Christian had mentioned his work in Asia. He’d spoken a little about his early life, too, right here in New York, but they had obviously been less happy times because his eyes had gone dark and his smile had ghosted away. She wondered why, if things were so bad here and so good overseas, he had come back to New York — especially to work a cleaner’s job at a department store. But that was one thing he hadn’t spoken about, and she hadn’t asked.
Besides, whatever the reason was, she was happy that he was here.
She kept her eye out for him as she crossed the floor, weaving in and out of the crowds and while waiting for the elevator. But there was no sign. She sniffed at the collar of his jacket and smiled into the thick wool.
Entering the elevator with a group of smartly dressed older gentlemen, she rode to the top floor and darted to the staff door, fumbling in the code. Fortunately, Mrs Cradley wasn’t there, and neither were the other managers. Checking the roster and seeing that she was in Jewellery, she changed into her uniform and Santa hat, then made her way to the third floor. There were already two dozen customers there, and a very flustered Diane was fighting the queue. She caught sight of Merry and waved.
“I’m so sorry,” Merry said as she slipped behind the counter. “I’m so late!”
“Duh,really?” Diane said. “It had better be because of a tall, dark stranger or I’m going to be very annoyed.”
Merry laughed, a little more awkwardly than she’d intended.
“Um . . .” she said. “Traffic?”
“Yeah, right,” Diane said. “But don’t worry. I covered for you. Told the old bat you were taking a customer to the electronics department after making a killer sale.”
“Thank you,” Merry mouthed, before turning to the next customer in the line. “Hey! How can I help?”
It was a kid who couldn’t have been older than eighteen, and he nervously told her he was looking for something special for his long-time girlfriend who was about to leave for university in California. Merry smiled, chatting to him as they made their way between the cabinets. Most of the jewellery in Carroll’s was way too expensive for him, his eyes just about popping out of his head as he stared at the diamonds and rubies and pearls on display. But there were some more affordable items and Merry let him take his time. After a few minutes he was confidently telling her about his girlfriend, and about how he wanted to do something to make her feel special — even though he worried about her being so far away from him.
“That’s really sweet,” she said, handing him a slim chain with a silver pendant in the shape of a spiral. “You’re so lucky, and so is she. I’ve always liked this piece. There’s something about spirals that’s . . . reassuring, I guess. Love isn’t always straightforward, there are ups and downs, and countless bends. Trust me, I know. But with a spiral, even though you don’t always travel in a straight line, even though the journey can weave in and out of good times, you’re always moving forward.”
He nodded, smiling.
“And it’s only a hundred ninety-nine dollars,” she said. “You’ll still have fifty left for a bunch of flowers.”
“That’s great!” he said. “I’ll take it!”
She walked him back to the sales desk and rang it through, placing it in a display box and wrapping it as delicately as she was able.
“There should be a charge for the box, but I’ll comp it,” she said, handing it to him. “Just don’t tell anyone!”
“Thank you!” he said, grinning.
“Just remember, it will be hard, but you can get through it,” she said. “All you have to do on the bad days is remember the good ones, okay?”
“Sure,” he said. “And really, thank you.”
“Have a great day,” she said, watching him walk away. “Merry Christmas!”
She smiled to herself, wondering if all the day’s customers would be as charming and sweet as the kid had been. She leaned against the counter, letting herself exhale for the first time since she’d stepped through the doors. The warmth of the store had finally started to seep into her bones, and the smile from that sweet customer lingered. Maybe today wouldn’t be a complete disaster after all.
She glanced over at Diane, who was deep in conversation with a woman debating between two charm bracelets. With the queue temporarily under control, Merry allowed herself a moment to people-watch and then immediately regretted it.
Across the department, just behind the crystal tree display, stood Mrs Cradley and Margot Miller, their heads bent close together in a way that could only mean one thing — trouble. Mrs Cradley’s clipboard was tucked under one arm and her free hand gestured sharply at something on a folded sheet of paper while Margot nodded solemnly, her mouth twisted in that tight, judgemental way she always wore when she was about to report someone for dress-code violations or loitering in the stock room.
Merry quickly looked down, straightening her Santa hat. Was it her they were talking about? Maybe they’d found out she’d been late again. Maybe Diane’s clever cover story hadn’t worked. Or maybe it had nothing to do with her. Maybe they were plotting something else entirely, some new rota rearrangement or another holiday-hours reshuffle that would ruin everyone’s plans.
Still, the sight of them whispering filled her with dread. Nothing good would ever come from Mrs Cradley and Margot Miller joining forces.
Before she could dwell on it too long, a shadow loomed in front of her counter.
“Excuse me,” a brusque voice snapped. “Isanyonegoing to help us?”
Merry blinked up at the man who had appeared in front of the case, tall and square-shouldered in an expensive-looking wool coat. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back and his lips were twisted into a look of long-suffering impatience. Beside him, his wife, she assumed, stood with her arms folded, eyes already scanning the jewellery with a mouth like a cat’s bum.
“I’m so sorry for the wait,” Merry said brightly. “How can I help today?”
