Your duties also include cleaning the office. And what, youre an accountant? If you dont like it, hand back your contract and be gone. Youre new here, so youll have to grin and bear it. And thank you for giving you a position and a salary despite having zero experience!
The secretary, perched in her highback chair, surveyed the fresh recruit with a satisfied smile. She knew this girl wouldnt last long.
How often do we have to tidy up? Poppy whispered, eyes wide.
Sit tight, Ill explain everything, the secretary replied, flashing a grin. Come on, Ill show you your desk and introduce you to the team
Poppy followed the statuesque woman, trailing hesitantly behind. The secretary pushed open the door to a vast hall, its space broken into tiny cubicles, each occupied by a figure hunched over a screen.
Ladies, this is Poppy, the new girl. New girl, meet the ladies! the secretary announced.
Ten pairs of eyes flicked onto Poppy. A heavy silence settled, and Poppy, trying not to look terrified, forced a smile and said hello. The women murmured among themselves.
Oh, how lovely to finally have a new face around here, one cooed, the place has been a mess for ages.
Excellent, another added, except shell be sitting right next to me, and Ill have to endure her clacking keys, her whimpering and perhaps her sobbing.
Fine by me, a third chimed, its about time you stepped out of your comfort zone.
And weve only heard your crying before, now youll be on our side, a fourth said, smirking, welcome to our turf.
Everyone, a little quieter, please, the secretary smiled, Heres your workstation, Poppy, tucked in the corner. On the computer youll find a folder called Instructions and Tasks. Read, study, memorise. Scarlett, the redhaired firecracker, will help you. If youve any questions, go straight to her. Got it?
Poppy nodded. The secretary slipped out, and the women returned to their glowing screens. Scarlett fixed her gaze on Poppy.
You remind me of my younger sister, newcomer, Scarlett said smugly, so youll have a leg up in my eyes. Dont make stupid, crude mistakes, and well get along Alright, Poppy, get to work. Ill check in at lunch and answer any questions. Until then, no distractions, agreed?
Poppy settled into the chair and took in her desk: a modest table, trays for paperwork, a glass jar of pens and markers, a monitor, a mouse pad, a mouse, a wastebasket, and a wilted pot of ancient, withered aloe. The sight of the plant tugged at a memory of her grandmothers kitchen, where aloeleaf juice was a staple.
A pharmacy in a pot, Poppy whispered, but why does no one tend to it? Itll die out here.
She adjusted her seat, scanning the room. Everyone was glued to their tasks, elbows bent over spreadsheets, fingers flying over keyboards, calculators ticking, pens scratching at drafts. Occasionally a soft sigh escaped when numbers didnt match.
Poppy wasnt thrilled. Shed just finished university with a shiny red diploma and had no real experience. Yet this firmPrestige Accounting Ltd.offered a solid start: a £28,000 salary for a fledgling accountant, the chance to work with varied clients, and a fast track to expertise.
She barely waited for the break. Scarlett drifted over and spent forty minutes fielding Poppys endless questions.
…Thats it, please! My brain is about to explode Lets have a breather, Scarlett finally slumped back, by the way, that palm
Its aloe, Poppy corrected.
Yes, aloe. I know it! Its a relic from our great, allpowerful patron of figures, spreadsheets and balance sheetsDaphne Hart. She was brilliant, the toptier specialist. She handled such clients When shed glance at a report, tax auditors wept. Shame she retired; we could have learned a lot from her.
Are you taking her place? Poppy asked quietly.
No! Im not even close. Shes got more years of experience than I have months Shes gone now, retiring after a small office fête. We gave her gifts, and she left us this wonderful plant. Girls, well look after the aloe, she said. Water it, grow it.
The women laughed. Why bother? No one watches over it anyway. Its just a ugly palm left behind because Daphne didnt want to haul it home. Keep it or toss it; its up to you. Now back to work, newcomer!
Poppy stared at the twisted stalk. It must have been ten years old, maybe more. How long does a centuryold plant survive?
Shed been at it for almost a month. Twice a week she arrived an hour early to mop the floor in the main office, sweep the entrance where the secretary reigned, and even scrub the directors office. It ate up time and energy. By the time the day began, she was already exhausted, but the generous salary meant she also shouldered the cleaning duties.
Poppy pushed herself, hoping that if she proved herself a valuable accountant, the extra chores would be dropped. She stayed late, wrestling with the subtleties of doubleentry, but she was still a fresh graduate lacking real client exposure, so progress was slow. Still, she believed she could manage.
Then a nasty autumn cold hit her. A pounding headache and a splitting throat left her unable to dash to the pharmacy before her shift. The clock ticked toward lunch, unfinished tasks glowed red on her screen, and she was too weak to work.
She glanced longingly at the aloe, wilted and begging for attention, and snapped off a fleshy leaf, popping it into her mouth.
Chewing the bitter flesh, a slight warmth spread through her throat. Half an hour later she felt steadier.
…Seriously? Youve finished everything? Scarlett examined the spreadsheets, eyebrows raised, No errors, everythings spot on. Well done, newcomer!
Scarlett handed her a fresh batch of assignments and settled back. Poppy barely noticed how the extra workload had piled up. Impressed by her speed, she called Scarlett back for a review.
