Sebastian prided himself on his ability to think on his
feet. Advertising and marketing was always the career path he was most likely
to follow.
“You could sell snow to Eskimos.” His mother would remark.
“Gift of the gab, just like your father.”
Why did she always spoil the much
longed for compliment with the comparison to his dad?
Consequently he suffered from a chip on his shoulder, never
quite measuring up and here he was once more confronted by a small mistake
which had gone drastically wrong through no real fault of his own.
He didn’t care what Edgar thought of him. Melanie had known
him for a while and she’d taken a chance on him, falling out of favour with her
could easily lose him a cushy job that he honestly enjoyed.
But he was most concerned about how Alice would respond.
Would she see this as a forgivable mistake?
He chose his words carefully and directed them at Alice.
“My girlfriend walked out and left some things in the flat
which I assumed were for charity. Isn’t donating them the responsible thing to
do?”
Alice folded her arms across her chest trying to process
what she had just been told, meanwhile Melanie snorted, grabbing his attention,
seeking her own apology.
“Mel, look, how was I supposed to know Alice would buy the
dress? It’s just circumstance. But as a campaign it is a winner, we just have
to find another dress, if Celia’s unhappy with us using this one. We can buy
the dress back if Celia is sentimental. Problem solved!”
“But it’s now my dress.” Alice’s voice was fragile.
“It’s only from a charity shop, second hand. We make a go of
this and you can buy yourself another one, brand new.”
“Clare spent hours on it making it fit me properly.”
“You just don’t get it do you?” said Melanie, “Celia holds
you personally responsible for this fiasco. I don’t think buying the dress back
is going to pacify her, especially as it’s been altered. It was a valuable antique.
It’s like painting a stick man on a priceless Picasso. You are a fool for
messing about with her property. She says she was going back to collect the
rest of her things.”
“How was I supposed to know that?”
“She left you a note.”
“I missed it. Anyway what’s done is done. Can we just move
on?”
“Of course and moving forward once you have sorted out some
financial recompense with Celia you can have your job back. I am not having you
jeopardize the reputation of my fledgling business.”
“And how am I supposed to pay her back? Or make amends? She
won’t listen to my side of the story, that’s why she told tales to you.”
“Oh you’ll figure out a way, your sort usually do. Alice I’m
driving back to town, would you like a lift or do you want to wait here with
Sebastian for the next train?”
“Actually a lift would be great thanks.” She said as she
rose from her chair.
“Alice, no, don’t let this spoil our day.”
“I think the day is already ruined.” Turning her back on
Sebastian she said, “Edgar, thank you so
much for your hospitality.” She reached over to him and gave him a peck on the
cheek, thinking yet again what a gentleman he was.
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