Speeding by Gail Oswald
| Claire loved her job and, with a company car, reserved parking space, fair salary and generous bonuses, she enjoyed every day. Her clients loved her and she spent 75% of her time on the road promoting the company’s hardware products. Then one Monday, everything started to go wrong. Claire had only been at her desk for an hour when her boss, Tony, called her into his office. He didn’t beat about the bush. “You have a problem. Explain these!” He handed her a letter from the car leasing company along with two speeding tickets dated three weeks earlier. “That’s impossible! I don’t drive fast. I’m too timid!” “Well here is the evidence that that is obviously not true. One more speeding ticket and you’re fired as you won’t be able to do your job. Take this as a final warning!” Claire dashed out of the office and straight to the ladies where she burst into tears. What a nightmare! She looked at the speeding details. Both were on Friday three weeks ago. Both were on the same stretch of road just half a mile from the office and both happened during a half hour period. Hang on, she thought. I was working in the office on that Friday. It can’t have been me! I didn’t go out at all that day! But she had the evidence in front of her. If it wasn’t her, then it could only have been Tom, her boyfriend. She was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for Tom when he got home. Stay calm, she told herself. “What’s up, Hun?“ “Did you come to my office to borrow my car three weeks ago, Tom?“ “No, of course not. Why on earth would I do that?“ “Don’t lie to me, Tom. You got me two speeding tickets that day.“ She could feel the anger rising inside her. “This could cost me my job!“ She burst into tears. “Claire, listen to me! I have never been to your office to borrow your car. Ever. I would never use it without asking you first. Honest.“ “Well it didn’t drive itself through the speed trap, did it?“ She spat back at him. “And you’re the only one with the spare key!“ “Claire, calm down. Let’s think about this logically. Have they sent you photos?“ “Yes! You can’t mistake it’s my car. There’s not many bright blue minis around and the number plate is as clear as day.“ The row continued with Tom constantly denying his involvement. He slept on the sofa that night.The atmosphere between them that week deteriorated and by Friday, they were no longer talking. Claire continued to do the job she loved but spent every spare second of the day trying to prove her innocence, but to no avail. She told no one about her problems. Two weeks later, Tony called her into his office again. “I’m sorry Claire,“ There are another three speeding tickets. That’s an automatic disqualification.“ “Stop! This can’t be right!“ “Claire. Your contract of employment states that you must have a clean driving licence. I’ve already bent the rules after last time by giving you a final warning but a disqualification means instant dismissal I’m afraid. I’ve spoken to HR and they say there is no alternative. I’m so sorry.“ “But I’m your best salesperson…“ “I know. But rules is rules and, in any case, we have the photo evidence. You’d better pack up your stuff and go home. Leave the car here and let me have the spare key as soon as you can.“ Once again, Claire was waiting for Tom at home that night. She flew at him in a rage. “I’ve been banned“ she screamed at him. “I’ve lost my job! And it’s all because of you!“ Tom didn’t bother to argue. He just packed his bags and walked out. Things only got worse for Claire. Without an income she couldn’t afford the rent and had to move back home with her parents. She’d lost her job, the man she loved and her home, all because of a driving ban. Back at the office, a new Field Sales Manager, Jeff, was quickly appointed and he was allocated Claire’s car. A few Friday’s later, a young lad called Richie, on the telesales team, took his usual coffee break at 11 o’clock. He dashed down to the car park, blipped his electronic device to get access to a car. That day, the device opened Claire’s old car so he got in and started it. He quickly drove to his elderly mother's house, collected the prescription the doctor had left her, drove to the pharmacy, collected the medication returned to her house and then back to the office. He parked the car in the space where he’d found it and went back to work, just in time for the end of his break. Three weeks later, Jeff was called into Tony’s office. He had two speeding tickets! The nightmare was starting again. |
