Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
“ D on’t forget, the lease renews this year,” Connor said to Nina as he drank a coffee from a take-out cup. “I’ve two people waiting for commercial properties in Wells. Your rent has been the same for years. I’ll have to increase it.”
“I’ll need to look at comparables,” Nina said, glancing around her shop.
“It has to be the going rate.”
“I’ve been a good tenant. And I’ve kept the building in excellent condition.”
He gestured around the room. “Everyone can see how well you’ve done. I can’t afford to subsidise you.”
“You’re hardly subsiding me, Connor. And while it might look as if business is booming, there’s been a slump.” Nina knew what average rents were and understood prices had risen and interest rates were expected to be on their way down. She guessed Connor was worth a few million and was simply trying it on with her. “I’ll go over my books and do my numbers, to check the business would still be viable with an increase,” she said, being non-committal. The truth was she really needed to have a plan if she wanted to turn a decent profit. She didn’t want to have to live off Ethan. Yes, he’d spoiled her and she lived in his house, but she paid the utility bills and bought their food. Being independent had always been important to her. “What sort of increase are you considering?”
“I think it should be fifty percent higher.”
Nina refrained from reacting. She didn’t want to get into an argument with him, not when she was feeling particularly emotional. “As I said, I’ll check my books.” She had known he would go in hard and she would negotiate that down to what she felt she could afford.
Nina watched Connor’s back as he left. It was Saturday, two days after she’d been ousted from the council. She’d spent Friday in bed feeling completely lethargic but knew she had to snap out of it. Ethan was due home Monday evening and she wanted to get back to the real world and consider her position. She couldn’t languish in bed which made her feel as if she was ill – she’d even been sick again that morning. I have to take care of myself, she told herself planning a balanced meal that evening. Ethan was a vegan and their diet was extremely healthy but while he was away and with her canvassing, she’d been living off fast food, albeit vegetarian, often consisting of fried treats. No wonder I’m feeling sick and drained, she thought, assuming she was low on vitamins.
She pulled her accounting books out of the drawer and studied them. Something Simple had suffered during the pandemic when no one was getting married and even though she’d had a rush on when things picked up, footfall was down. Without profits, she’d been living off her councillor’s allowance and with all the extra committees she was on, it had been more than enough to survive on. The shop had been running at a loss.
She looked up as the door chimed to find Jaz walking in. She was always dressed smartly with high heels, although she was still shorter than her as Jaz was petite. She had dark bobbed hair, big brown eyes with a fierce resting face, which came alive when she smiled. She was successful in a way Nina was not, financially successful, a millionaire with a business selling high-end motorhomes and caravans. And being a step mum and caring for her siblings, she juggled a family. And she’d come from humble beginnings. Yes, Jaz was the real deal – a superwoman.
“Hun,” Jaz said. “I called in yesterday to see you, but Sumitra was here and said you were taking a day off. How are you?”
Nina stared at Jaz and gulped. She guessed her face said it all because Jaz turned the open sign to closed, then locked the door.
“I’m sorry, I guess I look awful,” Nina said, running a hand through her long, dark brown hair.
“Awful, never, but I can see the strain on your face, hun. Come out back, let’s get a cuppa.”
Nina stood up and did as she was told. Jaz was well known for being bossy and at times it irritated her, but in this instance she was pleased she was taking the lead.
Jaz filled the kettle, switched it on then swung around. “Chick, you look pale, and you never look pale.”
“This whole thing has left me feeling sick. I can’t believe it, even if I did see it coming.”
“Holly was totally shocked. I blame Barry Brent, the guy probably got a load of his mates to vote for Sam. It wouldn’t surprise me if he offered free vouchers for one of his off-licences if people rocked up at the polling station. The man’s a bad lot. It’s him who wants to be on the council, not Sam. Mark my words it’ll be a right mess and they’ll have to have another election and you’ll be straight back in there.” She placed tea bags in two mugs. “I give him six months and he’ll be running for the Mendip Hills.”
