Wags To Riches by Jane Vernon

brilliant and we spend a pleasant journey back to my house discussing our favourite bits of the film.  I have to say that one of mine was when Adam went to fetch us both a glass of wine and a box of popcorn to share.  All too soon we arrive back at my house and Adam switches off the engine.
    “Thanks for a good time again Gail” he says.  “Oh – I almost forgot.  I’ve got you a present”.
    “A present?” I say delightedly.  “What for me?”
    “No it’s another Gail I’m thinking of” Adam says, rolling his eyes.  “It’s in the boot – I’ll just get it for you”.  He gets out of the car and returns a few seconds later.
    “I hope you like it” he says, handing me a thick paper bag.  My eyes widen as I see the word ‘Chanel’ printed on it.  Oh my golly goodness!  I open the bag and pull out a beautiful black handbag made of the softest leather imaginable, with two intertwined letter C’s on the front.  Wow!
    “Oh my God Adam!  It’s lovely, thank you!” I say, absolutely thrilled to bits. I fling my arms round his neck and give him a massive kiss on the cheek.
    “I’m glad you like it,” Adam said, looking surprised and pleased at my reaction.  “I did feel a bit of an idiot buying it though.  I kept telling the woman in the shop that it wasn’t for me.  I don’t think she believed me!”
    I laugh and open the bag to look inside.  “Adam it’s gorgeous!  Thank you very much!” I say.  My very own posh bag!  And it’s not a fake off the market!  It’s real!
    ****
    “New bag?” Brenda asks as I walk back to my desk after my tea break on Monday.  Brenda works in Accounts.  I find her quite ditsy and annoying to be honest and try to avoid her wherever possible, but today I’m feeling nice and decide to stop by her desk to talk to her.
    “Yes, its nice isn’t it?” I say and take the bag off my shoulder so Brenda could have a closer look at it.  Brenda holds it in her hands and then puts it over her shoulder.
    “Oooh – isn’t it lovely!  Don’t you think it suits me better?” she asks jokingly before giving it back to me.  I don’t think so love.
    One of the other girls in the office comes over to have a look.  “Wow that’s nice!” she says.  “Did you win some money on the lottery or something?”
    “No it was a present” I say and beat a hasty retreat before they can ask any more awkward questions.  I go back to my desk and stow the bag safely underneath it.  It took me ages to clear all the stuff out of my old bag – Christ almighty, I had no idea I had been carrying round that many bus tickets and fluffy fruit pastilles.  On the up side though I did find twelve pence I didn’t know I had, but I won’t let my new found riches change my life.
    Work today is nowhere as busy as last week thank goodness.  I take a couple of calls and then the phones go quiet.  Mark who works in sales and sits opposite me and Alex is reading a magazine, it’s that quiet.  Then the door opens and Brenda comes in.  “Just come to make a coffee!” she announces to the room at large, like we all needed to know that.  “Oooh - what are you reading Mark?” she asks as she makes her way to the kitchen.
    “Oh, it’s just this article about the footballer Adam Finchley and what he does to keep fit” Mark replies casually and my heart starts pounding as Alex looks up from her keyboard at me.  Oh God.  Just try and act normal Gail, I think to myself.  I’ve got to have a look at this article.  I try to keep my voice as calm as possible as I stand up and call across to Mark.  “Can I borrow your magazine when you’ve finished Mark?”
    “Yeah sure, I’m just going out for a cigarette anyway” he replies, getting up and passing me the magazine.  “Thought you weren’t into football?” he queries smiling.
    “Well, I’m not either, but I wouldn’t kick Adam Finchley out of bed – he’s gorgeous!” Brenda calls from the kitchen, before I can