“Good morning, Roberta. If you keep beating me in the mornings I’m going to have to make you a key holder,” Max said, sitting on the bench next to Bobbie.
“Morning, Max. It was such a lovely day I left home early to give me time to have a quiet stroll round the village before it started to wake up.”
“Well, I’m glad we’re both here earlier than usual; it will give us a chance to have the little chat you asked for.”
“Thanks, Max,” Bobbie replied, gathering her things from under the bench.
“I’ll just nip down…”
“No need, Boss,” Bobbie said, grinning as she showed Max the box from Lucy’s. “I saw Lucy getting a delivery and asked if she’s had a chance to bake anything yet. She let me pick from some she did this morning. Now that’s someone who REALLY makes an early start.”
Max unlocked the doors, dealt with the alarm and stood back to let Bobbie through, locking the doors behind her. “Do you want to chat in the kitchen or my office?” he asked over his shoulder as he headed out the back to put the kettle on.
“I think it should be in your office, boss; it’s work related.”
Max sighed inwardly before answering. “Pop on up then, I’ll bring the tea.”
Bobbie was sitting comfortably in front of the desk when Max came in with the tea and a couple of plates for the pastries. He thought to himself that he wasn’t sure he would be able to replace her if she was going to leave. She was a wonderful worker and everyone loved coming to the bank when she was on duty.
They sat in comfortable silence drinking their tea and eating their sticky pastries. When they finished, Bobbie took a pack of moist wipes out of her bag and handed one to Max, taking another for herself. Hands wiped clean she sat up straight in the chair and opened her mouth to speak.
Max swallowed, dreading what he was going to hear.
“Max, I have my finals next week. The exam is on Friday so I’m hoping to be able to change my Thursday shift to allow me a day of cramming,”
“Don’t worry about that,” Max interrupted.
Bobbie smiled before continuing. “If I pass…”
“When you pass.”
“Okay…when I pass, I’m hoping to open a practice here in The Glen if it’s feasible. Right now any work has to be done by the vet at Coffs, and it’s quite a delay before he can get out here. I’ve already had a word with him and he said he would be happy for a vet here in the village, and thought we could cover for each other.”
Max nodded slowly, not liking where this might be going.
“I have money in a trust my dad started for me from the first time I ever said I wanted to be a vet. That should get me a place and most of the equipment.”
“Do you need a loan? I can give you staff rates.”
“That’s kind, Max. I may have to take you up on that. The biggest thing I need to discuss with you in my working here at the bank if I set up a practice.”
“Bobbie. I don’t think anyone except your dad would be more happy than me to see you pass and set up your own place. The thing is, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to cope not having you here three days a week. You light the place up, and I swear most of the customers wait for you to be on shift before coming in to do business.”
Bobbie blushed and struggled to speak for a minute.
“Max, that’s so sweet and kind, but I was hoping against hope that you will let me stay on here at the bank. I don’t think that I would need to open a full time clinic, do you?”
She watched nervously as Max stood up quickly and came round the desk. He pulled her up from the chair and gave her a crushing hug, kissing her on the temple.
“Oh, Bobbie, I can’t tell you how worried I’ve been since you said you needed to have a talk. I was convinced that you were going to leave, and here I was thinking that you deserved a promotion and a raise.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really, and I’m quite prepared to still make you an offer, if you think you’ll be able to take on the extra work.”
“Oh yes, Max. It would be my pleasure.”
“And don’t worry about next week. I think you deserve to take all three days off to prepare for Friday. I’ll cover your shift. I think I can manage to survive behind the counter for four hours a day. I want you to pass with flying colours.”
“Thanks, Max,” Bobbie said, gathering up the mugs and glancing at the clock. “What say we open up and let the masses in.”?
Max opened up the office door and waved her through. “Lead on, Roberta. We have a bank to run.”