“Barry was dead against my recycling initiative. I think that’s what it’s all about. But I’ve got more trouble.”
“What’s up?” Jaz said.
“This place. It’s been making a loss for the last couple of years and now I’ve lost my only source of income. The lease is up for renewal in a few months and Connor wants to up the rent by fifty percent.”
“Fifty?”
“That’s what he said. I know he’s just trying it on but it will be going up by something. He even had the cheek to say he thinks he’s been subsidising my business. I know rents have increased, but not that much. I’ll negotiate him down.”
“I can’t believe it, chick, you’re the bridal boutique of the south west!”
“I know, but many others have folded, and the reason they’ve closed isn’t because I’ve taken their business, the business has gone online. And this place is high-end. It’s the cheaper dresses that sell now, not the bigger ticket items. People don’t want to spend a couple of thousand on a dress for a day like they used to. They focus on saving money, not spending it.” She picked up her smartphone, brought up a social media site and showed it to Jaz. “Look, they even brag on social media at how cheap their dresses are. Life hacks are cool! I used to sell quite a few designer handbags but those sales have also dried up in recent years, again, people choosing to buy online. I still have a couple of regular middle-aged customers who like the bags but even the most eager only buys two a year. That’s hardly going to keep the business afloat.”
“I don’t have to tell you, chick, how to run your business. You’ve got an MBA – but have you thought of diversifying?”
“Yes. I get a few people coming in this time of year, buying off-the-peg bridesmaid dresses for prom. I could do a larger line on that, but I’ve missed the boat this year as most of the prom crowd are sorted. I’m going to try off-the-peg wedding dresses, although I won’t be getting them in from China to compete as that goes entirely against my business ethos. But I’m going to visit my suppliers to discuss their more affordable lines and any discontinued stock, to see if I can place a bulk order in popular sizes. I’ll have to change my methods as my model has always worked on the client paying a deposit, me ordering the dresses and then paying as soon as I’ve enough from the customer to cover the wholesale cost.”
Jaz handed her a mug of tea. “If you put together a business plan on a new model, I can have a word with a couple of investors for you, see if I can release anything myself.”
“No, I don’t want to raise funds like that.”
“I’m sure Ethan can help you out.”
“I don’t want to feel a drag on him.”
“A drag? He’s lucky he’s got you!” Jaz had never been a fan of Ethan’s and that often irritated Nina. He was her soul mate.
Nina didn’t have the energy to argue with Jaz about Ethan so made no comment. “I’ll have to sit down and take a long hard look, but my initial plan is to set sale prices for my entire stock. A sale will release funds which I can use to buy a stock of off-the-peg dresses. And to relaunch, in the short term, even as a general occasion dress shop to get me through.”
“I knew you’d have a plan.”
“Having lost my seat, there’s no way I’m going to lose this place as well. I can’t be a complete loser.”
“Chick, you’re far from a loser. And without the council, you’ll have loads more time to devote to this place. You’ll turn it around. I’m here, hun, if you need to go through it all.”
Nina’s stomach lurched. She felt weak, the slightest stress making her sick. “I just need the loo.”
She shut the toilet door and tried to be as quiet as she could – she didn’t want Jaz to hear. Outside of the toilet, she opened the back door and took in some gulps of fresh air as she looked into the yard. She pulled a mint from her jacket pocket before returning to the kitchen.
Jaz had already finished her cup of tea. “Give it a week and you’ll see everything in a new light and probably have your head around everything. Come up to The Eversley Arms on Friday night.”
“Ethan will be back, we can come together.”
“Great. We’re getting everyone over. Rob’s starting a darts team. The Dog and Horn are coming over for a friendly match so they need all the support they can get, although it’ll be loud,” she said with a laugh. The Dog and Horn pub was located in the nearby Eversley Burrows housing estate where Jaz grew up.
