ow did you manage to complete everything?’ Paula asked, eyeing the files on her desk which she had just read, then glancing across at Madelana.

‘I stayed up until three-thirty this morning.’

‘Oh Maddy, you didn’t have to do that. We could have finished the files together on the plane, and telexed our final instructions from Australia.’ As Paula spoke, she could not help feeling slightly relieved that they would not have to do this.

‘But it’s better this way, isn’t it, Paula?’ Madelana asked swiftly. ‘We’ll have free minds, and we’ll be able to concentrate that much more keenly on the boutiques with this stuff out of the way.’

‘That’s perfectly true,’ Paula agreed. ‘And I must say, your hard work, what you’ve accomplished, is very commendable. ’ Paula’s violet eyes narrowed and she studied the other woman closely, then began to laugh. ‘And what’s even more remarkable is that burning the midnight oil doesn’t show on your face.’

‘Doesn’t it?’ Madelana laughed with her boss, whom she not only admired and respected, but genuinely cared for. ‘Thank you, it’s nice of you to say so.’

Paula tapped the folders. ‘I like the way you’ve managed to tie in so many different products and merchandise. By pulling everything together in the way you have, you’ve also strengthened my theme considerably. To be truthful, when I came up with the idea of calling our sixtieth celebration From The Jazz Age To The Space Age, I wondered if I was making it far too broad to be effective. But you’ve helped to prove yet again that I wasn’t, and frankly you’ve even gone a step further than Marketing has in London. That’s what has been so exciting for me this last hour as I’ve read your memos.’

Paula was a firm believer in giving credit where it was due, and now she added, ‘Congratulations. Some of the things you’ve thought of are quite brilliant, and your ideas are most innovative. I’m delighted with your efforts.’

Madelana filled with satisfaction and her face was wreathed in smiles. ‘Thanks, Paula, but don’t let’s forget that your theme was clever, and very challenging. And everything was already there really, just waiting to be pulled out of the reference books and the research files.’

‘Not to mention your clever little head!’ Paula exclaimed. She picked up the folder marked FRAGRANCE PROMOTION and opened it, took out the top sheet.

After glancing at the paper again, she said, ‘Some of this stuff’s really fascinating. For instance, I never knew that Chanel actually considered the number five to be her lucky number, and that that was the reason she called her first perfume Chanel No. 5. Nor was I aware that Jean Patou created Joy in 1931, and that Jeanne Lanvin brought out Arpège in 1927. Here we have three of the world’s greatest perfumes, which are still enormously popular today, and they are actually fifty years old.’

‘Quality always lasts, doesn’t it,’ Madelana said. ‘And I thought some of those odd little items were kind of interesting, too. Perhaps we can use them somewhere in our promotional material, or in our advertisements.’

‘Absolutely. That’s a terrific idea. And you might tell the art department to make up display cards featuring a few of the items, for the counters in Perfumery.’

‘Okay. Talking about displays, could you spare me a minute, please? I’d like you to see a piece of artwork which I had created, hopefully for use here in the store. If you approve.’

‘Let’s go and look at it then.’ Paula jumped up, followed Madelana into the adjoining office.

An easel had been placed in one corner, near the window which looked out onto Fifth Avenue. Madelana picked up a large display card and put it on the easel. She said, ‘I’d like to use this on silk banners throughout the store, and if I could get a yea or a nay from you now, I’d appreciate it. The banners have to be ordered today, at the latest on Monday, if they’re going to be ready for the commencement of the celebrations in December.’

‘I understand. So come on, let’s see it.’

Madelana flipped the tracing paper that protected the hardboard card, and then stepped aside.

Paula stood staring at the bold lettering, which read: FROM THE JAZZ AGE TO THE SPACE AGE: 1921 TO 1981.

Underneath the giant-sized slogan was a smaller subheading, and this said: SIXTY YEARS OF STYLE AND ELEGANCE AT HARTE’S

Paula continued to study it.

This was her slogan, the words she had written down over a year ago, when she had first started to plan the anniversary celebrations and special events. The only thing which made this suggested banner different to the ones created by the marketing department in London was a portrait of Emma Harte etched in shadowy form behind the lettering.

Paula said nothing. Her eyes grew thoughtful.

Watching her intently, and anxiously, waiting for her reaction, Madelana held her breath. When Paula remained silent, she said worriedly, ‘You don’t like it, do you?’

‘I’m not sure, to be honest,’ Paula murmured, then hesitated. She moved around the office, looking at the board from different angles. ‘Yes…yes…I think I do,’ she finally said, her voice more positive. ‘But I wouldn’t want to use my grandmother’s image on every banner in the store. I think that would be in poor taste, and overkill, really. And I certainly don’t want to go over the top. But the more I look at this, I think we could use it, in a limited way…in some of the big halls in the London and Paris stores, and on the first floor here. Oh, and in the Leeds store, too! That’s a must, I suppose, since that’s where it all began.’

‘Are you really sure? You still sound a bit uncertain.’

‘No, I’m positive. You can order the banners, and why don’t you get enough for the other stores. We might as well have them made in New York. They can be shipped out air express to London and Paris when they’re ready.’

‘Good idea. And I’m glad you approve of the things we’ve done. Everyone’s going to be thrilled that you’re so pleased, and that we can now go forward with these plans.’

Paula half-smiled. ‘Well, I suppose that’s about it, as far as the special events are concerned. Come back to my office for a moment, though, would you, Madelana, there’s something I wish to discuss with you.’

‘Yes,’ Maddy said, hurrying after her, wondering what this was all about. All of a sudden there had been an anxious note in Paula’s voice, which was unusual for her, and therefore disconcerting.

