If the Shoes Fit

by Pauline Lawless

  The others listened, fascinated, except for Val who sat in barely controlled fury. Phoebe looked interested but in fact her mind was miles away. Lesley was taking notes. Amber, Tessa and Rosie were taking it all on board, delighted for their young friend.

  “I offer any rep who throws a party for me, one pair of shoes at 50% discount. All it means is that I am foregoing my commission on that pair of shoes, as the rep would have 25% commission anyway. Somehow, it appeals to them and they are all keen to hold parties as often as they can. It certainly pays off.”

  “What a great idea!” Grace said.

  The others murmured their agreement.

  Niamh showed them her list of reps and they couldn’t believe that she’d recruited so many, so quickly.

  “And you with three small children to look after, not like the rest of us who are free!” Rosie said.

  “Well, Mam is a wonderful help,” Niamh smiled.

  Bloody wonderful to you, not to me, Val thought savagely. She was very surprised to hear Niamh say that she’d taken on Sharon Murphy to help her. Val remembered her from school, a chubby, shy girl, whom she had teased unmercifully because of her weight. She’d been very surprised when she’d heard that Sharon had married Dean, who was a bit of all right. She’d been pregnant of course, how else could she have landed him! Val had slept with him a few times. Maybe I should have got pregnant by him. Missed the boat there, she thought. She decided that she’d ask Sharon to deliver her shoes as well. Why not? If she was doing it anyway for Niamh, what difference would a few more pairs make?

  When Niamh had finished, they all applauded her loudly, Val barely bringing her hands together.

  They broke for coffee. Lesley hoped for an opportunity to have a quiet word with Pete but he was busy talking to Carlo so she abandoned it and went outside for a cigarette with Val and Phoebe.

  “Can I have a quick word, Pete?” Carlo asked, as they took their coffee.

  “Sure, man,” Pete smiled.

  Carlo spoke in a low voice, not wanting to be overheard. “I don’t wish to intrude on your personal life but I feel I must say something.” He felt very uncomfortable speaking about the situation but felt it had to be done. “It has come to my attention that you are – how can I put it? – having an affair with one of our managers.”

  Pete’s smile faded. “It is, in fact, none of your business. May I enquire from whom you heard this?” he asked, his fists clenching with annoyance at this intrusion.

  “From the lady in question,” Carlo replied.

  Pete’s face gave nothing away but inside he was seething. How dare Lesley discuss him with someone else – and Carlo of all people! He was furious with her. The stupid cow! I’ll kill her when I get my hands on her!

  “It’s just that, as the lady is married,” Carlo continued apologetically, “Grace and I both feel it could lead to complications.”

  Pete’s smile was back in place. “No need to worry, old boy,” he replied. “That was just a little dalliance, if you know what I mean.” He winked at Carlo. “Between you and me,” he continued, lowering his voice confidentially, “I am wooing another young lady who is unattached and who I’m sure you will approve of.”

  “Who is that?” Carlo asked, curious.

  Pete looked around to be sure he was out of earshot. “Amber,” he grinned.

  “Amber?” Carlo repeated, not sure if he’d heard correctly.

  “Yes,” Pete smiled. “We went out together last Saturday night and to tell you the truth, I’m quite smitten.”

  Carlo tried to pull himself together. He couldn’t believe that Amber would be interested in Pete. He had felt that there was a chance he could develop a relationship with her himself. He dearly wanted to meet a lovely woman and settle down. He’d hoped that perhaps Amber was that woman, but now . . .!

  Pete had no idea of the bombshell he’d just delivered. He chatted on about how sweet and intelligent Amber was but Carlo didn’t hear him. He felt shell-shocked. Luckily, at that moment, Grace called the meeting back to order again.

  “I’d like to try something now,” Grace said when they had regrouped. “A little exercise, if you will.” She smiled at their expectant faces. “I’d like each of you to tell us what, if any, incentives you can come up with to motivate your reps. A brainstorming session, if you like to call it that. Anyone like to start?”