Nina felt happier at the thought of going with Ethan. He’d been positive about her future when she’d called him. He always boosted her confidence and cheered her on, allowing her to see the brighter side of everything. She couldn’t wait for him to return, to feel his arms around her. And having him there at The Eversley Arms would be ideal as she knew she would have to face everyone at some point after losing her seat. And it would be better for her to have everyone there together, to get the commiserations over in one day with Ethan by her side. “I’d like that,” she said. “I can’t wallow in self-pity forever.”
“That sounds more like you, hun.” Jaz went on tiptoe and gave Nina a brief air kiss.
Nina followed Jaz to the exit and watched while she unlocked the door and turned the sign to open.
“See you Friday, if not before,” she said with a smile.
Nina watched Jaz trot down the side of the market until she disappeared from view. She stood there for a while gazing at the world going by. Why was it that everyone else seemed to be happy without a care in the world? People laughing, haggling for their wares with the stall holders and making jokes. She knew that behind the masks everyone had their issues. She had to remember that – it wasn’t only her. She’d always been fortunate, a loving family, an excellent education, a head for business. Life had its up and downs and she had to just suck it up and deal with it.
Having given herself a good talking to, she began an inventory of her stock. She turned at the sound of the doorbell as someone opened it.
“Nina.” It was her mother, Sumitra. “I brought you some food.”
The smell of samosas instantly made her feel ill, reminding her of election night, and she rushed out again to the toilet.
Sumitra followed her and rapped on the closed door of the cubicle. “Are you okay?”
When she was done, Nina came out. “Sorry, Ma, my stomach is weak today.”
“You should be at home if you’re ill!”
“I’m not ill, it’s just the stress. But I’m focussed today. Without the council allowance I need to turn the business around, so that it’s making a decent profit.”
“Dad and I were discussing it last night. We know you’ve had a couple of bad years. We’ve some money set aside, if you need a boost.”
“No. That’s your pension money and Dad will be closing his shop next year. I need to deal with this on my own and you need to keep the money in the bank. You’ve nearly got the retirement fund you aimed for.”
“You’re always so independent, Nina.” She tutted. “Now do you want this food?”
“I’ve eaten,” she lied, not wanting to tell her it was the waft of samosa that sent her running to the lavatory.
“You can take it home then. Cool it down and put it in your fridge.” Sumitra walked towards the kitchen then placed the bag on the worktop. “When’s Ethan back?”
“Monday evening,” Nina replied.
“When are you setting the date for the wedding? With you losing your seat, there’s no excuse about being busy. You’ll have so much more time without those committee meetings.”
As much as Nina appreciated her mother, she was not helping matters. “We’ll get there. I’ve the business to worry about first. When I’m settled and turning a profit, we’ll think about a date.” She hoped that would keep her mother at bay, although she also was eager to set a date. To have something to look forward to.
“You’re thirty-seven, you need to watch your biological clock.”
“A lot of women are waiting these days,” Nina said.
“But there’s a history in the family of early menopause. You know that!”
Yes, she did know that, her mother mentioned it often. She felt a flush cover her body. When was my last period? she thought. It wasn’t something she always kept a note of. But she knew she’d not had one for a while. And she’d been having a few hot flushes recently. Oh no, she thought, a m I really in early menopause? Whilst Nina was not what others would call a baby person, having a husband and a child was always something she’d thought would happen to her. In her mind, her future included Ethan and a daughter. A family like her family with her mother and father. Of them taking holidays together, building sandcastles on the beach, playing ball games.
“I really think you should get checked out by the doctor. I’ll book you in.” Sumitra had a doctor friend who was a private physician. “Dr Gupta specialised in gynaecology before she became a GP.” She pulled her phone from her bag. “I’ll text you the date and time. Maybe that will spur you on to set a wedding date, if Dr Gupta thinks there’s a danger you will hit menopause before you’re forty.” She gave her a kiss. “Now, cheer up and look after yourself. Are you coming for lunch tomorrow?”
“No, I want to go through the house to make sure it’s clean and fresh before Ethan returns. I’ll call you.”