She breaks off as the door swings open and in strides a guy of about thirty. He’s got thinning dark hair, is wearing a rather nasty suit, and is holding a plastic cup of coffee.

He doesn’t look as though he’s got a friendly bone in his body. Suddenly I wish we hadn’t come.

“Right,” he says with a frown. “I haven’t got all day. Which of you is Rebecca Bloomwood?”

The way he says it, it’s like he’s asking which one of us threw up on the carpet.

“Erm… I am,” I say nervously.

“And who’s this?”

“Suze is my—”

“People,” says Suze confidently. “I’m her people.” She looks around the room. “Do you have any sherry?”

“No,” says John Gavin, looking at her as though she’s subnormal. “I don’t have any sherry. Now what’s this about?”

“OK, first of all,” I say nervously, “I’ve brought you something.” I reach into my bag and hand him another Kate’s Paperie envelope.

It was my own idea to bring him a little something to break the ice. After all, it’s only good manners. And in Japan, this is how business is done all the time.

“Is this a check?” says John Gavin.

“Erm… no,” I say, coloring slightly. “It’s a… a handmade card.”

John Gavin gives me a look, then rips the envelope open and pulls out a card printed in silver, with pink feathers glued to the corners.

Now that I look at it, maybe I should have chosen a less girly one.

Or not brought one at all. But it seemed so perfect for the occasion.


Friend — I know I’ve made mistakes, but can we start over?


John Gavin reads incredulously. He turns it over, as though suspecting a joke. “Did you buy this?”

“It’s nice, isn’t it!” says Suze. “You get them in New York.”

“I see. I’ll bear that in mind.” He puts it up on the table and we all look at it. “Miss Bloomwood, why exactly are you here?”

“Right!” I say. “Well. As my greeting card states, I’m aware that I have…” I swallow. “Perhaps not been the perfect… ideal customer. However, I’m confident that we can work together as a team, and achieve harmony.”

So far so good. I learned that bit off by heart.

“Which means?” says John Gavin.

I clear my throat. “Um… due to circumstances beyond my control, I have recently found myself in a slight financial… situation. So I was wondering whether you could perhaps temporarily…”

“Very kindly…” puts in Suze.

“Very kindly… perhaps extend my overdraft a little further, on a… a short-term…”

“Goodwill…” interjects Suze.

“Goodwill… temporary… short-term basis. Obviously to be paid back as soon as is feasibly and humanly possible.” I stop, and draw breath.

“Have you finished?” says John Gavin, folding his arms.

“Erm… yes.” I look to Suze for confirmation. “Yes, we have.”

There’s silence while John Gavin drums his Biro on the table. Then he looks up and says, “No.”

“No?” I look at him puzzledly. “Is that just… no?”

“Just no.” He pushes back his chair. “So if you’ll excuse me—”

“What do you mean, no?” says Suze. “You can’t just say no! You have to weigh up the pros and cons!”

“I have weighed up the pros and the cons,” says John Gavin. “There are no pros.”

“But this is one of your most valued customers!” Suze’s voice rises in dismay. “This is Becky Bloomwood of TV fame, who has a huge, glittering career in front of her!”

“This is Becky Bloomwood who has had her overdraft limit extended six times in the last year,” says John Gavin in a rather nasty voice. “And who each time has failed to keep within those limits. This is Becky Bloomwood who has consistently lied, who has consistently avoided meetings, who has treated bank staff with little or no respect, and who seems to think we’re all here solely to fund her appetite for shoes. I’ve looked at your file, Miss Bloomwood. I know the picture.”

There’s a subdued little silence. I can feel my cheeks getting hotter and hotter and I’ve got a horrible feeling I might cry.

“I don’t think you should be so mean!” says Suze in a burst. “Becky’s just had a really awful time! Would you like to be in the tabloids? Would you like to have someone stalking you?”

“Oh, I see!” His voice glints with sarcasm. “You expect me to feel sorry for you!”

“Yes!” I say. “No. Not exactly. But I think you should give me a chance.”

“You think I should give you another chance. And what have you done to merit another chance?” He shakes his head, and there’s silence.

“I just… I thought if I explained it all to you…” I tail off feebly and shoot Suze a hopeless look to say, “Let’s just forget it.”

