I suddenly notice how tight his lips have gone. Oh God, I was wrong. He is angry. In that horrible, quiet, scary way. My hands suddenly feel a bit clammy.
‘You’ve behaved in a way that is to the detriment of The Look.’ His voice is inexorable. ‘You’ve deceived myself and the other managers. You’ve contravened every good practice and protocol of this organization and caused a fracas in front of customers. This is a serious breach of professional conduct. Not to mention embarrassing the entire store in front of Doug Raynor, a major celebrity. Do you think he’ll ever come and shop here again?’
‘I know I should have got permission first,’ I say hastily. ‘And I’m very sorry. But that’s why my sales are up! Because of Shop in Private! All my customers love it. I mean, they even wrote you letters saying how much they love it. The whole place is buzzy, everyone’s happy, everyone’s buying stuff …’
Trevor’s not listening to a word.
‘Becky, I’m afraid that as from this moment, you’re suspended until further notice.’ He looks at me as though I’m some lowly worm. ‘Take your things, please, and go.’
SEVENTEEN
As I sit on the Tube, I’m numb with shock. Two weeks ago I was the star. I was going to be invited on to the board. I was being presented with flowers.
And now I’m suspended in disgrace.
They’re going to do an internal investigation. They’re going to treat the matter ‘very seriously’. Jasmine looked absolutely stunned as I gathered my stuff together, but Trevor was standing right there, so she couldn’t say anything other than ‘Call me!’ which she muttered just as I was going.
And then Trevor escorted me right to the staff door, as though I might try to nick stuff or something. I’ve never felt so humiliated in my whole, entire life.
Actually, on second thoughts, maybe I have. But this is definitely equal with all those other times.
No Employee of the Year money. No raise. Maybe no job at all. What am I going to do? How am I going to pay for the party? I’m trying to think it through calmly but my chest keeps going into spasms of fear.
Could we do without loos, maybe, and tell everyone to go before they come? Could I get Dad and Martin to be the bouncers? I don’t mind doing a bit of valet-parking myself, if it comes to it. Oh God …
When I catch sight of my own reflection in the Tube window, my eyes are all wide and stary. I look like a demented, crazy person. Maybe this is what happens. People decide to hold surprise parties and they end up cracking up under the strain and their whole life falls apart. Maybe surprise parties are a major cause of mental illness. I wouldn’t be surprised.
I’ve agreed to meet Janice and Minnie at Waterloo, and as I approach them I wince. They look so happy and carefree.
‘We’ve had a lovely morning!’ Janice enthuses as soon as I reach her. ‘Haven’t we, Minnie? We did all my Easter cakes and popped them in the freezer.’
‘Thanks so much, Janice.’ I manage a weak smile. ‘I really appreciate it.’
Janice has been such a star – as soon as she heard about Mum and Dad going to The West Place, she volunteered to look after Minnie while I was working. She’s bought a whole cupboardful of toys, even though I begged her not to, and taught Minnie loads of new nursery rhymes. The only downside is, apparently she keeps making even more pointed remarks to Jess about grandchildren and sighing loudly as she puts Minnie’s finger paintings up on the wall.
‘It was my pleasure! Any time. So … have you heard from your mum?’ she adds hesitantly.
‘No. Have you?’
Janice nods. ‘They’re having a super time! The apartment’s lovely, apparently. They’ve been to the theatre twice and had a mud wrap. Both of them, at once!’
‘Great.’ I look down. ‘Well … I’m glad they’re enjoying themselves.’
‘Are you two still not speaking, love?’ Janice looks anxious.
‘S’pose not.’
Mum and I have never been not-speaking before. I don’t know what the rules are, but if she didn’t tell me about the mud wrap I guess the not-speaking must still be on.
‘Well, I’d better let you go …’ Janice hands me Minnie’s mittens. ‘I’m off to a craft fair now, to start my Christmas shopping. Where are you and Minnie going?’
‘Green Park,’ I say after a pause. Which is kind of true. The Ritz is right by Green Park.
As we come out of the Tube at Piccadilly, grey clouds rush into the sky as though they’ve just been waiting for their chance, and there’s a sudden smattering of rain. I put up Minnie’s hood and trudge on miserably. Of all the things to raise my spirits, the prospect of tea with Elinor is really not one.
She’s waiting for us in the same grand suite as before, wearing an ice-blue day dress, and on the table are three new jigsaw puzzles.
‘Ladeeee!’ Minnie’s face instantly lights up and she rushes forward to give Elinor a hug. A flash of utter shock and discomposure passes across Elinor’s face, and despite my mood I almost want to giggle.
‘Well, Minnie,’ she says awkwardly, almost curtly. ‘You’d better sit down.’
Minnie is still clinging to her and, very stiffly, Elinor pats her shoulder. I wonder if any small child has ever hugged her before.
Well, Luke, I suppose. Before she left him. Just the thought of it makes my stomach ache.
The table is laid with a sumptuous tea, like last time, but I’m too churned up to feel like eating. I just want to get through this ordeal and go.