by Sophie Kaye
The smell of pasta filled the room and Jessica's stomach grumbled. She opened the box to find a slice of bread and a box filled with the couscous salad. Rosa had even included a knife and fork and a bottle of water.
Michael brought his plate over to the table along with a glass of water.
“That smells delicious,” Jessica said as she arranged her lunch.
“It's just rigatoni with beef and mozzarella.” Michael dug into his plate.
“You cook?” Jessica asked.
“Yes. My mom taught me.”
“I never learned.” Jessica took a bite of the focaccia. “But my parents have a housekeeper, and she makes amazing bread. I always thought that would be a nice skill to have.”
Michael nodded and kept eating.
“Now Hailey's opened the bakery it's easy to get fresh bread here.” Jessica opened her box of salad and smiled at the care Rosa had put into making it.
“She makes a good sourdough,” Michael said.
Jessica ate her food while studying Michael covertly.
“What exactly is going on with the bank?” she asked.
Michael looked up.
“They're not telling us. It might be they're reorganizing the structure of the company, maybe even closing down some offices.”
“They wouldn't close down this one, though. Right? I mean, the closest bank is in Langford and that's an hour away.”
Michael shrugged. "I don't think that matters to them. To them, we're just a number on a piece of paper. I do know I'll do my utmost to keep this bank open. So many people in Bellfrey depend on it. Some people have no idea how to use a computer. They need to do their banking in a physical bank, not to mention the other services we provide. I know the people here when they come in to ask for a loan. I know who the hard workers are. At a big bank in Langford, they'll go unnoticed."
Jessica watched him get worked up over the thought of Bellfrey losing its only bank. She saw the passion in his eyes and could hear it in his voice.
“Is there anything we can do to prevent them from closing the Bellfrey Bank?” she asked.
Michael shook his head and went back to his plate of food. “We don't know that they would. We're profitable, maybe not very profitable, but at least we don't cost them money. So I don't think it's a threat to us. It might be to other small towns though. So many of them are dying because the big companies never see the people behind the numbers.”
Jessica smiled. “I can see why this is something you'd want to fight for. At the diner, this group of older men comes in every morning to have coffee and talk about the world. They probably cost Jenna money, taking up a large table for a few hours. But she wouldn't dream of kicking them out, because she knows them. She sees the people, not just the numbers.”
“Exactly.”
“Plus, if she kicked them out it'd probably come back to bite her. She'd get a reputation for only thinking of the money.”
Michael smiled at her and Jessica's heart leaped. His lips looked soft and inviting.
“Well,” Michael said and cleared his throat. “I should get back to work. I'm expecting a phone call.”
Jessica watched him clear his empty plate and rinse it in the sink. She moved around the rest of her salad with her fork and tried to not look up as he left. After a few moments, she sighed and got back to work.
“JESSICA, THERE YOU are?”
Jessica looked up from what she had decided was the last paper for the day. “Cory? What are you doing here?”
“I came to pick you up. Your mother got a phone call, so I offered.” His smile spread from ear to ear.
“You didn't have to do that.” Jessica put the paper down and gathered her things.
“Nonsense. It gives us an opportunity to continue our discussion from the club. Besides, it's the least I could do after your mother has been so kind to me.”
Jessica stood up and reached for her coat.
“Here, let me help you.” Cory picked it up and stood behind her, holding it.
Jessica let her arms slide into the sleeves and silently cursed her altered balance as she stumbled.
Cory grabbed her arms to steady her.
Michael appeared in the doorway. “I hope your first day hasn't been too... hard.” He stopped and stared at Cory, who was still holding her arms.
“Michael.” Jessica leaned forward to grab her crutches and shake off Cory. “You remember Cory from the club? He's a friend of my mom's.”
“Right.” Michael took a step forward and shook his hand.
“Oh, you're the tennis player. Thank you again for rescuing our Jessica.”
Michael adjusted his glasses. “No problem.” His jaws were clenched. “Well, I hope you have a nice evening.”
The urge to explain who Cory was made Jessica take a step forward. But Michael had already turned back to his office.
“Shall we?” Cory asked.
“Sure.” Jessica glanced at Michael through his open office door. He was intent on the screen of his laptop. She sighed and followed Cory out to his car.
Chapter Nine
Jessica lowered herself onto the chair in the kitchen-break room combo. Maggie put a cup of coffee in front of her and sat down next to her.
“How's it going?” Maggie asked and leaned in. She was wearing a dress with cat faces on it today and a black lacy scarf.
“It's boring work, but I'm getting it done.”
“Good.” She took a sip of coffee. “So who was the hunk that picked you up yesterday?”
Jessica grimaced. “Cory.”
“I bet he has a nice car.” Maggie stared off dreamily.
“It's one of those little sports cars with barely any legroom.”
“What kind?”
Jessica shrugged and shook her head. “No idea. I have no interest in cars.”
“If he picks you up again, I have to sneak out and take a look.”
