The Fifteen Minute Novel is an attempt to take a single prompt and use the last sentence written each day as a start for the next day. This year I had several prompts circling around a similar story, so I have combined them. However, the story starts the same way each day, with the last line from the day before and a timer set for fifteen minutes. The hope is to end up with a complete, if very rough draft by the end of the year. Some stories are better than others, but I always learn a whole lot about my own writing when I do this so for me it is not only a nice way to work out a story, but it is a tool for helping my writing get better. And so, we continue this story for 2024 with…
Day 82: Hoping that she could leave a message or catch him before he left for his own lunch, Sophie dialed the number.
Hoping that she could leave a message or catch him before he left for his own lunch, Sophie dialed the number. The phone rang and she tried to set aside the feeling that she was doing something illicit. ‘Its not like I am cheating on my jpb with a second job,’ she thought, even though it sort of felt that way.
‘It’s just because I am used to keeping them both separate.’
“The phone was answered and Sophie gave her information to the receptionist along with a mention that Janine passed the number along. She didn’t know if the reference would help Janine or make them more inclined to talk to her, but hoped for at least one.
“Oh, let me see if Jim is still in,” the receptionist said. There was a click and some hold music, but the music didn’t last long.
“This is Jim speaking.”
“Hi,” Sophie said. “I’m Sophie Daniels,” she said. “My friend Janine gave me your number. I have started a sideline sewing business and it has now reached the point where it is making money so I need to sort things out. Officially speaking.”
“Ah yes,” Jim said. “I spoke with her a little while ago and she said you might be calling. Is there a time you would like to schedule to meet and go over your paperwork?” After a little more conversation, they settled on a Saturday meeting time and Sophie marked down the details, relieved that the appointment was set.
‘Hopefully soon to sort out what I owe the government to follow.’
Shortly after she ended her call, Sophie heard the others return from their foray out and gather in Mr. Ever’s office. Having set her accountancy plans in motion, Sophie took out her packed lunch and opened the box with her sandwich.
She ate quickly and tidied up, soon getting back to work. It was shortly after that she begin working that her phone rang. ‘At least I finished lunch,’ she thought. Sophie slipped out her ear bud and picked up the phone.
“Havers, Ltd, this is Sophia speaking how may I help you,” she said into the receiver.
“Sophia, this is Elizabeth. If I could have you come up to my office for a moment please I would appreciate it. We are starting to look at the reorganization and I want to go over a few things with you.”
“Of course,” Sophie said. The call ended and Sophie locked down her computer. She then locked her files away and picked up a steno pad and pen to take with her in case notes were needed. She left her cubicle and as she was rounding the corner, the lunch group in Mr. Evers office broke up. Kristen favored her with a dark look and the others more or less ignored her.
Sophie shrugged it off and walked to the elevator. She was aware that Kristen at least stopped to watch her as she pressed the button. Sophie glanced over and found that all three, Kristen, Ryan and Carrie were looking towards her.
The elevator dinged and Sophie got inside heading up to the upper floor. She got out and the pleasant secretary sent her off to Elizabeth’s office.
“Sophie, thanks for coming up,” Elizabeth said as Sophie entered.
Ten til Midnight 