Finns Business

By Stephen Rabley
Level 3 Streamline Connections Units 1-40 (1000 headwords)

'Surprise!' Finn McGill couldn't believe it. Her office was full of people completely full. Everyone at the London Fashion Company was there. For a second she just looked at them. 'How did ...?' she began. 'I mean, I only went out for five minutes. I wanted to get a sandwich!' Everyone laughed, then Finn's boss, Diana Matheson, walked towards her. She was holding some flowers. 'Fiannola,' she said. 'We just wanted to say "congratulations" on your new job in Paris. We'll miss you, of course, but it's really good news.' Finn looked at her boss and smiled. 'You're twenty-one and already you're one of the best young fashion designers in Britain,' Diana continued. 'Soon, you'll be one of the best in Europe I'm sure of it. Good luck, and don't forget. Come back and see us.' 'Oh Diana, please,' said Finn. 'I'm going to cry.' Again everyone laughed. 'It's OK,' said Diana. 'I've finished.' She gave Finn the flowers, then turned around. 'Well, what are we all waiting for?' she asked. 'Let's begin the party.' An hour later Finn quietly left the room. She went upstairs to Diana's room and stood at the window. Below her, cars and people filled the busy streets of Covent Garden. It was a hot July day. A man was playing a guitar outside a restaurant. Finn began to feel sad. 'Am I doing the right thing?' she thought. 'I don't speak French. I've got no friends in Paris. Am I just leaving London because of Jamie?' Then suddenly Finn saw her own face in the window and smiled. 'Come on,' she said quietly to herself. 'Don't worry. You're only sad because it's your last day here. Paris will be wonderful. The new job will be wonderful, too. And Jamie? Well, you love him, but he doesn't love you -that's all. It happens to people all the time. No ... you're not running away. You're just beginning a new job in a new country. What's wrong with that? Now, go back to the party and enjoy yourself.' She turned away from the window. Just then the door opened. It was Jamie Miller, one of the other designers at the London Fashion Company. 'Oh, here you are,' he said. 'There's a phone call for you. Diana asked me to find you.' He began to leave, and then turned. 'Are you OK, Finn? You look ...' 'I'm fine,' replied Finn with a bright smile. 'I just needed a few minutes alone, that's all.' Jamie laughed. 'I understand. Surprise parties aren't always easy, are they?' 'No, not always,' replied Finn. They smiled at each other. Then Jamie said, 'I'll see you downstairs in a minute, OK?' He left and Finn looked at the floor for a second. Then she picked up the phone on Diana's desk. 'Hello, this is Finn McGill. Is there a call for me ? Yes, I'll wait.' She moved to the window again and looked out. The man was still playing his guitar outside the restaurant. Suddenly she heard her father's voice. 'Fiannola, is that you?' 'Dad, what a lovely surprise!' said Finn. 'How's everything at home in Belfast?' For a second there was no reply, then: 'I'm afraid there's bad news, Finn. It's your mother. They took her to hospital this morning. She's had a heart attack.' 'Oh Dad,' said Finn quietly. 'How bad is it? Is she going to ...' 'I don't know,' replied her father's voice. Then he said, 'Can you ... can you come home? She's asking for you.' 'Of course,' said Finn. 'I'll catch the first plane. And don't worry, Dad. Everything will be all right I'm sure of it. Everything will be just fine.' The next morning Finn and her father left the hospital in Belfast together. 'Thanks for coming home so quickly,' said John McGill. He was a tall man with thin brown hair and a tired face. Finn didn't reply, but held his arm tightly. At the car she stopped and looked around her. 'I think I'd like to walk home,' she said. 'I haven't seen the old place for a long time. Is that OK with you?' 'Of course,' her father answered. 'I'll see you later, back at the house.' Finn watched her father's car. When it disappeared, she began to walk home through the streets of Belfast. At first she thought about her mother. Was she going to live? The doctors said 'She's doing well.' Was that true or not? Then she thought about her father. He was the head-teacher of a big school, and usually he was in complete control of everything. But today he looked different frightened and suddenly so much older. After half an hour Finn was in the centre of the city. Then she remembered the Blue Moon cafe. 'It's just around the corner from here,' she thought. 'Maybe I'll stop and have a quick cup of coffee.' There were lots of people in the small, warm cafe. At first Finn couldn't find a seat, but then she saw one by the window. She sat down, ordered a cup of coffee and looked around her. Everything was the same the pictures on the wall, the old wooden tables, the ...
