Cutting the Mustard

Faced with a competitive colleague and growing doubts about her abilities, Sam is worried she’s in the wrong job

- NATASHA FORDYCE

QUICK, Sam! Make sure you grab this couple before Nicky does. She’s gone to the loo,” Sam’s colleague, Emma, said hastily. Too late! Nicky pounced on the middle-aged man and woman, who were browsing through a glossy brochure, on her way from the ladies’.

“Good morning, would you like to see our beautiful show home? And then I’ll find you a property to meet your requirements,” she said, smiling triumphantly as she led the couple into the show home alongside the sales office.

“It’s no good,” moaned Sam after another browsing passerby politely declined her sales pitch.

“I’m beginning to think I’ve made the wrong decision. Maybe I’m not saleswoman material after all.”

Why had she ever listened to her overenthusiastic boyfriend, Karl, in the first place? It was a job with her name on it he’d said, as they looked over the advert in the newspaper.

“Nonsense! You just need to believe in yourself more,” Emma said emphatically as they both watched Nicky lead the same couple back out of the show home.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” said Sam trying not to look glum as Nicky led the man and woman up to her desk. Sam glanced at her watch. That had taken Nicky all of 15 minutes, and judging from her self-satisfied expression it was a sale too.

“So that’s property No 23, the three-bedroom townhouse, sold. I’ll make sure that sold sign goes up today,” she beamed at the couple.

“Can I get you both a coffee before we start the paperwork?” she said glancing at Sam with the hint of a smirk.