Now
Annie had a migraine for the fourth day running, and it was showing no signs of stopping.
She knew what she needed to do, but she couldn’t take the time off required to deal with it. Creditors were calling about their unpaid invoices. The end of the month was quickly approaching and there were more and more people looking to get paid. Then there were the usual bills, not to mention her own personal expenses to consider.
‘I know we owe you – I just need a little time to sort things out,’ she recited to yet another supplier on the other end of the line.
She was getting so used to uttering those words, they were becoming her own painful prose.
‘Annie, I have bills of my own to pay and when I don’t pay, I don’t get the stock,’ John Butler, her supplier, pointed out. ‘So why should you?’
She sighed. ‘I know. I just need a little time, John,’ she repeated. ‘Please don’t cut me off. I know my cash flow problems are not your problems, but I’m asking you to just give me a little more time and I promise that I’ll get it sorted.’
I’ve already given you ample time. If you don’t pay the outstanding balances within seven days, I’ll hand this matter over to a collection agency. Frank fobbed me off enough times already, so I don’t have much confidence in your promises, either.’
‘But I didn’t know about the backlog. I assure you if I had known I would’ve made sure you were paid long ago. I only just found out that there were some delays and I’m trying to rectify that,’ Annie explained. She closed her eyes and massaged her temple.
‘What kind of owner doesn’t know what’s going on with their own business?’ John asked.
His question caused her eyes to snap open. ‘The kind who trusts too easily,’ she answered bitterly.
‘Where’s Frank?’
‘He’s gone,’ Annie answered.And with him most of my company’s money and life savings.
‘Can you please give me a little more time?’ she implored. ‘I promise I’ll sort this out.’
Annie hated the sound of her own voice saying those words. She was begging. She didn’t beg, but what choice did she have? If she could keep the creditors at bay just a little while longer, there was a chance she could come up with some kind of plan. If she couldn’t, her livelihood and everything she’d worked for was over.
‘OK, one last chance, Annie.’
The words were music to her ears.
‘That’s great. I owe you one,’ she answered in relief. ‘And I will send some money to you this month. I don’t know how much yet, but it will be something. I promise.’
She hung up the phone and dropped her head on her desk.
She couldn’t bask in that small triumph just yet. There were several more people she needed to call, including the bank. She was definitely going to need another business loan, though at this point she wasn’t sure the bank would give it to her.
She needed another coffee. And something for her migraine, too.
Putting on her best game face, Annie headed out onto the salon floor.
‘Hello, ladies,’ she greeted cheerfully. The stylists and customers alike all smiled in return.
‘Oh, Annie, there you are – do you have a minute?’ Lauren Hennessy, one of her best regulars, called out as she passed the waiting area.
Since day one, Lauren had been coming to #GlamSquad for her weekly wash and curly blow dry, or colour treatment and trim, and had even followed her when she moved premises.
The jackhammer in Annie’s head seemed to get even louder, but still she flashed Lauren a game smile. ‘’Course, Lauren. How are you?’
‘Privately?’
Annie tried to quiet the discomfort she felt.
What now?
‘OK, why don’t you come back to my office?’ She turned to reception. ‘Amanda, hold Lauren’s appointment for a bit. And be a star and get us both a cuppa. Tea or coffee?’ she asked her customer.