1

'Fiannola McGill! Is it really you?' Finn looked up. A young woman in jeans and a red T-shirt was standing next to her. She had a baby in her arms. 'Mary Killane!' Finn replied. 'I don't believe it. I haven't seen you for ... six years! Not since we left school.' The two women looked at each other for a moment. Then they both began to laugh. Just then someone left and Mary sat down. 'Finn, you look great,' she said. 'You look very ... oh, I don't know ... very London! ' Again they both laughed. 'Well, you look great, too,' said Finn. 'Both of you.' She smiled at the baby. 'Oh Mary, it's really good to see you.' For nearly an hour the old school friends talked about their lives. First Mary described her job in a bookshop, her husband and her house in west Belfast. Then Finn talked about her parents, her work as a fashion designer and her new job in Paris. 'Paris!' said Mary. 'That's fantastic. Oh Finn, you're so lucky. When do you start?' 'In three weeks,' replied Finn quietly. Mary looked surprised. 'You don't look very happy about it,' she said. Finn slowly turned the coffee cup she was holding in her hands. 'Well, I'm not really. You see, Mary, I've always wanted to have my own business ... to work for myself.' 'And won't you be able to do that in Paris?' 'No,' replied Finn. 'I'll be an assistant designer in a big company part of a team.' 'I see,' said Mary. 'And what about London? Why don't you start a business there?' Finn was still turning the cup between her hands. 'I'm tired of London,' she said. 'It's a great place, but it's got some ... bad memories for me. I don't want to live there any more.' She put down the cup. 'Anyway, you don't want to hear all this!' Neither of them spoke for a few seconds, then Mary looked at her watch. 'Is that the time?' She stood up. 'Look, I must go. I'm late.' She smiled. 'It's been really great to see you, Finn. I hope your mother is better soon. And listen don't worry about Pans. I'm sure that everything will be OK.' Finn smiled at the baby and then at Mary. 'Thanks,' she said. Four days later Finn borrowed her father's car and drove to the coast. For the first time in a week she felt happy. The news from the hospital was good. Ellen McGill was slowly getting better her life wasn't in danger now. But Finn wasn't only happy because of the news about her mother. There was something else, too. She was happy because she was back in Northern Ireland. It was so much quieter and friendlier than London. She walked slowly beside the calm, blue sea, then lay down on the warm sand. For several minutes she just dreamed half-asleep in the sun. Jamie, Pans, her parents, Mary ... all kinds of thoughts passed through her head. Then the idea suddenly came to her. 'Of course!' she thought. 'Why didn't I think of it before? I'll stay here. I won't go to Pans. I don't have to work for someone else. I can start my own fashion business here in Belfast.' She began to laugh. Then she got up and started to run along the beach. Suddenly everything was clear. The past, the present, the future ... everything. 'That's it!' she shouted happily to the sky and the sea. 'That's the answer!' The next morning Finn telephoned Diana Matheson. 'You want to start a fashion company in Belfast! But Fiannola, why? The job in Paris was perfect for you.' T thought so, too,' said Finn, 'but I was wrong. I want to start my own business. I know that now.' There was no reply. 'Listen, Diana, I need your advice,' Finn continued. 'Will you help me?' Several seconds passed, then Diana's voice said, 'Fiannola, you're making a big mistake. Now, what do you want to know?' Finn asked a lot of questions. About money, about business, about making and selling clothes. She and Diana talked for nearly an hour and a half. Then Finn said, 'OK, I think that's everything. I've made twelve pages of notes. Thanks.' 'What are friends for!' said Diana. 'Oh, do you want to call Paris, or shall I?' Finn smiled. 'You really are a good friend. No, it's OK. I'll do it. I have to talk to the bank and see a few people first. I won't refuse the job yet. Not until I'm sure about my plans here in Belfast.' 'Well, good luck,' said Diana. 'Thanks,' said Finn. 'I'm going to need it.' One week later Finn and her father were driving to the hospital. In the gold evening light Finn looked through the open car window at the streets of Belfast. On one corner of the street a group of British soldiers with guns were standing and talking. On another, three small boys were throwing stones at an empty police car. Behind them, in big green letters on a wall, was the message, 'IRELAND FOR THE IRISH'.
