She hadn’t been happy for days. First, because a uniform that fitted me had mysteriously arrived at reception during my third shift. Second, because people seemed to like me. Third, because she was a fuck-face. I saw her snarl as Centre Manager Nathan put my photo on the notice board in the main reception by the gym. It was a big deal, Employee of the Week. It meant two things: a fifty-pound bonus, and that Esther would hate me even more. I saw Esther whisper to Kate. They enjoyed whispering, those two. They despised the cheerful demeanour that had helped get me the bonus and a high-five from boss-man Nathan. Boss-man Nathan wore a suit. He was about thirty-five, new, and keen on team-building, staff appraisal, forward thinking, mission statements and bottom lines. He liked me because whenever his female minions came to spy for him, I was always either scrubbing something, or being polite to customers. Kate and Esther, on the other hand, were either reading or chatting to each other.
