Just Business

Chapter Seven: Marcia

Fuck fuck fuck, Marcia thought as she scrambled to pack a tote bag. What would she need? Pens, a notebook, laptop, gum, water bottle. But what about any documents to do with the running of Page Turners? If they went ahead with this they would need a lawyer. The only lawyer she knew - indeed, the only lawyer in the town - was Donnie. How would Ivy feel if Marcia had to call him in?

Marcia quickly decided to leave any paperwork for later. No use digging it all out if this whole fiasco didn't go ahead. But at the same time, Marcia needed this to happen. If she didn't get David to agree to go on the show, that was it for Page Turners.

Why had he entered Great British Business anyway? This was her primary thought as she rushed outside. He clearly had enough money if he was buying her out of her own shop. Multiple answers began bouncing around her head. Maybe he didn't have enough money, or he only had most and not the full amount. That would be good for her, giving her more of a chance to win this fight. Or he had enough to buy the shop, but not renovate. It would be expensive to turn her ancient wooden building into a working kitchen. But then if all he needed was a little extra money, was she just helping him by getting him on the show? Was Marcia serving up Page Turners on a silver platter?

The amount for winning Great British Business was enough for her to buy the building outright. Therefore, David wouldn't want her to win. So his plan must be to use the show for recognition and increased custom, but not win the grand prize. He could sabotage them. She had to be vigilant and not let anything like that happen.

Of course, he had no way of knowing they would be thrown in this together. He would also be on the backfoot, coming up with plans on the fly. She just had to be one step ahead, not letting on how she suspected him. If she just worked hard enough, she would win despite David. She could do that. She had to.

Marcia was so caught up in her thoughts that she nearly ran into David, who was holding the Raven's door open for her. He was only two or so inches taller than her, but he would fill a space so utterly and entirely Marcia felt overwhelmed. She didn't know if it was his easy confidence or his smile, but he could be utterly magnetic. His muscles were well formed, but compact, clearly made for practicality not vanity. This was the closest Marcia had ever been to David, and she was annoyed to note that he smelt of fresh mint and citrus. How was it possible for there to be literally nothing wrong? It should be creepy, not enduring.

"So," she said to David, trying to ignore the soft feeling of his breath on her face. "What are we going to do?"

David stepped back, and she immediately missed his proximity.

"Right now? I reckon we should sit and talk. Unless you had something else you wanted to do?"

"No . . . That's probably the best idea."

David nodded to a table in the middle of the room. His laptop was open there and it was clearly where he had sat for the zoom call. Marcia headed to the table, unpacking her tote bag and setting out the contents neatly on the table. Anything for some semblance of control.

"Would you like anything to drink? Tea, coffee?"

"Depends, will you let me pay for it?" Marcia returned.

"Make my co-worker pay? Never."

Marcia paused at his words, mulling them over.
"So you want to do this?" she asked, watching as he powered up a large, sleek barista machine.

"I do," he replied. "I've loved that show since I was a kid. And it's a great way to put a business on the map. It's the best advertising you can get. I always joked I'd do anything to get on it, and now that statement has been tested a little, but it stands."
"There's no other reason you want to go on?" she asked.