Page 120 of If We Were Young

“Okay. Let me show you what I’ve come up with.” I guided her into my office to where my original drawings were on the table. Taking a deep breath, I dove straight in.

“So Matthew was telling me about his dad and the business before it got sold.”

She chuckled and drew the papers closer to her. “Carling’s Green Savers?”

“I know he didn’t want to lose the name,” I whispered. “So I tried to keep hold of the essence of it.” The branding was on point. Fred had helped me create something that bridged the gap of relevancy from Carling’s original role on the high street to what it could now be. “Savers is a play on words really. Everyone wants to save the planet these days, the big supermarkets are getting in trouble for not being environmentally friendly. All the packaging etc.”

Amanda nodded.

“So I thought about the posh fruit and veg vans that deliver organic food to people and leave it in those crates on the doorsteps.”

Another nod. Her finger ran across the image of the planet in the centre of the new logo.

I kept momentum going, not letting nerves slow me down. “And people are willing to pay. Those boxes are insane, and half of the stuff in them no one knows how to use it.”

“That’s true. I had one once with a purple vegetable in that I didn’t know how to cook. I couldn’t even find it on Google.”

“So Green Savers is about saving the planet. There’s no plastic packaging, but you can get everything. It’s the shop local people go to who want to make conscientious choices. It’s good for the planet. It keeps people coming to the high street. It’s environmentally and pocket friendly.”

“It’s a greengrocers?”

Her eyes met mine and I began to giggle. “It’s a greengrocers. So many people wish things were the way they once were. The big supermarkets are struggling to give their customers food not wrapped in God knows what.”

“And.”

“Well, Carling’s isn’t a big supermarket is it? It never has been, that’s why it’s failed. It’s a small shop on the corner that you can dash into and save your dinner. Apart from now, people will see the sign and not only will it be a convenience, it will be a conscious decision to stem the tide. To stop time turning and to go back to something simpler and better. People want to help the environment, but they want it to be easy.”

“It’s a very bold statement.”

“I’ve got all the figures run. The organic delivery boxes are killing it. What Carling’s will be doing is taking that green box of planet friendly and healthy goodness and they will be giving the customer the chance to come in and browse, to swerve the purple veg that no one knows what to do with.”

“A greengrocers?”

“I’d quite like to go to one again, wouldn’t you? Chat to the guy behind the counter, have the time to look at everything, not rushing and having my kids shoving God knows what in the trolley when my back is turned.”

Amanda nodded. “I think he’ll like it.”

I shrugged, but it hurt—I couldn’t hide it.

I didn’t know if he would like it. All those years we were friends and he never once told me his father was a grocer. But I’d given the rebrand my best shot, using my gut instincts. That was the best I could do for Supersaver Foods.

“I need to get this all sent off. Time is of the essence.”

My eyes widened. “Just as well I finally got the right idea.” I stared at the pictures one last time and then pushed them and the small storage drive across the table. “Everything is on there. The numbers, all Fred’s mock-ups. Research.”

“Thanks, Ronnie.” She stood up and offered me her hand. “Are you okay? You seem very pale.”

“No. It’s just been a long week.”

“That’s what he said too.” She tilted her head and looked me over. “I’ll make sure word gets around that you are in on this, that this was all you.”

“And Fred.” I smiled. “But, no need. Let’s hope the administrators agree to the rebrand first.”

She pulled a face. “It’s been nice getting to know you.” She looked like she wanted to say more but cut herself off. I walked her out to the lift, past a red-lipped Natalie and an anxious-looking Stewart.

Once she’d gone, I turned and gave them a thumbs up. “Phew.”

“Well done, Ronnie.” Stewart looked like he could cry. It didn’t make what I was about to do any easier.