Confessions of a Shopaholic s-1 Page 10

  “But. . why?” asks Suze perplexedly. “Was it a bet, or something!”

  “No!” I wail. “It was because I’m in debt! And my dad said I should Cut Back or Make More Money. So I’ve been trying to Cut Back. But it hasn’t worked. .” I break off, shuddering with sobs. “I’m just a complete failure.”

  “Of course you’re not a failure!” says Suze at once. “Bex, you’re the opposite of a failure. It’s just. .” She hesitates. “It’s just that maybe. .”

  “What?”

  There’s silence, then Suze says seriously, “I think you might have chosen the wrong option, Becky. I don’t think you’re a Cut Back kind of person.”

  “Really?” I sniff, and wipe my eyes. “Do you think?”

  “I think you should go for Make More Money instead.” Suze pauses thoughtfully. “In fact, to be honest, I don’t know why anyone would choose Cut Back. I think Make More Money is a much better option. If I ever had to choose, that’s definitely the one I’d go for.”

  “Yes,” I say slowly. “Yes, maybe you’re right. Maybe that’s what I should do.” I reach down with a shaky hand and take a bite of warm nan — and Suze is right. Without the curry, it’s delicious. “But how shall I do it?” I say eventually. “How shall I make more money?”

  There’s silence for a while, with both of us thoughtfully chewing on nan. Then Suze brightens.

  “I know. Look at this!” She reaches for a magazine and flips to the classified ads at the back. “Look what it says here. ‘Need extra money? Join the Fine Frames family. Make thousands, working from home in your spare time. Full kit supplied.’ You see? It’s easy.”

  Wow. I’m quite impressed. Thousands. That’s not bad.

  “Yes,” I say shakily, “maybe I’ll do that.”

  “Or you could invent something,” says Suze.

  “Like what?”

  “Oh, anything,” she says confidently. “You’re really clever. Remember when the coffee filter broke, and you made a new one out of a knee-high?”

  “Yes,” I say, and a tiny glow of pride spreads over me. “Yes, I did, didn’t I?”

  “You could easily be an inventor. Or. . I know! Set up an Internet company. They’re worth millions!”

  You know, she’s right. There’s loads of things I could do to Make More Money. Loads of things! It’s just a question of lateral thinking. Suddenly I feel a lot better. Suze is such a good friend. I reach forward and give her a hug.

  “Thanks, Suze,” I say. “You’re a star.”

  “No problem,” she says, and hugs me back. “So, you cut out this ad and start making your thousands. .” She pauses. “And I’ll go and phone up for a takeaway curry, shall I?”

  “Yes please,” I say in a small voice. “A takeaway would be lovely.”

  REBECCA BLOOMWOOD’S CUT-BACK PROJECT

  HOMEMADE CURRY, SATURDAY 24TH MARCH

  Proposed Budget: £2.50

  Actual Expenditure:

  Balti pan £15.00

  Electric grinder £14.99

  Blender £18.99

  Wooden spoon 35p

  Apron £9.99

  Two chicken breasts £1.98

  300g mushrooms 79p

  Onion 29p

  Coriander seeds £1.29

  Fennel seeds £1.29

  Allspice £1.29

  Cumin seeds £1.29

  Cloves £1.39

  Ground ginger £1.95

  Bay leaves £1.40

  Chili powder

  OH GOD, FORGET IT.

  PGNI FIRST BANK VISA 7 Camel Square

  Liverpool L1 5NP

  Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood

  Flat 24 Burney Rd.London SW6 8FD

  6 March 2000

  Dear Ms. Bloomwood: PGNI First Bank VISA Card No. 1475839204847586 Thank you for your letter of 2 March.I can assure you that our computers are regularly checked, and that the possibility of a “glitch,” as you put it, is remote. Nor have we been affected by the millennium bug. All accounts are entirely accurate.You may write to Anne Robinson at Watchdog if you wish, but I am sure she will agree that you have no grounds for complaint.Our records inform us that payment on your VISA account is now overdue. As you will see from your most recent VISA card statement, the minimum payment required is £105.40. I look forward to receiving your payment, as soon as possible.Yours sincerely,Peter Johnson Customer Accounts Executive

