

Dear Mr Barker,

As discuss please find attached five applications for my role. I am really impressed by Ali Stone, she has a great background in law/ advertising and is level minded and driven.

I will get the interviews arranged.

Regards

Sarah Swansport 

I look at the clock and my eyes began to scream tired. For the first time my body wants to sleep for sleep and not to forget. I placed his pillows next to me and as my eyes began to drifted closed I heard my emails ping.

Thursday 1st November 2018
00:23
Email: S.S@Pressprintacs.co.uk

Dear Mrs Swansport.

Thank you for your emails ...

I don't accept your notice and therefore I will no longer need to progress with ant applicants.

See you at 9am

Christopher barker 

WHAT!!!!!