Paula walked around her desk and sat down.

Madelana took the chair facing her, perched on the edge, and looked across at her boss, asking herself if trouble was brewing.

Paula sat back, steepled her fingers, and contemplated the tips of them for a moment. Then she said, ‘I want to take you into my confidence about something, Madelana, but I must stress that it is confidential. I haven’t mentioned it to Shane or Emily yet, although actually that’s really because I haven’t had the right opportunity. However, since you work so closely with me, I thought you should know immediately.’

‘You have my confidentiality, Paula. I’d never divulge anything you told me, or discuss your business with anyone. That’s not my way.’

‘I’m aware of that, Madelana.’

Paula sat back, her eyes serious. She said carefully, ‘I’ve had several phone calls from a Harvey Rawson during the past few days, which I’m sure you know, since you put a couple of those calls through to me.’

Madelana nodded.

Paula continued, ‘He’s a lawyer with a Wall Street firm, and a friend of Michael Kallinski’s. He’s been doing some work for me. Private work.’

‘You don’t have a legal problem, do you?’

‘No, no, Maddy. For a long time I’ve wanted to go into an expansion programme in the United States…I’ve wanted to take Harte stores right across the country, and I’ve been looking for an existing chain to buy, with that purpose in mind. Michael’s known about this, and he put the word out some time ago, without mentioning my name, of course. Last week he heard about a small suburban chain through Harvey Rawson. Before I left for New York, I spoke to Michael, and told him he could tell Harvey I was the one interested in the chain and to get in touch with me directly.’

‘So Harvey Rawson’s actually representing you in the buy out,’ Madelana asserted, sitting up straighter in the chair, pinning her eyes on her boss.

‘It’s not a buy out yet. But yes, he is representing me, in as much as he’s approaching the chain, but without saying I’m the interested party.’

‘Yes, I understand. That would jack up the price, and then some, if they knew it was you. But I think this is a wonderful move you’re making, Paula, and very visionary.’ Madelana’s excitement was reflected on her face and she leaned forward with eagerness. ‘What’s the name of the chain? Where are the stores located?’

‘The chain is called Peale and Doone, and there are seven stores altogether, in Illinois and Ohio,’ Paula explained. ‘This is not the type of chain I was originally looking for – I’d prefer my stores to be in big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston. Still, Peale and Doone would be a beginning, a step in the right direction.’

‘Are they a public company?’

‘No, private. And next week Harvey will ascertain whether or not the stockholders are interested in selling, and then we’ll take it from there. He’ll be in touch with me, and with Michael, and they both have the Australian itinerary, at least the part of it that’s planned,’ she finished, sitting back in her chair.

Standing up, recognizing that Paula had just brought this conversation to a close, Madelana said, ‘Thanks for telling me about your plans, Paula, for sharing with me. I’m flattered, and I’m looking forward to working with you on the expansion programme.’

‘Good. I hoped you would be. I want you to be very involved with me in this, Maddy.’ Paula also stood. Lifting the stack of files off her desk, she brought them to Madelana.

Together the two women walked across the room, paused at the door to Madelana’s office, turned to face each other.

Paula remarked, ‘You seem to be finished, so there’s no reason for you to come back after lunch, if you don’t want to. I don’t need you for the rest of the day, and I’m sure you’ve plenty to do between now and tomorrow morning.’

‘Oh thank you, that’s nice of you, Paula, but I’m sure I’ll be back, and anyway, I want to pick up a couple of track suits in Active Sportswear. Didn’t you say that was the only way to fly? To Australia, I mean.’

Paula laughed. ‘It is, and I’m afraid the suit is not very elegant, but it is very practical. And don’t forget your Reeboks or a pair of tennis shoes. Los Angeles-Sydney is around thirteen to fourteen hours’ flying time, depending on the winds, and every part of the body seems to swell up. Not only that, I find that I sleep much better and more comfortably when I’m dressed in a track suit.’

‘Then I’ll be sure to get myself properly outfitted after I’ve had lunch with Jack – ‘ Madelana broke off, and her face instantly changed, grew taut with anxiety.

Paula did not miss this. She frowned, asked softly, in concern, ‘Is something wrong?’

Maddy shook her head. ‘Not really,’ she began and again stopped abruptly. There was a closeness between Paula and herself, and they had always been open and forthright with each other. ‘I shouldn’t say that, Paula, because it’s not true. Things are pretty lousy between Jack and me, and I’m going to break off with him. I want to get it out of the way before I leave. That’s why I’m having lunch with him.’

‘I am sorry,’ Paula murmured, giving her a small, sympathetic smile, touching her arm lightly. ‘I thought everything was working well between the two of you. At least that’s the impression you gave, the last time we spoke about him when you were in London.’

‘It was then, and he’s a nice guy in many ways. But there’s such a lot of conflict between us. I think he resents me these days, and resents my career.’ Madelana shook her head. ‘There’s no future in it as far as I can see.’

Paula was silent, remembering words of Emma’s, words uttered at a time when she had been where Madelana was today. She said quietly, ‘Many years ago, when I was having great difficulties in my first marriage, my grandmother gave me a bit of advice that I’ve never forgotten. She said, “If something’s not working, then don’t be afraid to end it whilst you’re still young enough to start again, to find happiness with someone else.” Grandy was a very wise woman. And I can only reiterate those words of hers to you, Maddy, and add that you must trust your own instincts. From what I know of you, they’ve never let you down yet.’

Paula paused, gave her a quick, penetrating look, went on, ‘Personally, I think you’re about to do the right thing. The best thing for you.’

‘I know I am. And thanks for caring, Paula. I’ll break up with Jack today, make it clean and swift. And then I want to concentrate on my career.’