  Tessa put her hand up. “Yes, Tessa?”

  “Well, I’ve offered a prize of a meal out for two, to the rep with the best sales in the next month.”

  “Good idea,” Carlo smiled at her.

  “I give a bottle of champagne to anyone who holds a party for me,” Amber said, “but I think Niamh’s idea of commission is better, so I’m going to start that from now on.” She smiled her thanks to Niamh.

  “Yes, I think that really is something you should all consider,” Grace agreed. “It really won’t cost you much more than a bottle of wine,” she continued, “and I should think it would really motivate your reps. Thanks for that tip, Niamh. Phoebe? Have you any ideas?”

  “So many, I don’t know where to start . . .”

  Grace cut her short. “Then I suggest you email them to me and I can then share them with everybody.” Grace’s voice brooked no argument, much to Phoebe’s disappointment. She was crestfallen, her moment of glory snatched away from her.

  The girls breathed a sigh of relief. Carlo and Pete tried to hide smiles. If Phoebe started on her no doubt crazy ideas they would be there for a week.

  “How about you, Lesley?” Grace asked.

  “I give my representatives the opportunity to earn commission on every pair of shoes they sell,” Lesley stated arrogantly, staring the others down. “That, I think, is motivation enough.” She tossed her head, making her curls bounce madly.

  “Well, I suppose that’s one way of looking at it,” Grace commented drily, raising her eyebrows.

  Pete sniggered, much to Lesley’s annoyance. The other girls, with the exception of Val, tried to hide their amusement.

  “And Val. Have you anything to add?” Grace asked her.

  Val had no ideas whatsoever, so she replied, “I agree with Lesley,” and was awarded with a bright smile from her friend. Grace frowned and Niamh wanted to shake Val. Surely she could have come up with something rather than just parrot Lesley?

  “And lastly, Rosie . . .” Grace smiled at her.

  “I hold a draw once a month for all those who have had a party for me and the winner gets the pair of shoes of their choice.”

  “Another terrific idea,” Grace smiled at her. “Thanks, Rosie.”

  She then asked them to take ten minutes to try and come up with some more ideas for incentives. They amazed themselves with the amount of ideas they came up with. Phoebe’s contribution was, as expected, completely off the wall. The others had to restrain themselves from laughing out loud at her ridiculous proposals. Lesley scoffed openly at her ideas while Val was torn between impressing Lesley or supporting Phoebe. She was, after all, indebted to Phoebe for taking her in but she didn’t want to alienate Lesley, so she said nothing.

  “That was very illuminating,” Grace remarked when they’d finished. “Well, ladies, it may be hard to believe, but we are now into the peak Christmas shopping period, which means you have a fantastic opportunity to reach more customers this month and thereby greatly increase your sales. Amber has already made great progress in this regard – she has a great idea on how to target husbands and boyfriends, particularly at this time of year, and I’ve asked her to share this with you all. Amber?” She beckoned, inviting her up to address the meeting.

  Pete thought Amber looked radiant. She had her blonde waves tied up on top of her head but tendrils had escaped and were framing her face and falling on her neck. She looked adorable, like a heroine from one of Jane Austen’s novels. Lesley was watching him watching her, and she saw the admiration in his eyes. She has them all drooling over her, she thought, furiously. She noticed that Carlo seemed
to be mesmerised by her too. Lesley just couldn’t understand what they saw in her. Stuck-up bitch!

  Amber told them about Luke’s party and all the parties and sales that had resulted from it and when she’d finished they all agreed that this was a terrific way to increase sales over the next few weeks.

  Tessa saw that Carlo seemed uneasy and kept raking his hand through his hair as he listened to Amber talk. She wondered had something happened between them. Amber had seemed quite keen after their date on Monday night. Don’t tell me she’s changed her mind. The poor guy, he really didn’t deserve it.

