Free Dreams to Sell by Anne Douglas

you?’
    â€˜No, because Mr Banks looks as though he’s going to speak. There – he’s banging a spoon on his glass. Be quiet, Norma!’
    â€˜Ladies and gentlemen,’ Mr Banks was beginning, ‘it now gives me great pleasure to say a few words about Ronnie MacKenna, who is sadly leaving us for foreign climes – well, Aberdeen …’ Pause for laughter. ‘No one could have worked harder for, or done more for, Tarrel and Thom’s, not only in his general work for clients, but also – and more particularly, perhaps – for the property department, which, I think it is fair to say, he has really created to make it what it is today, a most valuable asset, admired by all …’
    There was a good deal more on similar lines, all the sort of things that a boss might say on the departure of a good member of the team, but sounding quite genuine on Mr Banks’s part. Well punctuated, too, by cries of ‘Hear, Hear!’ from Ronnie’s colleagues, before ending with an invitation to everyone to raise their glass in a toast to Ronnie and Joan.
    â€˜To Ronnie and Joan!’ went the cry. ‘Good luck in Aberdeen!’ Followed by calls for ‘Speech, Ronnie, speech!’
    And with good grace, Mr MacKenna spoke easily and naturally of his time with the firm, of how much he’d enjoyed it, especially working with such fine colleagues – and here he felt he must mention the special contribution of Miss Roz Rainey to the success of the property department, at which there were murmurs of approval – and of how he was confident that success would continue under the leadership of Mr Jamie Shield. Not just continue, but flourish, as Tarrel’s itself would flourish, and would not be forgotten by the MacKennas, who were both so sorry to be saying goodbye.
    â€˜Any time you’re in Aberdeen,’ everyone was told, ‘you’ll have our address – look us up, you’ll be very welcome!’
    During the applause that followed, Miss Calder slipped out of the room, to return with a bouquet of flowers which she presented to Joan. This was the signal for Mr Banks to produce the brightly wrapped parcel that he would be presenting to her husband. But to Roz’s astonishment, it was into her hands he placed it and told her with a smile, ‘Now, Miss Rainey, you know what to do with this, eh?’
    â€˜You want me to—?’
    â€˜Yes, yes, come along now, Mr MacKenna is waiting.’
    Swallowing hard, Roz took the parcel and under the kindly look of her ex-boss, put it into his hands. ‘This is from all of us,’ she murmured. ‘We hope you’ll like it.’
    â€˜Why, it’s a briefcase!’ he cried, stripping off the wrapping paper. ‘So, you’ve all seen my old one, eh? I never did think it would make Aberdeen, but this is wonderful. I love it. Thank you. Thank you all very much! I couldn’t be more pleased!’
    â€˜Well done,’ a voice said quietly in Roz’s ear as people gathered round Mr MacKenna to look at the briefcase, and she turned to find Mr Shield at her side, his look still seeming sympathetic. ‘You were taken by surprise but did that so nicely.’
    â€˜It was a surprise – I never thought Mr Banks would ask me to do it,’ she told him, but his gaze had moved to Mr MacKenna.
    â€˜A hard act to follow,’ he murmured. ‘I can tell you had quite a rapport there.’ His eyes swung back to her. ‘But I want you to know I’m really looking forward to working with you, and I think we’ll do well too.’
    â€˜Thank you; it’s nice of you to say so.’
    â€˜You’ll see – we’ll make a good team,’ he was continuing, but she had already taken a step away. With his wife beside him, Mr MacKenna was coming over to her, his hand outstretched, his face serious, his eyes as kind as always.
    â€˜Miss Rainey –