own style of managing and directing the team forward.’
Cathy picked up a clean tea towel and a supposedly cleaned glass and inserted her hand to polish it. ‘I think you dealt with it extremely well, considering. I just wish you could have told us sooner.’
A ‘yes’ echoed around the kitchen.
‘Plain and simple. I was devastated and … ashamed,’ I admitted, taking a deep breath and staring at Cathy’s busy hands. ‘I can’t really explain why I didn’t tell you all immediately. I could barely believe it. It didn’t sink in for a while and for some mad reason, I thought if I got another job straight away, I could pretend I had been looking to change anyway.’ I shrugged. ‘Utterly mad, wasn’t it? I suppose it felt like a personal attack, particularly so close to Mike’s death. I know I had to take a lot of time off when Mike was ill, but I got the impression they were sympathetic and understood. They paid me for the compassionate leave too. That notice was a bolt from the blue, especially when I’d just returned from my lovely trip to Australia. I was just beginning to cope. Now I wish I had abandoned them earlier and spent more time with Mike.’
‘That’s not surprising,’ Angie said, throwing her arm back around my shoulder and lightly squeezing the top of my arm. ‘I would be bitter. I’m so glad you can talk about it now though.’ Angie scanned the room. ‘We all are.’
Lou struck the marble kitchen top with her hand. ‘Absolutely! What are friends for if we can’t share our troubles? Gosh, we’ve almost spent our entire lives together; there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to say what’s on our minds. Sweetheart, you can’t bottle things up like this. You should trust us by now.’
Fighting off a lump in my throat, I swallowed and leant forward to grab a bottle of wine. ‘I know, and I do. I trust you all immensely. And, going forward I will. It was such a shock and … I don’t know why … my job was part of me, and …’
‘And, it’s understandable, sweet,’ Lou said assuring me. ‘Our identity is a major part of us. Had you found something similar immediately, you may have accepted it sooner and been able to deal with it. No doubt, rejections from the other companies and having to settle on a job you weren’t happy with was the crux of your reluctance. The self-doubt soon creeps in.’
Angie gave me another squeeze. ‘It’s not important now. What’s important is that you’re moving forward. And, maybe the right job still out there for you.’
‘Yes, it’s in the past now. I’ll keep looking.’ I lifted the wine bottle. ‘Shall we have a look upstairs before we open this?’
‘Yeah, sure; if it’s done out anything like this, it’ll be fab,’ Kim said, heading for the stairs with Lou and Cathy. ‘Oh, we have to put our names into a hat, don’t we? To find out where we’re sleeping.’
‘We can do that after,’ Lou said, disappearing up the stairs. I placed the bottle down and felt a tap on my arm.
‘Can I have a word?’ Angie beckoned me. ‘Bring the wine; I’ll get two glasses.’ I followed her to the dining table. She unscrewed one of the bottles of red wine and began to pour as she sat down, so I sat opposite trying to ignore the squeals of delight upstairs.
‘Ginny, I thought I’d mention it now, as I hope to bring you some cheer to start your holiday. I know you’re not happy with your job so I thought it worth mentioning – I will be needing someone with … Look, how would you fancy working in the fitness and nutrition industry? I’m thinking of getting a marketing professional, but you’d be great. Not full-time to begin with – three days a week. Possibly more later.’
I glared at her as if she had gone mad. Angie had built up quite an empire over the last few years after several years working her butt off to get it to its current size. I was sure she didn’t need my help. I was wary of working with close friends, too.
She handed me one of the glasses of wine. ‘It would be a new role. I’ve never had what I consider a top professional marketing person but thinking about it, we could both benefit from your expertise. The business can afford it now. Naturally, I currently keep an eye on what my competitors are doing, but the industry is becoming so large and competitive that maybe your scientific or methodical approach, whatever you call it, could help give us the edge.’
Clutching my chest, I was touched and felt very honoured that Angie thought me capable of taking on such a risky role. I gulped a mouthful of wine. ‘Angie, you’re so lovely. I’m really flattered. It’s incredibly thoughtful of you, and that’s such a great offer, it really is. And working part-time. But you’re my friend and I couldn’t bear to ruin that friendship.’
‘My dear Ginny, you would have control, I promise.’
‘Oh, you are adorable, and I’m tempted, but …’
Angie grimaced. ‘Look, you don’t have to answer me now. You’ll want time to think about it. What I will say is that I would totally trust your judgement. Cashmere Cosmetics is a very successful company and I’ve no doubt you’ve been very much a part of that. Whether I employ you or you’d rather work freelance as a consultant, it’s up to you but I believe Fit & Nourished are at that stage where we need expertise. I’d much rather have someone I could trust.’
‘And Rob, what would he think about employing a friend?’
Angie frowned then puckered her lips, giving a mischievous pout. ‘It was him who suggested I get professional help. It was only the other day when I came back exhausted. But it’s my business, honey – Rob is only allowed to come in to tell us to turn the computers off and on when they go wrong.’
We both sniggered, and I imagined Rob rolling his eyes as Angie told him to take a hike if he interfered.
‘No really, he would approve. And he does get involved to some extent. He does all my IT. He could help you with designing your own software if you need something bespoke. You will have your own office. We can share an assistant for now. I know you’ll cost, but like I say, it will benefit us both, so you’ll be worth it. Promise me you’ll think about it.’
Elated, I ran around the table to her chair and wrapped my arms around her neck. ‘The offer sounds amazing. Thank you for thinking of me. You’re a treasure. I will give it some serious thought,’ I told her, but tempting as it was, I couldn’t bear to lose a friendship because we had disagreed over a business decision. I squeezed Angie’s arm and smiled. ‘I promise. I’m flattered. Can I let you know after the holiday?’
‘Of course.’
‘Well, for now, there’s a lot of excitement up there; let’s go and see what all the fuss is about upstairs.’
The voices grew louder with screams and lots of shouting as we climbed the stairs. They were like kids at a soft-play party. When Angie and I walked into the front bedroom Lou was spread-eagled across one of the two queen-sized beds and Kim was throwing half-sized furry cushions across the beds with Cathy.
Lou scraped her hair off her face and knelt up. ‘Come and play Piggy in the Middle with us. It’s fun,’ she urged.
‘Wow, this is gorgeous,’ I said, ignoring Lou, knocked out by the dramatic effect. Again, oak was floor to ceiling but with flecks of a richer brown running through it. Both beds were draped in full-size faux-fur throws in the shades of mountain wolves: browns, greys, whites. It was full-on luxury and faux-fur rugs felt soft and warm under my feet as I glided through to
