Read Online More Than Meets the Eye by J. M. Gregson - Free Book Online Page A

“fucking coon”. I should not have done that.’
    He looked up to see Cooper’s reaction, but the curator gave him no relief. Cooper’s face was set in stone. He studied his man as dispassionately as if he had been a specimen under a microscope. Eventually he said, ‘Can you repeat for me the full sentence you used?’
    Hugo swallowed. ‘Yes. I believe I said, “For God’s sake move your arse, you fucking coon!”’
    Cooper nodded coolly. ‘That tallies with what I have heard from others.’ He leaned forward, earnest and unsmiling. ‘You’re not stupid enough to think you can get away with this sort of thing.’ It was a statement, not a question.
    â€˜I was stupid enough to say it.’
    â€˜True. I find that disturbing. You’d better give me a full account of any extenuating circumstances. I know at least one complainant has sent a copy of his letter to me to the Chairman of the National Trust. I may have to account for my decision to him. Perhaps to Prince Charles, if news of the incident reaches him as our president.’
    â€˜You’re really training the big guns on me, aren’t you?’
    â€˜You trained them upon yourself, Hugo, when you used those stupid words.’
    At least they were back to ‘Hugo’. And Cooper seemed to be admitting he’d been no more than stupid. ‘I appreciate that. I’ve already said I was stupid. But you don’t think of the repercussions when you shout something in a red mist of fury.’
    â€˜But you should do, Hugo. In most respects, you have easier conditions here than in your previous post. As you’ve pointed out yourself on occasions, you don’t often operate far into the night and the standard of cuisine expected is not as high as Michelin three star. But you are working in a more public context than you have ever done before. When you took employment with the National Trust, you accepted that. You should have realized that a lapse like this could have far-reaching consequences.’
    Hugo Wilkinson was suddenly sick of the man and his scoldings. He’d taken a step down professionally when he came here. He could get other jobs, if he needed to. ‘Look, Dennis, if you’re going to sack me, stop pissing about and get it done. I won’t be short of offers, if you want me out of here.’
    â€˜You might not find the offers you anticipate. Prospective employers are sure to ring me up to find out why you left here. Are you in fact saying that you wish me to terminate your employment here?’
    There was a long pause, whilst Hugo strove to control his anger. His palms felt very damp. ‘No. I’m happy here. I can do the job and it suits me. You haven’t had any complaints about the quality of the food or the way I run my kitchen.’
    â€˜No. But you’re sitting in that chair today because of your own actions, not anyone else’s. And you shouldn’t have any illusions about this. It is a more serious complaint than someone finding your steak isn’t tender or your broccoli is overcooked.’
    â€˜We were three short on staff, on a day when we served more meals than any other day so far this year. Shoab Junaid was very slow when we needed speed. Everyone else was operating at maximum capacity and he was holding things up. I’d already told him twice to get a move on. What I said was over the top, but I was under extreme pressure.’
    â€˜It was racialist, Hugo. You might get away with obscenities under the stress of that situation, but not racialism.’
    â€˜I know that. I know the law. I’ve already admitted I was stupid.’
    â€˜The question any barrister would ask in court is what this says about you. Did you reveal the real Hugo Wilkinson in a moment of stress? Is the racialist in you concealed only by a thin cloth of courtesy which is ripped apart by a bit of pressure?’
    Hugo knew what he