Driving Home for Christmas

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘Probably,’ Skye agreed. ‘But the problem is finding someone who only wants a few weeks’ work who she can trust. She finds it hard to get girls who know about the labels without being utterly useless spoiled divas.’

  ‘Well, tell her I’m desperate, broke and a total expert on labels!’

  Skye giggled as she grabbed her phone. ‘I’ll text her. It’s after eleven so she might be asleep. Hopefully, she’s still looking for someone.’

  Pippa jumped up and hugged her. ‘You’re my guardian angel, do you know that?’

  ‘Nothing’s certain yet.’

  As they finished going through the bills, Skye’s phone bleeped.

  ‘She’s thrilled. Go in and have a chat with her at nine tomorrow morning,’ Skye reported.

  ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ Pippa said, bouncing around the room, like Winnie-the-Pooh’s friend Tigger.

  ‘What day is the bin collection?’ Skye asked, pen and notebook poised.

  ‘Eh, Wednesday. No, Friday, I think.’ Pippa was tired of the housekeeping conversation. ‘It doesn’t really matter. I usually just put the odd black bag I fill in someone else’s wheelie bin in the basement. It’s never a big issue.’

  ‘Oh, we can’t do that,’ Skye said, clearly shocked. ‘Leave it with me and I’ll find out about it.’

  ‘You’re amazing!’ Pippa said, and bounced into her bedroom to find something to wear the next day.

  Pippa was meant to meet Sue at nine, but found herself pressing her nose up against the window at half past eight.

  A tall, elegant blonde woman was inside the locked shop, thumbing through a large book on the counter. Catching Pippa’s eye, she walked towards the door and opened it. ‘Pippa?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, you must be Sue.’ She stood up straight. ‘I’m sorry I’m a bit early. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to see you,’ she gushed.

  ‘Well, that’s a good start. I love your outfit,’ Sue said, taking in Pippa’s city shorts with the sheer dark tights and high-heeled ankle boots, the metallic top and leather blazer.

  ‘Thanks.’ Pippa smiled. ‘And I love your Moschino dress. I saw it in Harper’s Bazaar last month. It’s amazing on you.’

  ‘Come in,’ Sue said, grinning. ‘I’ve a feeling you’re going to fit right in here. Do you have any retail experience?’

  ‘Only on the spending side of the fence,’ Pippa admitted. ‘But I did a portfolio course in art and design last year, along with working for a promotions company at weekends and in the evenings, so I’d love to do window displays for you – and I know I’d have no trouble selling anything in this store.’ She couldn’t take her eyes off the rails. ‘“Be still, my beating heart”! Is that the new capsule collection from Donna Karan? I thought Harrods was the nearest retailer for that.’

  ‘They were until last week.’ Sue smiled. ‘Pippa? You’re hired! When can you start?’

  ‘Now?’ Pippa offered. ‘Or is that too late?’

  Both women laughed.

  Pippa took Sue up on her suggestion to have a good look at the stock. ‘Ask any questions you like, but I reckon after a day, two tops, of being in here you’ll know the lie of the land.’

  Pippa didn’t want to create a bad impression by using her phone so she texted Skye discreetly to let her know she’d secured the job: Deadly! Well done! Isn’t Sue the best?!

  Pippa responded quickly and put her phone firmly in her coat pocket in the stockroom.

  Unlike any other job she’d ever had, Pippa took to this one instantly. Sue had to tell her to go and have lunch. ‘You’ll be no good to me if you collapse in a heap.’

  ‘I know, but I’ve so many ideas for the window display,’ she answered.

  ‘Well, hold on to them and you can get going when you’ve eaten. Well done on handling Mrs Camden just now. She can be very tricky, and you did well to steer her towards the shift dress. She’ll wear that and it was so much better on her than the velvet.’

  ‘I didn’t want to say it to her but the velvet was far too young-looking. She’d have been a laughing stock at the lunch she wanted it for.’

  ‘I agree,’ Sue said. ‘You’ve a wonderful eye for fashion and know instinctively what suits people. I’m delighted Skye sent you my way. Now, go and take your lunch break.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am!’ Pippa saluted. As she meandered through the crowded street, Pippa took a deep breath. This was brilliant! Although Sue hadn’t offered her enough money to cover all her bills, she’d also said she could have a small commission. Along with Skye’s rent and the fact the bills would be halved now, Pippa felt she’d made great strides to stop herself sinking even further into debt.

