Chapter Twenty-Three
"So you're not upset ?" said Val, sounding amazed. "I mean — basically you were fired. Bram Funte and his company are total creeps, they're not worth it, but I know it still stings because Skyline Inspirations was your big break."
"Maybe we don't need them," said Nina. "I think we'll be fine on our own."
"That's the right attitude. You know? You're worth, like, a thousand of them. And Molly's got, like, super senses or something."
"She's the best, no arguing," said Nina. "She found her stride here, she can face anything." Molly had learned the most of the two of them, it had actually been good for her stubbornness and passion to be tested. She was so indomitable it would be hard not to imagine that Molly could face anything after this.
"You're sure? If you want to cry, I'm here. I'm totally sympathetic, I can listen and send you mental images of tissues even if I can't be there."
"I'm not crying, so it's okay," said Nina. "Don't worry about it, Val."
"Okay, but if you need me, seriously, I am here," said Val. "Except on Wednesday, I promised my cousin we could do mani-pedis before her bridal shower."
"Just hold the fort until we get back," said Nina.
They had packed almost everything for the return trip, except for the few items they were shipping home — Molly had decided at the last to keep the animatronic Santa and his elves also. Nina was only keeping the storybooks, the one with the Emperor and Nightingale's story still marked.
"The ornaments Reina made," said Molly, checking off the list. "The icicle and snowflake lights, the London landmark kits — also, we want to keep the cute wooden boxes, maybe?"
"I think so," said Nina. "What about the leather bag and the toys?"
"Mmm, I don't know. Let Lea take them also?"
"I'll take the toys," said Bradley, raising his hand. "I thought they were great."
"All the ornaments except the glass ones are going to charity, obviously, and we're returning the deer and the other antiques, so that's everything settled," said Molly, closing the list. "Everybody's tickets are booked, so it's just our clothes and basic art supplies that need packed for the flight."
"If there's room in one of the boxes, I can ship some of the extra supplies," said Bradley, putting the last of the faux snow fabric into a donation box, along with the extra sheer backdrop fabric. "I'll take this load down to the van. Put anything else you want to get rid of in the box by the window, and anything we're keeping that won't fit in the bags into the box by the table, some of the stuff for the shipping boxes is in that one, too." He pulled the door behind him with the heel of his foot, so it began swinging shut as he exited.
"We might have to use that option," said Molly, zipping up one bag. "Let's see — my flight leaves at six in the morning, so there's still some time to grab lunch before I finish packing. Yours?" she looked at Nina, who was putting the last of the empty glitter containers into the garbage.
"I haven't booked it yet," said Nina.
"That's putting it off to the last minute, isn't it?" said Molly. "You'll be dragging in without enough time to do your Christmas shopping before the big day. Plus, we have to get back to work, you know Valarie probably took some bookings for the new year already while we were away."
"I know, it's true," said Nina. "Not that it takes two of us to handle things. We proved that during our tiff."
"You planning to make a habit of us fighting?" asked Molly, jokingly.
"No, I'm just thinking of the truth. You handled the biggest part of the decor this time, I was more like the troubleshooter of the two of us. It was a role reversal, which isn't bad," said Nina.
"Then what are you saying?" said Molly, dropping some packages of crystal rhinestones in the box.
"Nothing. Only it doesn't take two of us all the time," said Nina. "I've been the lead voice for too long at our headquarters. I was thinking it was time for you to be the one who speaks first, not just when there's a problem we're trying to solve."
"You mean it?" said Molly. "Wow. Whoa. I'm flattered. But — what is all this about? You can't just be thinking you want us to swap talents or roles. Like — Freaky Friday for decorators?"
Nina laughed. "That's not exactly it," she said.
***
"T hey're playing my song," said Molly, taking off her coat as they entered the pub, where the jukebox was blasting 'Last Christmas.' Ted, wiping down the bar, gave them a nod of greeting. It might be Nina's imagination, but she thought his glance stayed longer on Molly as she passed by.
