Read Online Cupcakes at Carrington’s (Carringtons Department Store 1) by Alexandra Brown - Free Book Online

but isn’t that cheating?’
    ‘Don’t be daft. You’ve already proved yourself. It’s not like you’re looking for something you haven’t already worked hard for. Let me call him, it can’t do any harm,’ she pleads.
    ‘I’m not sure. Anyway, I’m a sales assistant not an estate agent.’
    ‘Oh, everybody does it. It’s not just
what
you know these days, but
who
you know as well. And besides, you’ll just be selling houses instead of handbags. Is simples,’ she grins.
    ‘
Weell,
I guess it won’t do any harm to ask him, to have a backup just in case, but promise me you’ll be discreet,’ I say, reluctantly. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.

7
    I t’s been ages since I’ve had a good night out, so after the rollercoaster of emotions I’ve had this week, I intend to make the most of tonight, Sam’s birthday.
    After The Heff’s announcement, the mood at work has been subdued. I managed to find out that we all have meetings with Maxine next week, but nobody knows more than that, not even James, and we still don’t know anything about Tom, or what he’s going to be doing. Even Eddie has been very down, although he’s the only one who knows for definite that his job is safe. Mind you, he’s in a major strop now that his workload has doubled since Maxine got The Heff to agree to him working for her as well. Apparently, her old PA left to work somewhere else, the day before Maxine came to Carrington’s, and they haven’t managed to find a replacement yet. Cost cutting, she calls it, but Eddie reckons it’s his punishment for calling her a ‘tapeworm host’.
    So after enduring the sweaty huddle on the bus journey from work to Sam’s palatial clifftop house, where I cursed every second for economising on the cost of a taxi fare, I press the intercom on her sunshine-yellow front door.
    As the buzzer sounds I push the door open and a delicious aroma tempts my nostrils. I’m starving, in a way that feels like my stomach has given up expecting food and actually started eating itself from the inside out.
    ‘
Ceeeelebration time, come on
,’ Sam sings, as she comes dancing down the hallway to meet me. She’s got a cocktail sloshing precariously around in her left hand, whilst her right hand is busy keeping an enormous turbaned white towel about her head. ‘Oh, are you OK? You look a bit frazzled.’ She stops singing.
    ‘Yeah, I’m fine. Packed bus with the windows jammed shut and the fan heaters pumped up to max … it was like being in a sauna with all your clothes on,’ I say, dumping my bag on the floor.
    ‘Ew.’ Sam places the cocktail on the hall table and gives me a hug. ‘Well, you’re here now. Come in and say hello to Dad, he’s just leaving.’
    Alfie appears, wearing a soft grey cashmere V-neck over a pale pink shirt. He smells of his usual Aramis and has the same blond hair and twinkly blue eyes as Sam.
    ‘Georgie! How are you, sweetheart?’ he says, stepping forward and enveloping me in a huge bear hug.
    ‘Dad, be careful,’ Sam yells. ‘You’re practically crushing her.’
    ‘Don’t be silly. Everyone loves a big hug now and again.’ Alfie releases me and takes a step back.
    ‘I’m good thanks,’ I say, not wanting to get into what’s happening at work and spoil the evening before it’s even started.
    ‘I’m pleased to hear it, and I have to say you’re looking mighty fine these days, young lady.’ Alfie looks me up and down before smiling appreciatively.
    ‘
Daaad
, stop flirting.’ Sam gives Alfie a gentle nudge and we all laugh.
    ‘Well, I better be off. Leave you two girls to it. Samantha’s such a bore when she gets going,’ he winks at me.
    ‘Love you too, Daddy,’ Sam teases.
    ‘Here, have a good night.’ Alfie pulls a roll of £20 notes from his pocket. ‘And make sure you take taxis. No walking the streets.’
    ‘Oh Dad, put it away,’ Sam says, waving a hand.
    ‘I insist.’ He splits the notes in two. ‘Here.’ He hands half to