“Ladies.” Michael came in and grabbed a mug from the cupboard.
“I see everyone is already here.” A young woman with black hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail stood in the doorway.
“Rita,” Michael said. “This is Jessica.”
Rita stepped up and shook Jessica's hand. Her nails were perfectly manicured with French tips and the faintest of perfumes surrounded her.
Jessica shook the cool but firm hand. “It's nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Rita pulled her hand back and seemed to forget about Jessica. She cleared her throat and straightened out her beige pencil skirt. “I'm afraid I have some bad news. As you know, I had a call with HQ this morning.”
She looked at Michael. Michael was dipping a tea bag in a mug, squinting at her.
“The person I was talking to let something slip. Now, normally I wouldn't indulge in gossip and speculation. But I feel forewarned is forearmed.” She took a deep breath.
“What is it?” Michael asked.
“Go on, Rita.” Maggie nodded at her. “You can tell us.”
“They are considering closing down the Bellfrey office.”
All that could be heard was the faint sound of a car driving by outside.
“What?” Maggie tilted her head and studied Rita.
“The person I talked to made it sound like it was almost a done deal.” Rita folded her hands in front of her.
“But we're profitable.” Michael had dropped the tea bag into the cup.
“Not enough to justify the administrative expenses on their side, apparently.” Rita adjusted the black cardigan she had resting on her shoulders. “I didn't get many details. But this is what I heard.”
“It's not true.” Maggie waved a dismissive hand and took a sip of coffee. They all looked at her. “They can't close a bank that's been in Bellfrey since 1899. It's over a hundred years old.”
“There's been a shift in management recently,” Rita said. “Tradition is no longer appreciated as it once was.”
The bell from the front room jingled.
Maggie got up. “I simply won't believe it.”
“Maggie,” Rita said as she was passing by, “this is confidential. No need to worry people, at least not yet.”
Maggie nodded and Rita followed her out of the room.
“Let's not jump top any conclusions.” Michael's words made them stop. “We have no idea what's actually going on over there.” He put down his mug. “It could all be speculation. Just do your jobs and don't give them any reason to want to close us down.”
Maggie and Rita left the room.
“Do you think that's why I'm here?” Jessica asked.
“How did you find out about this job?” Michael loomed over her.
“My mom told me.” Jessica tilted her head back to look up at him.
“And how did she know?”
“She... She's Priscilla Davenport.” Jessica swallowed.
Michael's face paled, and he took a step back. “Your mom is Priscilla Davenport?”
Jessica nodded.
“The woman who owns Davenport-Higgs?”
“Yes.”
Michael took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.
“Is that why she wants you to work here? Are you... checking up on us for her?”
“No. How could you... Of course not.” Jessica struggled to her feet.
“You came here under a false name. What else am I to believe?”
“It's not a false name. My last name is Sangold after my dad. And I don't work for my mom.”
“Oh, don't give me that. You want me to believe you have nothing to do with that evil corporate woman?”
“My mom is not evil.”
“She wants to shut down a bank that has been operating here for over a hundred and twenty years. You don't throw that kind of history away.”
“My mom is a very successful businesswoman-”
“That doesn't care about the people.”
“That's not true. She cares a great deal. But sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.”
“Is that how you think of us? As someone... something that can be sacrificed for the greater good?”
“Of course not. But there are a lot of people who depend on my mother for their paychecks and sometimes she has to let people go in order to pay the rest of them.”
“So we're just numbers to her? The Bellfrey Bank is just a number in a report and she casually decides whether or not to erase it.”
“No. You're putting words in my mouth. My mom cares about the people.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you just happen to be one of the people she cares about. At least she cares enough to make sure a rich guy in a sports car picks you up if she can't.”
“What?” Jessica flinched. “Cory has nothing to do with this.”
Michael snorted.
“I already told you, Cory is a family friend. I've known him since I was eight years old.”
“Well, you two sure seemed cozy enough.”
“Is that was this is about?” Jessica's stomach fluttered.
“No, this is about entitled people coming in here and deciding the future of not only our jobs but the future of Bellfrey. How long do you think the town will last without a bank?”
Jessica hesitated.
“That's what I thought. You and your mom don't think about that at all.”
Michael glared at her and left Jessica on the verge of tears. Was her mom closing down the bank? Would she destroy Bellfrey?
Chapter Ten
At the end of the day, Jessica sighed and gathered up her stuff. Michael had been locked in his office for the rest of the day, supposedly taking important phone calls. She stopped outside of her office. His door was still closed. She took a step towards it. No. Maybe he needed time to calm down? She backed up and with a last glance at the closed door she hurried out to the front room.
“All done for today?” Maggie asked.
“Yup.”
“Hey.” Maggie leaned forward on the counter. “Don't take Michael too seriously.”
“What do you mean?” Jessica came closer.
“He gets upset sometimes and it can take him a while to calm down. But he's a good guy.”
