Sweet Surprises

‘All women like cake, don’t they?’ Andy says confidently, opening the box.  

‘Yes, yes, thank you Andy, very thoughtful of you. I’m sure everyone will be delighted.’

Cathy does her best to sound pleased. On receiving the email entitled ‘IWD2018 SURPRISE’, Cathy had - she now acknowledges it was never going to happen - been convinced that International Women’s Day, 8^th of March 2018 would be the day on which she got her well overdue promotion and payrise. BUT NO. Instead of a serious recognition of her dedicated service resulting in increased company profits, new customers and a much happier workforce than before her arrival three years ago, she, along with the other female employees, is given a bloody cupcake.

The cakes, beautifully decorated with purple and green fondant icing, and each in a white case, don’t look shop-bought.

‘Did you make them yourself,’ Cathy asks, unable to hide her incredulity.

‘Christ no.’ Andy laughs, ‘Jill did them last night after the kids where in bed whilst I was watching the match’.

‘Of course. Well, please thank her for us Andy.’

‘Sure, sure. I wanted you and the girls to know how much I appreciate all your hard work.’

Biting her lip so as not to give away her own surprise Cathy looks through the office window at the dozen or so 'girls' all aged between early-thirties and mid-fifties. Every one of them is busy making money for the company most of which will end up in Andy’s bank account.

Alone in the office, except for the boss, Cathy eats her own deliciously sweet treat whilst finishing her last few tasks of the day. Reading through the final email she silently thanks Andy for giving her the push she needed. She has the contacts, the clients and the skills, the bank has approved a loan and tomorrow she’ll have at least some of the staff she needs. She intends to contact all her talented and hard-working women colleagues to ask if they’d like to make the move with her. She confident that at least some will say yes. Sucking the last of the sticky cake crumbs from her fingers she presses send. As she logs off she can hear the ping as her letter of resignation arrives in Andy’s inbox.