Page 5 of Safe Hands

Beth squeezed Carly’s shoulder, a rare concession from a woman whose answer to most crises was to toughen up.

“Come on,” Beth said, nodding towards the reception desk: a curved monstrosity they’d already christened the Starship Enterprise. “Let’s get this over with so we can enjoy ourselves.”

“You’re only going out tonight to be nosy.”

“Well, aren’t you curious?”

Carly shrugged. “Samantha wants to speak to me.”

“So? Text her and say you’re busy saving the family empire. You need a night off once this is over. Take it from one who knows.”

Beth ducked into the toilets and reappeared seconds later with her favourite navy blazer. She tossed it over.

“Put this on. Covers the wet patch. Then show them who’s boss.”

Carly slipped into the jacket and squared her shoulders.

If the army had taught her anything, it was that a leader was only as good as her team. And this team—two receptionists, four part-time instructors, a handful of self-employed PTs, and a miracle-working cleaner—needed to believe in her. Fast.

“Thanks for coming,” she said, hopping onto the front desk.

The chatter died instantly.

“I won’t keep you long. I wanted to reassure you that we come in peace.”

Carly flashed a Vulcan salute, mainly for Beth’s benefit. Beth stood beside her, arms folded, having misplaced her smile despite multiple reminders to look approachable.

“If you need anything,” Carly continued, “Beth is your first port of call. She’s the new general manager, and she will be meeting with each of you to hear your ideas.”

She shifted her gaze to the PTs. “We’ve got plans to grow membership. That means more clients for you, and money for equipment.”

A few wary nods.

“When my dad left the army, he found purpose in places like this. Scruffy gyms full of decent people. Our other locations aren’t scruffy anymore, but the spirit is the same. We build community. When I took over, I swore to keep that going.”

Her eyes moved around the room, landing on each doubtful face in turn. “So let’s make this place the best version of itself, and the rest will follow.”

The room broke into polite chatter. Carly slid off the desk.

“How did I do?”

Beth side-eyed her. “Shall I grab my guitar and start a round of Kumbaya?”

“No. Would you mind finishing up? I need to go.”

“Of course. Especially if it means you’ll join me later.”

Laundry, admin, batch-cooking—Carly’s mental to-do list was a mile long. But she’d barely stepped outside a gym in months, and after dealing with Samantha, she’d need something stronger than a protein shake.

“I’ll try. If I don’t make it tonight, I’ll take you out in the week. Deal?”

Beth pursed her lips, then nodded. “Sold. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Carly watched her march towards a nervous-looking receptionist and hoped the feeling would be mutual. She needed Beth holding the line if she had any hope of turning this place around—selfish, maybe, but Carly had learned to be honest about her assets. Beth had the bedside manner of a cactus but she knew how to get a room to do what it was told.

The phone buzzed again.

Carly tugged the blazer tighter and headed into the rain.