The next day at the briefing, Josh informed everyone that Emily would be in an hour later than usual as she’d had to make an emergency dental appointment after losing a filling the previous evening.

‘As discussed, I’ll be discounting the Brooklyn corner suite at some point this morning.’ He hesitated. ‘Bad luck, Holly. Emily told me you were certain you had that sale in the bag yesterday.’

The other sales staff pulled sympathetic faces at her.

Holly shrugged nonchalantly but the back of her neck bristled as she imagined Emily making fun of her to Josh.

‘And don’t forget, folks,’ he added, ‘we need to really push the Lalique vase, as Mr Kellington bought it not realising the new collection will be out in a couple of weeks’ time. Several of our customers are avid collectors, and once they realise, we could get saddled with it and lose some serious money.’

Both Ben and Martyn, the other sales assistants, asked Holly how she was doing and told her to just ask if she needed help at any point.

‘Thanks, guys,’ she said, thinking how pleasant they were compared to Emily.

She didn’t think it was her imagination that, thanks to Emily’s absence, the atmosphere today was so much more relaxed and cordial between the staff.

Josh had barely finished unlocking the doors when the first customers of the day arrived. Holly immediately recognised them as Alice and Luke, the young couple interested in the corner suite.

‘Hi, Holly!’ Alice waved as they walked across the shop floor, and Martyn, who was nearby and already approaching them, nodded to Holly and fell back.

‘Hello again.’ Holly beamed when Alice gripped the top of her arm in excitement.

‘Holly, if you can get us some money off, we’re going to buy it!’ Alice spluttered, unable to hold in her glee. ‘Right, Luke?’

‘Right.’ He smiled at his wife. ‘Thanks for being so patient and giving us a bit of space, Holly. We just needed to be absolutely sure.’

‘Really?’ Holly’s eyes widened but she tried to look as if she pulled off this kind of sale every day. ‘That’s fantastic! And I totally understand you needed to be sure; it’s a lot of money to invest in your home.’

‘My aunt died recently and left us a bequest, you see,’ Alice explained. ‘We’d never ordinarily be able to shop at Kellington’s, but her gift has enabled us to put a big deposit down on a spacious new apartment and treat ourselves to something really special here.’

So Emily had been right after all. Alice and Luke weren’t the typically wealthy Kellington’s type of customer, but that didn’t matter. They still had ready cash to spend, and that money was as good as anyone else’s.

Emily obviously hadn’t factored that little consideration into her snobbish assumptions.

‘I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt,’ Holly said kindly. ‘But it’s wonderful that you’re going to use her gift for something that will give you so much pleasure and comfort.’

‘Thank you, Holly. It will.’ Alice gave a small regretful smile.

‘Give me a sec then and I’ll see what I can do about the price,’ Holly said.

She disappeared into the back office and was relieved to find it empty. She timed exactly one minute on her watch before walking back out.

‘I’ve just spoken to Mr Kellington and I’m pleased to say he’s given me special clearance to discount the suite for you today.’

Alice bobbed up and down on the balls of her feet, completely unable to keep her face from splitting into a wide smile.

‘I can make it a nice round eight thousand; that’s nearly a full five per cent off.’

Holly watched as both their faces dimmed.

Alice bit her lip and looked at Luke.

‘I was hoping for perhaps ten per cent off,’ he said. His feet shifted, showing that he was clearly uncomfortable in a negotiating situation.

Holly glanced around her, scanning the shop floor, as she’d witnessed Emily doing countless times.

‘Look.’ She spoke quietly. ‘I’ll probably get into trouble for doing this, but I’ll go down to seven thousand eight hundred. That’s nearly seven and a half per cent off… you’ll save six hundred pounds.’

‘Six hundred pounds! It’s a lot of money, Luke.’ Alice nudged him, her expression hopeful. ‘That would cover the new bedding and curtains we liked.’

Luke held Holly’s gaze for a moment, and then he grinned, blowing air out of his mouth.

‘Deal!’ he announced, laughing as Alice launched herself into his arms.

‘Amazing!’ Holly exclaimed before remembering to stay professionally calm. ‘I’m so pleased for you both. What a stunning piece you’ve purchased for your new lounge – congratulations.’

After agreeing a delivery date for the beginning of the following week, Holly escorted the couple over to the payment station, where Josh and Mr Kellington now stood, discussing the layout of the displays.

‘Luke and Alice have just bought the Brooklyn suite at a special price,’ Holly told Sue, the cashier, in a loud voice. ‘Seven thousand eight hundred pounds all in. Delivery slot for Monday, please, Sue.’

She glanced at Josh, who briefly raised an eyebrow and winked at her.

Mr Kellington introduced himself, shook Alice and Luke’s hands and generally made a fuss, congratulating them.

‘Thanks so much, Mr Kellington,’ Alice gushed. ‘For agreeing to the discount, I mean.’

Holly’s heartbeat seemed suddenly to relocate to her head as her fib was revealed, but she needn’t have worried.

‘You’re most welcome, my dear,’ he replied graciously and without hesitation. ‘I’m pleased Holly has been able to assist you in finding something you love.’

‘She’s been brilliant.’ Luke nodded. ‘To be honest, we were on the brink of walking out of the store yesterday after that other snooty saleswoman told us to go and look elsewhere, but Holly looked after us and answered all our questions. She gave us the time and space to make our minds up.’

Holly’s cheeks nearly burst with gratitude. She looked modestly at her hands.

Mr Kellington continued to nod and smile at the customers, but Holly hadn’t missed the shadow that passed over his face the instant Luke made reference to Emily’s snub.

That would teach Miss Emily Beech to gossip about Holly’s supposed failed sales with Josh, and it would keep that smug look off her face, at least for a while.

Holly couldn’t stop smiling to herself, even when her customers had left the building.

The old cliché was true. Revenge tasted very sweet, like nectar.