Bedding Down

Andrea held the door open for her staff as they exited the shop.

“Night, everyone! Safe travels home and have a lovely day tomorrow. Hope Santa brings you everything you asked for. Don’t drink too much, though.” She grinned widely. “Christmas Day is the calm before the storm, remember. This shop will be full to bursting on Boxing Day, so make sure you’re all on form and ready to make some big sales. Think of the commission. Merry Christmas!”

She cackled at the various responses from the staff members, then closed and locked the door behind them. She pressed the button to lower the metal shutters that covered the door and all the windows, then moved across the shop floor. Her deputy manager, Joanne, stood behind one of the counters dotted around the store, glancing between a sheet of paper and a stack of brightly coloured sale signs. She was marking things off the piece of paper on her clipboard.

“Hey, Jo,” Andrea said, sidling up to her and giving her a friendly smile. “Thanks so much for staying and helping me finish up the sale stuff. I couldn’t have done it all by myself. Well, I could, but I’d be here half the night. I’d miss Santa coming down my chimney.”

The other woman returned her smile. “It’s all right, not a problem. I couldn’t see you making the others stay behind on Christmas Eve, so I thought I’d offer. That and it’s kinda my job, really. At least...