Read Invincible Summer for Free Online Page B

out to the small man shooting a filthy look at him from across the aisle. Ignoring this, he continued, ‘You presumably already met our boss Robert in the interview. He’s not in yet. As you may be able to tell from my, ahem, beleaguered demeanour, we had a heavy night at the Rhino with Icap last night and my best guess is that he’s still balls-deep in a stripper. So I suppose that leaves me to do your induction.’ He ran a hand across his oily brow and took another swig of coffee. ‘Do you want the HR-approved version, or the unvarnished truth?’
    Eva eyed him with trepidation. ‘I guess I’d better have the truth.’
    ‘Right answer. See, I’m a good guy who’s been around for a long time and probably the only one here who’s going to tell you the things you really need to know. The first rule is: do not shag the traders. It’s almost a sport to see who can sleep with the female jubs, that’s what you are, right, the desk junior, but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s going to lead to the blossoming of great romance because it’s not. That includes Robert too, by the way. He’s bound to have a pop at you sooner or later. Be firm but civil and he’ll respect you for it. There’s no such thing as sleeping your way to the top here. Only money talks in this place.’
    ‘I’ll do my best to restrain myself,’ said Eva drily.
    ‘What else? Aside from that, Robert’s a great boss because he’s a mercenary, a total fucking pirate, and he knows how to corner a decent share of the pie for his team come bonus time. He got so pissed off about his last bonus that he threw his toys out the pram and they added an extra half a million onto it. Can you believe that? An extra half a million. That’s sterling, not dollars, mind.’ Big Paul’s eyes held a distant, wondering look for a moment, then refocused on her with a shrewder glint. ‘Still, don’t go getting any ideas. You’re not going to be wearing Prada and turning left when you board a plane for a while yet. For the next couple of years you’ll work yourself into the ground, thank the Lord for every day you don’t get fired and feel pathetically grateful for whatever crumbs you get thrown from the bonus pool. Though obviously however big your bonus is, you should always act like you’re pissed off because you were expecting more,’ he added.
    ‘Right. Because other people take you at your own valuation?’
    ‘Exactly. Value yourself highly and fight your own corner, because no one else is going to do it for you. Now, what else do you need to know?’
    ‘Well, it would probably help if you talked me through the desk’s trading books?’
    ‘Yeah. But that’s not going to happen till I’ve had at least another three cups of coffee. Did they send you on the Capital Markets course yet?’
    ‘Yes, a month ago.’
    ‘Where did you come?’
    ‘In my group? Top.’ Eva delivered this information blandly, secretly gleeful but figuring it was even more impressive to appear casual about it.
    ‘Ah, brains as well as beauty. Good. But that’s not all it takes to do well in this game. It helps of course, but it’s about relationships too. You won’t be in front of clients for a while, but you’re going to want to put yourself about the market a bit, get to know the brokers. They take us out a couple of times a week, all top-notch places.’ He peered at her again through bloodshot eyes. ‘Nobu and Chinawhites will probably be more up your street than the Premier League and SophistiCats. Brokers have vast expense accounts to lavish on us because they want our business, so don’t hold back. But remember, they may act like your new best friend but you’re not their only client and they’d sell their grandmothers for a chunk of commission, so don’t drink too much and be indiscreet. That’s rule number two: brokers are not your friends.’
    Eva stifled a sigh. She was well aware that the City was more geared towards barely-suppressed