Driven – Sandra 35

[For back story go here: Story so far at 30 Nov 2020 and more recent Sandra episodes especially this one.]

[Other back story through in-links.]

"Rob says it will be fine," Frankie was saying to Sandra over the phone. "He's checked it out and doesn't think it would break any rules."

"There's the rules and then there's the health issue," said Sandra for what she felt was the thirtieth time that morning. "This pandemic isn't going to stop just cos it Christmas. You'll note it didn't pause for Divali and they didn't even let people pretend it would be OK then."

"But he's the head of the household," preserved Frankie and ignoring the laugh of astonishment emitted by Sandra. "Father of his kids – even in lockdown we were allowed to share the kids for caring responsibility I don't see what the problem is. Anyway it's not another household it's just a camper van."

"I don't care," said Sandra in what she hope would be heard was a final voice.

"He said he could park outside and put the awning up," went on Frankie. "That would get him at least half way down the front garden and then we could all sit outside. Almost."

"Frankie..."

"And because our downstairs is all knocked through it's a big space and I can't see how any germs could possibly..."

 "None of this makes it any safer," insisted Sandra. "He's another household – he sees other people, right?"

"He's a new man, he's being faithful to me, he hasn't seen any other women since... Well, two weeks ago. He says. But I can tell if he's lying."

"I didn't mean other women, I mean he sees other people you don't. At work. In life. Generally."

Sandra's work line was going off, which, even though it was bound to be bad news, actually cheered her up a little. It was an excuse to end this interminable bubble conversation. 

"Sorry, gotta go. Do whatever and don't count me in," she shot off before disconnecting.

Switching lines she was immediately connected to David who sounded rattled, or at least there was some sort of tone in his voice which she associated with being rattled.

"You've er, cause a bit of stir," he began. "Already started to get us noticed."

Sandra smiled and felt warm inside. This had been part of her pitch, the essence of her job description - bring the company out of the shadows and make them recognised as thought leaders in the world of transport.

"Unfortunately the CEO is a bit worried about it all."

From what Sandra could gather from the highly reasonable and reasoned argument and tone of voice exhibited by David, the company's head honcho had not been consulted about the strategy of raising his business' profile. Sure he wanted his company to be successful and attract more business, who didn't? but the idea that you had to be seen and heard in order to become a household name was a little bit more challenging. He wasn't a shy man, not really, but he just didn't like coming out of his office too often to meet people and found he said much more coherent, interesting and valuable things when he thought about them for a long time, ran them past several people, rewrote them and then waited another 24 hours before saying anything.

"But that means we can't respond to immediate developments or even the current situation with regards to the Brexit deal," pointed out Sandra.

"Yes," said David simply and left it there.

"So to be clear," said Sandra, "You want me to boost the profile of this company without actually having the company say or do anything about anything, and for our leaders to be recognised as leaders without leading the way?"

"Yes," said David, simply, but a little more lingering.

"How do you expect me to do that?" asked Sandra, "In general?"

"Well," said David, "Take this Brexit no deal lorries all over the place situation."

"Yeah, scary right?" said Sandra. "We should definitely be at the forefront of that, telling everyone what might happen and what to expect."

"No, we shouldn't," said David straight-forwardly, "because we don't know what might happen or what to expect. No one does."

"So if we speculate or warn people then maybe we can get it resolved," said Sandra. "We apply pressure on behalf of the industry."

David audibly guffawed.

"...or at least it shows that we are aware of what the situation is and can help people prepare."

"Oh but that's just it," said David. "We can't. Not a question of do we want to or not, just a simple we can't."

"Right. OK," said Sandra. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Sit tight, don't say a word until it's resolved. Then we can plan what the CEO might say or whether he will say anything or indeed," said David with a chuckle, "If we can't help anyone at all."

"So I do nothing?"

"Yes," said David. “Sort of. At least nothing about this. But why not do a nice thing about Christmas instead? Last year we featured our workers who were driving home for Christmas – you know, like the song? Went down a storm in the local press."

As she hung up, Sandra was uncertain what to do next. Laugh, cry or just make sure the online Christmas shopping was done.