Listen, I dont get it. How did you crunch those tables so fast, Poppy?
Look, if we take these figures, Poppy began, gesturing at the screen, explaining a trick shed read about. Scarletts eyes widened.
Youve taken a shortcut? Did you hire a tutor?
I get it, youre impressed, Scarlett said, pursing her lips, Ive got one more task for you. Its tough. Ive been wrestling with it all morning. Think you can handle it?
Scarlett smirked, convinced Poppy would stumble.
Poppy dove into the assignment. Her throat still ached, so she bit another piece of aloe.
Scarlett, Im done. Check it, Poppy said, a grin spreading as the day waned.
The other women rose, eyes flicking between the screens. Had the newcomer really outpaced Scarlett? Scarlett snatched the mouse from Poppys hand, scanned the sheet, and whispered, How did you do that?
Im a decent accountant, even if Im young. Just had to think and apply what I knew, Poppy replied.
Hold on! Im the decent accountant here. Youre just the rookie. Explain yourself! Scarlett snapped, fury flashing.
At that instant the secretary burst in.
Ladies, tomorrow Daphne Hart will be visiting. She has a meeting with the director and promised to drop by. If you need advice, have your questions ready.
Prepare your questions, Scarlett hissed at Poppy.
Poppy stared, unsure what to ask. In her head, it felt as if she knew everything, yet the right queries eluded her. Around her, the women whispered and scribbled, each hoping for Daphnes attention.
The next morning was equally tense. Scarlett led the team in rehearsing questions for Daphne. Meanwhile, Poppy tackled the urgent tasks stacked on her desk, chewing aloe between spreadsheets. She was so absorbed she didnt notice the longawaited guest entering.
Is this you, the new girl? a voice called behind her.
Good morning, Poppy replied softly, popping another aloe leaf.
Daphne Hart, a tall, wiry woman with a tight bun perched on a long nose, adjusted her spectacles and surveyed Poppy, the monitor, and the neglected plant.
Im sorry, I didnt prepare any questions. Ive been swamped, Poppy stammered.
Fine. Im not here to hand out advice. Im retired. No masterclass today, ladies. Dont even show me your questions. We can just chat she said, gesturing to the break room.
During the coffee break, Poppy finally sat down at the canteen. As she was about to take a seat, Daphne beckoned her.
Sit with me, lets talk Hows the work treating you? I saw what you did today. Not bad at all. Youre sharp. Lots of experience?
No Ive only been here a month. I just love accounting Im getting better each day, Poppy murmured.
Youve been looking after my aloe, right? Chewing it? Tasty? Daphne chuckled.
My throat was sore. I tried it, felt better, Poppy admitted.
So the work lifted right away, huh? What a marvelous aloe! Almost magical.
Magic? Poppy frowned.
Shed indeed felt a surge of energy after the plants juice. Daphnes eyes twinkled.
Performance boost, huh? Im glad my little gift served you. If the others had been quicker, theyd have found a fantastic remedy too.
I dont get what youre on about, Poppy said, puzzled.
Dont you know the legend of the centenarian? A mighty sorcererhealer trekked a desert, dying of thirst. He spied a towering tree with thick, fleshy leaves and thought, I can drink its sap. He bit the ninth leaf, revived instantly, whole again. The tree gave him its healing power, but its leaves twisted as if cursed. The healer returned to his village, taught others, and planted the trees offshoots, extending its magic.
And thats about medicine, not accounting, Poppy whispered.
I know, but perhaps the principle works the same. A retiree, a desert of retirement I once started as a young clerk, trained by a stern woman whose brilliance made my eyes hurt. She left for a spa, and I, like you, tried the aloe on the windowsill. Thats how I became a topnotch specialist. She passed the plant to me when she retired. Ive carried it through firms, leaving it behind when I moved on. Now its yours. Its probably a hundred years old. Amazing, isnt it?
Why didnt you answer the womens questions earlier? Poppy asked.
Because Im just a regular employee. Nothing spectacular.
Not fair!
Who says whats fair? Daphne winked. Who cares? The clients? No. You? No.
After a few more minutes of chat, Daphne left. Poppy returned to her desk, driven anew. Day after day she took on fresh, tougher assignments.
A month later she no longer swept floors. She handled the most demanding clients, solving puzzles with a flick of the wrist.
I feel like Im just drawing lines all day, no growth, she muttered. Whats the point?
After several more months, Poppy handed in her resignation.
Why leave? You have top clients, a great salary, Scarlett exclaimed, Youre at the peak! What more could you want?
Im moving to another borough. The commute here is killing me, Poppy replied, packing her things.
Youre mad, newcomer! Going nowhere Youll have to rebuild everything. Wholl believe youre a superspecialist with that contract? Haha!
Itll be fine Are you ill? Poppy asked, eyes narrowing.
Just a slight cold, Scarlett admitted.
Aloe! Chew a leaf, itll help.
Youre not serious? You leave that withered palm and think it cures anything?
Try it, youll love it, Poppy said, biting another thick leaf.
Scarlett gave a doubtful stare, then finally snapped off a piece of the succulent.