2

'Why do I want to come back here?' thought Finn. 'Belfast has so many problems, and they just go on and on.' Then a few minutes later she saw two old men in another street. One was singing an Irish song and the other was dancing. Several children were watching them and laughing happily. Finn smiled. 'That's why,' she thought. 'It's the people here. I love them. They're my people. They're special ... different.' Ellen McGill was sitting up in bed when her husband and daughter arrived. 'Oh Mum, you look so much better!' said Finn. 'I feel better,' her mother replied. 'And they say I can come home at the weekend.' 'Oh Ellen, that's great news,' said John McGill. He kissed his wife. 'Great news,' he repeated softly. Finn sat on the side of the bed and held her mother's hand. 'Mum, that's wonderful,' she said. Then she looked happily at both her parents. 'I've got some good news, too.' John McGill smiled at his daughter. 'I thought there was something,' he said. 'You've made a lot of phone calls this week.' Finn laughed. 'I'm sorry, Dad. I wanted to tell you both earlier but I couldn't ... not before Mum was better.' 'Tell us what?' asked Ellen. Finn turned to her mother. 'I'm going to start a fashion business in Belfast,' she said. 'I went to the bank yesterday and they've agreed. I can borrow the money. It's called a "small business grant". But before that I had to show them my plan. Look.' She took a piece of paper out of her pocket. 'This is the plan,' she said. 'First, I'll have to find a workshop. That's not a problem. I saw a place in west Belfast this morning. It's small, but it's not too expensive. Then I'll need two people to work with me. I can design all the clothes, but I'll need help to make them. The third thing is a fashion show. I want to have one in March at the Europa Hotel. I've already shown the people there some of my designs. They really liked them. Then, after the show, with luck I'll have a lot of orders. That's when the real work will begin.' John McGill looked at his daughter. 'This is all so sudden,' he said. 'Are you sure about it?' 'No,' replied Finn, smiling. 'I'm not sure at all, but I want to do it. Oh, and can I live at home with you for a few months ... until I can find a flat?' John and Ellen McGill looked at each other for a moment. Ellen was the first to speak. 'Now I really feel better,' she said. 'Of course you can.' John McGill took his daughter's hand and smiled. 'Welcome home, Finn,' he said. *** The first real day of Finn's business was September 10th. On that day she and her two assistants moved into their workshop in west Belfast. One was Meg Dwyer. She was seventeen, played the piano and had long, red hair. The other was Ricky Shapiro. He was sixteen, always wore a black leather jacket with his name on the back, and wanted to live in Los Angeles. Both of them loved fashion. At four o'clock that day they stopped and Ricky made some tea. Finn took three cups out of a bag, sat on a wooden box and looked around her. The workshop was small, but it was warm and there was lots of light. She liked it. 'Well, here we are,' said Meg. 'It's exciting, isn't it?' Finn smiled. 'Yes, it is,' she agreed. Then she looked at Ricky and Meg. 'I haven't really told you two very much about my plans, have I?' she asked. 'No, not much,' said Ricky. He passed Meg a cup of tea, then sat on the floor and crossed his legs. 'But you talked about a show at the Europa Hotel in March.' 'That's right,' said Finn. 'We have to prepare a complete collection between now and then. Jackets, skirts, coats, hats everything! Look, I can show you some designs.' She took several pieces of paper out of her bag and put them on the floor. 'These are great,' said Meg. 'Look at this jacket,' shouted Ricky. 'And these suits!' 'Do you really like them?' asked Finn. Ricky and Meg looked at each other. 'No,' said Meg. 'We don't like them, we love them.' For the next four months Ricky, Meg and Finn worked on the collection every day. Often they stayed at the workshop until ten or eleven o'clock at night. Finn was really pleased with both of them. After a few weeks they weren't just her assistants; they became her friends. Then, one day in January, Ricky came to Finn with a problem. 'This is silly,' he said, 'but I have to talk to somebody about it. I got this letter yesterday.' He showed Finn the letter. It was made from words cut out of a newspaper. Finn looked at the letter. Her mouth was suddenly dry. 'Who sent this? Do you know?' she asked. Ricky looked at the floor. 'No,' he replied, 'but it's not the first.' He stopped for a second. 'We've got a problem, Finn. Northern Ireland is full of politics, and some people think I'm on one side and you're on the other.' Neither of them spoke for several seconds. 'Do you want to stop working here?' asked Finn. 'I don't want to lose you, Ricky, but after this I can
