In Her Head - Collision Course

Decisions

By the time Elle got home last night she was exhausted, her mind was working on overdrive all the way home. She was running through the decisions she had to make, it seemed nothing was slowing down for her and perhaps that was why her mind had been playing tricks on her, Elle had no idea which way to turn, she wanted to take the Media Director position but she had never managed a team, she would need an open discussion with Peter and Frank but if she made this she wanted to do it on her own, not be held up by her bosses. She had a lot to think about. Elle smiled when Jennifer popped into her thoughts, Elle was so pleased she could tell her how proud she was and promised to do lunch with her in a couple of weeks. Jennifer had called just after 2.30pm that afternoon, she was so pleased to speak with Elle and they discussed what they had been up to and although there were a couple of tears it was mainly joy. Elle was so relieved when Nancy was laying dinner out on the table, she was so grateful she just hugged Nancy and couldn't even say why nor did she need to. Nancy understood, she understood better than anyone. They had dinner, Elle sorted the kids for the bath and bed, after that Elle and Nancy caught up, they sat with a tea and Elle filled her in on what happened at work that day, Nancy told Elle she deserved the promotion if she was to accept it she was sure she would excel, Elle explained her concerns and told Nancy about her conversation with Belinda. Nancy told Elle to go for it, go down that route as Belinda could be trusted. They talked till late, Nancy was pleased Elle felt better today. Nancy then went home, Elle had completely forgotten to mention the dream to Nancy, she thought she would try to tell her about it another time, she dragged herself to bed. 

Elle woke up and jumped in for a shower, she realised she forgot to do her work last night but thanked God she was an early riser as she had plenty of time to get it done while she had her coffee this morning. It took next to no time and she was pleased she was able to type fast, her mindset was that the document needed to be with Peter and the Managers by 8am, she wanted to make sure something was in place ready should anything come from the statements released yesterday. Elle fired off the emails with the possible risk attachment, and was ready for the children getting up. Elle wondered if the Director position would take time away from the children, she had to do her best to make sure they were okay and that she had plenty of time for them, the time she spent in her head was bad enough, it drained her but she always made sure the children didn't feel it. They needed their Mummy and Elle was going to make sure she was there for them, she would move mountains if she had to. Elle had made some headway in at least acknowledging she was capable of the position but she had no experience with certain things and she would need support. Elle finished her coffee and checked her phone before Emily and Michael awoke, there was a message from Peter. Elle put the news on, this is what your statements brought, I don't think anyone else could have done it. Elle was worried, she had to put the news on and see, she was getting worked up in case it was really bad.

They were in the studios debating about fair competition in the financial markets, "So John, what you're saying is that this stuff happens all the time? From what we are led to believe by the recent statements, there has been a complete undermining of essentially a financial company that hasn't even started yet, if that is the case then how can we have any faith in the ones that are already out there. The articles online yesterday were putting fear into the consumers who would potentially use that service, how is anyone allowed to get away with that? The female broadcaster stated to her male colleague. "Look, FSA have already jumped in and said that they are investigating what has gone on and that shows great leadership when they can admit something isn't quite right. Skeel Financial seem to be working with them and that should now renew faith that they will be playing by the book. We are still reeling from the financial crisis caused by the banking scandal and personally, it has given me faith, we have tried to get a statement from the FSA and Skeel Financial but as they are investigating they cannot comment further," the male broadcaster responded. "This seems to have thrown it all in a new light, we should have confidence after the complete lack of trust, I mean this argument essentially came from Skeel Financial being accused of missing the deadline for their paperwork, they were just rumours but it has opened up a series of arguments. All I can do is commend the FSA and Skeel Financial, they have also renewed my faith, but in this day and age should companies be faced with something like this? We will be taking calls from the public to hear their views at 9:30am." the female broadcaster announced to the screen.

Holy s**t! Wow, how the hell did we pull that off? We have our work cut out for us. Elle thought.