They settled around a quiet table in the corner farthest from the music — her, Molly, and Bradley. As Ted approached, Molly flashed a grin.
"Bit early in the day for you lot," he said.
"Well, it's the end of the working season, so it's happy hour all the time," she answered. "Bring us three of your finest lemon squashes with a splash of vodka in each."
"Sounds like one of your ruddy university party punches," he said. "Okay, then. Do you want some sandwiches or is it meat pies?"
"How about sausage rolls?" said Bradley.
"Make mine a turkey and avocado on wheat," said Nina.
"Coming directly," said Ted, jotting it down. "Including the ruddy American combo." He looked at Molly as he said it, who rolled her eyes.
Their drinks came first, and Molly sipped hers. "We should toast our time here, because it's been amazing," she said. "There's nothing better than finishing success with friends."
"I'll drink to that," said Bradley, raising his own glass. "It beat lectures in fabric history class, no debate about that for me."
Nina was watching the door, waiting until she saw Vincent come in. She waved as he slipped off his coat and he saw the movement of her hand, smiling at her.
"I'm late," he said. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Any friend of Nina's is a friend of ours," said Molly. "Welcome to the company. We met before, but I'm Molly." They shook hands. "You know Brad our assistant and decorator extraordinaire."
"Who hopes this is the beginning of a bright design career," said Bradley, with a quick grin.
"Your work was certainly the first step towards one," answered Vincent. "Congratulations to all of you."
"Thanks," said Molly. "Can we get you something? Drink? Food?"
"Let's order an appetizer for the table," said Nina. "We're celebrating. Success, now homeward bound are we. Well, most of us," she added. She motioned for Ted, and pointed to the menu line for chips in white cheddar sauce.
"I wouldn't say no to a drink and a bite to eat," Vincent answered. "Since I'm not catching a plane I could indulge more, but I won't." He looked at Nina, trying to be casual, although she could see he wasn't in a festive mood for the conversation about flights.
"By the time we're at home for good, the new store will be fully operational, so you must be looking forward to it," said Bradley. "You're one of the heads of the London design team, aren't you?"
"Yes, for now," said Vincent. "It's a nice change from Paris. But — I've been here for half a year, transitioning over from Paris, so that's old news for me."
"I'll buy one of your dresses if our business picks up after this venture," said Molly, joking. "From some Manhattan department store's exclusive label section."
"Is an expansion in the future?" he asked.
"Sure," said Molly. "Word is bound to spread. Social media, then word of mouth, so we're bound to score a few new jobs from places that wouldn't hire us before. I'm looking forward to some fancy Manhattan gigs, although Bradley here has to spend as much time in class as he does working."
"Sounds as if you have it all planned," said Vincent, as Ted brought the food.
"Here you go," he said. He put the basket of chips in the middle — American fries, as he disdainfully referred to them before — and their sandwiches on plates. He placed Vincent's drink on the table, too, glancing at Molly with a wink before he turned to go. Her smile became secretive.
"Actually, I won't be going back yet," said Nina. Vincent turned his head. "Molly and I were talking, and I said I was thinking about taking some time off. I could stay on for a little while. I didn't have much chance to see the scenery, scope it out. Maybe even see Paris. See if ... maybe ... there's something more in a place like this for a Queens window dresser."
Vincent's gaze softened completely. "That sounds like a good change," he said.
"Maybe we'll open a Paris branch someday," joked Molly.
"I would drink to that," said Bradley.
"So would I," said Vincent, with a smile. "So — to the creative minds of Display by Design?" He raised his glass. "May their future shine as bright as the magic they create."
"To girl power matching the grandeur of Parkleigh Square," joked Molly.
"To all of us," said Nina. "May we carry the same endurance as the history we've just shared." They clinked glasses to the beat of another classic Christmas song. The lights in the silver tinsel wreath on the wall above twinkled brightly, like the shining star atop a Christmas tree.