  Eight

  OK, SO PERHAPS THE Cutting Back didn’t go that well. But it doesn’t matter, because that’s all in the past. That was negative thinking — now I’m seriously into positive thinking. Onward and upward. Growth and prosperity. M.M.M. It’s the obvious solution, when you think about it. And you know what? Suze is absolutely right. Making More Money suits my personality far better than Cutting Back did. I’m already feeling much happier. Just the fact that I don’t have to make any more grotty cheese sandwiches, or go to any more museums, has lifted a huge weight off my soul. And I’m allowed to buy all the cappuccinos I like, and start looking in shop windows again. Oh, the relief! I’ve even chucked Controlling Your Cash in the bin. I never did think it was any good.

  The only small thing — tiny niggle — is I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do it. Make More Money, I mean. But now I’ve decided to go ahead with it, something will turn up. I’m sure of it.

  When I get into work on Monday, Clare Edwards is already at her desk — surprise — and on the phone.

  “Yes,” she’s saying softly. “Well, it’s certainly been a wonderful first year.”

  When she sees me, to my surprise, she blushes a faint pink and turns away slightly. “Yes, I understand,” she whispers, scribbling in her notepad. “But what about the future?”

  God knows why she’s being so secretive. As if I’m interested in her tedious life. I sit down at my desk, briskly flip on my computer, and open my diary. Oh goody, I’ve got a press conference in the City. Even if it is some boring old pensions launch, at least it means a trip out of the office and, with any luck, a nice glass of champagne. Work can be quite fun, sometimes. And Philip isn’t in yet, which means we can sit and gossip for a while.

  “So, Clare,” I say, as she puts the phone down, “how was your weekend?”

  I look over, expecting to hear the usual thrilling account of what shelf she put up where with her boyfriend — but Clare doesn’t even seem to have heard what I said.

  “Clare?” I say puzzledly. She’s staring at me with pink cheeks, as though I’ve caught her stealing pens from the stationery cupboard.

  “Listen,” she says in a rush. “That conversation you heard me having just now. . could you not mention it to Philip?”

  I stare at her in bemusement. What’s she talking about? Oh wow — is she having an affair? But then, why should Philip care? He’s her editor, not her—

  Oh my God. She’s not having an affair with Philip, is she?

  “Clare, what’s going on!” I say excitedly.

  There’s a long pause, as Clare blushes deep red. I can’t believe this. A piece of office scandal at last! And involving Clare Edwards, of all people!

  “Oh, come on, Clare,” I whisper. “You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone.” I lean forward sympathetically. “I might even be able to help.”

  “Yes,” says Clare, rubbing her face. “Yes, that’s true. I could do with a bit of advice. The pressure’s starting to get to me.”

  “Start from the beginning,” I say calmly, just like Dear Abby. “When did it all begin?”

  “OK, I’ll tell you,” whispers Clare, and looks nervously about. “It was about. . six months ago.”

  “And what happened?”

  “It all began on that Scottish press trip,” she says slowly. “I was away from home. . I said yes without even thinking. I suppose I was flattered, more than anything else.”

  “It’s the old story,” I say wisely. God, I’m enjoying this.

  “If Philip knew what I was doing, he’d go crazy,” she says despairingly. “But it’s j
ust so easy. I use a different name — and no one knows!”

  “You use a different name?” I say, impressed in spite of myself.

  “Several,” she says, and gives a bitter little laugh. “You’ve probably seen some of them around.” She exhales sharply. “I know I’m taking a risk — but I can’t stop. To be honest, you get used to the money.”

  Money? Is she a prostitute?

  “Clare, what exactly are you—”

  “At first it was just a little piece on mortgages in The Mail,” she says, as though she hasn’t heard me. “I thought I could handle it. But then I was asked to do a full-length feature on life insurance in The Sunday Times. Then Pension and Portfolio got in on the act. And now it’s about three articles every week. I have to do it all in secret, try to act normally. .” She breaks off and shakes her head. “Sometimes it gets me down. But I just can’t say no anymore. I’m hooked.”

  I do not believe it. She’s talking about work. Work! There I was, thinking she was having a steamy affair, ready to hear all the exciting details — and all the time it was just boring old. .