  After lunch, they filed back into the room to find a display of stunning bags set out. The two men laughed at the reaction of these grown women to the bags. They were squealing with delight like eight-year-old girls. Even Rosie, a very mature lady, was behaving like a kid in a sweetshop. They went from bag to bag stroking the soft supple leather and suede and inhaling the delicious smell of them. The men marvelled at the effect shoes and bags seemed to have on the whole female race. Men would never understand it.

  The girls realised that the six bags matched the shoes they had been selling.

  “Oh, look at this purple one!” Niamh squealed.

  “What about this red clutch?” Amber asked. “Isn’t it divine?”

  They were in seventh heaven. Amber and Tessa recognised that the bags were very similar indeed to the latest designer bags. Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Dior, Marc Jacobs and Balenciaga – they were all there.

  “Okay, girls, calm down,” Grace laughed, clapping her hands. “Now these bags are obviously matching the shoes that you have been selling and are available from today for you to sell. They retail at between €60 and €80 and hopefully your customers who bought shoes will want the bag to match. I have brochures here for you to take with you and, as a bonus, to thank you for all your good work, you can choose whichever bag you’d like!” She smiled at their delight. “Let Carlo know your choice and we’ll deliver it to you with your order next week.”

  Amber decided on the red, Tessa on the pale gold, Rosie on the grey patent and Niamh was in a tizzy trying to make up her mind. “I adore the purple suede bag just as much as I love the purple suede shoes but, honestly, the large black one would be more practical,” she said, pursing her lips and looking from one to another.

  “Decisions, decisions,” Amber laughed.

  “The black is classic Dior, it will last forever,” Tessa advised her.

  “The black one, so,” Niamh decided.

  “Well, actually, Niamh, you can have both,” Grace told her, “as we’ve decided to give you a second bag in recognition of your terrific sales.”

  Niamh was afraid she might cry. “Thank you so much, Grace, that’s fantastic,” she said, her voice wobbly with emotion. “I’ll have the purple one too then.” The others applauded her, except for Val who was seething at Niamh’s bloody luck once again.

  “We have another few things to say before we wrap up for the day,” Grace announced. “As the business has taken off so well, thanks to you, we have decided to expand outside Dublin and recruit seven more managers who will start in January. Carlo will explain.”

  She sat down as Carlo took the floor.

  “As Grace has said, ladies, it’s thanks to you that we are in a position to expand so soon. You have shown us what can be done.” He smiled at them. “I will be spending the next week here in Ireland, setting it up. If any of you know of anybody suitable, we would be delighted to consider them – especially in counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Also, if I can be of any help to any of you with your own business, please let me know. This is my new Irish mobile number.” He began to hand out his business cards to them. “I know some of you are interested in talking to Pete about your tax situation and he will be happy to meet up with you, if needs be.” He looked at Pete who nodded, smiling broadly.

  As the meeting adjourned, Grace took Val and Phoebe aside and told them, in no uncertain terms, that they would have to pull their socks up or they would not have their contract renewed. Phoebe gave the excuse that she was buying an apartment in Spain and was having untold problems with it. Val looked at her in amazement. Was she for real? Buying an apartment in Spain indeed, I’ll believe that when I see it, she thought. Val gave the excuse that her personal life was a problem at the moment.

  “I’m sorry, ladies, but your personal lives are not my problem,” Grace told them firmly. “I have a business to run and you have to deliver.”

  They were surprised at this. They’d thought that Grace was a pushover but they now realised that they had misjudged her. She could be a woman of steel when she needed to be.

  As they were leaving, Carlo took Tessa aside and asked her if she would mind staying behind for a few moments as he wanted to have a word with her in private. Intrigued, she agreed and told the girls that she would follow them into the bar shortly.

  “I hope you don’t mind my asking you this, Tessa,” he said, running his hand through his hair again, as she’d seen him do earlier. “I know you’re a good friend of Amber’s and I’m really concerned about her. Pete tells me that they’re starting a relationship. Is this true?” His large brown eyes were solemn as he looked at her.

  Tessa now understood why he had looked so agitated earlier. “Well, she has been out with him,” she began but seeinghow dejected he looked, she couldn’t help adding, “I wouldn’t worry about it. I don’t think she’s that interested in him.”

