‘You don’t need to worry. That’s very kind. The best thing for me is to get back to work. To be busy again.’

‘Is it?’

‘What do you mean? Of course it is. It’s been nearly twelve months since … And I know I came back too early after, I know that now. But this time away has been just what I needed.’

‘You didn’t cope, Richard. I couldn’t put you out the front, you couldn’t talk to customers. Your job … That’s really all it is. I need to be able to rely on my staff for that.’

‘Like I said, it was too early. But that won’t happen again, I’m actually looking forward to getting back out there and helping people out. I’ve missed that.’

‘It’s been three months since we’ve seen you. Some of your credentials have expired in that time, Richard. You’ll need to requalify on a few of the health and safety bits to get back up to speed. We’ve got a new system at the tills too. A lot can happen in three months in the world of DIY!’

‘So it seems. Nothing I can’t catch up with. I’ll do it in my own time if it’s a problem.’

Carole pushed herself back now, her palms out like she was retreating. ‘I’m sure there won’t be any need for that! There’s been some changes, way above me but they’re filtering down. Previously the recruitment drive was very much towards … experienced employees—’

‘Old people,’ Richard cut in.

‘I prefer experienced. It made a lot of sense too but the landscape of DIY stores is very much changing. We’ve tipped over on our online sales.’

‘Tipped over?’

Carole tutted. Maybe the meaning was obvious. ‘Tipped over fifty percent. Now online sales are the majority of sales and that’s a very conscious effort. Some items we are now listing online only and if people come in here we’re actually—’

‘Does this matter to me?’ Richard snapped. He could feel his heart racing again. He could tell Carole was building towards something and it didn’t feel like it was good news.

‘It matters. We’re not taking on so many experienced staff members. We find they have difficulty with the speed the business is changing at, with the new direction.’

‘I’m not asking to be taken on; I’m ready to come back.’

‘And I’m telling you that won’t be possible.’ Carole leaned on the table now, her fingers interlocked. She was waiting for a response. For a moment Richard didn’t have one.

‘But we talked. You said I was welcome. You said for me to take as long as I liked!’

‘I did. This is all above me. Businesses change, they have to, to survive.’