Chapter Text
The last thing she hears before it all goes blank, “yea, you too sweetheart”.
—
“We don’t have a choice Sarah, it’s either that or we lose a machinist. It won’t interrupt operations, it’s three evenings a week 5pm-8pm”, Carla’s voice is slightly raised, clearly frustrated with Sarah's inability to understand she’s trying to do what’s best for her business.
Sarah just huffs, almost throwing herself into the chair.
Underworld had been struggling for six months, with the cost of material going through the roof none of the existing clients were willing to swallow the cost. Instead opting for cheaper quality materials, imported from abroad and it had impacted the factory massively.
With evening after evening of client meetings, new and existing it was taking a toll on Carla but she wasn’t one for taking things lying down so she was fighting tooth and nail to keep her business afloat.
Just that week she had put an add out, storage facility/use of an outdoor yard.
It wasn’t ideal, this was Underworld not a storage unit but needs must, because Carla Connor wasn’t ready to sink with her ship.
She was actually surprised by the response to the advert, having competition meant more money and with the stipulation of a six month lease she was hoping it would pass by quickly and cover the losses until she could work out better buying prices from her suppliers.
“Take a look at this one”, she spun an a4 document towards Sarah.
The company was in fashion, buying and distributing mainly. Was happy with the agreement of access to the yard three times a week between the hours suggested. A list of names of who would be coming and going and two extra security cameras added out of Carla’s own pocket to reassure what business was being conducted.
They’re legit, I’ve looked them up, spoke to the insurance and the cost will be minimal. There will be no interaction between employees and they won’t have access at any point into the factory.
Carla could tell Sarah still wasn’t pleased but she understood and after reviewing multiple companies they agreed on Carla’s choice.
—
Welcome Mr Dean, before you sign let me show you the outdoor space to make sure you're happy.
“So this is the yard, the gate will open at 5pm the three nights you chose and close at 7.30pm. You won’t have remote access, the only access you will have freely will be the side gate and will only be accessible using the swipe cards I will issue for the three names you give”, she flashes a card to show how the gate can be used.
Carla walks Mr Dean over the storage facility, “This is the container which will be solely yours, as you can see plenty of room to load and unload any vehicle but I recall in your email said you will only be using small vehicles so that’s all within the contract”.
“All looks great Carla, perfect for what we need until we find a permanent home for the business”, he smiles.
She nods her head, “so shall we head inside and talk over the contracts”.
Once back in the office, Carla verifies Mr Dean's details, both personal and business. Taking relevant copies of ID and any other documents she needed before they settled on a price which was agreed to be paid in full to secure the six month lease.
Mr Lawrence Dean was his full name signed on the dotted line, shook hands with Carla and agreed to send over the relevant documents of his employees who will need access so she could add them to her database and swipe card system.
“It’s been a pleasure, see you on the second of February”, she says walking Lawrence to the door.
—
She walks back to the office, glad for the cash injection from Mr Dean's payment but she knew the situation wasn’t ideal.
All she wanted was to go home, have a nice warm bath and a glass of wine but instead she was heading across town to meet with Pierre Martin, a man she detested, a man that had touched her far too inappropriately the past two times she had met him. So much so that she had refused his work in the past but now due to the struggles she had no choice and seeing it was him who reached out she had to agree.
“Ahhhh Pierre, so lovely to see you again”, it was fake, she shuddered feeling his hand already slip down her back and sit just above her bum.
She pulled herself away and made sure to sit on the opposite side of the table. She had also chosen the Chariot Square Hotel, knowing Ryan was working made her feel a little less anxious about the company she was in.
Pierre ordered an expensive bottle of red, Carla already knew he was trying to impress her, he wasn’t. If anything his slight heavy breath and the dried saliva that was visible where his lips met was making her feel nauseous.
Keen to get down to business she pulls out some papers for them to go over, “relax Carla, we will get round to work talk”, she gives him an uneasy smile and is glad when Ryan brings their drinks over.
“Thank you”, he nods his head and mouths, “you ok”, she replies with a nod of her own.
She listens to Pierre rattle on about his businesses in Paris and Milan, tries her best to pretend she’s engaged with what he’s saying. Her ears only really register when he mentions Manchester and London and wants Underworld to be his main supplier.
She reached once again for the files she had bought and this time he seemed to take more notice. They talk about his expectations, Carla managed them, he suggested certain cost she countered them.
Overall it ended up being a successful meeting, they shook hands and Carla agreed by lunch tomorrow she would have a contract written up and sent over to him.
For the first time this year Carla had a genuine smile when it came to the business. With the lease money and Mr Martin's agreement it meant Underworld could continue to trade financially and Carla to have some breathing space.
—
Carla woke with a more positive mindset, she de-briefed Sarah on both agreements and between them still had two client meetings which both over email sounded positive.
“You’ve got the Gallagher lunch tomorrow?” She double checks with Sarah, “I do and your meeting with Mr Peters in the evening?”
“Correct”, they give one another a smile knowing that if they can secure these deals Underworld would have enough work for at least twelve months.
Sarah can’t quite let it go though, “what I don’t get is why we didn’t go for these deals before you agreed to the lease”, Carla just looks at Sarah, they’d already had this conversation.
“Because Sarah we needed the injection of cash, without it we wouldn't have been able to make the Pierre deal. Along with either of the other two tomorrow should we get them, in addition it means we keep all employees", she huffs.
“Now please can you just drop anything do with the lease, it’s six months”, Sarah just nods as she slopes out the office.