“Hey, is it hot in here?” says Suze in a sudden husky voice. She takes off her jacket, shakes back her hair, and runs one hand down her cheek. “I’m feeling really… hot. Are you feeling hot, John?”

John Gavin shoots her an irritated look.

“What precisely did you want to explain to me, Miss Bloomwood?”

“Well. Just that I really want to sort things out,” I say, my voice trembling. “You know, I really want to turn things around. I want to stand on my own two feet, and—”

“Stand on your own two feet?” interrupts John Gavin scathingly. “You call taking handouts from a bank ‘standing on your own two feet’? If you were really standing on your own two feet, you’d have no overdraft. You’d have a few assets by now! You, of all people, shouldn’t need telling that.”

“I… I know,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But the fact is, I have got an overdraft. And I just thought—”

“You thought what? That you’re special? That you’re an exception because you’re on the television? That the normal rules don’t apply to you? That this bank owes you money?”

His voice is like a drill in my head and suddenly I feel myself snap.

“No!” I cry. “I don’t think that. I don’t think any of that. I know I’ve been stupid, and I know I’ve done wrong. But I think that everyone does wrong occasionally.” I take a deep breath. “You know, if you look at your files, you’ll see I did pay off my overdraft. And I did pay off my store cards. And OK, I’m in debt again. But I’m trying to sort it out — and all you can do is… is sneer. Well, fine. I’ll sort myself out without your help. Come on, Suze.”

Shaking slightly, I get to my feet. My eyes are hot, but I’m not going to cry in front of him. There’s a shaft of determination inside me, which strengthens as I turn to face him.

“Endwich — because we care,” I say.

There’s a long, tense silence. Then, without saying anything else, I open the door and walk out.


As we walk home, I feel almost high with determination. I’ll show him. I’ll show that John Gavin. And all of them. The whole world.

I’m going to pay off my debts. I don’t know how — but I’m going to do it. I’ll take an extra job waitressing, maybe. Or I’ll get down to it, and finish my self-help book. I’ll just make as much money as I can, as quickly as I can. And then I’ll go into that bank with a huge check, and plonk it down in front of him, and in a dignified but pointed voice, I’ll say—

“Bex?” Suze grabs my arm — and I realize I’m walking straight past our house.

“Are you OK?” says Suze as she lets us in. “Honestly, what a bastard.”

“I’m fine,” I say, lifting my chin. “I’m going to show him. I’m going to pay off my overdraft. Just wait. I’m going to show them all.”

“Excellent!” says Suze. She bends down and picks up a letter from the doormat.

“It’s for you,” she says. “From Morning Coffee!”

“Oh right!” As I’m opening the envelope, I feel a huge leap of hope. Maybe they’re offering me a new job! Something with a huge salary, enough to pay off my debts straight away. Maybe they’ve sacked Emma and I’m going to take her place as the main presenter! Or maybe…

Oh my God. Oh my God, no.


Morning Coffee

East-West Television

Corner House

London NW8 4DW

Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood


Flat 2

4 Burney Rd.

London SW6 8FD


2 October 2000


Dear Becky:

First of all, bad luck on your recent unfortunate bout of publicity! I really felt for you, and I know I also speak for Rory, Emma, and all the rest of the team.

As you know, the Morning Coffee family is a fiercely loyal and supportive one, and it is our policy never to allow adverse publicity to stand in the way of talent. However, completely coincidentally, we have recently been reviewing all our regular contributors. Following some discussion, we have decided to rest you from your slot for a while.

I must emphasize that this is just a temporary measure. However, we would appreciate it if you would return your East-West TV pass in the envelope provided and also sign the enclosed release document.

The work you’ve done for us has been fabulous (obviously!). We just know that your talents will flourish elsewhere and that this will not prove a setback to someone as dynamic as yourself!

With very best wishes,


Zelda Washington

Assistant Producer



PARADIGM BOOKS LTD

695 SOHO SQUARE


LONDON W1 5AS

Ms. Rebecca Bloomwood


Flat 2

4 Burney Rd.

London SW6 8FD


4 October 2000


Dear Becky:

Thank you very much for your first draft of Manage Money the Bloomwood Way. We appreciated the care that had gone into your work. Your writing is well paced and fluent, and you certainly made some interesting points.