  ‘Can you leave that with me for now? I need to work it out properly,’ she had said.

  ‘Sure,’ Pippa had agreed, wanting to pinch herself in case she was dreaming. If the truth be known, she’d have worked there for free, but she nodded in a way she hoped hid her inner excitement.

  Pippa had well and truly landed on her feet. If she played her cards right, maybe Sue would consider keeping her on after Christmas.

  10

  Hark, the Herald

  Angels Sing

  It was the Thursday before the Michael Bublé gig. Lainey was finding it really difficult to apply herself at work. She had loads of stuff to do but kept finding herself drifting to her wardrobe crisis. Eventually she dialled Pippa’s number. The phone rang out so she tried her mobile instead.

  ‘Hello?’ Pippa whispered.

  ‘Hi, it’s me,’ Lainey stated. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Boutique Belle in Grafton Street.’

  ‘Where do you get the money? I thought you were just back from shopping in New York.’ Lainey was astonished.

  ‘I am. But I’m not buying, I work here,’ Pippa explained.

  ‘Since when?’ She really couldn’t keep up with Pippa.

  ‘Yesterday. It’s great. I’ll explain later,’ she said. ‘I’m literally just in the door so I have to go. I don’t want my new boss thinking I’m going to stand in the stockroom gossiping on my phone all day.’

  ‘Okay,’ Lainey said. ‘I’m going to a gig on Saturday night with a friend from work and I’ve nothing to wear. Do you have any suggestions?’

  ‘Do you want to borrow something?’

  ‘Thanks, Pippa, but the last time I wore any clothing with the number eight on the label it had the word “age” beside it. Your stuff wouldn’t go up one leg on me.’ Lainey had come a long way in agreeing to wear the red ‘siren’ dress to the Christmas party, but she was acutely aware that she and Pippa would never be able to share their clothes. Shortly before she’d gone away, Grandma had put it delicately: Lainey had the build of a fine horsewoman, just like herself, while Pippa could dress as a fairy and might even grow wings.

  ‘I hope you’re not suggesting my nose would suit a bridle, Grandma?’ Lainey had joked.

  ‘Don’t be touchy, darling. You’ve fine strong features. You and I are what your grandfather, Lord rest him, would’ve called handsome women. You and I,’ Grandma had pulled her into a hug, ‘are sturdy while Miss Pippa here,’ Grandma tweaked her ski-slope nose, ‘is dainty, like a ballerina.’

  ‘Until she opens her mouth and all those illusions of petite charm are swiftly banished.’ Lainey had giggled.

  ‘I never thought of it like that,’ Grandma said. ‘I suppose your personalities do complement your physique. Pippa strives to fight her corner, making her a feisty little bundle, while you, my dear, are steady and more cautious.’

  Grandma had had a way of making Lainey feel she fitted in. As if she was just right the way she was. Now she wished Maggie was around so she could turn to her for some much-needed bolstering and advice.

  ‘Do you want me to see if there’s anything in here you might like?’ Pippa offered. ‘That’d be great kudos for me if I could sell stuff over the phone on my second day.’

  ‘Eh, not likely,’ Lainey said. ‘Isn’t it like a hundred euro for a
pair of tights in there?’

  ‘Yeah, pretty much,’ Pippa agreed. ‘Why don’t you meet me in Grafton Street during your lunch break? I’ll help you find some stuff.’

  ‘I can’t leave the office today. I’ve so much on and I’ve already ordered a sandwich at my desk,’ Lainey said, chewing her pen.

  ‘Will I call up during my lunch break, then?’

  ‘What good would that do?’ Lainey was confused.

  ‘We can go through some websites and if there’s anything you like I’ll pick it up for you.’

  ‘Are you sure, Pippa? That’d be brilliant.’

  ‘See you then.’ Pippa hung up.

  Lainey knew she could ask Jules to go shopping with her again, but she wanted her to be her friend, not her personal dresser. She also felt embarrassed by how untrendy she was. She wanted to be a shiny, happier version of herself.

