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trying really hard to remember people.” He
concentrated, his brow furrowed and lips pursed, before his face
flooded with satisfaction. “Ladies shoes! Right?”
    “Um, well, I have been in
ladies shoes, but –”
    He wasn’t listening. “I knew it!
I’m improving.”
    He was so pleased with himself
that I didn’t have the heart to disappoint him. What did it matter
after all? I’d find Daniel and Niq and leave the store as soon as
possible. No harm done to anyone.
    But the proactive manager – his
nametag read ‘Ted’– had other ideas. He whipped out his phone.
“Hold still.” He took my photo before I realised what he was doing.
“Of course you’ve heard of our new employee incentive program.”
    “Um –”
    “Managers are encouraged by head
office to recognise good work when we find it. And I have found it
today!”
    “But –”
    Ted waggled his finger in front
of my face. “Uh-uh. No arguments. It’s important that you quiet
achievers are properly acknowledged by the company.” He held up
that same finger. “Wait here.”
    He trotted over to the purchase
counter and fiddled on the computer with his phone. That done, he
picked up the receiver on the counter phone and spoke into it. His
animated voice rang out around us on the in-store announcement
speakers. My heart dropped down into my shoes.
    “Excuse me, shoppers. Welcome to
the store and thank you for shopping with us today. I’d like to let
you know about one of our staff members, Tilly Chalmers. Tilly
works in ladies lingerie, so why don’t you drop by, say hello and
let her show you why she’s our Employee of the Day. And so you can
recognise her, I’ve just uploaded her photo on the video screens
located around the store. I’m sure you’ll all join me in
congratulating Tilly on this much-deserved recognition of her hard
work on behalf of you, our valued customers.”
    I twisted my head around until I
spotted one of the screens that usually highlighted products on
special. A hideously washed-out rabbit-in-the-headlights photo of
me beamed up on the screen, larger than life, my eyes wide in
stupefaction and mouth gaping open slackly. ‘Employee of the Day’,
written in a fancy font, flashed on and off underneath my face.
    Oh, dear God, no!
    I hoped beyond all hope that
Daniel and Niq had grown bored of this store and had already left.
But of course that was a vain wish because they strolled over, huge
grins on their faces and stood around, silently laughing at me.
Unfortunately I was trapped in the middle of a rush of customers,
under the proud eye of Ted who’d decided to serve on the counter in
the section for the rest of the afternoon in a show of support for
new favourite staff member.
    How the hell did this happen
to me? I wondered in bewilderment as I helped one fussy, stout
woman carry her purchases to the counter to be served by Ted.
    When Ted suggested not long
afterwards that I take an afternoon coffee break, I made a run for
it. I collected Daniel and Niq by the hands and walking very
quickly, fled the store. It wasn’t easy as customers and other
staff clapped me on the shoulder and congratulated me as I hurried
by, recognising me from that bloody photo. I nodded and smiled, but
didn’t stop, eyes on the exit.
    “Don’t forget about drinks after
work on Friday, Tilly,” yelled out one woman and I waved at her
vaguely, fleeing past her at double speed. I didn’t say a thing
until we were safely back in the car, driving out of the carpark,
Daniel and Niq collapsed against their seats with laughter.
    “Not one word about this to
anybody,” I warned.
    “It’s too good not to share,”
laughed Daniel, not promising anything. “Employee of the Day! And
did you see that photo of you? Good God, it was hideous.”
    Niq doubled over with
giggles.
    I yielded and started laughing
myself. “Well, what can I say? I’m very good at my job.”
    And laughing together, we drove
home.
    I hid in my flat for the rest of
the