  Then something she’s just said tweaks at my mind.

  “Did you say the money was good?” I say casually.

  “Oh yes,” she says. “About three hundred quid a piece. That’s how we could afford our flat.”

  Three hundred quid!

  Nine hundred quid a week! Bloody hell!

  This is the answer. It’s easy. I’ll become a high-flying freelance journalist, just like Clare, and earn nine hundred quid a week. What I have to do is start networking and making contacts at events instead of always sitting at the back with Elly. I must shake hands firmly with all the finance editors of the nationals and wear my name badge prominently instead of putting it straight in my bag, and then phone them up with ideas when I get back to the office. And then I’ll have £900 a week. Hah!

  So when I arrive at the press conference, I pin my name badge on firmly, take a cup of coffee (no champagne — blast), and head toward Moira Channing of the Daily Herald.

  “Hello,” I say, nodding in what I hope is a serious manner. “Becky Bloomwood, Successful Saving.”

  “Hello,” she says without interest, and turns back to the other woman in the group. “So we had the second lot of builders back, and really read them the riot act.”

  “Oh, Moira, you poor thing,” says the other woman. I squint at her badge and see that she’s Lavinia Bellimore, freelance. Well, there’s no point impressing her — she’s the competition.

  Anyway, she doesn’t give me a second glance. The two chat away about extensions and school fees, completely ignoring me — and after a bit I mutter, “Good to meet you,” and creep away. God, I’d forgotten how unfriendly they are. Still, never mind. I’ll just have to find someone else.

  So after a bit I sidle up to a very tall guy on his own, and smile at him.

  “Becky Bloomwood, Successful Saving,” I say.

  “Geoffrey Norris, freelance,” he says, and flashes his badge at me. Oh for God’s sake. The place is crawling with freelancers!

  “Who do you write for?” I ask politely, thinking at least I might pick up some tips.

  “It depends,” he says shiftily. His eyes keep darting backward and forward, and he’s refusing to meet my eye. “I used to be on Monetary Matters. But they sacked me.”

  “Oh dear,” I say.

  “They’re bastards over there,” he says, and drains his coffee. “Bastards! Don’t go near them. That’s my advice.”

  “OK, I’ll remember that!” I say brightly, edging away. “Actually, I just have to. .” And I turn, and walk quickly away. Why do I always find myself talking to weirdos?

  Just then, a buzzer goes off, and people start to find their seats. Deliberately, I head for the second row, pick up the glossy brochure that’s waiting for me on my seat, and take out my notebook. I wish I wore glasses, then I’d look even more serious. I’m just writing down Sacrum Asset Management Pension Fund Launch in capitals at the top of the page, when a middle-aged man I’ve never seen before plonks himself down next to me. He’s got disheveled brown hair and smells of cigarettes, and is wearing an old-looking jacket over a dark red shirt with no tie. Plus, I suddenly notice, sneakers on his feet. Sneakers to a press conference? He sits down, leans back comfortably, and looks around with twinkling brown eyes.

  “It’s a joke, isn’t it?” he murmurs, then meets my eye. “All this gloss. All this show.” He gestures around. “You don’t fall for it, do you?”

  Oh God. Another weirdo.

  “Absolutely not,” I say politely, and look for his name badge, but I can’t see one.

  “Glad to hear it,” says the man, and shakes his head. “Bloody fat cats.” He gestures to the front, where three men in expensive suits are sitting down behind the table. “You won’t find them surviving on fifty quid a week, will you?”

  “Well. . no,” I say. “More like fifty quid a minute.” The man gives an appreciative laugh.

  “That’s a good line. I might use that.” He extends his hand. “Eric Foreman, Daily World.”

  “Daily World?” I say, impressed in spite of myself. Gosh, The Daily World. I have to confess a little secret here — I really like The Daily World. I know it’s only a tabloid, but it’s so easy to read, especially if you’re on a train. (My arms must be very weak or something, because holding The Times makes them ache after a while. And then all the pages get messed up. It’s a nightmare.) And some of the articles in the “Female World” section are actually rather interesting.