“You heard us fighting.” Jessica studied the floor.
“I think everybody in Bellfrey did.” Maggie moved some papers. “But don't you mind that. He'll be back to his old self tomorrow. And even if he's not you have the hunk with the car.”
Jessica grimaced. “Cory may be gorgeous, but he's also...” She tried to think of a nice way of explaining who Cory was. "...not my type.”
“Well, feel free to send him my way. I'd do anything to ride in his Ford GT.”
“I thought you didn't see his car?”
“I didn't, but Ethan, who works at Gunther's salon, did, and he posted a picture online.”
“Right.” Jessica smiled. Small-town gossip had gone digital. “Well, my mom's waiting to take me home, so I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Hey, what kind of car does your mom drive.”
Jessica shrugged. “A bigger one? Maybe a Mercedes?”
Maggie shook her head, smiled and winked. “Go home, you're useless.”
Jessica smiled back. “See you tomorrow.”
“Casual Friday.” Maggie beamed.
Jessica wondered how much more casual Maggie's outfits could get as she walked to her mom's car. She couldn't help smiling as she got in next to Priscilla.
“What's so funny?” her mom asked.
“Just one of the women at the bank.” Jessica arranged her crutches and buckled up.
Priscilla started the car. “I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the work.”
Jessica watched the bank disappear behind them. “The people more than the work.”
Priscilla navigated the small-town streets out of Bellfrey.
“Mom?”
“Yes.” Priscilla glanced at her. “What's wrong? Are you in pain?”
"No. No, I'm not in pain. Is it true the bank might be closing?"
“Oh that. Yeah, it looks like we might close it. How did you know? That's supposed to be confidential information until we've made the final decision.”
“Someone let it slip to one of the bankers.”
“Who?” Priscilla glanced at her again. “I suppose it doesn't matter. I just hate disloyalty.”
“So it is true?”
“It's complicated. We're consolidating the business and part of that is to go through every branch and see if they're worth keeping. Right now, Bellfrey is a bit... up in the air. That's why you're working there. To make sure we have all the information we need.”
“But you think it will close?”
Priscilla looked at her. “Why do you care? I thought you did your banking online?”
“I do. But the Bellfrey Bank is part of what keeps Bellfrey alive. A lot of elderly people don't use computers. And what about loans and insurance?”
“It's nice that you care. But it's just one bank.”
“But it's my bank. Bellfrey is my home.”
“I understand. I'm sure Bellfrey would survive without a bank.”
“So it is closing?”
“It looks like it might. The board took a preliminary vote.”
“How did you vote?”
Their eyes met. "To keep it open. I know I shouldn't let emotions rule my business, but this is such a close call, and I know Bellfrey means a lot to you.”
Jessica smiled.
“Some of the board members were with me, but some weren't. If you want to keep it open...” Priscilla bit her lip.
“Yes?” Jessica leaned closer.
“You're going to have to convince Cory to change his vote. Besides me, he is the largest shareholder, and he has a few members that follow his lead.”
Jessica leaned back and closed her eyes.
“I shouldn't be telling you this.” Priscilla shook her head.
“Do you think he'll change his mind?”
“I honestly don't know. He has a
lot on his plate right now and Bellfrey is such a small office. I don't think he cares."
Jessica nodded and sighed. She'd have to find a way to convince him.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT the mansion, she was determined to find a way to keep the Bellfrey Bank open.
“Ah, the intrepid worker returns.” Cory was sitting in one of the living rooms with his laptop.
“Cory, I need to talk to you.” Jessica sat down in one of the sofas and put her leg up on an ottoman.
“About time.” Cory closed his computer and sat next to her. “Is this a continuation of the negotiations?” He took her hand.
“No.” Jessica pulled her hand back.
“Oh, come on. You know we'd be great together. And our children would be unstoppable. With your beauty and my business savvy they could conquer the world.” He turned towards her and leaned his elbow on the back of the sofa.
“Still, that's not what I wanted to talk about.” Jessica tried to shift away from him.
“Then what can I do for you?” He let his hand drop behind her and played with her hair.
“It's about the bank.”
“The one where you work?” Cory furrowed his eyebrows.
“Yes, I wondered if you could change your vote?”
“What vote?”
“The vote to close it?”
“To close it?" Cory looked confused. "We close a lot of banks.”
“The Bellfrey Bank. My mom said you had a vote about it.”
“Oh.” Cory's expression brightened. “Oh, that's the bank you work at? I had no idea.”
“You came there.”
Cory shrugged. “I came to pick you up. Not to evaluate the bank.”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Can you change your vote?”
Cory removed his arm and moved away from her a bit.
“You're asking me to change my vote?” He looked at her like she had asked him to murder someone.
Jessica hesitated. “Y-yes.”
He shook his head. “Jessica, Jessica, Jessica. I don't appreciate you meddling in my job. There are a lot of factors that I need to consider when I vote.”
“I understand. But mom said it was a close call.”