Cupcakes at Carrington’s (Carringtons Department Store 1) by Alexandra Brown Page A

unaccounted for in the last quarter alone.’
    I knew it! I gulp and vow to get hold of my credit file. I’m going to have to get it sorted out, once and for all.
    ‘So I’m not going to lose my job then?’ And no sooner are the words out of my mouth, when I want to cram them back in.
    ‘There will be changes,’ she starts, and I brace myself. ‘There are way too many sections in this store that don’t make enough money. Every inch of floor space must earn its keep. So, I’ll be assessing the viability of each section and rationalising them into bigger, more lucrative ones. For example, those homemade silk purses you have taking up a lot of shelf space, how many do you actually sell?’
    ‘Err, well, I’m hoping to push them as Valentine gifts.’ Marigold, the designer, will be heartbroken if we stop selling her stuff. ‘And the tourists love them,’ I venture, thinking of her working away in the little weatherboard studio on the shingle with unbroken views of the sea. Admittedly, I don’t actually sell many of the purses, but customers are always intrigued to hear about the local artist who makes them.
    ‘They’re an indulgence. And one Carrington’s can’t afford if it’s going to be successfully rejuvenated, and that’s where you come in.’
    ‘I do?’ I say, perking up. Maybe this isn’t going to be so bad after all. My section does pretty well compared to the others.
    ‘I shall be assessing the sections on the ground floor by the main entrance first for visibility and profitability. Women’s Accessories, Men’s Accessories and Fine Jewellery. I can’t believe the cabinet is hidden away up in the personal shopping suite. No, it must be downstairs right by the door, where everyone can see it and be encouraged to buy from it before they waste their money on low-value items elsewhere in the store. I want their shopping fix satiated by high-end goods.’ I nod, thinking,
so do I, means more commission for me
. ‘And new brand names. Big names! I want Prada. Hermès,’ she gushes, her voice getting louder and more animated, and my nodding head speeds up. ‘And then I’ll decide who is best to sell such exclusive brands.’
    My head stops and my heart sinks.
Whaat? What does she mean?
I’m the best sales assistant. Carrington’s finest …
    ‘Well, if you look at my sales figures, you—’
    ‘I like to shake things up a bit.’
Hmmm. Bully for you.
‘Show me your mettle. Let’s see who is
really
the best sales assistant and then they can sell those exclusive brands,’ she says, triumphantly.
    ‘Does James know about this?’ I manage to say, my mind reeling. I’m going to be in direct competition with James. And how is my section ever going to compete with Fine Jewellery? One piece alone can cost the equivalent of ten Louis bags.
    ‘He was the first to know,’ she replies, scribbling something on a page in her Filofax. The room reels as I try to take it all in. ‘So it will be the three of you section heads that I’ll be focusing on initially.’ Maxine carries on scrawling, not even bothering to look up at me.
    ‘Three of us?’ I ask tentatively, I’m guessing this is where Tom comes in. I’m glad she can’t see my face.
    ‘Yes, but you know that already, don’t you?’
    ‘Err, yes,’ I gulp. I fidget in my seat as she continues to hold my stare. So Tom must have told her about our conversation in the club; that I know how he was recruited – and what he’ll be selling. I knew he couldn’t be trusted.
    ‘Look Gina, there isn’t much that gets past me. Are you in or out?’
    ‘I’m in,’ I say quickly, panic mounting at the prospect of being forced to go head to head with James, but knowing I don’t have any choice.
    ‘Good, so this is all about riding the recession and revitalising Carrington’s. And trying to make money of course. You and …’ She pauses to glance at a list on the desk. ‘Annie is it?’ I nod. ‘Yes, you need to sell as much as you possibly