  But hang on — surely I’ve met The Daily World’s personal finance editor. Surely it’s that drippy woman called Marjorie? So who’s this guy?

  “I haven’t seen you around before,” I say casually. “Are you new?”

  Eric Foreman gives a chuckle. “I’ve been on the paper for ten years. But this finance stuff isn’t usually my scene.” He lowers his voice. “I’m here to stir up a bit of trouble, as it goes. The editor’s brought me on board for a new campaign we’re running, ‘Can We Trust the Money Men?’ ”

  He even talks in a tabloid voice.

  “That sounds great,” I say.

  “Could be, could be. As long as I can get past all this technical stuff.” He pulls a face. “Never been good at figures.”

  “I wouldn’t worry,” I say kindly. “You don’t actually need to know very much. You’ll soon pick up what’s important. Basically, these guys are launching a new pension plan. .” I glance at the brochure “. . and the gimmick is, there’s a discount for investors under the age of twenty-five. Which makes sense, of course, because the sooner you start retirement planning, the better.”

  “Oh absolutely,” echoes Eric Foreman, a tiny smile at his mouth. “May I ask, do you have a pension?”

  “Well. . no,” I admit. “I don’t at the moment. . but I’m absolutely intending to, as soon as I decide which one.”

  Which is true. As soon as I clear all my debts, I’m going to start a pension plan, and also invest in a long-term equity-based investment fund. I may even put some spare money into emerging markets. I mean, it makes sense, doesn’t it?

  “Glad to hear it,” says Eric Foreman, grinning. “Very wise of you.” He peers at my name badge. “And you are. .”

  “Rebecca Bloomwood, Successful Saving,” I say, in my best networking manner.

  “Glad to meet you, Rebecca,” he says, and fishes in his pocket for a business card.

  “Oh, thanks,” I say, hastily reaching into my bag for my own business cards. Yes! I think triumphantly as I hand it over. I’m networking with the national newspapers! I’m swapping business cards!

  Just then the microphones all come on with a screech of feedback, and a dark-haired girl at the podium clears her throat. Behind her is a lit-up screen, with the words Sacrum Asset Management against a sunset.

  I remember this girl now. She was really snotty to me at a press briefing last year. But Philip likes her, because she send
s him a bottle of champagne every Christmas, so I’ll have to give this new pension plan a nice write-up.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” she says. “My name is Maria Freeman, and I’m delighted to welcome you all to the launch of the Sacrum Asset Management Pension Series. This is an innovative range of products designed to combine flexibility and security with the powerful performance associated with Sacrum.”

  A graph appears on the screen before us, with a wiggly red line rising and falling above a thinner black one.

  “As Graph 1 shows,” says Maria Freeman confidently, pointing to the wiggly red line, “our UK Enterprise Fund has consistently outperformed the rest of its particular sector.”

  “Hmm,” murmurs Eric Foreman to me, frowning at his brochure. “So, what’s going on here, then? I heard a rumor that Sacrum Asset Management wasn’t doing too well.” He jabs at the graph. “But look at this. Outperforming the sector.”

  “Yeah, right,” I murmur back. “And what sector would that be? The Crap Investments Sector? The Lose All Your Money Sector?”

  Eric Foreman looks at me and his mouth twists slightly.

  “You think they’ve fiddled their figures?” he whispers.

  “It’s not exactly fiddling,” I explain. “They just compare themselves to whoever’s worse than themselves, and then call themselves the winners.” I point to the graph in the brochure. “Look. They haven’t actually specified what this so-called sector is.”

  “Well, blow me,” says Eric Foreman, and looks up at the Sacrum team sitting on the platform. “They’re canny bastards, aren’t they?”

  Really, this guy has no idea. I feel almost sorry for him.

  Maria Freeman is droning on again, and I stifle a yawn. The trouble with sitting near the front is you have to pretend to look interested and be writing notes. “Pensions,” I write, and draw a swirly line underneath. Then I make the line into the stem of a vine and start drawing little bunches of grapes and leaves all the way along.

  “In a moment I’ll be introducing Mike Dillon, who heads up the investment team, and he’ll be telling you a little about their methods. In the meantime, if there are any questions. .”