Week 22 - Entry #19

Change of Office
 
They sat around discussing their prospects.  
Lottie Chang looked worried. “Well, guys, we have little choice. At the beginning of the pandemic, we were rising stars. Now we’re rapidly declining. There isn’t much work. We have to close our doors or restructure.”
Another of the partners, Laurie Anderson, frowned and spoke thoughtfully. “There must be a way.” He fingered his trim goatee beard. A habit when he was thinking. “How about closing the office and working from home?”
Archie Ncube sitting with his chair tipped back on two legs, said, “That’s gotta hurt!”
Lottie shook her head. “Not necessarily. I’ve got a spare room. It can be an office. Laurie, your apartment could fit a desk. Archie, you’re the only one with a house and garden. Could we put an office there? You can get decent insulated wooden ones with heating, electricity and broadband. What do you think?”
Laurie looked relieved. “Lottie, that’s a great idea. What about it, Archie?” 
Archie had inherited the house from his grandparents. He thought a moment, then said, “I’ll have to check with Obe, but I’m sure she’d be happy. That way, she could still do our secretarial work without travelling. She could carry on even after she has the baby.”
The other two looked startled. “You never told us Obe was expecting!”
“I couldn’t. I only learned about it today.”
“Well, that’s another reason to change. Do you think clients could come here when we need face-to-face meetings?”
Lottie looked relieved. “At least all our hard work won’t be wasted. I only hope Obe  agrees.”
Obe opened the door. Her braided, beaded hair clicking. “What do you want of me now?”
Lottie laughed. “Our multi-racial company needs a new roost. Could we build a nest in your garden?”

​© Felicity Edwards