3

understand . . .' 'No, I don't want to leave,' said Ricky quickly. He looked around him at all the half-finished clothes in the workshop. 'I can't leave,' he said. 'There's too much to do.' They both smiled. 'I just wanted you to know,' he said. 'That's all.' Finn and Ricky didn't tell Meg about the letter. Finn didn't tell her parents either. 'Why worry them?' she thought. 'Perhaps it's just a bad joke. Anyway, Ricky's right. He can't leave now. There's too much to do.' There certainly was a lot to do. Life in the west Belfast workshop became busier and busier. The show at the Europa Hotel was on March 20th and it was already February. Sometimes Finn thought, 'We'll never finish in time,' but slowly the collection grew, and the small room began to fill with coats, dresses, hats and suits. On Friday March 12th Meg and Finn left the workshop at 11 p.., but Ricky said, 'I'm not tired. I'll stay for an hour or two.' He was making a green jacket and wanted to finish it. 'This one's really beautiful,' he said. 'And it's my size, too. I thought, maybe after the show . . .' Finn smiled and gave him her key. 'Perhaps,' she said. 'Now don't work too late and don't forget to lock the door.' Ricky smiled. 'Don't worry, boss,' he said. 'Go home and go to bed. I'll see you both in the morning.' The phone rang at 1 a.m. Half-asleep, Finn answered it. 'Yes, this is Fiannola McGill,' she said softly. Then she quickly opened her eyes and turned on the light next to the bed. 'A fire! Oh no, when did ... yes, yes, of course ... I'll go there immediately. 'She put the phone down. Then she remembered ... 'Ricky!'. Ten minutes later Finn and her parents arrived outside the workshop. It was almost impossible to see the building. Smoke was pouring out of all the windows. There were police officers and fire-fighters everywhere. Quickly Finn got out of the car. On the other side of the street there was a crowd of people. She saw Meg's face in the crowd and ran towards her. 'Where's Ricky?' she shouted. 'Have they found him?' 'No, not yet,' replied Meg, 'but I've talked to the police. They know that he's in there. And Finn, there's something else,' she continued. 'They say that the fire wasn't an accident. Someone started it.' Just then a police officer came towards them through the crowd. 'Excuse me, but are you Fiannola McGill?' he asked. He was holding part of a leather jacket in his hands. Finn could see the letters R.I.C. on it. 'One of the fire-fighters found this inside the building,' he said quietly. 'I'm very sorry.' Meg put a hand in front of her face and began to cry. Finn wanted to cry, too, but she couldn't. She just looked at Ricky's jacket, then at the cloud of smoke above the workshop. She felt cold and sick. Finn and Meg watched the fire. They didn't speak for several minutes. Finn felt completely empty inside. 'Why did I let him stay?' she thought. 'I knew about the letter. Why didn't I ...' 'Finn! Meg!' It was a voice behind them in the crowd. They both turned and looked. 'Who was that?' said Meg quickly. Then . . . 'Ricky!' she shouted. Ricky pushed through the crowd, then suddenly he was standing next to them. He was wearing the green jacket from Finn's collection. 'My Mum just woke me up,' he said. 'She saw the fire from her bedroom window. I ran all the way here.' Finn looked at him. 'One of the fire-fighters found this,' she said. Ricky looked at the leather jacket in her hands. 'You mean, you thought ...' He looked at both of them and then at the fire. Nobody spoke. Later that day Finn, Meg and Ricky went back to the workshop. Slowly they walked around the black, empty building. 'What do we do now?' asked Meg. Finn looked at her sadly. 'Well, we can't start again. There isn't time,' she said. 'The show is in seven days. I've still got all the designs at home, but that doesn't really help us. We just can't make all the clothes again before the 20th.' That day was like a bad dream for Finn. She had to talk to the police, the bank, the Europa Hotel. All this took a long time, and she didn't arrive home until 11 p.m. She had a bath and made a cup of coffee. Then she went into her room and sat on the bed. A few minutes later her father knocked on the door. 'I'm so sorry, Finn,' he said. 'Can your mother and I do anything?' Finn looked at the floor. 'No, Dad,' she said. 'Nothing.' 'What happens now?' he asked. 'Will you go back to England?' Finn thought for a moment. 'No,' she said angrily. 'I'll start my own company here again.' Then very softly she began to cry. 'What am I talking about? My own company... I haven't got one.' 'Not tonight perhaps,' said John McGill, 'but you'll get it back again.' He took his daughter's hand and smiled. 'Your mother and I call it "Finn's business". Did you know that?' He put an arm around her. 'Now, try to sleep. You'll feel better tomorrow.' The next morning Ricky and Meg came to Finn's house. 'We've had an idea,' said Meg. 'Maybe we can't have a Spring collection now, but what about an Autumn collection?' 'I'm afraid not,' said Finn. 'I talked to the people at the bank yesterday, and they won't give me any more
