Liz lazily turned in her chair, eyes taking in the open plan office – she’d always enjoyed people-watching. She enjoyed noticing the various personalities that shone through in people’s work, some quiet and reserved with headphones plugged in their ears, others loud, their laugh booming through the office. The door to one of the large meeting rooms opened, and a few words drifted out.
“As usual, such a pleasure doing business with you, I think our clients will be *very* happy with the renegociated contract, Greg.”
After a few handshakes, two men dressed in sharp suits walked out, heading towards reception with smiles on their faces. A few seconds later, Greg, one of the lead Programme Managers, stepped out and called out a single word before disappearing back into the room.
“Liz!”
The tension was evident in his voice – he was furious. *Stressed, rather*, thought Liz, *so that’s where I come in.* She stood up and quickly stepped across the floor to the meeting room, shutting the door behind her. She turned around to face Greg, leaning against the meeting room table, arms crossed, his brow furrowed with tightly knit eyebrows. She tilted her head up and stood with her feet shoulder width apart, her hands clasped behind her back.