Page 31 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
‘Blimey, you having a cheat day?’ laughed Kate.
‘Something like that,’ said George.
‘Well, good, because I’ve got a surprise for Claudia.’
Kate bent low, only to reappear brandishing a large bottle.
‘Pumpkin spice?!’ said Claudia, her eyes widening with excitement. ‘Are you kidding me?!’
‘I gave my supplier a nudge yesterday, and it arrived with my order this morning,’ said Kate. ‘Can I tempt you?’
George watched in amusement as Claudia nodded, practically bouncing up and down with excitement.
‘I’ve always wanted to try one. Thank you!’
‘Skinny?’
Claudia shook her head. ‘Sod that - full fat, please.’
‘Me too, please,’ said George.
‘Cake, Claudia?’ said Kate, raising an eyebrow.
‘Definitely,’ she said with a grin. ‘Might take me a second to make up my mind though!’
‘Take all the time you need,’ chuckled Kate, as Claudia crouched in front of the glass cabinet for a closer look. ‘George, let me guess…’
‘Coffee cake for me, please,’ he said with a grin.
‘What a surprise,’ laughed Kate. ‘You know, you’re lucky there’s any left. Graphika called and added a whole bunch of extra cake to their usual lunch orders.’
‘I’ve never known a company to buy their staff comfort food when they’re having a crisis,’ laughed George.
‘What crisis?’ said Kate, as she got busy with their drinks.
‘That fancy-pants new designer they hired has done a bunk,’ said George with a shrug. ‘Left last night with no notice. Apparently, he had three weeks left on a project for a really big client, and from what Lilly said, it’s battle stations there this morning.’
‘That sucks!’ said Kate.
‘What was the project?’ said Claudia, straightening up and looking at him with interest.
‘Sorry, no idea. Must be something fairly big, though, because it sounds like they’re going to have a hard time finding someone to take it on at the last minute. Lilly literally told me to keep my eyes open for anyone who might be up to the job.’ George shrugged, then nudged Claudia. ‘Shame you’re not local, hey?!’
‘Are you a graphic designer?’ said Kate with interest.
‘I… used to be,’ said Claudia slowly. ‘I did a lot of freelance stuff. What’s this company like?’
‘Pretty awesome, from what I know,’ said Kate. ‘My best friend used to work there, and she loved it.’
‘But she left?’ said Claudia.
Kate smiled sadly and shook her head.
‘Paula passed away,’ said George gently.
‘Oh Kate, I’m really sorry,’ said Claudia.
‘She always joked that they’d have to carry her out of Graphika in a box,’ laughed Kate, shaking her head.
