Love In The Spotlight

Chapter 3-2

‘Let me at the jerk!’ Wendy banged the till drawer so hard the whole thing shook.

‘Get in the queue,’ quipped Elizabeth as she slipped off her shoes, letting her feet sink into the plush carpet. Now the store was closed, she felt the stress ebbing out of her body.

‘I can’t believe they’re moving you!’ Wendy pulled Elizabeth into a fierce hug. ‘I’m going to miss you so much.’

‘We’ll still see each other,’ came Elizabeth’s muffled response.

‘But it won’t be the same,’ wailed Wendy. ‘Can’t we complain? Go to the union?’

Gently, Elizabeth extricated herself. ‘We’re not in a union.’

‘There must be something we can do.’ Wendy’s eyes brightened. ‘I could start a petition – “keep Elizabeth Ryan as head of women’s lingerie”.’

Elizabeth pursed her lips. ‘What Damon said is complete nonsense. We’ve taken thousands today.’

‘And it’s all down to you,’ Wendy cut in. ‘The customers love you, you’re brilliant at your job and you’re so good at dressing the window. The management must be crazy.’

Elizabeth gazed wistfully at the mannequins on show in different poses. She’d created a festive scene which included fake snow, a towering artificial Christmas tree complete with angel and baubles, polystyrene reindeers and glittery hanging stars. Some of the mannequins were swathed in warm winter pyjamas, complete with slipper boots and fluffy dressing gowns and the others she’d dressed in sexy negligees and risqué underwear. There was something for every discernible customer; shoppers frequently slowed down to admire her creations before nipping into the store to make their purchases.

‘They don’t have a window in Homeware.’ Elizabeth’s voice had a plaintive tone to it.

‘Jesus, no! It’s in the basement, isn’t it?’ Wendy clenched her fists. ‘That bastard’s done this on purpose. He knows how happy you are here and what a good working relationship we have. Now I’m going to have to work with a know-it-all graduate who’ll probably turn this department into a replica of Ann Summers.’

‘That might not be so bad.’ Elizabeth winked to lighten the tension.

‘Are you kidding? If this Sabrina has her way, we’ll be selling vibrators, butt plugs and furry handcuffs. I mean, I’m no prude, but we’ve always been classy and upmarket. We’ve never sold tat.’

‘Well, there’s nothing we can do,’ Elizabeth sighed. ‘The decision’s been made and if I… we want to keep our jobs. then we’ll have to tow the line.’

‘It’s so crap, though!’ Wendy swiped at her runny nose. ‘And poor you, having to work with Jane Bates. How will you cope?’

Elizabeth took a deep breath. ‘I will meditate each morning and go to my happy place whenever she’s around.’

Wendy snorted with laughter. ‘I’d be making a voodoo doll of her and sticking pins in it if I worked with the cow.’

It was at that precise moment that Jane Bates walked around the corner. Elizabeth nudged Wendy, telling her to shush.

‘I hear you’re going to be working for me, Liz?’ Jane said, with a sniff and a distinct superior sneer on her face. ‘Won’t that be fun!’

‘Looking forward to it,’ Elizabeth said, with an overly sweet smile. Her façade was one of calm indifference, but her insides were shuddering at the prospect of having to report to Jane Bates. Life at Blooms department store would never by the same again. A sense of foreboding settled over Elizabeth like a heavy, depressing cloak.

‘See you at the party,’ Jane trilled, with a wave of her perfectly manicured hand.

‘That woman could curdle milk.’ Wendy rubbed Elizabeth’s arm in a gesture of solidarity. ‘I hope this doesn’t spoil your Christmas.’

‘Of course it won’t.’ Elizabeth took the key out of the till and surveyed the remaining merchandise. ‘We’ve sold most of the stock in one day. Come on, let’s go show our faces at this staff party and then we can get off home.’

‘Hallelujah!’ Wendy raised her arms heavenwards. ‘As it’s Christmas Eve, I’m planning on ordering a takeaway later and drinking vast amounts of wine. Who cares if I burn the turkey tomorrow?’

The lights flickered off as they walked across the store towards the elevator. Wendy chattered away, telling Elizabeth about the presents she’d bought her kids. Her happiness and enthusiasm brought a lump to Elizabeth’s throat. She’d been exactly the same with her own three children, but now they were all grown-up, independent adults and with Martin gone, the magic of Christmas had vanished. To Elizabeth, it was just another day. A reminder of loss and loneliness, but this year she was determined to at least try to be happy and when she finally got home, she’d start by digging out the box labelled Christmas and decorate her flat.