Her phone ringing pulled her out of her daze, "Hello," she answered on the 4th ring. "Elle, did you see it? They have gone off to a different subject now but it is still a headline. They want Sebastien to do an interview at noon. Will you be able to go with him?" Peter's voice boomed through the speaker, "That's fine, I will let Jeffrey know he is doing it, we need to talk to Sebastien, he's a bit of a hot head and I don't want him saying anything he shouldn't, we have too much riding on this." Elle replied. "Okay, Sebastien will be at the office by 10am, you use my office today, I am going to be doing interviews," he informed her. "Oh, okay. I will see you later, I will email if there is anything." Elle finished warily hanging up the phone.

I think I need Matt, I will give him a call when I get in. I can watch the calls from the public then and get some insight into how Skeel Financial is being perceived before we go in. Elle thought.

A message pinged on her phone, Elle you will be fine and thank you for this. It was Peter, Elle smiled. At that Elle heard the kids getting up.

And so it begins.. Elle thought, chuckling.

Elle walked in to find Stephanie sitting at her desk, Stephanie looked up smiling, "Ms Collis, there is a coffee for you in your office and if you need anything today just give me a call," Stephanie told her. Elle stood open mouthed, she couldn't even respond. Stephanie roared out with laughter, she got up and walked around the desk to Elle and walked her into the office to sit in Peter's chair. Elle shook her head and pulled herself out of her haze, "what in hell Stephanie?" She asked, Stephanie smiled, "you are Peter today, while he has to go off and do his thing, I am you today, while you do your thing," she replied. "Oh s**t!" Elle breathed out putting her head in her hands, "how the hell did this happen?" Elle groaned. Stephanie chuckled, "drink your coffee Ms Collis, you've got this!" Stephanie said. "It's still Elle!" She exclaimed, her face scrunched up, she just realised how much responsibility she had today. "Matt will be up in 20 minutes," Stephanie said, "How do you do that? I mean seriously, I never said I needed Matt but I thought it earlier," Elle said to Stephanie. Stephanie shrugged, "it's protocol, I had to help out the last Media Director for a few days, any televised interviews had him up before hand," Stephanie said, Elle looked at her in shock, "Stephanie, you are bloody amazing!" she exclaimed. Stephanie glowed and walked out of the office back to Elles desk. Elle took some deep breaths, telling herself she can do this and sent off her emails, by the time Matt arrived Elle had her kind, professional face on. Matt showed her the list of questions the broadcasting team had sent to him, he was brilliant, he had already highlighted the ones that were off the table and Elle only had one other she wanted removed from the list, Matt looked at Elle confused, "why are we removing that one Elle?" He asked her, "It is a leading question, it doesn't matter what response is given it opens it up for another question, any broadcaster worth their salt would take full advantage," she explained. "That Elle, is exactly why you are in that chair today and not me," Matt said smiling, there was no animosity or jealousy, just professional respect. "Thank you Matt, I think I needed to hear that today," Elle admitted smiling. Stephanie made copies of the list they had and she emailed the updated list to the broadcasting team stating that they wouldn't be getting into speculation about who started the rumours as there was an ongoing investigation to find out what had happened. An ongoing investigation was always a great way to refuse questions leading to an all out fallout. The desk phone started ringing as Matt and Elle were just going through responses to the questions, "Elle, I have Jeffrey Coebar on the line for you," Stephanie said through the receiver. "Okay, pop him through please," Elle said. "Hi Jeffrey," Elle said when she heard the click, "Elle, great to speak with you. I am in the interview too, Peter told me you are dealing with it today so I told them yes I would do it," Jeffrey said enthusiastically. Elle felt the beads of sweat forming on her brow, "Okay, do you want to get your Media Director to give me a call and we can go through it?" Elle asked hopefully, she knew Jeffrey and she wasn't looking forward to the response. "Well, I was thinking maybe we could come to you and go through it together, I know and trust you plus, as Sebastien and I are being interviewed together it makes sense that we are on the same page," he said sheepishly. Elle knew there was no getting out of this, now she was responsible for two. "My concern is that it will be looked at as a conflict of interest with you being the governing body but as we are working together to find out what has happened then it should be fine, Jeffrey, we can only talk about the rumours and our values going forward. We cannot discuss anything outside of that in the interview and I will tell Sebastien the same," Elle warned him. "Oh that's fantastic Elle, we have already worked up a statement pretty much saying that, I will get our newsroom to email it over and the questions the broadcasting team have proposed, we will see you in half an hour," he replied merrily. Elle put the phone down to see Matt looking at her with a questioning look on his face and Elle put her forehead on the desk. "We need to prepare a statement about the FSA Chairman coming here to prepare for the interview this afternoon, he will be here in half an hour. I think he was already on his way," Elle whined. Matt laughed, "well you are certainly making a name for yourself Elle, that is brilliant news!" Matt exclaimed. Elle looked at Matt with worry etched on her face, "look, we rarely get the opportunity to work with others we do interviews with, it is better to do that than have the normal thrashing it out through the different teams as we all work differently, this is a good thing Elle," Matt encouraged. "Okay, let's get their stuff and sort through it, so that we are all on the same page then we need to work on all replies," Elle said knowing that this was going to have to be rushed, It would only take them 10 minutes to get to the tv station as it was very close to the offices but they would need to be there at least 30 minutes before they were going on air, it was going to be live so they had their work cut out.

