Carrington’s at Christmas: The Complete Collection: Cupcakes at Carrington’s, Me and Mr Carrington, Christmas at Carrington’s, Ice Creams at Carrington’s. Alexandra Brown
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of my eye I can see the others all pretending to be busy, but I know they’re listening intently.
‘No. Not really. I heard that it was, let me see, what was it that Tom said? Oh, predictable, yes that’s it.’ Predictable? What’s that supposed to mean? God, I hope he’s not referring to me. ‘Anyway, I won’t keep you, I have some visual merchandising to attend to.’ She does her pageant smile before breezing off towards Tom’s Fine Jewellery section.
‘Of course, and I’m straight on it,’ I mutter, grabbing the earring display and straightening the price tags. I gulp, wondering what else Tom told her. Surely he wouldn’t have said anything about the kiss. And then it dawns on me – predictable. Of course, he’s used to getting any girl he wants and I was no different.
My face flushes hot at the possibilities of his implication. He reeled me in just like some grateful groupie.
Mortified, I make my way over to the DKNY display. On my way back I spot James coming through the fire door. I feel a pang of guilt. I waver for a moment, but then decide I have to put this right.
‘James, please can I talk to you?’ He looks at me, but doesn’t reply for a few seconds, as if hesitating over his decision. I look back at him, pleading with my eyes.
‘OK, but let’s make it quick,’ he eventually agrees, and I sense the prompt for speed is his way of staying in charge. We dip into the corridor.
‘James, I’m truly sorry for what I did.’ He stares at me, studying my face as if he’s trying to work out if I mean it.
‘Look, like I said, I’m just not ready,’ he says, putting his palms up in protest. He turns to leave.
‘James, please. I’ve been a rotten friend, I know. But please, hear me out, let me try and make it up to you.’ He stops and I notice his shoulders soften, and then to my surprise he turns around and smiles at me.
‘Sure. No harm in talking. But not here, what time’s your break?’
‘Ten thirty.’
‘Fine, I’ll meet you in the café upstairs.’
*
When I arrive in the café, Sam nods towards the booth in the far corner before holding up crossed fingers and mouthing ‘good luck’. James is sitting with his back to the café. He motions for me to sit opposite him, presumably so there’s less chance of us being spotted together.
‘James, I know I ruined things between us, but I hate it that we’re not even talking. Before –’ I hesitate, picking my words carefully – ‘everything changed, we were good friends, weren’t we?’ He looks at me; his face gives nothing away. Mentally, I will him to go with me.
‘I know. And I’m sorry how things have turned out between us.’ My heart lifts. At last! We’re talking, and on the same wavelength.
‘Me too. But I was hoping that we might at least be friends again. Maybe even work together to scupper Maxine and Tom,’ I say, optimistically, thinking how lovely it would be if I was back in favour with him.
‘What do you mean?’ he asks, his forehead crinkling into a frown.
‘Well, I don’t think Maxine’s makeover is being conducted fairly.’ I stare at him, trying to gauge his thoughts.
‘But what makes you think that?’ He looks at me intently.
‘Because they’re having an affair. I’ve seen them together, arm in arm. And Eddie spotted them too, actually snogging.’
He ponders this for a while and then lets out a long whistle.
‘So that’s her game then.’ His jaw tightens.
‘You think so too, that they’re up to something then?’ I feel relieved I’m not the only one who believes something dodgy is going on. It’s hard to think straight these days. James nods and reaches for his coffee.
‘I knew it. I just knew it. What an idiot I’ve been.’ He shoves a hand through his hair.
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s been playing us both.’ Ha! A little feeling of satisfaction waves through me. I was right about her and Tom all along. I can’t believe I ruined everything with James. Kind, decent James. What was I thinking? Men like Tom don’t go for women like me. I should have known I’d be just a conquest, at best.
‘Georgie, I’m so sorry.’ James looks over at me, his eyes full of concern now. My heart drops.
‘What for?’ The feeling of satisfaction withers and I feel uneasy now. I’m not sure I want to hear his apology if it’s something to do with him and Maxine.
‘Malikov.’
‘Oh, don’t remind me, please. And you don’t need to apologise, I was the one in the wrong. I should have made sure I updated you straight away,’ I say, grateful Maxine hasn’t lured him into bed again.
‘But I overreacted. And I said some unforgivable things to you.’ He pulls his eyes away from mine.
‘It’s understandable. After everything you’ve been through,’ I say, concerned that he seems to be blaming himself, when it was all my fault.
‘No, please hear me out. When Maxine went through my sales sheet she accused me of stealing Malikov from you. Wouldn’t have it that I organised his original visit and we had shared the commission. And then when she accused me of dirty tricks, I guess I just saw red.’
‘Oh James, I’m so sorry.’
‘I know you are, Georgie, but there’s something else I want you to know.’ My heart starts beating harder and my palms feel hot. I brace myself for what he’s going to say next. ‘I’m really sorry for what I said … the stupid Valentine’s present thing and comparing you to your dad.’
‘But how did you know in the first place?’ I ask, bracing myself for his answer.
‘Oh, I’ve always known,’ he says, casually. ‘Can’t remember how. It was in all the papers years ago, wasn’t it, and I think I just twigged, but it’s no reflection on you. I like to take people as I find them – it was just an easy insult to hurl. I’m sorry, really, I am.’
Relief floods through me, quickly followed by sadness that I ever doubted him. He knew all along and never judged me. That’s pretty amazing.
‘James, I overreacted too.’ His eyes lock onto mine. For a moment neither of us says anything.
‘You know, she’s been at me ever since she came here,’ James says, wearily. ‘Even implied that I can keep my job … if I sleep with her.’
I’m stunned.
I don’t want to hear any more about him and her, and then I remember Tom and what happened between us and I feel like such a hypocrite. So she’s been manipulating James all along. And so much for her female solidarity then, telling me ‘us girls need to stick together’.
‘What shall we do?’ he asks, his voice sounding hollow. I ponder on the situation before replying.
‘Well, we’ll both work hard on selling as much as we can, and may the best man, or indeed woman, win.’ I grin. ‘If our sales figures are higher than Tom’s – well, then she just can’t sack us and keep him on, can she? That would be so obvious; the board would never let her do that, would they?’ I feel triumphant, and pleased that James and I seem to be friends again. But then I suddenly remember what Maxine told me in my first meeting with her, and my heart plummets. ‘Hang on a minute. That’s not going to work, unless our sections make exactly the same amount of money, which is pretty impossible to guarantee. One of us will be deemed a loser and she’s already told me she doesn’t do “losers”,’ I say, despondently, making a feeble ‘L for loser’ sign like she did. ‘No, we need to get more information on what’s really going on, get some proof,’