you see, I’ve just learned that my partner cancelled the insurance on Fine Films.”
“I don’t see, no.”
“He used to look after the insurance, you see. He’d just renewed the cover when I bought him out, but then he lifted it and didn’t let me know. At least, he did, but I didn’t get the message.”
“Am I to infer that the business was uninsured at the time of the fire?”
“Well,” Jack said, ‘yes.”
“And you are proposing?”
Am I?” When a look which pleaded for him to be put out of his misery prompted no reply, Jack said “I mean, I thought you would.”
Mr. Hardy paused for so long that Jack found himself counting his own breaths, which seemed to be growing louder. Eight breaths, nine, and he tried to slow them down; for one thing, that might calm him. Ten, eleven, and he held the twelfth until it felt in danger of exploding. It would sound like a snort of impatience. He pinched his nose with one hand to keep the snort in, not immediately realising that the gesture itself might look like a comment. The manager gazed at him. The best I can offer is a short-term loan to enable you to pay your card debt. At least our rate will be lower than theirs.”
Jack gasped and sucked in the thirteenth breath. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else, any more, I mean.”
“However, I’m afraid ‘
At once all Jack could hear was his own voice declaring “I’M AFRAID, I’M SO AFRAID.” “I’m sorry, what did you say?” he pleaded aloud.
The manager looked ready to indulge himself in another epic pause. “I said that under the circumstances I have no option but to cancel the overdraft we discussed on Monday. In addition I may have to reconsider the amount of any mortgage advance unless you find steady employment.”
“But … I mean, you don’t mean … I’m sorry if I’ve seemed at all facetious. I was just nervous. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Understanding is part of my job, Mr. Orchard, and there’s no need to shout. Contrary to rumour, I’m not deaf.”
“I never said that. At least, I did, but not about you. When I said my bank manager …” Jack clenched his fists as if that might help him grasp his thoughts. “You wouldn’t let that influence your decision, would you?”
“I assure you that personal feelings have no bearing on the way I conduct business.”
“I didn’t mean it in any bad way, but can I ask you to have another think? The auction starts at twelve. Those tapes will save my life. I’ll never find anything more reasonable.”
“I certainly trust you will.”
Jack tried to hear encouragement in that, but there was none in Mr. Hardy’s tone. “You aren’t going to help me?”
“Whenever I can, within reason. You’re aware that we offer a range of financial advice.”
“What good’s that to someone with no money?”
“You’re raising your voice, Mr. Orchard.”
“I know, and this is how it sounds when it gets louder,” Jack informed him while defensively lowering it instead. Mr. Hardy gave him another blank look and stood up. “I hope your family stay well,” he said as he opened the door.
His words inflamed Jack with rage. If Mr. Hardy cared about the Orchards, why was he destroying their chance to rebuild the business? Jack stalked out of the bank and strode towards the auction rooms. By the time Mr. Hardy found out what he was about to do, Jack would have what they needed. Just let the bank try to bounce his cheque when the manager discovered he’d bid for the videotapes.
Jack jogged uphill, knocking on the boards which had crossed out Fine Films, and arrived panting at the auction rooms. He leaned one hand against the frame of the entrance while he caught his breath and then the breath lodged in his throat like smoke. Down the hill, at the traffic lights, Mr. Hardy was shading his eyes and watching him.
For a moment Jack considered dodging into the auction and making his bid, but if the manager saw him go in or
“I don’t see, no.”
“He used to look after the insurance, you see. He’d just renewed the cover when I bought him out, but then he lifted it and didn’t let me know. At least, he did, but I didn’t get the message.”
“Am I to infer that the business was uninsured at the time of the fire?”
“Well,” Jack said, ‘yes.”
“And you are proposing?”
Am I?” When a look which pleaded for him to be put out of his misery prompted no reply, Jack said “I mean, I thought you would.”
Mr. Hardy paused for so long that Jack found himself counting his own breaths, which seemed to be growing louder. Eight breaths, nine, and he tried to slow them down; for one thing, that might calm him. Ten, eleven, and he held the twelfth until it felt in danger of exploding. It would sound like a snort of impatience. He pinched his nose with one hand to keep the snort in, not immediately realising that the gesture itself might look like a comment. The manager gazed at him. The best I can offer is a short-term loan to enable you to pay your card debt. At least our rate will be lower than theirs.”
Jack gasped and sucked in the thirteenth breath. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else, any more, I mean.”
“However, I’m afraid ‘
At once all Jack could hear was his own voice declaring “I’M AFRAID, I’M SO AFRAID.” “I’m sorry, what did you say?” he pleaded aloud.
The manager looked ready to indulge himself in another epic pause. “I said that under the circumstances I have no option but to cancel the overdraft we discussed on Monday. In addition I may have to reconsider the amount of any mortgage advance unless you find steady employment.”
“But … I mean, you don’t mean … I’m sorry if I’ve seemed at all facetious. I was just nervous. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Understanding is part of my job, Mr. Orchard, and there’s no need to shout. Contrary to rumour, I’m not deaf.”
“I never said that. At least, I did, but not about you. When I said my bank manager …” Jack clenched his fists as if that might help him grasp his thoughts. “You wouldn’t let that influence your decision, would you?”
“I assure you that personal feelings have no bearing on the way I conduct business.”
“I didn’t mean it in any bad way, but can I ask you to have another think? The auction starts at twelve. Those tapes will save my life. I’ll never find anything more reasonable.”
“I certainly trust you will.”
Jack tried to hear encouragement in that, but there was none in Mr. Hardy’s tone. “You aren’t going to help me?”
“Whenever I can, within reason. You’re aware that we offer a range of financial advice.”
“What good’s that to someone with no money?”
“You’re raising your voice, Mr. Orchard.”
“I know, and this is how it sounds when it gets louder,” Jack informed him while defensively lowering it instead. Mr. Hardy gave him another blank look and stood up. “I hope your family stay well,” he said as he opened the door.
His words inflamed Jack with rage. If Mr. Hardy cared about the Orchards, why was he destroying their chance to rebuild the business? Jack stalked out of the bank and strode towards the auction rooms. By the time Mr. Hardy found out what he was about to do, Jack would have what they needed. Just let the bank try to bounce his cheque when the manager discovered he’d bid for the videotapes.
Jack jogged uphill, knocking on the boards which had crossed out Fine Films, and arrived panting at the auction rooms. He leaned one hand against the frame of the entrance while he caught his breath and then the breath lodged in his throat like smoke. Down the hill, at the traffic lights, Mr. Hardy was shading his eyes and watching him.
For a moment Jack considered dodging into the auction and making his bid, but if the manager saw him go in or
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