10am hit and Sebastien was nowhere to be seen and his assistant had no idea where he was, Elle went to Franks office, although Stephanie had contacted Belinda to give them the update, Elle just wanted a quick chat to let them know where they were at. As she walked into Franks suite (as Elle now called it), she was greeted by Belinda, "go straight in honey, don't knock, Sebastien is in there." she said, Elle didn't miss how she growled out Sebastiens name so she could imagine he was having a ding dong with Frank. Elle rolled her eyes at the thought and walked into Frank's office, "..no experience and I have to listen," she heard Sebastien bellow at Frank. "Good morning boys," Elle greeted them both making her presence known, Sebastiens head nearly flew off of his shoulders when he turned and Frank smiled, he was waiting on it coming. "Sebastien you should be in my office preparing, your assistant has no idea where you are." she stated with command, she certainly wasn't going to bow down to this condescending man. "Do you not want to do this interview?" She asked him, Sebastien was barely able to breathe he was so furious and Frank coughed to hide his laugh. "You will address me as Mr Fore, I do not need any preparation from you," he spat, Frank looked ready to kill so Elle smiled while holding her finger up in the hope of holding back Frank. "I will address you as Sebastien, you are a colleague, not a superior of mine, Mr Skeel has earned that respect from me and I will not be talked down to," she started with a smile still firmly planted on her face. "I am about to make you look like the most humble and beloved CEO of any financial company, I don't have time to stroke your ego! You will come down off your high horse and allow me to do my job, by the time I am finished you will be walking out of that interview like the best person to run Skeel Financial and future consumers will have the upmost confidence in you." Elle told him. "I got that interview off of the back of Jeffrey and Peters statements, what makes you think you have the capability of getting me through that interview," Sebastien spat again, Elle held her hand up to Frank, she raised her brow at Sebastien, "if that is how you truly feel, then by all means we can get the Managing Director to do it, I will give him a call now, Jeffrey should be here in 5 minutes for me to run him through as he will also be interviewed," Elle informed him, her brow was still raised and the smile was still there. "I will do the interview," he said through gritted teeth. Elle knew that she would get him at that, he wanted to schmooze with Jeffrey but she would have to reign him in on that. "That is fine, shall we start again?" Elle asked, "Yes," he said deflated. "Mr Fore, Elle Collis, acting Media Director for Skeel Financial," Elle introduced, putting out her hand ready for a handshake. Frank jumped up from his chair, "yes!" he shouted, punching the air above him. "Call me Sebastien and sorry," Sebastien said to her shaking her hand. "Then please call me Elle, apology accepted but Sebastien, you are capable of having the utmost respect from your team but you need to communicate with them the way that you would like to be communicated with," Elle offered. Sebastien nodded sheepishly and was ready to lead the way. "Before we go," Elle said, "We cannot discuss anything outside of the interview or finding the culprit behind the rumours and email," she warned him. "We cannot be seen to be favoured by the FSA as they are a governing body. Our collaboration is entirely due to ensuring confidence among investors and consumers along with the Security issues we are facing, nothing else shall be discussed or both the FSA and Skeel Financial will be in serious trouble. As CEO it will fall on you and you must keep that in mind. You are going to be pushed by the broadcasters today and they will insinuate all sorts, you need to remain calm and collected while dispelling any insinuations," Elle stated. Sebastien released a deep breath, he hadn't realised he would be dealing with all of that and realised he needed Elle. "Thank you Elle, I will do my best," he smiled shyly. "Let us get going, we have a lot of work ahead of us, I have snacks coming as you will both need full stomachs," Elle suggested. Sebastien has visibly relaxed, it seems once she threw the title in he had more confidence in her. 

