Chapter 10 - Business Improvement

Christine parked her car and walked around the corner of the brick office to find Imogen waiting. “Oh hello sweetie. Looks like we're off to an early start.” Imogen smiled back, “Hello Christine. Your son, Jason is it? is planning to start a business degree. I'm sure he's fortunate to have a good teacher in you.”

There was something about Imogens eyes and tone of voice that changed Christine's assessment of her. Although she didn't realise it yet she would never address Imogen as sweetie again. “I'll not lie to you Imogen. If I'm to show you the ropes you're going to have to roll up your sleeves ready for some very boring work.”

“I guess the most valuable lesson in anything is to learn how to get yourself out of a mess.”

So the process began and Christine was quickly impressed by the way that Imogen was learning as well as her enthusiasm in doing. Midday they had a half hour lunch. Imogen wolfed down her food and spent 10 minutes texting. Much to Christines relief the phone was switched off at the end of the half hour and they carried on for the rest of the day.

Christine looked around her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that a few weeks with this girl and things could start looking shipshape. The only problem was that Imogen was still studying. “Oh well time to skedaddle. Thank you for your help today Imogen, you've been a godsend.”

“I think I'll hang back and learn about the other side of the business, like your server.”

“I will have to clear that with Ro, your father first.”

Imogen smiled casually, “I'd be disappointed if you didn't”

Christine dialled and explained the situation. Roger asked for Imogen, “You sure you're not pushing too hard honey? Christine says you've done more than enough for one day. What are you going to do anyway.”

“Just a detailed look at your legal environment, occupational health, that kind of stuff.”

“All that is taken care of by by Bannor Partners”

“Yeah, I just need to understand it”

“Ok, give the phone back to Christine.” She did so and Christine gave her the keys and left.

Imogen whipped out her mobile and dialed, “What's up Daniel”

“Just as you said the projects database has been rewritten for PostgreSQL.”

“Well done and just as I said I have got you a server. My dad's a bit technophobic and whenever he is confronted with something he fears he goes at it with overkill. He has got a seriously heavy duty server here with an equally underutilised internet connection. I'll install the server software with CPanel and you can zip up your php scripts and your config files and send them to me. We can be done in a couple of hours.

By the way I would really love you to work on a filing system for the office here. Not as in NTFS or RaiserFS but as in a secretary trying to find a piece of paper. I'll have to hang at your place to take you through the fields and how its intended to be used. Ciao”