Whisky and Sunshine by Louisa Duval

Author:Louisa Duval [Duval, Louisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ballydoon Books
Published: 2020-12-14T18:30:00+00:00

* * *

I’d been sitting on Caroline’s doorstep for an hour. My tailbone ached, but I refused to take the painkillers just yet. This was penance; a sore arse for being an arsehole.

Every five minutes or so, I sent Caroline a text with a reason why I sucked being the distillery boss.

Me: #1: I get angry when I should stay calm and give people a chance. And you copped that today and I’m so sorry.

Me: #2 I jump to conclusions before seeking advice

Me: #3 I should have talked to Amanda first

Me: #4 I raised my voice and shouldn’t have done that

Me: #5 I made you cry

Me: #6 I ruined Ewan’s birthday morning tea

Me: #7 I always feel awkward at work and end up snarking at others

Me: #8 I’ve never shown enough appreciation for your work

Me: #9 I suck at being CEO

Me: #10 my father was a better boss and I failed the business, as well as you today

‘Delivered’ changed to ‘Read’ each time but she hadn’t replied.

I was halfway through typing my eleventh reason when her front door suddenly swung open. I lurched to my feet, wincing.

“Lordy, ye really did bang up your butt!” Caroline stood in the doorway; arms crossed and frowning. Her eyes weren’t puffy anymore, but her makeup had been cleaned off. I adjusted the now-lukewarm icepack, wedged in the back of my pants.

“Caroline,” I croaked. “I’m here to apologise.”

“So I’m aware, thanks to your running commentary of how badly ye suck. And I agree with all of it, since I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Aye, ye didn’t.” I grunted, nodding. “Amanda said I should ask ye about gel tips, but I haven’t the foggiest idea what that means.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Gel tips are false nails.”

I stared stupidly at her hands.

“I don’t wear them anymore and that’s the point. I got them done after your cousin dumped me, but they were hell to use on the keyboard!

“I’m not sure I understand,” I confessed.

“I would press five, and the gel tip would clip the edge of the key above it, so it became eight. And, like, one became four, etcetera, that sort of thing! They made my life hell, just like your cousin! I got rid of the bloody things and I thought I’d corrected all my mistakes.”

“Oh.” Comprehension dawned on me.

“The incorrect entries I’d missed made the end of month reports look like fifty thousand pounds had vanished. It was just a silly dumb mistake!”

“Fuck, I’m so sorry Caroline.”

Her mum barrelled to the door, pushing Caroline aside. “Don’t think for a second ye can joost push her around with a ‘so sorry’. Ye owe her, pal!”

“Mum!” Caroline almost choked. “Get away now!”

“You’re absolutely right Mrs, ehm, Caroline’s mum.”

“Mrs Mackinnon!”

“Aye. Mrs Mackinnon.”

“Can ye no remember your own P.A.’s last name?”

“I forget names when I’m stressed!” I took several deep breaths in through my nose. “I just couldn’t think of it now.”

Caroline’s mother stared at me as if I had grown a second head. I shifted the ice pack again.

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