E2 - The Insurance Policy: Do Better

Mrs Nadler had long hung up. But I carried on reading through the cover changes. The earlier telephone conversation drawing a small congregation at my desk. Jones who sits on the right of me had scooted back. And Xavier, who had completed the coffee round, returned also. He being the one who, years ago, signed off on the referral. All three of us revisiting the case of the ring removed.

Xavier pulled up the document requesting the change. We (all three) looked at each other and I slowly closed the files. Jones wheeled back to his desk. Xavier, he picked up my coffee in his free hand. Shot me a wink and a tilt of his head towards the door.

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'Ooph its cold today,' I say a rush of air catching me as we step outside. I pull my multi-colour ombre heart knit cardigan* snug around me before taking my coffee. At our favourite spot, just across the way on the Thames Path he lights up my cigarette and then his. I have my first drag and its long. Eyes stayed closed that way too. Then exhaled. When I open them again. Xavier has his head cocked.

'Baby girrrl, is that a cigarette your having or something else? Because if its something else, we need to share.'

I laugh, assure him its just a cigarette and have another drag. 'Which I really shouldn't be having.'

'If we don't tell anyone, they won't know.'

He taps on his cigarette, at the same time letting the smoke out from the corner of his mouth as he usually does, then cocks it at his lip level. 'But how are you, my gorgeous?' he says. Square on.

I tell him that I am good the same time he is about to take another pull. My answer however leaves his cigarette suspended. 'Baby girrl, its me you're talking to. Do better.' His come back gives me a delightful chuckle.

'No, I'm good.' Repeating myself with the same energy.

'And that husband of yours, he been looking after you?'

'Uhmm.' I take another drag.

'It's like that is it?' You'll tell me if he's not, won't you?'

'Uhmm'

'Okay I see we're on a word count today where Mr Halvey is concerned.' Letting out his smoke. He stares at me, cigarette back to being cocked. I, instead watch his smoke curl to avoid his gaze. My cigarette cocked in the same fashion.

'Aaainyway', he starts 'Who's gonna tell Mrs Nadler about the £250K ring?'

As if my throat suddenly needed clearing, I cleared it.

'She is. Your client.'

'Yes but not my problem.'

Xav exhales, shakes his head. 'Baby girrl. Rich people don't have problems they have inconveniences.' Stubbing out his cigarette butt. And I turn on my heels and do the same.

Walking back to the office in step he gives me a squeeze. 'Lorelai Halvey, I missed you. Though I think Mrs Coombes might have missed you more. Just so you know she's called everyday for you.'

***

'Good morning, Lancaster & Lowe, Lora speaking. How can I help?'

'Lorelai, is that you?' This time I remember to look at caller ID. 'Its Mrs Coombes, here?'

'Hello Mrs Coombes.' Looking up from my phone to Xavier and the rest of my team, who immediately know.

'Yes Mrs Coombes,' yes-I, yes..' (I put my hand over the microphone mouthing) 'Who told Mrs Coombes I was sick?' 'I am. Yes thank you' (removing my hands from the speaker).

'Lorelai, I've called everyday for the last couple of weeks to no avail. All your colleagues kept saying is that I had to wait until your return.'

'You just can't get the staff these days, can you Mrs Coombes? Said with much sarcasm.

'No. Because, I have called everyday and all they'd say is that your off. No one wants to help.'

'I am here now Mrs Coombes, how can I help?' Massaging my fingers into my forehead.

'Yes, I must tell you I am very disappointed with these documents you sent out. Or rather, is it EX-aye-vee-er? ZAY-vee-er? sent me.'

'That's my colleague Zahv-vee-er, Mrs Coombes.' I look over to Zav and he makes me a heart sign with his fingers.

'Which documents are these?'

'The renewal confirmation documents.'

I quickly key in her details I now know by heart. Not because Mrs Coombes has the biggest portfolio of business with us. That's quite the opposite. But because as she says, she near calls everyday. Most times she's complaining about her husband. Well, ex husband. Her ex-husband however insures with Lancaster & Lowe and I know which story I believe. But if it wasn't her ex-husband it was her estranged family or her personal assistant. I'm not sure how I landed this account. Ah yes, it was following Jaz' leave. I got her 'C' surname clients among others and the rest of the Nadler's accounts.

'Mrs Coombes, this was over a month ago. Have you only now received them?'

I quickly go through her file and see that we sent her documents recorded. (As is her requirement.)

'Nooo, I got them there after.'

'What's the concern with the documents then, please?'

'There was a gap in the flap of the envelope. Anyone could have looked at my information.' And, she says so pointedly.

'There. Was-a-gap. In-the-flap?' Sounding out the sentence as I say it.

'Yes.' Her pitch hiked a notch too. There was a gap in the flap when the postman delivered it.'

'Is it torn?'

'No.'

'No? Mrs Coombes please explain.'

'A gap in the flap?' Jones next to me whispered to no one in particular. Except now, I could hear the rest of the team snorting and those who weren't, were sniffing.

E2 - The Insurance Policy: Do Better

'There was a keyhole gap in the envelope where someone could have inserted a tooth pick.'

'There wasn't a toothpick in it, was there?'

My colleagues were beside themselves now.

'No but someone could have.'

'I see.' I say waiting for my brain to catch up on that last bit of information. 'Mrs Coombes away from the toothpick sized 'gap in the flap', (the circus carried on behind me) did the documents appear to be tampered with?'

'No. But they could have been. Someone could have stuck one of those camera things inside the envelope and taken a look at my documents.'

Said as if I was the one being unreasonable for not seeing the clear danger of the Flap Gap.

'Tell you what Mrs Coombes going forward, as long as I'm here, I'll handle all correspondence pertaining to you. And just in case I am not here, I've now noted on your file for the documents to be thoroughly sealed.'

'And taped.'

'And taped.'

'And registered delivery.'

'Always registered delivery, Mrs Coombes.'

'And Lorelai.'

'Yes Mrs Coombes.'

'Can you try not to take leave around the time of my policy renewal.'

'Ah... Ah yes Mrs Coombes, I'll make a note for myself.

'Do better Lorelai Halvey', Zahvier teases at me from across the way once I'd hung up. And I toss my pink mini tennis ball at him.