CHAPTER TWO
CRYSSIE let herself out of the house silently, so as not to disturb Polly and Milo, who were still fast asleep. It was New Year’s Eve and not yet seven-thirty a.m., but the Lewis brothers, who owned Hydebound, had called a meeting for the staff. Cryssie frowned as she drove along in her ancient banger of a car wondering why this early, and what it could all be about.
Thinking back over Christmas, she smiled happily to herself. Despite Polly not eating much of all the delicious festive food, Milo had had a wonderful time with all his new toys—and especially with his very own Runaway Rascal! Because, unbelievably, quite late on Christmas Eve, the doorbell had rung and the Latimer’s assistant she’d dealt with earlier had stood outside, clutching a bag containing one of the dolls.
‘You’ll never believe it,’ the girl had said, ‘but we found one in the stockroom. It had fallen down and got lodged behind some boxes. Better late than never, eh?’
Cryssie had been almost dumbstruck with delight, and full of gratitude that the assistant had bothered to bring it.
‘No problem—your house is on my way home,’ the woman had assured her.
She wished she could show Mr High and Mighty that he wasn’t the only one who always got his own way! But she must be careful what she spent for a bit…She had always been frightened of getting into debt, and sometimes lay awake worrying what would happen to all of them—to Milo—if the unthinkable happened and she was no longer able to support the family. That the little boy should ever have to be fostered, or looked after by someone else, was the stuff of nightmares!
When she arrived, Robert and Neil Lewis, the owners of Hydebound, were already at their desks. Neither of them smiled as she came in, but merely nodded, and her heart sank. They weren’t happy, she thought, and by the time the rest of the staff arrived the air of gloom had deepened. This could only mean one thing, Cryssie thought ruefully—disappointing financial news, even though recent sales had been so good. Well, they’d survived those times before, and would again! Anyway, the rather elderly brothers always tended to look on the black side!
Robert came swiftly to the point. ‘We’re very sorry to inform you all that the company is in some difficulty,’ he said soberly. ‘The banks have called in our loans, and we can’t continue living on credit any longer.’
A stunned silence greeted his words. ‘You’ve all been aware how things have been for some time, but it has come to the point where we can no longer pay our bills.’
Cryssie swallowed, feeling a tightening in her chest as she took in the news.
‘My brother and I have come to the conclusion that we shall have to discontinue trading. Despite all our efforts, events have overtaken us.’ For an awful moment the old man looked as if he was about to cry!
Cryssie’s knees started to shake. This was terrible—for all of them! It could be weeks, months, before they found other suitable employment. Jobs in this town didn’t grow on trees! And what about the men and women in the workroom who’d been there for years and years? What chance would they have of starting afresh somewhere else? It took just a few seconds for all these thoughts to buzz around in her mind, like angry bees, and the knot of anxiety in her stomach grew rapidly into a huge ball of tangible fear.
Neil Lewis took up the story. ‘However, we’ve been approached by some interested buyers. They came unexpectedly some weeks ago, and it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.’ He looked around him steadily. ‘The new owners apparently intend letting things run as they are—for the moment. So your jobs are secure—for the time being, at least.’ He took a sip of water from the glass in front of him. ‘Your new employers will be here in a few minutes. They’re coming here to meet you all.’
Cryssie stared down at her clenched fists, trying to take in what had just been said and how it was going to affect her. Who could tell what was going to happen? Who would be made redundant? These new owners would undoubtedly make sweeping alterations…perhaps make her own position no longer ‘necessary’…Her degree course had taught her how common it was for takeovers to happen overnight, for staff to find themselves jobless. And that there was no legal requirement for them to be found other employment, or be given more than minimum financial redress. This small and cosy world would change overnight. It was inevitable.
An internal phone shrilled suddenly, and Robert stood up. ‘That’s to tell me they’re downstairs,’ he said.
He left the room, and in the ensuing silence everyone shifted in their seats, no one uttering a word. Well, what was there to say?