  As she got on with her work, Lainey was pleased that she and her sister had had that chat. She’d never have thought of turning to Pippa before. In fact, she’d have been the last person on her list of advisers. Grandma would have been delighted to see the two sisters beginning to find common ground.

  The morning dragged on. By the time Pippa pitched up, Lainey was delighted to have an excuse to abandon her work for a while.

  ‘God, it’s so stuffy,’ Pippa said, as she sat into the second seat in Lainey’s section. ‘I don’t know how you work in here day in, day out. I’d go stir crazy.’

  ‘It’s fine most of the time,’ Lainey said. ‘So what’s the story with this new job you have? The last I heard you were dressing up as a red pepper to sell soup in Bray.’

  ‘You know Lucy who I was in school with? Well, her friend Skye came to New York with me last week. She’s moved into my place.’

  ‘When?’ Lainey was stunned.

  ‘The other day. Keep up!’ Pippa giggled. ‘Anyway, it turns out Skye’s aunt owns Boutique Belle and she was looking for someone to do some extra hours over Christmas. Skye gave me the nod, I got the job and the rest is history.’

  ‘Great.’ Lainey was impressed. ‘What’s it like having a flatmate? I’m not sure I’d be that great at living with someone. I’ve got so set in my ways. God, that makes me sound like an old lady, doesn’t it?’

  ‘Yes!’ Pippa grinned. ‘Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. I don’t have much time and it’s only my second day so I’d better get my skates on.’ She flicked to the Internet on Lainey’s desktop.

  Lainey sat in awe as her sister flew through website after website of clothes.

  ‘Do you want glitzy dressy or more smart-casual?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘I suppose more cool concert clothes than ball gown,’ Lainey said. She honestly wasn’t sure what she wanted and hoped Pippa would happen upon the right thing.

  Lainey soon realised there was more to it than glimpsing stuff and hoping for the best. Not that it seemed to pose a problem for Pippa.

  ‘Can’t we just agree to go for the jumpsuit?’ Pippa pleaded a little later, after they’d disagreed on every suggestion that far.

  ‘I’d look like something from Ghostbusters in that,’ Lainey said. ‘I quite like the dress on the right,’ She pointed at a floral thing.

  ‘Christ, Lainey, you’d get a pensioner’s ticket on the bus if you wore that. Grandma wouldn’t give it house room,’ Pippa hooted. ‘You have a great figure, especially your arms. You’ve no bingo wings going on – all the riding’s seen to that – so use it to your advantage. Let’s look at Trendy Girl.’

  ‘Right.’ Lainey was attempting to keep up with her sister. ‘Flaming Nora, I thought you weren’t into computers. You’re like a bolt of lightning when it comes to shopping.’

  ‘Too right.’ Pippa was barely listening. ‘That’s it! I’ve found the perfect outfit for you. Look at the blue top with the roses across the slash neckline, the skinny jeans and the smart blazer. Love it.’

  ‘I’m not sure, Pippa. It looks a bit summery,’ Lainey said uncertainly.

  ‘You’re going to the O2, not the North Pole,’ Pippa said. ‘Now stop being all sensible and give it a go. I’ll fly up to Trendy Girl and get it for you today. Can you pop over to my flat and pick it up tonight?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ Lainey said.

  ‘Cool. Who are you going with? Is it a fella? I won’t tell anyone.’

  ‘It’s Jules, who usually sits over there.’ Lainey stood up to see if she’d returned from lunch. ‘You can meet her another time. She’s great fun. You’ll love her.’

  ‘Have you decided to be a laser beam?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘No. Jules started in the office recently and we get on well. Just because I have a friend it doesn’t mean I’m gay.’

  ‘Fair enough! I’m off. I’ll get you the stuff and bring it home. I’m totally smashed after New York, though. Can you give me the money?’

  ‘I don’t have any cash on me,’ Lainey said apologetically. ‘I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you my credit card and the PIN. You get me the things and for goodness’ sake don’t lose it.’

  As she pulled out her card and wrote the PIN on a yellow Post-it, she felt a rush of gratitude towards her younger sister. ‘Thanks for doing this, Pip,’ she said, hugging her.

