Bryan
paused under the awning of a Chinese restaurant, a few doors down the street.
“Well, they’re my friends too.”
“Didn’t
fucking look like it to me.”
Bryan
was shocked by the anger in Phiz’s tone. “This is my job, Phiz. There are often
hard decisions to be made. I have to consider the company's best interests
overall.”
“Their
best interest is to keep selling fabulous ice cream, surely?”
Bryan
hadn’t realised how much it would hurt, being challenged by Phiz like this. The
man was relentless. “Yes, of course that’s what they want to do. But a business
has to be financed adequately, or both customers and suppliers suffer. They
hired me to advise them, and I’m part of the management team. They bought
goods, Phiz. Do you think they shouldn't pay for them?”
“No,
of course...I mean, no I don't.” He swallowed hard, his cheeks sucked in as
Bryan had seen before when Phiz was troubled or confused. “But don’t take that