‘Oh fuck.’ Even though I’ve got my hat on, I’m doing the head rubbing thing myself now. I take a huge breath to fully inflate my lungs because if I don’t I might just crumple in a heap on the floor. ‘So what the hell’s going on?’
Rob lets out a long whistle. ‘On the up side, I’m not shagging my way around Islington. But I’d rather not be the one to break it to you why I’m doing what I am. I’m afraid it’s not the best news for you or Fliss.’
‘Whatever it is, I’ll find out soon.’ If I was feeling deflated before, this flattens me. I edge my bum onto a spare swivel chair and lock my fingers around the seat edge. ‘Go on, I’m sitting down, tell me …’
Rob’s nostrils flare. ‘It’s all confidential, the official emails aren’t going out until after Christmas … and I got it from someone at the squash club who found out by accident, so please don’t pass this on …’
I’m beside myself now. ‘ButWHAT…?’
‘Danielsare closing their doors at the beginning of January, straight after the Christmas sales. They’ve sold the site, and they aren’t opening up anywhere else.’
OH FUCK!!!I mean to say the words, but nothing comes out because my insides have dematerialised. For a moment the room spins, then I think I’m going to be sick. Then that passes, and I start to shake. And what Milo said that day in the pub is suddenly making sense – it wasn’t bollocks after all. Eventually I croak a whisper. ‘So iseveryonelosing their jobs?’
Rob’s expression is pained. ‘I’m afraid they are.’ From the way he’s hugging himself and hanging onto his own arms he’s as stressed about this as I am. ‘They’ll be paying redundancy, but with High Street retail in crisis and so many lay offs from other stores, no one’s going to walk into a new job, especially not someone in Fliss’s position.’
As a returning mum with baby brain she’ll struggle to get herself to an interview, let alone answer the questions. I’m also thinking of how humungous the rent is for my flat, the payments on my car, the gas, the electricity, Merwyn’s treats. I spend every penny I earn. But even my cupcake bill is huge if there’s no money coming in.
I dig really deep and find a tiny voice. ‘I’m sorry for misjudging you so badly, Rob. And sorry for you and Fliss too.’
He shrugs. ‘No hard feelings at all. But this was me, trying to get my hands on all the cash I could for when we need it later. I was lucky, they offered me a rush contract and loads of overtime, so I grabbed it. I just wish there was a happier ending for you and Fliss.’
I nod. ‘If it makes sense, I think Fliss will just be very happy you’re not about to walk out on her.’
And to be honest, I am too.
What a day for epic revelations. Discovering why people have sexandfinding out I’m not going to have a job in the New Year, all in the space of twelve hours. One of the suppliers had sent in a hamper so Rob offers us coffee or brandy to bring me round. But once he’s agreed to ring the landline to tell Fliss what’s going on we accept a box of luxury mince pies instead, and hurry down past the receptionist who’s still swigging her Baileys, but is now firmly off the suspect list.
So we sit in the front of the car and this time it’s me tapping on the steering wheel. Then we hit the pastry and for one day only I give no shits at all about the crumbs getting ground into the carpet even though suddenly this car’s got to last a whole lot longer than it might have done otherwise.
Bill folds his tin foil container into tiny squares. ‘I’m really sorry. What a difference ten minutes makes, hey, Pom Pom.’
I bite into another pie, because the sticky filling and thick but deliciously light and buttery icing-sugar dusted pastry is definitely picking me up. ‘Truly, I couldn’t be any more gutted.’ Mostly for now I’m relieved to know that Fliss and Rob are okay. I send Bill my best WTF? face. ‘But if I let this spoil Christmas, I lose that as well as my job. So I’m going to go very Keef on you, and worry about the rest very soon. Just not now.’
He gives me a play punch on my arm. ‘Here’s wishing for lots of stars in the dark times then.’
And I punch him back. ‘Okay, so … on to the next destination …’
He fiddles with his phone, sticks it onto the dashboard magnet, then blows. ‘Two point six miles, fifteen minutes to Camden.’
I grin at him as I start up the engine and ease the car out of the car park and towards the road. ‘You have to admit, the traffic’s bad round here but it’s great to have wifi. And how are you feeling about your big moment?’
He pulls a face. ‘Happy, but about as nervous as you were going to talk to Rob.’
‘Shitting bricks then?’
He gives a nod. ‘Times by ten, you’ll be getting close.’
‘You’re going to be fine, I promise.’ I reach over and touch his hand for a second.
‘I hope so.’
‘You’ve got your mistletoe for luck?’
‘Totally.’ He points to his pocket. ‘After how it worked last night, I’m never going out without it. I sent Willow a “thank you” text when I was making breakfast.’
My jaw drops. ‘Tell me you didn’t?’ Then I see his lips twist. ‘You better not have done. What happens in London stays in London.’ I’ll let him off that one then. ‘And you’ve got the little presents that Tansy and Tiff wrapped up for Abby? And the baby Sven, and the antlers on a hairband?’ Once word got out at the castle, everyone wanted to send something.
‘Yep.’ He nods to a carrier in the footwell.
