to look them over and analyse each day’s sales. Profit fascinated him and he was full of ideas by which they could increase their turnover. But since much of his advice involved things like having two sets of books, one for the authorities to read and one which the girls should keep well out of sight, they treated it with a mixture of amusement and scorn, and though he had told them that one had to be one jump ahead in business and that practices which might seem a trifle sharp to their innocent minds were actually in common use amongst their competitors, the girls had remained firm.
‘If you want cheating tenants, remember that it isn’t just the public and the authorities which such people cheat, but landlords,’ Dana had told him severely. She had been paying bills – Sample’s, Mr Gregg the butcher, old Mrs Platt who made delicious jams – and now she waved him away impatiently, for he was standing at her shoulder, peering at the figures as she filled them in. ‘Do go away, James; you’re putting me off my stroke.’
James had backed down on that occasion but it worried Dana that her friend might embrace his values rather than her own. She realised that, since she and Caitlin were partners, both of them would be held equally responsible for doctored books or misleading figures, and decided she really must have a word with Caitlin.
So as soon as James had left, Dana tackled her friend on the subject. She had thought that Caitlin might become indignant, even refuse to listen, for it was clear that herfriend not only admired James but was more than half in love with him. And the feeling may well be reciprocated, Dana told herself somewhat uneasily. However, everything should be all right. Caitlin’s as honest as the day – she’s been brought up as strictly as I have myself – and I’m sure she won’t let James persuade her into bad ways.
Time passed, and by October the two girls realised that they were now running a very successful little business. James wanted them to expand, but so far the girls had resisted change. Why should they saddle themselves with complications such as bigger premises, paid staff and a whole new way of life, when they were so happy with the present arrangements? So despite his urging, James’s suggestions of expansion had fallen on deaf ears.
The girls had just cleared up and closed one extremely busy Saturday when James came thundering up the stairs two at a time and burst into the flat. ‘I’ve got a proposition for you,’ he said, and threw down a bulging file on their small kitchen table. ‘See if you can resist this, ladies!’
‘I’m too tired for much resistance,’ Caitlin said, but she sat down opposite him and gestured to Dana to do likewise. ‘What is it now, James? You keep having brilliant ideas, or you say they’re brilliant, but we’re run off our feet as it is, without you plotting to get us yet more customers!’
‘Ah, but this time it’s not just air-dreaming,’ James said, tapping the file. ‘I’ve had a fellow round to take a look at the tea room and he says he could do a complete conversion and so on in a month, maybe six weeks. He’s experienced in such things, I can tell you, got all the figures at his fingertips …’
‘You talked it over with this “fellow” without so much as consulting us?’ Dana interrupted incredulously, though she was not really at all surprised. James was often high-handed, and she had seen him only the previous day sitting at one of the window tables with a large fat man in a smart business suit whose spiky grey hair stood up like a cock’s comb on his round, bullet head. He and James had been deep in conversation, and Dana would not have dreamed of interrupting what had been clearly a business meeting. Thinking back, she remembered that James had gestured around him several times, pointing to a plan lying on the table half covered by teacups, saucers and plates bearing the crumbs of the scones they had
‘If you want cheating tenants, remember that it isn’t just the public and the authorities which such people cheat, but landlords,’ Dana had told him severely. She had been paying bills – Sample’s, Mr Gregg the butcher, old Mrs Platt who made delicious jams – and now she waved him away impatiently, for he was standing at her shoulder, peering at the figures as she filled them in. ‘Do go away, James; you’re putting me off my stroke.’
James had backed down on that occasion but it worried Dana that her friend might embrace his values rather than her own. She realised that, since she and Caitlin were partners, both of them would be held equally responsible for doctored books or misleading figures, and decided she really must have a word with Caitlin.
So as soon as James had left, Dana tackled her friend on the subject. She had thought that Caitlin might become indignant, even refuse to listen, for it was clear that herfriend not only admired James but was more than half in love with him. And the feeling may well be reciprocated, Dana told herself somewhat uneasily. However, everything should be all right. Caitlin’s as honest as the day – she’s been brought up as strictly as I have myself – and I’m sure she won’t let James persuade her into bad ways.
Time passed, and by October the two girls realised that they were now running a very successful little business. James wanted them to expand, but so far the girls had resisted change. Why should they saddle themselves with complications such as bigger premises, paid staff and a whole new way of life, when they were so happy with the present arrangements? So despite his urging, James’s suggestions of expansion had fallen on deaf ears.
The girls had just cleared up and closed one extremely busy Saturday when James came thundering up the stairs two at a time and burst into the flat. ‘I’ve got a proposition for you,’ he said, and threw down a bulging file on their small kitchen table. ‘See if you can resist this, ladies!’
‘I’m too tired for much resistance,’ Caitlin said, but she sat down opposite him and gestured to Dana to do likewise. ‘What is it now, James? You keep having brilliant ideas, or you say they’re brilliant, but we’re run off our feet as it is, without you plotting to get us yet more customers!’
‘Ah, but this time it’s not just air-dreaming,’ James said, tapping the file. ‘I’ve had a fellow round to take a look at the tea room and he says he could do a complete conversion and so on in a month, maybe six weeks. He’s experienced in such things, I can tell you, got all the figures at his fingertips …’
‘You talked it over with this “fellow” without so much as consulting us?’ Dana interrupted incredulously, though she was not really at all surprised. James was often high-handed, and she had seen him only the previous day sitting at one of the window tables with a large fat man in a smart business suit whose spiky grey hair stood up like a cock’s comb on his round, bullet head. He and James had been deep in conversation, and Dana would not have dreamed of interrupting what had been clearly a business meeting. Thinking back, she remembered that James had gestured around him several times, pointing to a plan lying on the table half covered by teacups, saucers and plates bearing the crumbs of the scones they had
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