Chapter 38
Jenni pulled off her coat, hung it up on the back of the door, kicked off her shoes and then dumped her bag on the kitchen table.
Her head was still spinning.
The board had loved her samples. Lucy’s presentation had been creative and impressive, and they’d been given the go ahead to proceed to the next stage.
Jenni, Lucy and Tim had been assigned to the project, working with designers and manufacturers, but, most exciting of all, Jenni had been appointed creative director, in charge of producing all the different colourways, before the team would jointly decide the final range.
It would be a lot of work, but Jenni couldn’t wait to get started.
She hoped she could persuade Amy to join her on the team as a consultant.
She was on the last couple of months of maternity leave from Go Big, and HR had agreed that Amy could use her keeping-in-touch days to work on the project before her official return.
Jenni trusted Amy’s instincts and knew her friend’s marketing expertise was just what they needed.
She couldn’t wait to tell her about the exciting turn of events, and just hoped she’d be up for the idea.
She’d wanted to call her immediately, but instead had sent a text asking her to call when she was free, before nipping in to M&S, throwing delicious meals from the Dining for Two range into her basket with wild abandon to add to the couple of cocktails in a tin she’d grabbed from the fridge.
Now, back home, she poured herself a cocktail before stepping out into the garden.
Sitting down at the rickety table, she took a long sip, relaxing back into the chair as the fruity – one of her five a day, surely? – drink worked it’s magic.
She couldn’t believe what had happened today. For the Go Big board to ask her to work on the new range was huge, and she knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime. But looking at her shed, she began to feel doubt creep in.
Cramped didn’t even begin to describe her work space, and there was no room for anyone else in there – even Oscar had to perch on a pile of boxes if he ever joined her.
She’d have to take a much more structured approach to colour mixing, too. She couldn’t just fling a few onion skins in a bucket and hope for the best. Clive and the Go Big team would demand consistency, so she’d need to record all her ingredients and quantities.
She took another sip of drink. There was no way her shed could cope. She needed somewhere bigger. She needed a proper studio.
‘So let me get this straight. You want me to leave my children for a few hours each week to get paid to hang out with you and look at bits of fabric?’ Amy asked after Jenni had filled her in on her new work venture.
It was nine in the evening and Amy had finally had a chance to call her back after a rather fraught bath and bedtime.
‘Yes, sorry, you’re right, it’s selfish of me. I shouldn’t have asked. Spending time with your kids is much more important—’
‘Of course I want to do it, you fool,’ interrupted Amy. ‘It sounds amazing. Simon and I have already talked about childcare for when I go back to work, and his mum has said she’ll do a day looking after the kids. I’d love to do it.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful, thank you. When you’ve sorted your hours with HR we can create a proper job spec for you.’
‘Yes, I’ll come up with a title suitably nature-based so we’re on brand with the whole vibe as well. I think you’re right about finding somewhere larger, by the way. We need a nice, big open-plan space to work in.’
‘Good idea. I’ll ask Clive if there’s somewhere at the office we can use—’
The piercing squeal of a disgruntled toddler from Amy’s end of the phone broke up the conversation. ‘Sorry, Jen, I’m going to have to go, but let me know how you get on with Clive, and I’ll speak to you soon.’
A nudge at her ankle made her jump, and Jenni looked down to see Oscar rubbing against her leg, purring now he had her attention.
‘Do you want your dinner?’ Jenni asked, before spotting the bright ribbon tied to his collar.
‘Oh, another note. Let’s see what number sixty-six has to say this time.’
Hi,
Sorry. I think I freaked you out with my last note.
Fred is what I’ve been calling your cat as I don’t know his real name.
I was trying for humour, but I can see how I might have got it very wrong.
Sorry about that. I promise there are no bodies buried under my patio, I actually save lives for a living!
I looked in the house I made him to shelter in if I was late getting home and it’s full of toys. I’m not sure if they’re his or if he’s ‘borrowed’ them from another cat. Anyway, if they’re his, do you want them back again? If not, I’ll get rid of them.
66
Jenni laughed. She liked the tone of the note and, obviously, it was reassuring to know 66 wasn’t quite the crazy neighbour she’d imagined.
Or so they said, she thought darkly.
She read the note again, looking for clues to their identity. Saving lives for a living was interesting. Perhaps they were an A&E doctor? Intriguing.