  She saw the relief wash over Carlo’s face as he straightened his shoulders and she wished it was her and not Amber who was the cause of this.

  “That’s good to know. I’m very concerned for her,” he replied. “Pete is a nice guy but a bit of a heartbreaker, I’m afraid!” He gave her a dazzling smile that sent her pulses racing.

  How can Amber be so stupid as to let this gorgeous man get away, she wondered.

  “As you know, we had dinner together on Monday night,” Carlo said. “Of course, if I thought she was serious about Pete then I wouldn’t pursue her.”

  “No, really, I don’t think she is,” Tessa assured him. “I’ll put in a good word for you, if you like?”

  “Thank you, Tessa,” he smiled, his brown eyes lighting up. “I’m sure she’ll listen to you.”

  He insisted on accompanying her into the bar where he ordered a round of drinks for the girls but he refused to join them.

  “I’m sure you have lots to talk about without me interrupting,” he told them laughingly. Then taking Tessa’s hand and bringing it to his lips, he whispered, “Grazie, mi amica.”

  She blushed.

  As she sat down, Amber whispered, “What was all that about?”

  “Tell you later,” Tessa replied in a low voice.

  Amber was dying with curiosity and no sooner were they in the car than she said, “Well, what’s going on? Has Carlo asked you out?”

  “I wish,” Tessa sighed as she fastened her seatbelt. “It was about you, actually.”

  “About me?” Amber asked, making the car lurch forward in her surprise.

  “Hey, watch out!” Tessa shrieked as she pitched forward. “Yes, Carlo is concerned about you. He’s heard you’re going out with Pete and he’s worried.”

  “Where did he hear that?” Amber asked, as she eased the car into the evening traffic.

  “From the man himself, seemingly. ‘Discreet’, as we know, is not Pete’s middle name. Carlo asked me if you were serious about Pete.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I didn’t think you were.”

  “I’m not. Seriously!” Amber said, concentrating on the road again. “He asked me to go out with him again this week but I explained that I’m just too busy.”

  Tessa wouldn’t let go. “Amber, Carlo would like to take you out again and you’d be crazy to turn him down. He is gorgeous. Honestly, I don’t know why you don’t give him a chance.”

  “I’m scared of him,” Amber admitted. “He’s too damn go
od looking.”

  “That’s not his fault.” Tessa couldn’t see the logic here.

  “No, true,” Amber agreed. “I suppose it’s my Catholic upbringing. After thirteen years of indoctrination by the nuns and then Dermot’s behaviour, is it any wonder that I don’t trust men? I’m afraid of Carlo, or maybe . . .” she added with a resigned, “maybe I’m afraid of my own feelings.”

  “You have to get over that, Amber, or you’ll be alone all your life.”

  “You seem quite smitten by Carlo yourself,” Amber teased her. “Why don’t you go out with him?”

  “Yeah, I think he’s divinely attractive and I also think he’s a lovely sensitive man,” Tessa sighed. “Sadly, he’s not interested in me. It’s you he fancies. He wants to ask you out to dinner again. Will you not go?”

  “I don’t know . . .” Amber hemmed and hawed.

  “Please, Amber, do it for me?”

  “Oh, God,” Amber laughed. “You’re so bloody persuasive. Okay, okay, I’ll go out with him – if he rings.”

  “Great!” Tessa grinned happily as Amber parked the car in the garage.

  “God, men are like buses,” Amber said seriously, turning off the engine. “You wait forever for one and then three come along together – not that we know much about waiting for buses!” She looked at Tessa and they both burst out laughing.

  “Yeah, Pete, Carlo and Luke – all together!” Tessa said, still grinning.

  “Go way with you!” Amber cried, punching her friend in the arm, and they pealed with laughter once more.

  Chapter 28

  Val rang Sharon just as soon as she left the hotel.

  “Hi, Sharon. Val here, Niamh’s sister.”