The Fourth Estate

As he stepped onto the escalator to take him up to the fourth floor, Townsend thought he recognized the smartly dressed man standing on the step above him.

When he turned round and saw Townsend, he said, “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” replied Townsend, trying desperately to place him.

“Ed Scott,” the man said, solving the problem. “I was a couple of years below you at St. Andrew’s, and still remember your editorials in the school magazine.”

“I’m flattered,” said Townsend. “So, what are you up to now?”

“I’m the assistant manager.”

“You’ve done well then,” said Townsend, looking round at the huge store.

“Hardly,” said Ed. “My father’s the managing director. But then, that’s something I don’t have to explain to you.”

Townsend scowled.

“Were you looking for anything in particular?” asked Ed as they stepped off the escalator.

“Yes,” replied Townsend. “A present for my mother. She’s already chosen something, and I’ve just come to pick it up. I can’t remember which floor it’s on, but I do have the name of the assistant who served her.”

“Tell me the name, and I’ll find out the department.”

“Susan Glover,” said Townsend, trying not to blush.

Ed stood to one side, dialed a number on his intercom and repeated the name. A few moments later a look of surprise crossed his face. “It seems she’s in the toy department,” he said. “Are you certain you’ve been given the right name?”

“Oh yes,” said Townsend. “Puzzles.”

“Puzzles?”

“Yes, my mother can’t resist jigsaw puzzles. But none of the family is allowed to choose them for her, because whenever we do, it always turns out to be one she already has.”

“Oh, I see,” said Ed. “Well, take the escalator back down to the basement. You’ll find the toy department on your right-hand side.” Townsend thanked him, and the assistant manager disappeared off in the direction of luggage and travel.

Townsend took the escalator all the way down to “The World of Toys.” He looked round the counters, but there was no sign of Susan, and he started to wonder if it might be her day off. He wandered slowly around the department, and decided against asking a rather officious-looking woman, who wore a badge on her ample chest declaring she was the “Senior Sales Assistant,” if a Susan Glover worked there.

He thought he would have to come back the following day, and was about to leave when a door behind one of the counters opened and Susan came through it, carrying a large Meccano set. She went over to a customer who was leaning on the counter.

Townsend stood transfixed on the spot. She was even more captivating than he had remembered.

“Can I help you, sir?”

Townsend jumped, turned round and came face to face with the officious-looking woman.

“No, thank you,” he said nervously. “I’m just looking for a present for … for my … nephew.” The woman glared at him, and Townsend moved away and selected a spot where he could be hidden from her view but still keep Susan in his sights.

The customer she was serving took an inordinate amount of time making up her mind if she wanted the Meccano set. Susan was made to open up the box to prove that the contents fulfilled the promise on the lid. She picked up some of the red and yellow pieces and tried to put them together, but the customer left a few minutes later, empty-handed.

Townsend waited until the officious woman began to serve another customer before he strolled over to the counter. Susan looked up and smiled. This time it was a smile of recognition.

“How may I help you, Mr. Townsend?” she asked.

“Will you have dinner with me tonight?” he replied. “Or is it still against company policy?”

She smiled and said, “Yes, it is Mr. Townsend, but…”

The senior sales assistant reappeared at Susan’s side, looking more suspicious than ever.