“So, what will you have for Christmas lunch?” he asked, evidently keen to move the conversation on to a more acceptable subject – food. “I suppose you’ll be on rice and peas or something?”
His accompanying expression looked pained, as if he couldn’t think of a meal worse, although I’d long had the notion he was one of those people who took a suitcase of food on holiday because they didn’t like anything foreign. “Something like that,” I replied. Having never been any good at telling fibs, I flashed everyone a smile and hoping I didn’t appear as awkward as I felt, it was my turn to want a change of subject.
“Make sure you bring back lots of photos,” Samantha said, still in her own little lovestruck world. “I might very well be looking for a fabulous honeymoon destination come New Year.” She giggled again. “And you can’t get any more fabulous than the Caribbean, can you?”
“You certainly cannot,” I said, acknowledging the increasing pressure being put on the quality of the food snapshots I planned on taking.
“I can’t imagine ever going away for Christmas,” Janice said, scowling. “At least not somewhere hot. I much prefer the cold this time of year. It’s more festive.”
“I’m sure the Australians would disagree,” I said, wondering why on earth Janice had been put in the holiday and travel section.
“Christmas in sun,” she said, shaking her head. “It doesn’t bear thinking about.”
The staffroom door opened, and we all looked round to see Ruth, the shop manager, breeze into the room. “Sorry, folks, it looks like we’re a staff member down today.” She headed straight for the coffee machine. “Annie’s had to take the day off.”
Richard groaned at the news. Out of everyone, he had always been the most work-shy.
“Not to worry,” Ruth said, upon hearing the dissent. “Between us we’re more than able to pick up the slack.”
Richard muttered something under his breath.
“After all,” Ruth continued. “Annie’s never had a problem stepping in for one of us when called for.” She turned, focusing her pointed gaze on Richard. “Has she?”
“Nothing serious, I hope?” Janice asked, her tone going up at the end of her question.
I rolled my eyes. Like most of the local folk, she did like a bit of gossip.
Ruth, who was a stickler for staff confidentiality, looked at Janice like she should have known better. “Not too serious, no,” she replied, drinking a mouthful of coffee.
While Janice tutted in disappointment, Samantha focused on her ring finger, and Richard frowned at the extra workload, I smiled at the news of Annie’s absence. Ruth might not have said anything, but unlike the others, I had a pretty good idea why Annie needed the time off. If what she’d said over lunch the other day was true, Annie would be ferrying her daughter and her daughter’s belongings back to where they belonged: safe and sound in the home Emma shared with Josh.
“Right,” Ruth said, as she checked her watch. “Time to get to it.”
Unlike my colleagues who remained slow to move, I jumped up from my seat and headed for the door, ready to embrace the morning ahead.
“Come on, come on,” Ruth said, clapping her hands at the others. “These books won’t sell themselves.”
“Holly,” Ruth said, calling me back as the others began filing out of the room.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at her.
“Before you disappear, can I have a quick word.”
“Of course,” I replied. I suddenly felt nervous, wondering what I’d done wrong to warrant such special attention. After all, I must have done something. Ruth only ever wanted one of her little chats when all wasn’t well.
My colleagues looked at me, their eyes questioning. But as much in the dark as they, I shrugged my shoulders in response. I watched Janice slow her step, as if no one would notice her loitering.
“Chop-chop, Janice!” Ruth said, her voice stern. She waited until dawdler Janice was out of sight and earshot before speaking again, despairingly shaking her head at the woman before she could, at last, turn to her attention back to me. “It’s nothing to be concerned about, I’m simply passing on a message while I can still remember.”
“Okay,” I replied, unsure as to what the message could be.
“You know what it’s like around here when it gets busy, everything goes clean out of your mind. Anyway, Annie asked if you could give her a ring?”
“Really,” I said, surprised. I didn’t have a clue what could be so important she’d asked Ruth to play intermediary. Especially when Annie could have easily rang my phone and left me a message. “Did she say why?”
Ruth shook her head. “Nope. Just that she needs a favour.”
I considered the last time Annie needed my help; on that occasion I ended up with an unexpected house guest.
