He clung to me then and we cried together. It did us both good and finally John accepted there had been nothing he could have done to stop Riley. Without that shadow hanging in the background, John and I settled down into life.
Since the kidnapping, I’d done a lot of work from home. My intern, Stacy, was working out exceptionally well. She had the same design aesthetic as I did. Her work and mine had a similarity that fitted perfectly in the salon. Over the past few months, I’d spoken to John about the future, our future. I would be fifty-six in March and wanted to spend more time with John. He wanted to travel, see more of Australia. He wanted to cruise around in the boat he’d bought. He respected my work and would never ask me to retire, but since my kidnapping and my very real brush with death, I realized exactly how short life actually was. I talked through an idea I had and he liked it.
I shared my ideas with Charlie and he supported them wholeheartedly. He and Stacy worked well together.
One day after the New Year, I went into the office and pulled her and Charlie aside.
“Stacy, I love the work you’ve been doing, but I want to know where you see yourself ten years from now. Please be honest.”
“Gee, I thought that was obvious. I want your job.”
Charlie burst out into raucous laughter.
“Well, at the moment I’m not prepared to give it up, but I think we can work out something. I’m very pleased with the gowns you’ve designed. They fit in well with my aesthetic and have the same stamp as a Bella gown. If you accept, my idea is for the next twelve months, you design all gowns under sixty thousand. You work closely with Charlie and Carrie, allow them to help because they both know more about the business than you do at the moment.
“I will also expect you to learn everything about the ordering side of things and take that over. Charlie has the management side down toa ‘t’, but he will also teach you the areas you need to know. If things work out, then after twelve months I’ll start working a couple of days and leave the rest to you. My intention is to pull back completely within two years, but, and this is important, Stacy, if you deviate from my brand name this won’t work. Clients expect a certain design from the salon. They expect quality, they expect personal treatment. They spend a lot of money on one dress and should be afforded every courtesy regardless of how much of a pain they are.”
“I understand completely, Belle, I really do. I want nothing more than to continue building your business. I do know what a wonderful reputation you have and I’d never do anything to harm it.”
“That’s good news.” I could see how exhilarated Stacy was. She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. I wanted to reassure her as well that I was flexible with the gowns.
“Please understand, Stacy, I don’t mean I’m rigid in my designs. Of course you will put your own stamp on things, but like I said, the quality, the detail, and the brand’s reputation have to remain at the top.”
“Anabelle, I can actually take over your job in a couple of years?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
“I’m pretty sure it would be in safe hands, so yes.”
“Oh wow! Belle, I won’t let you down, I truly won’t. I love working here.”
“In keeping with your new responsibilities, I’ll raise your salary then review it again in twelve months’ time.”
“Thank you!” She gave me a hug, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
Charlie stood and left the office, returning with three glasses of bubbly.
“Congratulations, Stacy. Welcome to management.”
“Thanks, Charlie, and thank you from the bottom of my heart, Belle.”
“You are most welcome. If you continue the way you have then I’ll know my boutique is in safe hands. Congratulations.”
I was extremely happy.
It was a big thing to put my baby in someone else’s hands, but I was very confident Stacy could, and would, fill my shoes. We chatted for half an hour and then went back to work. I rang John and told him what I’d done.
“I won’t be fully retired for another two years, but I’m cutting back how much I do and I won’t come into the office as much. I’m thinking I come in on Thursdays and Saturdays because those are our busiest days.”
“Sweetheart, you do what you think is best for the business. You know I’ll support any decision you make, but it will be great if you’re home from Sunday through ’til Thursday morning. We can do a few short trips, maybe take the boat out cruising.”
“I’d love that, sounds perfect.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
“Got to get back to work. I love you.”
“Love you, I’ll pick you up around six.”
“See you then.”