4

money.' 'Well, maybe we can still have a show on the 20th with part of the collection,' said Ricky. 'We can start now and make just a few of the clothes.' 'I've thought of that, too,' replied Finn. 'The Europa Hotel said "a complete collection or nothing". They don't want to have a show with only two or three dresses.' Just then the front door bell rang. A few moments later Ellen McGill came into the room. 'Finn,' she said, 'there are some people at the door a group of women. They want to see you.' 'A group of women?' repeated Finn. 'But who are they, Mum?' 'I don't know,' replied her mother. Finn went to the door. There she saw ten or twelve women. Mary Killane was at the front of the group. 'Hello, Finn,' she said. 'We heard about the fire. It's terrible news. Who started it? Do the police know?' 'No, not yet,' replied Finn. 'People say that you won't be able to have your fashion show now,' Mary continued. 'Is that right?' 'Yes,' said Finn. 'There are only three of us myself and two teenagers. We can't make all the clothes in seven days.' 'But you still have all your designs, don't you?' 'Yes,' answered Finn. 'But Mary, I don't understand. What's all this about?' Mary Killane turned and looked at the women behind her. 'Well, these women are all friends of mine. Some are Unionists and some are Republicans, but that's not important. Your business is important. You see, Finn, we've talked about it and we all agree. You're going to have your fashion show on the 20th, and we're going to help you.' Mary Killane's house was full of people and noise. It was the evening before Finn's show and there was still a lot to do. At ten o'clock Mary and Finn went into the kitchen. They wanted to make tea for everyone. 'I still can't believe this,' said Finn. She put some tea into the pot. 'I'll never be able to thank you and your friends enough.' Mary crossed her arms and smiled. 'That's nice,' she said, 'but I want to tell you something.' She took Finn's hand. 'We're doing this for you, but we're doing it for ourselves, too. It's because we're angry about so many things here in Belfast. It's our home and we're tired of all the fighting. You understand that, don't you?' 'Of course I do,' said Finn softly. 'That's why I stayed here and didn't go to Paris. It's my home, too, and I feel the same.' The two women looked at each other. Then, a few seconds later they both began to smile. 'Look at us,' said Mary. 'What a pair of fools! Come on, Finn McGill, we have to work. Now, where are all the cups in this house?' 'Thanks, Finn,' said Ricky five minutes later. He took a cup of tea and looked around him. All the women in the room were laughing, talking and working at the same time. 'Look at them,' he said. 'Aren't they wonderful?' Just then Meg came downstairs. She was carrying a blue dress over her arm. 'I've finished this one,' she said. 'What's next?' Finn looked at a long list on the wall. 'The red and black trousers,' she said. 'Here's the design, and the material is over there on that chair.' 'OK,' said Meg. She took the design, began to leave, and then turned round. 'Oh Finn, how are we going to take all the clothes to the hotel tomorrow?' Finn smiled. 'Mrs Delaney's husband is taking them,' she said. One of the women looked up. 'That's right,' she said to Meg. 'My John works for a fruit and vegetable farmer outside Belfast. He's going to borrow one of their trucks.' Meg laughed. 'Fantastic!' She looked at Finn. 'Next year I'm sure Giorgio Armani will do the same.' 'George who?' asked Mrs Delaney. 'He's a very famous fashion designer,' laughed Finn. At 2 a.m. the collection was complete. 'Well, everyone,' said Finn, 'we've done it! Now let's go home and sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day. Don't forget the show starts at 8.00 p.m. at the Europa Hotel. And I want to thank you all again. It won't be my collection tomorrow. It'll be our collection.' Slowly everyone began to leave. Ricky and Meg were the last to go. 'Oh, one more thing,' said Finn at the door. 'I wanted to ask you both something. I've got eight models for the show tomorrow, but really I need ten. Do you think ...' 'Yes please!' said Meg quickly. Ricky didn't look so sure. 'Oh, come on, Ricky,' said Meg. 'You'll love it.' Ricky smiled. 'Well ... can I wear the green jacket?' Meg and Finn laughed. 'Why not?' said Finn. 'You made it. You can wear it at the show.' 'What time shall we arrive at the hotel, then?' asked Meg. 'One o'clock,' replied Finn. 'I want to practise the show between two and seven. Then I hope everyone
