Violet shot a look at me and smirked slightly at the mention of shit. I didn’t flinch, but Joy did. ‘Taylor’s has based itself on old-fashioned values, Ella, so Instagram and Twitter hasn’t really been its thing,’ she said.
‘We do need to get a grip of social media though,’ Dan said. I agreed, it would be up to Dan and Jamie to modernise the company in order to compete with the biggest and best. And the most effective weapon could be social media.
Ella smiled at Dan. ‘You are so right.’ She smiled, and I caught a glance between them that made my stomach dip.
‘Yes, we do need to get a grip of it,’ I echoed, wanting to interrupt, to come between them. ‘I’ll look into it when—’ I started, but she spoke over me.
‘I do the same with my followers, I get them to interact with me by asking them which bikini I should wear, what bra fits me best.’ She brushed her hands across her breasts, as Dan listened intently. ‘I ask them what they think I should wear for a party, or a date… That was before Jamie of course.’ She suddenly remembered him and squeezed his knee, which seemed to be enough for him – he smiled lovingly back.
‘Wow, that sounds brilliant,’ Dan said, gazing at her like everything she uttered was vital to his existence. I knew this, because he once looked at me like that, but in the madness of marriage and children, I’d forgotten. Women found my husband irresistible. ‘We might not be able to afford to pay you and Jamie to work at Taylor’s, so let’s just have you, Ella,’ he laughed.
Ella positively glowed.
‘We already have an Instagram account,’ I said defensively, ‘not as many followers as you, but we do okay. And I ask questions… interact.’ I offered, a lone voice in the wilderness. ‘I just don’t have the time to do it every day – I’ve been running the social media on my days off.’
‘Yeah – I’ve seen your social media. And, er, no offence, Clare, but… well, days off? I mean, this isn’t something a company should be doing part-time in between the washing and cooking.’
I flushed slightly at this. ‘I work actually – I’m a nurse,’ I added defensively. ‘I work full-time in long shifts. I couldn’t possibly do any more on the website than I already do.’ I was trying to stay calm and not allow my voice to give away my irritation and upset at her remark.
‘Exactly, you’re busy doing other stuff… and sounds to me like you’re doing enough as it is,’ she said, in what I felt was a slightly patronising way. ‘No, Clare, you’re making a real effort, and gosh… all while working as a nurse? All those beds to make… you must be exhausted. But really guys, the website needs to be professionally managed, it isn’t a hobby. No offence, Clare.’
No offence? I took deep offence, but stopped myself from saying anything.
‘… polished, more interactive, Taylor’s needs to be attracting bigger clients.’ She was still talking. ‘And those clients who want bigger buildings… beautiful buildings.’
‘I agree in essence Ella,’ I said, still perched on the arm of Dan’s chair. ‘But we’re a small company, we do need someone but we can’t afford to pay them ,’ I explained, waiting for Dan to agree with me; after all I was only repeating what he’d always said.
‘You can’t afford to pay someone because your social media’s so bad you aren’t getting enough customers,’ she sighed, like she’d told me this so many times she was bored.
‘Yeah, but we don’t have a huge following because most of our clients don’t use Instagram. They probably don’t even know what it is,’ I added, knowing I should just be quiet and leave it, but feeling rather bruised by her criticism. I looked around for some kind of confirmation of what I’d just said, but again no one said a word, and Dan was staring so intently at Ella, I don’t even think he heard me.
‘Oh Clare,’ she said, like I’d just made the most ludicrous statement. ‘If most of our clients don’t know what Instagram is – might I suggest we start looking for some new ones?’
‘I’m sorry but—’ I started.
‘Just hear Ella out,’ Jamie said, and no one argued. I glanced around at my family, trying to gauge their reaction to this. Dan was enthralled, Joy’s face was a blank mask and Bob just looked confused.
Ella gave Jamie a ‘thank you’ smile and turned to me. ‘Look, Clare, I don’t blame you for the fact the social media isn’t working, but a company like Taylor’s needs a… younger, more fresh approach. We need new ideas, faster thinking.’ She spoke softly, like she was explaining something complicated to a child. ‘You don’t want to be the one that’s left behind, do you?’ There was something in the way she said this that felt like she wasn’t just talking about the importance of social media.