They came back out of the large open plan office and Angie said "Ooh, I do love Geoff, he's so cuddly!" Clare laughed. It would be fun working here. It was such a refreshing change from the stuffy office where she had worked before. Angie showed Clare where the ladies toilets were on the first floor, then moved on and tapped onto the door of another room. "This is our large stationery store. I keep the key downstairs. It will be part of your job to keep the stationery well stocked."

They went back downstairs to Reception and Angie introduced Clare to the Receptionist. "This is Jane, she acts as receptionist for the whole building. Jane, this is Clare, she will be working with me and Bob and Alan, of course, when he comes down."

"I love working here, I hope you settle in." said Jane.

"Thank you. So do I." replied Clare.

They walked back to the Partner's Corridor. "Isn't it unusual to have a central Reception for all of the offices in the building?" asked Clare. "Yes, I suppose it is." said Angie "It's because of the Solicitors upstairs. They feel they need the added security. That way no one comes in unannounced. Some years ago, they were acting against the IRA, some terrorist plot or other and lots of security measures were put into place. Jane has a panic button under her desk, but I don't think she's ever used it. We sometimes get dubious characters coming in here, visiting the solicitors upstairs. And, of course, there are two different solicitors practices upstairs "Harris Bros. and Cole" and "The Lewis & Bennett Partnership."

"How long have you worked here?" Clare asked.

"I started with the company two years before we moved here. That must be about six years ago, I suppose." It sounded promising to Clare, as from questions she's asked of the staff, they seemed to stay for long periods. It wasn't a good sign when staff came and left quickly as that indicated problems, usually of bad management. Clare knew that from personal experience.

Angie showed Clare into the first office on the left hand side of the corridor. This was also an open plan office, but much smaller than the one upstairs. Tony, Martin, Justin and Sean worked here, all young men in their twenties, with two young women, Mary and Catherine. They joked with Angie and made funny remarks to Clare, making her smile. They were a happy, friendly crowd.

The next office on the left was Edward Halfpenny's old office and Angie opened the door and they peeped inside. "This will be Bob's office," said Angie "When Alan comes downstairs." The Ladies and Gents toilets were side by side at the end of the corridor and a set of double doors led into a concrete hallway, with steps down to the car park. "There are two entrances to the car park, one in the Reception and one here." said Angie.

The room opposite the Gents and Ladies Rest Rooms was the Conference Room where Clare's interview had been held. Then came the kitchen, Bob's Office shortly to become Alan's office and their adjoining office. There was a door from the corridor into Bob's office as well as the internal door adjoining their room. Next to that was an empty room, then on the end of the corridor, by the entrance to Reception the photocopy room containing two photocopiers and a fax machine.

"What do you think of it then Clare, will it suit?" Angie asked.

"Yes," said Clare happily. "I feel at home already."

"We'll have a coffee and then I'll show you the ropes." said Angie.

Clare followed Angie into the kitchen. That, like the rest of the offices, was spotlessly clean. It was a large room with fitted cupboards. There was a kettle, fridge, sink and a microwave and several cupboards along the wall full of mugs, cups and saucers. A small dining table with four chairs, were placed near the window out of which could be seen the tall office blocks on the other side of the cul-de-sac. "There is often some one in here lunch time," said Angie "but only the staff who work on this floor are allowed in here. The others have their own kitchen upstairs. This cupboard is locked as it holds the best china for our special clients. I keep the key in my desk. I'll show you." There was a good supply of milk in the fridge and plentiful supplies of coffee, tea and sugar in the cupboards. Angie made the coffee and they made their way back to the office.

By the end of the first morning, Clare had typed a long report and familiarised herself with two filing cabinets. Angie was very helpful and they got on very well. In fact, they chatted away as if they were long lost friends.

"How did it go?" asked Hal as she came through the front door that evening. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and led her into the Lounge. He was always home before her each evening and tonight was his turn to cook dinner. He was a good cook, better than her, she thought. "I've had a wonderful day! Angela's lovely, we hit it off straight away. She's very friendly and we seem to be on the same wave-length. I think I've struck gold this time and I'll be working with Alan, I told you about him. The older partner, Mr Halfpenny, has left. That's such a relief as I wasn't sure I'd like working with him, so it's turned out well."

"That's fantastic." said Hal smiling at her "I'm so pleased for you sweetheart, you deserve it. I'm so glad. Dinner isn't ready quite yet. Can you wait half an hour... or so?"

Clare smiled back at him. She knew exactly what he was driving at. After all they had only been married for two months. It wouldn't do for the flames of passion to die too soon. So off they went upstairs for more practising. As the phone often rang at an inopportune moment, Hal usually pulled it from the socket. Once, someone rang the door bell, but Hal didn't care. "I'm doing what I promised to do." he said. "Having and holding."

They never did find out who rang the bell.