in the bin as she felt they weren’t worth filling her handbag with, even though she meant to swap it for one of far higher quality as soon as she took up her new position. She was conscious that all the girls were secretly watching her, knowing they were highly amused by the way in which Miss Grey had dismissed her. Still, this was the last time anyone would dare treat Cait in such a manner.
A while later, as she walked purposefully through the main entrance into the reception area of Rose’s, it didn’t escape Cait’s notice that the young receptionist sat up to attention the moment she saw her and called over ‘Good morning, Miss Thomas’, in a very respectful manner.
At the bottom of the stairs Cait hesitated for a moment, worried that her journey and diversion might have ruffled her appearance in some way. She was about to ask the young woman if she looked all right then remembered that she was temporarily the boss of the company so needed to act at all times as if she was in charge. That meant not showing anyone she was feeling in any way out of her depth, even though she was.
It was apparent that the receptionist had alerted Jane Trucker of Cait’s arrival as the older woman was waiting for her in what was now her office, notepad and pen in hand.
If she was surprised by the transformation in Cait she didn’t show it, just said a pleasant ‘Good morning, Miss Thomas’ as Cait took off her smart new red coat. Before Jane Trucker could say anything else, Cait told her, ‘I could do with a cup of tea first and then I’d like you to arrange for me to see a sample of all the court shoes and handbags we stock.’
Jane told her, ‘Miss Thomas, we have a room set aside with samples of all our merchandise out on display for our customers to view and select from. I appreciate that you want to familiarise yourself with the stock and can take you down there later when we’ve dealt with all the matters that need your immediate attention. If I could take the liberty of using your telephone, I’ll order the tea and then we can get down to it.’
Her mother, Cait knew, would not have stood for what she would have perceived as someone ignoring her wishes. Cait feared that if she didn’t stand her ground this time they would think her a pushover and never take her seriously.
‘May I remind you, Miss Trucker, that I am in charge of this company and expect you to obey my instructions,’ she said. ‘Now, if you would arrange for me to view our stock of shoes and handbags, as I asked, I’d be grateful. Size five for the shoes.’ She hoped the secretary could not tell that she was inwardly shaking at having to remind her of her place. Then her misguided beliefs as to how the owner of a business should act made her add: ‘Have them brought up here for me to look over.’
Jane Trucker had worked for the company for many years, had more than proved her loyalty and commitment to it, and did not at all appreciate being treated in this fashion by a young chit of a girl, even if she was the owner’s daughter. And she was cross to discover that the girl was after some shoes and bags for herself rather than familiarising herself with their stock. To her credit Jane kept these feelings to herself and replied: ‘I’ll see to it immediately, Miss Thomas.’ She turned back as she remembered she had something important to relay to her new boss. ‘The arrangements for Mr Swinton’s funeral have been finalised, Miss Thomas. It’s to be at two-thirty at St Peter’s on Thursday afternoon. I’ll order a car to collect you at two.’
Downstairs in the stores, as Glen was making his way back to his office after attending to a broken fluorescent light strip in a corridor, he heard Harry Owens grumbling loudly in annoyance. As he arrived near him, Glen asked, ‘Something upset you, Harry?’
‘You could say that,’ he spat back. ‘That little madam upstairs has only demanded a pair of every style of courts and a sample of all our current range of handbags to be delivered to her office. What’s wrong with her getting off her arse and paying a visit to the viewing room like everyone else does when