Nicola stormed out of the shop in frustration. James had to be somewhere, she just needed to find him and she felt sure he couldn't have gone far. However, it was someone else that she quickly ran into.
"Oh, hello Nicola. Not bothering with work this afternoon?"
Gemma was a conventionally pretty, well spoken girl in her early twenties with dark blonde hair, a cute face and voluptuous figure. She and Nicola shared a similar profile - both were smart, attractive young women with an ambitious streak that bordered on the ruthless and neither were above using their looks to their advantage. It was obvious that both saw the other as competition and that any chance Gemma had to get one over Nicola would be revelled in. Of all the people she didn't want to run into right now, this girl was pretty high on the list.
"You neither it seems" was the best Nicola could manage for a retort under the circumstances.
"I'm just making a quick trip to the chemists to pick up a prescription. And you...were visiting a magic shop?"
"I haven't got time for this" Nicola sighed, wanting to resume her search for James.
"No? More essential shopping to do?" Gemma was smirking at Nicola in a manner that wasn't helping her mood.
"It's none of your business what I'm doing" Nicola snapped.
"Oh how rude!" Gemma feigned an offended tone "You really do need to work on your people skills, Nicola. Maybe that's why I just got the promotion you've spent so long angling for"
"You what!?" Nicola was so stunned she almost forgot about James for a moment.
"It hasn't been announced officially yet, but I thought you should be the first to know. Technically I'll be your boss"
The colour suddenly seemed to drain from Nicola's face.
"So you'd better stop cutting work like this." Gemma smiled wickedly "or I might have to crack the whip"
This was all too much for Nicola. This was outside the office, there was no need to be diplomatic.
"You know what Gemma" Nicola seethed "I wish.."