FAZER LOGINOn Monday morning, Nadia arrived at work to find an email waiting for her.The subject line read: NEXT OUTREACH PROGRAMME — STAFF ASSIGNMENTS.She opened it, expecting the usual schedule.Instead, she found her name beside a new responsibility.Assistant Field Coordinator.Nadia read the line again.Then she checked the email address to make sure it had actually come from Mrs. Bennett.It had.She got up and walked straight to her office.Mrs. Bennett was speaking to another staff member when Nadia appeared at the door. She finished the conversation before turning to her."Good morning, Nadia.""Good morning, ma'am. I saw the schedule.""And?"Nadia held up her phone. "Is this correct?"Mrs. Bennett glanced at the screen."Yes.""Assistant Field Coordinator?""That's what it says."Nadia gave her a look.Mrs. Bennett laughed. "Come in and sit down."Nadia entered, still looking slightly bewildered."Your last assignment went well," Mrs. Bennett explained. "You noticed problems, sugges
By Thursday afternoon, Adrian had discovered that his father could be reasonable when he wanted to be.Unfortunately, Graham also had a talent for ruining the moment."The review firm has agreed to reduce its fee," Adrian told him over the phone. "They've also confirmed they can deliver the preliminary findings within ten working days.""Good. Ask them to send the revised proposal.""I already have it. I'm forwarding it to you now.""Fine."Adrian waited.His father said nothing else."Is that all?" Adrian asked."What else is there?""I don't know. Usually, you have something to say about how I'm handling things."Graham exhaled. "Would you prefer that I find something to criticise?""No. I'm just surprised.""Then get used to being surprised."The call ended.Adrian stared at his phone, then shook his head.He had no idea whether things between them were improving or whether they were simply too busy to argue properly.Either way, he had work to finish.He opened the revised proposa
By Wednesday morning, Nadia had packed and unpacked her bag twice.The first time, she'd forgotten her charger. The second time, she'd somehow packed two notebooks and no toothbrush.Now she stood beside her bed, staring at the open bag."You're going for two days, not two months," Sophia said from the doorway.Nadia turned. "Did you come here to help or to annoy me?""Both.""Wonderful. Close the door on your way out."Sophia walked into the room instead."Are you taking your new boyfriend's picture with you?"Nadia threw a folded T-shirt at her.Sophia dodged it, laughing."I'm just asking! Maybe you'll miss him.""Please, I have work to do.""That's not a no."Nadia pointed towards the door.Sophia left, still laughing, and called, "Don't forget to bring me something!""Bring yourself some sense!"Her sister's laughter travelled down the corridor.Nadia shook her head, checked her bag one final time and zipped it.Her first overnight assignment. She was excited, but the nerves were
Adrian found the first problem on page seventeen.He read the paragraph twice, checked the figures in the attached report, then called his assistant."Olivia, did my father send these documents himself?""Yes, sir. They arrived this morning.""Did he say anything about the regional office review?""Only that you should go through everything before Thursday's board meeting."Adrian looked down at the papers again."All right. Thank you."He ended the call and leaned back in his chair.The proposal wasn't unreasonable. His father wanted to transfer some of his shares into a family trust, reduce his daily involvement in the company and appoint Adrian to oversee more of the operations.What bothered him was the timing.The regional office in Abuja had been underperforming for months. Its expenses had increased, sales had fallen, and the management team kept submitting reports that explained very little. Adrian had requested a proper review before making any major decisions.Yet the docume
By Tuesday afternoon, Nadia had learnt two things about her new job.First, the printer really was determined to ruin somebody's life.Second, Daniel, her colleague, had a remarkable ability to disappear whenever there was work nobody wanted to do."Where's Daniel?" Mrs Bennett asked, looking around the office.Nadia didn't look up from her computer. "He went to get the files from the storeroom.""When?""About forty minutes ago."Mrs Bennett sighed. "Of course he did."Nadia pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh."Can you finish the summary for the Ikorodu outreach before you leave today?""Yes, ma'am.""And don't let Daniel convince you to do his part as well."Nadia looked up. "Has he been doing that?"Mrs Bennett gave her a long look."You're new here. You'll learn."She walked away.Nadia shook her head and returned to the spreadsheet.She was tired, but she liked the work. The reports were untidy, the deadlines were tight, and there was always somebody asking for inform
Nadia changed her mind about the shoes three times.Not because she was trying to impress Adrian's father. She simply didn't know what sort of visit she was walking into, and somehow the wrong shoes seemed capable of making everything worse.Sophia watched from the doorway."You're going to see his father, not attend a court hearing."Nadia looked at her reflection. "I'm aware.""Then why have you been standing there for half an hour?""Because I have a sister who won't mind her business."Sophia grinned. "I can leave, if you want.""Please do.""Fine. But if you come back crying, I'm asking questions."Nadia threw a scarf at her.Sophia ducked and disappeared down the corridor, laughing.By the time Adrian arrived, Nadia had settled on a simple outfit and a neatly arranged hijab. She picked up her handbag and said goodbye to Victoria, who was in the sitting room."Call me when you get there," Victoria said."I will.""And Nadia?"She turned."You're allowed to leave if you feel uncom







