Delegating

He was still smarting from her remarks about working away from home. But it was his responsibility and as second in the sales team he had to conclude this contract. He had suggested delegating the work but his boss said it was too late in the day for that, the rest of the team had kids and it was a bank holiday weekend. Not that he'd used that argument with her or even mentioned kids.

He wondered what had happened to his bosses oft refrain for him to delegate more and worry less! Who would have gone if he had called in genuinely sick? He suspected the answer to that question would have been a big Nobody. His own loss of holiday would soon be forgotten, at work and at home.

Anyway he was here now, his briefcase primed, the laptop tucked away, and a bottle of duty free for his agent. He'd buy some perfume and a bottle of vodka coming home, perhaps that would cheer her up.

People had begun moving and he followed. He showed his ticket and passport, then went down the stairs and out into the cold night air to board the transfer bus. It was a thin crowd with seats for all. The bus was quiet; people seemed wrapped up in their own thoughts, perhaps like him they were struggling with relationships and employment.

The bus doors closed and they started forward, for a while he watched the receding air terminal then looked ahead to where they were going. When the bus suddenly turned onto the main runway, accelerated and took off into the blackness he knew he'd been right, he should have delegated….