Elle was greeted in her office by Jeffrey, "Elle, it's so good to see you. Thanks to your statement that we put out yesterday, our complaints department is mainly dealing with compliments," Jeffrey said beaming. Elle smiled giving him a cuddle, Sebastien had a look of genuine shock on his face and looked at Elle in awe, he couldn't have imagined she would come up with something like that. Elle rolled her eyes at him, Jeffrey stepped aside, "My Media Director is on annual leave so I brought my Newsroom Manager," he said holding his hand to his chest like he was a knight bringing a wonderful gift. Jennifer was red in the face at hearing the pride in her Brothers voice, Elle squealed and almost jumped on top of Jennifer, they hugged for what seemed like an eternity and Elle was glowing by the time they let go. Then they started a run through of roleplay, they focused on grilling Sebastien hard, he held his temper. Elle asked "Mr Fore, you have been known to be arrogant and hot tempered, what do you have to say about that?" He looked like he was ready to throw a punch. "Well let them believe that!" he said through gritted teeth. "Sebastien, how about trying a different tact," Elle said. "Breathe deep, explain to them that you would never knowingly come across as arrogant or let your temper get the better of you, you are passionate about what you do and if it comes off that way you apologise, you want better for consumers and you strive to make that happen," Elle suggested. Sebastien thought about it, "sounds good," he thought aloud. "Thanks Elle," he said smiling. They went through everything again then took a 20 minute break before they left, Elle was pleased they got through it quickly, to be honest they needed to help Sebastien more than Jeffrey, but, with his experience that was to be expected. The message from their answers was loud and clear, competition is needed on the financial markets that will build consumer confidence that there will be stability and protection.

After the interview, Elle was beaming. Both of them held themselves very well and the message was clear, the FSA wouldn't tolerate underhand going ons within the Financial Sector, as Governing body they were there for the consumers. Skeel Financial were working hard on bringing that about by working with the FSA and building a financial model that would bring stability and competition to the financial markets. It couldn't have gone any better. As they were leaving the tv station, Elle and Jennifer told them both that they were fantastic on the interview and that they were pleased with how it came across. Elle warned that there were to be no more interviews on this matter, the only one was to be after they had details of what had happened. The launch date for Skeel Financial was for 8 weeks time and Skeel Financial would be dealing with that side, the FSA wouldn't be giving any interviews regarding that aspect, they would distance themselves from Skeel Financial to remain impartial. Elle decided to walk back to the office, the air was crisp and Elle enjoyed that, it would only take 15 minutes to walk as there was no traffic. Elle called Stephanie to let her know and started on her journey smiling.

I think I might have just taken the Directors position, but Elle wasn't as scared as she thought she would be. She managed this today and made both of them look like Gods with the way the interviewer was fawning over them at the end. She batted around in her head, by talking in the 3rd person she seemed to be coping with it better.