  ‘No worries. I’m delighted. This is my idea of heaven – shopping with other people’s money! Fabulous!’ she said, in a mock-American accent.

  As she waved to Pippa, Lainey clicked on to Facebook to post a comment. She was horrified by a conversation between Seth and one of his friends, Chris. There was a photo of some saucy underwear and a caption from Seth saying: ‘Why wait until after we’re married? Look what I’ve bought my fiancée for tonight.’

  Understandably all the lads had posted lurid comments egging him on. They were pretty harmless until the one from Chris.

  Your girlfriend must be a right saucy minx behind closed doors. It’s obviously true what they say about the quiet ones being the ones to watch.

  But Seth’s response made her want to cry.

  Dead right mate! The quiet ones put up with plenty of playing away from home too. As you know only too well I tend to have it sussed with the ladies. The last one wouldn’t say boo to a goose and never had a clue what I was up to or WHO more to the point!!!

  Lainey looked around feeling as if the whole office could see his comment. An awful feeling of shame and panic engulfed her. She’d had several rows with Seth before they’d finally split up. She’d suspected him of cheating on her but he’d ridiculed her and said she was crazy. Swallowing hard and fighting tears, she clicked out of Facebook.

  ‘Hi, Lainz,’ Jules said, popping her head over the workstation divider. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Hi, Jules,’ she managed. Perhaps it was because Jules was so friendly, but Lainey suddenly felt as if a dam had burst inside her. Tears poured down her cheeks.

  ‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ Jules said, shooting around to give her a hug.

  ‘Lainey, is that report done yet?’ Drake barked. He was striding towards her.

  ‘No … I …’ Lainey wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. ‘I’ll have it done shortly.’

  ‘What’s going on here? Did someone die?’ Drake said nastily.

  ‘No, but you’re just about to if you don’t bugger off and stop being such a pig,’ Jules shouted.

  ‘Don’t talk to me like that, Barbie,’ he said, affronted.

  ‘If I were you I’d go back into your office and wait until Lainey has gathered herself,’ Jules said very slowly and menacingly. ‘See these shoes?’ She swivelled around to show him her stiletto heels.

  Drake nodded appreciatively.

  ‘I’ll be forced to see if they fit in your rear orifice if you don’t go away.’

  As Jules led her to the bathroom Lainey couldn’t help dissolving into snot-infested giggles.

  ‘Jules, stop!’ she managed desperately. ‘He’s such a snake he’ll get you fired if you annoy him.’

  ‘Ah, fuck him,’ Jules said,
oblivious to the gaping onlookers in the office.

  ‘Oh dear.’ Lainey splashed cold water on her face in the privacy of the Ladies. Her mirth had dissolved when she’d told Jules what she’d just seen on Facebook.

  ‘He sounds like such a slime ball. I’m glad you broke up with him. At least you got away,’ Jules said. ‘I feel sorry for the poor girl he’s marrying.’

  Lainey managed to pull herself together, fix her face and make her way back into the office. The thing that upset her more than anything else was that she’d known Seth was cheating on her yet she hadn’t trusted her instincts. She’d let him convince her she was the one with the problems.

  In the interest of saving face she hadn’t even been able to admit to Jules just now that the reason they’d split in the end was because Seth had dumped her.

  As she settled back at her workstation to finish Drake’s report she remembered Pippa was off getting her new clothes. Onwards and upwards. This weekend would be fun at the concert. She needed to grow a thicker skin and concentrate on that glass-half-full attitude.

  11

  Joy to the World

  Pippa dashed down Grafton Street clutching Lainey’s credit card. Running into Trendy Girl, she was thrilled to find all the things they’d chosen online.

  ‘That’ll be one hundred and twenty euro, please,’ the assistant said, as she shoved Lainey’s card into the machine.

  Her mobile phone rang in her pocket. Jay’s name flashed up. Get lost, Pippa thought, pressing the red button. She’d deal with him later on. She wasn’t into him any more and the sooner he got the message the better.

  ‘Thanks for shopping at Trendy Girl,’ the assistant said cheerfully. ‘Have a great day!’

  ‘Thank you,’ Pippa said, flashing a smile.