Chapter Text
“Betsy, are you ready?” Carla called up the stairs to her daughter.
“You know she’s probably still asleep, right?” Lisa replied, sipping her tea and nibbling at the slice of toast Carla had forced her to eat.
“Well, I was hoping that, considering it’s her first full day at the factory, she’d be up and ready,” Carla huffed.
Seconds later, the front door opened and closed, and in walked Betsy carrying two cups of coffee.
“Are you coming to work today or skiving?” she asked.
“Excuse me—who are you and what have you done with my daughter?” Carla said, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, I didn’t think it would look too good if the boss’s daughter showed up late. Besides, we’ve got that meeting at 9:00 a.m. with Kingston and James, and I’ve been working all night on my designs,” Betsy stated.
“Well, I suppose duty calls. Babe, make sure you give me a ring straight after your interview—you’ll do amazing. They’d be stupid not to hire you as Costello’s replacement,” Carla said, walking over to give her wife a kiss.
“Thanks, love. I mean, it’s what I’ve been working towards, but the competition is tough. You two have a good day, and I can’t wait to hear all about your first business meeting,” Lisa replied with a smile.
“If all goes according to plan and we both get good news, we can try out our new toy later,” Carla whispered—though not quite quietly enough.
“You two are disgusting. I’m still in the room, you realise that, right?” Betsy said, gagging in mock horror.
“You wouldn’t be if you had your own flat,” Lisa quipped.
“Hey, you know I’m saving. Besides, you both agreed I could stay here until I could afford something. Now that I’m earning more at Underworld, I should hopefully be out of your hair soon—and then you can have sex in every room of the house whenever you like.”
“You say that as if we don’t already,” Carla replied.
“You two need some serious help,” Betsy stated.
“Do we? Or do you need to go and get laid?” Carla quipped, grabbing the coffee from her daughter’s hand.
“This conversation is now bordering on all levels of inappropriate. I am happy being single, thank you very much. Besides, I’m planning to take over Underworld one day, so my focus is on learning everything I can and being as good a boss as Mum.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere—but it won’t get you a pay rise,” Carla said with a smirk.
“Worth a try.”
Betsy headed out the door, and after a quick kiss, Carla followed her.
Linking arms as they walked toward the factory, Carla asked, “So, did you make the changes they requested?”
“Yes—less lace, more knicker variety,” Betsy replied.
“Good. When we get into the office, we can go over the pitch. Hopefully by 10:00 a.m., they’ll have signed on the dotted line.”
“I’ve no doubt they will. The only reason they asked for another meeting is because Mr. James fancies you. Asking me to tweak my already perfect design was just a way to be in the same room with you again.”
“I mean, you’re probably right. But I can use that to my advantage. Just don’t tell your mum,” Carla replied.
The meeting went even better than expected. By 9:47 a.m., the contract was signed, handshakes were exchanged, and compliments were flying left and right—mostly in Betsy’s direction. As the clients left the office, Carla leaned back in her chair, watching them disappear through the glass doors. Then she turned to Betsy, eyes gleaming with pride.
“Well, that was a bloody masterclass,” she said. “You absolutely nailed it.”
Betsy beamed, a little breathless but trying to play it cool. “Told you they’d sign.”
“Oh, I had no doubt. But still—watching you handle that room? The way you talked about the design, the branding, the numbers… You’ve got it, Betsy. You really do.”
Betsy looked down, pretending to tidy the papers on the table to hide the flush in her cheeks. “Thanks, Mum.”
Carla stood, walking over to her. “No, seriously. I don’t say this enough—probably never have, knowing me—but I’m proud of you. Not just for today, for everything. You’ve come into this place and owned it.”
Betsy looked up, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “I’ve got a good teacher.”
Carla smirked. “I’ll take that. Though I think you’re already starting to outshine me.”
“Not a chance.”
Carla pulled her into a quick hug, not one for long emotional moments. “Right. Enough mush. Let's celebrate by bossing everyone around for the rest of the day.”
Betsy laughed. “Now that’s the Carla I know.”
They stepped out of the office together, the hum of the factory greeting them as they moved side by side—mother and daughter, mentor and successor.
It was 10:30 am which meant tea break time and the floor of Underworld emptied into the break room. Betsy was deep in conversation with Sean, leaving Carla alone in the office, finally enjoying a rare moment of quiet. She picked up her phone, already knowing exactly who she wanted to speak to. She hit Lisa’s number with a smile already forming.
Lisa answered almost instantly. “Calling to brag about how amazing the pitch went?”
Carla chuckled. “Well, it did go brilliantly—Betsy knocked it out of the park. But no, I’m calling to check in on you. See how your interview went“
“I think it went okay. Didn't trip over my words, and managed not to flirt with the guy interviewing me. Which, let’s be honest, shows real restraint.”
“Pity. I’d have hired you on the spot,” Carla murmured.
“Yeah? What would my job title be, then?”
Carla leaned back in her chair, fingers trailing over the armrest. “Chief Personal Distraction.”
Lisa snorted. “Wow. The benefits better be worth it.”
“Oh, full package,” Carla said smoothly. “Flexible hours, generous hands-on training, unlimited access to the boss’s private stash… of wine.”
Lisa’s voice dropped. “Is that code for something?”
“Everything with me is code for something. You should know that by now.”
Lisa laughed again, the kind of laugh that made Carla’s stomach flip.
“So, since you’re clearly in a good mood,” Lisa said, “you want me to do the weekly shop?”
“Yeah, if you don’t mind. We’re out of basically everything. Oh—grab some squirty cream, would you?”
“For the fruit, or for your very specific brand of dessert?”
Carla purred into the phone. “You are the dessert, babe. The cream’s just the garnish.”
“Jesus, Carla. I’m in public,” Lisa whispered.
“Good. Blush for me.”
Lisa laughed, breathless. “You are incorrigible.”
“Guilty. But you love it.”
“I do. Now stop talking before I end up getting banned from Freshco for inappropriate groaning.”
Carla grinned. “Hurry home. I’ll clear the table.”
“Oh, we’re skipping dinner?”
“Who said anything about skipping? I’m planning on having you before and after.”
Lisa gave a quiet hum of approval. “I’ll be quick. Keep your phone close.”
Carla ended the call with a wicked smile and tossed the phone down on her desk. She glanced out at the factory floor, watching her staff move about their day, then leaned back, legs crossed, utterly smug.
It was shaping up to be a very, very good day.