Monday 26 April 2004
Lee was here for a few hours on Sunday; before that he was working, or whatever it is he does when he’s not here. When he let himself in on Sunday night I thought he was going to hit me again, but he seemed quite happy, pleased with himself as though he’d been clever.
‘Why did you change the locks?’ he asked conversationally, as we ate lunch.
I tensed. ‘Don’t know really,’ I said, brightly. ‘After the burglary, you know. Thought it might be safer.’
‘Were you going to give me a new key?’
‘Of course.’
He laughed, although I didn’t think it was funny.
When I got to work this morning I sent an email to Jonathan Baldwin asking for more details about the sort of person he was looking for, and later this afternoon I got a reply:
Catherine,
Good to hear back from you. Initially I’m looking for someone to help me get the NY branch established, really – ideally someone with some consultancy experience, although more importantly someone with enthusiasm and commitment who can be flexible enough to spot opportunities when they arise. I remember from years back that you seemed like the sort of person who would end up running some big organisation somewhere.
I can sort out an L1 Transfer Visa, and I also have a short lease on an apartment in the Upper East Side (nothing too spectacular, but it has a south-facing balcony which is pretty rare). At some point in the future there may be the potential for a partnership in the company if things go well.
The downside is that I need someone quickly – I’m getting calls from NY all the time with business opportunities that I’m having to turn down because of commitments in the UK, so the sooner I can get someone out there and setting up the office, the better.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Jonathan
I’m wondering if I could do it. If I could deal with it all by phone and email, talk to him while I’m at work and discuss the finer points, this might be my chance to escape. I could be out there and in New York before Lee knew anything about it. If I could go to New York on a short-term contract, even three months, then that might buy me some time to decide what to do next. I might be able to get a sabbatical from work.
I just need enough time to get away from him.