The Bitter End by Lorna Dounaeva

Author:Lorna Dounaeva
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Psychological, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Fiction
Published: 2021-09-28T23:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Let’s go out to eat, my treat,” Rhett says to me at lunchtime. “I’d like to go over some business matters with you. Zac can mind the shop.”

“Sounds good,” I say, wiping my hands on my jeans. It’s been a busy morning, and I’m glad of the break.

Rhett and I pop down the road to a fish and chip restaurant where they know us well enough not to come near me with their horrible mushy peas. We sit by the window, at a little table with a red and white checked tablecloth and a picture of a lighthouse on the wall. Rhett pulls some spreadsheets from his briefcase and slides them across the table to me. I look at the numbers and shake my head. It’s unbelievable how quickly things have turned around. In the last few months, we’ve made tens of thousands of pounds in profit, all thanks to those trainers.

“I’m thinking we could raise the price again,” Rhett says. “There’s a new line coming out with scented trainers. Zac thinks people will go wild for them.”

I look at the projected earnings. “Do you really think people would pay this much?”

“If they do, we’ll be making serious money.”

“I thought we already were?”

“Yes, but this will take us to the next level.”

I look at the numbers again. “I don’t know. We don’t want to push our luck.”

The waitress comes over with our food, and Rhett scrambles to get his spreadsheets out of the way.

“Isabel, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

His face becomes serious, and I immediately think of Kate and Julio. Oh god, please don’t ask me if I’ve noticed anything. I really don’t want to be the one to tell him.

“I think we should give Zac a share in the business.”

“What?” I stare at him, incredulous.

“The trainers were all his idea, and he’s a very good salesman. He’s earnt it, don’t you think?”

I swallow hard.

“I do, but if you think it’s difficult to make decisions with just the two of us, imagine how hard it would be with three! Besides, I don’t know if I can afford to be so generous right now. I need the money, Rhett. How about we give him a fancy new job title, call him shop manager or something, along with a small increase? That ought to keep him happy for a bit. We could give him a generous end of year bonus, once we’re more financially secure.”

Rhett screws and unscrews the cap on the vinegar bottle.

“Will you at least consider making him a partner?”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t think it’s viable.”

He looks down at his plate. “I was afraid you might say that, so I have another proposal.”

“Oh yeah?” I spike one of my chips and chew.

“I want to buy you out.”

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