Page 12 of Kicks

“I mean it,” Eddie said. “We all know the knobby type that Alistair will employ to replace you. They’ll ruin the whole team.”

James watched him carefully.

“When are you leaving?”

“I’m on three months’ notice,” James said. “Alistair wants me to recruit my replacement.”

“That’s something, I suppose,” Eddie replied. “I suppose he must be cruising around Sardinia or Sicily. Far too busy to worry about this place.”

Eddie gripped a pen that had been left on the meeting room table. The idea of getting to know a new person and all their ways of working filled him with dread. James generally let Eddie get on with things his way.

“I’ve said that I’d like to recruit from within,” James continued.

This time Eddie sat upright. “Not Brad,” he said. “I can’t work for that twat.”

“He’s in the running.”

“Who else is?”

“You, of course.”

Things were getting out of control. He sympathised with Alice when she fell into Wonderland. “Me? Are you crackers?”

“Of course not. Eddie, you’re better than you realise. Will you at least take some time to consider it? Things would be boring if it were a one-horse race.”

Eddie scrubbed his face with his hands. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. While you’re doing that, I’ll be watching yours and Brad’s totals for the rest of the month. It’ll make any recommendation from me much stronger if the successful candidate gets the most sales.”

So, James had the idea of playing Brad and Eddie off against each other. Eddie had meant what he said. There wasn’t a chance he’d be managed by the biggest knobhead in Pleasure Seekers.

He had to win this. His only other option was to leave. That wasn’t something he relished. Things were settled for the first time in years.

“Fine,” he said. “Nothing like a bit of competition to bring out the beast in me.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Before that, I’ve signed you and Brad up to the university open day this week.”

Eddie frowned. “The what?”

“The university open day,” James repeated, slowly. “When all the terrified potential students come to visit. The uni wants to look like they’re down with the kids, so we’re running a safe sex stall. You’ll need two volunteers each.”

Eddie rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Fucking hell. This is a weird day.”

FOUR

BILLY

Billy sat by the cash register and stared at it as if it were possessed.

“Might as well get rid of you next,” he said.

The cash register didn’t respond.

“Fuck. I’m losing my mind.”

The door burst open, setting off the seldom-heard bell announcing a customer. Billy snapped to attention.

“Harry.”