5

else will begin to arrive.' 'How many have you invited?' asked Ricky. 'Nearly two hundred and fifty,' said Finn. 'That's the newspaper people and almost everyone in the fashion world here in Northern Ireland. Oh, and Diana Matheson's coming, too. She was my boss in London.' 'I can't wait,' said Ricky. 'It's going to be great.' Finn looked at him. 'Oh Ricky, I hope you're right.' Diana Matheson was wearing a long silver dress and standing in the Versailles Room at the Europa Hotel. 'Well, everyone's here,' she said to Finn. 'And they're all talking about the story in today's newspaper you know, "BELFAST WOMEN RESCUE FASHION SHOW".' 'What?' said Finn. 'Oh yes ... I mean... I'm sorry, Diana.' She laughed. 'I can't think or talk clearly tonight.' She looked around her. The room was completely full of people. On the stage at one end of the room a sign said FIANNOLAMcGILL -H SPRING COLLECTION. Finn looked at her watch. It was 7.45. 'I must go in a moment,' she said. 'I have to talk to the models.' 'Of course,' said Diana. 'Oh, but before you do, I nearly forgot Jamie sends you his best wishes.' Finn looked at her hands. 'Does he?' she said. 'That's kind of him.' 'Yes,' Diana continued. 'He and his wife are on holiday in Portugal at the moment.' Finn looked at her. 'Wife?' she said. Diana smiled. 'Didn't I tell you? Jamie got married last week. It all happened very quickly.' Just then Ricky called to Finn across the room. 'Come on,' he said. 'We're almost ready to start.' Finn looked at Diana. 'I ... I really must go,' she repeated. 'I'll see you after the show.' 'OK,' replied Diana. 'And good luck!' At exactly eight o'clock the room went dark. A few seconds later loud music began to play. Then a voice said, 'Good evening everyone, and welcome to the Fiannola McGill Spring Collection.' Suddenly there were bright lights everywhere and two models appeared. Together they walked across the stage - one in a blue dress, the other in black trousers and a long grey jacket. Finn was watching them from the side of the stage. Just then she heard Meg's voice behind her. 'Finn! I can't find my red shoes. Where are they? I've got to find them. Ricky and I are next!' Finn turned round. 'Red shoes ... red shoes ...' she said. 'Oh yes, they're over there, under the gold dress.' 'Come on, Meg.. .hurry!'said Ricky. He was standing next to Finn. 'OK, OK,' Meg replied. Quickly she put on the shoes. 'Ready,' she said. Finn looked at both of them and smiled. 'Well, this is it.' 'Tell me again,' said Ricky. 'Why am I doing this?' Finn laughed. 'Don't ask questions,' she said. 'Just do it.' 'Just do it,' Ricky repeated. 'OK.' He took Meg's hand, waited a second, then together they walked onto the stage. The show ended twenty minutes later. The bright lights went out and a voice said, 'Thank you, everyone. That's the end of this evening's show.' Behind the stage Finn sat on a chair and closed her eyes. Then she heard a strange sound. It was like a rain storm and it was getting louder and louder. She opened her eyes. Ricky, Meg, Mary and all the others were standing in front of her. 'Come on,' said Meg, smiling brightly. 'This is your big moment.' One after the other they all walked onto the stage and stood in a long line. Finn was in the middle, with Mary on one side of her and Ricky on the other. In front of them everyone was clapping, cheering, throwing flowers and taking photographs. 'I've never seen anything like this in all my life,' said Ricky. 'Oh Finn, congratulations. You did it!' Finn smiled.' We did it,' she replied. 'And believe me, Ricky, this is just the start.'

Exercises
I. Read through the story quickly and find this information. 1. The name of Finn's boss at the London Fashion Company. 2. Finn's age. 3. John McGill's job. 4. The name of the cafe where Finn met Mary Killane. 5. The part of Belfast where Mary lived. 6. The date when Finn's business began. 7. The colour of Meg's hair. 8. The American city where Ricky wanted to live. 9. The date of the show at the Europa Hotel. 10. The number of models in the show. II. Are these sentences true ( V) or false (X)?