Elle walked to Peters office and Stephanie was still at Elles desk, "I thought you would have gone back once this interview was done," She said to her. "Oh no, this is a whole day thing. You're the boss," Stephanie said smiling. Elle giggled, this would take some getting used to. "Well in that case, have you had lunch?" Elle asked her, "yes I took a lunch break while you were out," Stephanie smiled. Elle smiled at her and walked into the office pulling out the salad from her bag, she bought it on the way back along with a Kale smoothie. She ate in silence while checking her emails, she put together a couple of responses to what may come from the interview today and sent them off to Matt for distribution to the team. Elle was putting together a list of who Skeel Financial will need to liaise with over the coming weeks and prepared a statement for their launch, it was better to do it now then it can be looked at closer to the time, the message would remain the same but preparation here was definitely the key. There was a knock at the door, "come in," she called. Peter walked in holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses, It looked ridiculously refreshing with the condensation that had formed on the bottle, the drips looked very appealing running from the very bronzed hand that had disturbed them. Elle snapped out of it, "what is this?" she asked. "Considering how today was such a huge success, I watched it by the way, and the acceptance of the promotion, I thought we should celebrate," he stated grinning. Elle smiled, "Let me log off and I will give you your desk back," she said. "No, Elle, this is now your office, I am going to take the office next door, Skeel Financial need you and I cannot do it all on my own, besides this office will be good for when you give Sebastien what for, the other offices shouldn't hear you from here," he chuckled. Elle gasped, this was a lot, then she heard the popping of the cork. It seemed there was no room for argument so she broached the subjects that had been running through her head all afternoon. "Peter, how would your Mum feel if I ask for Stephanie?" She asked, Peter chuckled saying, "because it's you I think it would be fine," Elle raised her brow, "Mum adores you and what you have done for us," he responded to her questioning brow. "I have never managed a team and I am worried I will fail," she admitted to Peter. "Elle, you do realise that you have held this team together?" He said questioningly, "It's one thing to be a friend / colleague, but another to lead them, I would no doubt struggle," She tried to explain. "Elle you have done it all day, Matt has caught up with me already, he said you were inspirational in the way you were handling things and even him. Dad told me how you dealt with Sebastien and that is no easy feat, Sebastien even apologised to my Dad," he told her. "Why do you doubt your ability so much?" He asked her softly, Elle couldn't explain that to him so she remained silent. Peter poured them each a glass of champagne and took a seat on the opposite side of the desk to Elle handing her a glass. "You are more than capable of doing this Elle," he assured her. She smiled, "how would you feel if I asked for Matt?" She asked him, Peter coughed and choked on his champagne. "Elle, I know he would say yes after talking to him today," he gasped out. Elle handed him a tissue laughing, "I may be good at what I do but I definitely need experience around me with people I can trust," she explained taking a sip of her champagne, "Okay but you ask him and you do the interviews for the rest of your team this week," he bargained. Elle groaned, "okay but you have to shortlist them based on experience," she said, Peter laughed and nodded his head, Elle was one hell of a woman to bargain with. Within 20 minutes, Frank, Belinda, Matt and Stephanie walked in bringing glasses of their own. Elle looked at Peter questioningly, "I got Stephanie to set it up on my way in," he explained. Elle smiled and accepted their congratulations, Elle felt safe here surrounded by them, she truly felt at home. By the end of it everyone had agreed, Stephanie and Matt would be joining Elles team. Matt was offered a Newsroom Director title with a few more responsibilities and Stephanie was promoted to Executive Assistant. Elle was happy at this and told Matt his first challenge was to do the interviews with Elle, Peter spat his champagne out and laughed when he heard that, he then walked over to clap his hand on Matts shoulder. Matt wasn't displeased, he would gain experience from it. Sebastien walked in with his own glass, he explained he was busy trying to get things in place for the launch date but he got here as soon as he could. Elle was pleased he seemed to be a little over himself but she did have a few concerns about butting heads with him in the future.

Elle was looking forward to the future, finally but that dream was niggling at the back of her mind. She would talk to Nancy about it and see where she goes from there.