This seems familiar

Arthur's cubicle used to be near the watercooler, but the bosses tired of having to chat wtih him each time they got thirsty. So the watercooler stayed and he was moved. Now his desk is in a distant corner, as far from the locus of power as possible but nearer the cupboard of pens, which is a consolation.

The Imperfectionists, Tom Rachman

I think he's sat next to me on the bus before

The man wore a smart black suit over a black shirt and a latex mask of a red fox. The fox's wide smile was hungry, the eyes that glinted from its head an unnatural green that made me think of the damage a broken beer bottle can do.

The Bullet Trick, Louise Welsh

A nice Tory lady

"Sally had a lot of blonde hair in expensive confusion and a lot of clicking, rattling, sliding jewellery"

The Line of Beauty. Alan Hollinghurst