Calling Miss Jones back

The next morning as soon as Helen had left for work, I called Miss Jones back to apologise. It was immediately obvious that she was not happy

"John, your behaviour on the call yesterday was very unprofessional"

I apologised sincerely and tried to explain it away with some excuse I have come up with last night for my laboured breathing and terminating the call. She listen and then after I had rambled on for a couple of minutes dropped the bombshell

"John your microphone is very good. We could all hear her say 'I would go on mute if I were you, ****'" her emphasis on the last word. My heart dropped "We could also hear you click to go on mute and then come back on in obvious pain. I do not expect my suppliers to be acting out some submissive fantasy whilst they are on a call to me!"

Now I was profusely apologising. Miss Jones was not my biggest client, but she was important, and even more importantly I could not afford for this to get out and my reputation be tarnished. I was sweating, anxious that my reputation was ruined.

"I think you had better come and see me to apologise don't you?'

"Anything, Of course" I rambled. A time was set for the following week. Now I knew I was in trouble.