6

1. Jamie Miller was a fashion designer. 2. Finn's mother was called Eileen. 3. At first, Diana Matheson thought Finn's business was a bad idea. 4. The workshop was in north Belfast. 5. Meg played the piano. 6. The name 'Finn' is short for 'Fiannola'. 7. The fire at the workshop happened in February. 8. Finn and Mary went to school together. 9. Ricky's favourite jacket in the collection was red. 10. Mrs Delaney's husband drove the collection to the Europa Hotel in a taxi. III. Complete the spaces in these sentences. 1. Finn was one of the best young fashion ..... in Britain. 2. Finn's mother went to hospital after she had a ..... attack. 3. At the start of the story Finn had a new job in ...... 4. The bank agreed to give Finn a small business ..... . 5. Finn's ..... in west Belfast was small, but not too expensive. 6. 'You are working for the other side. Stop, or there will be ......' 7. A fire-fighter found Ricky's leather ..... in the workshop. 8. After the fire Meg said, 'Maybe we can't have a Spring collection now, but what about an .... collection?' 9. John Delaney worked for a ..... and vegetable farmer outside Belfast. 10. Finn asked Meg and Rickv to be ..... in the show. IV. Comprehension questions 1. Could Finn speak French? 2. Who phoned Finn during the party at the London Fashion Company and why? 3. How did Finn travel from London to Belfast? 4. Mary said that Finn looked 'very London'. What did she mean? 5. When did Finn phone Pans to say 'no' to her new job? 6. Where did Finn borrow money? 7. In January Ricky came to Finn with a problem. What was it? 8. Why did Ricky say, 'I can't leave'? 9. Why did he leave his leather jacket at the workshop on the night of the fire? 10. How long was there between the date of the fire and the date of the show? 11. Were Finn's designs lost in the fire? Where were they? 12. Who started the fire? Did the police know? 13. On the night before the show Mary said that she and her friends 'are doing this for ourselves'. What did she mean? 14. Who is Giorgio Armani ? 15. When did the show start? 16. What did Ricky wear in the show? 17. Who did Finn invite to the show? 18. Before the show Diana said, 'Well, everyone's here. And they're all talking about the story in today's newspaper.' What story? 19. Diana gave Finn some news just before the show. What was it? 20. When the show ended Finn heard a strange sound. What was it? V. Discussion questions 1. Why didn't Finn really want to go to Pans? 2. Diana Matheson told Finn, 'You're making a big mistake.' Why? 3. Finn didn't tell her parents about the letter Ricky showed her. Was she right or wrong? 4. Why did Mary Killane and her friends help Finn after the fire? 5. At one point Finn saw two old men in the street. Why were they important in the story? 6. What, do you think, happened to Finn's business after the end of the story?

Glossary
at first: at the beginning; to start with business: making and selling things (on your own or with other people) to get money clap: hit the hands together to make a noise collection: a group of things; in this story it is a collection of new clothes from a fashion designer company: a business organization, usually with a lot of people
7

Congratulations!: Well done! Dad: father (the name usually used by the father's children) design: a drawing of clothes, cars etc. Other people make the clothes etc from the design designer: a person who draws clothes, cars, etc fashion: the newest popular ideas in clothes fire-fighter: a person whose job is to stop fires go on and on: happen again and again grant: money from a bank or government to help a project, a business, etc great: wonderful heart attack: a sudden, very bad illness of the heart jacket: a short coat leather: the skin of a cow or other animal; we use it for making shoes, bags, clothes, etc material: cloth (e.g. cotton) from which clothes are made memory: something that you remember model: a person whose job is to wear a designer's new clothes and to show them to other people in a fashion show or in photographs Mum: mother (the name usually used by the mother's children) order: 1. ask for something in a cafe, restaurant, etc 2. a business gets 'orders' when people ask to buy things made by the business politics: the art and science of government (which is the organization that controls a country) Republican: Irish Republicans want Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and become part of the Irish Republic sand: the very, very small pieces of rock (usually yellow or white) that you find on beaches stage: an area of a room or a theatre where actors, models, etc, can do things stone: a small rock; you can hold a stone in your hands teenager: a person in their 'teens' (the ages thirteen to nineteen) thought: something that you think Unionist: Irish Unionists want Northern Ireland to stay a part of the United Kingdom wish: a hope that someone gets something wooden: made of wood workshop: a room or building where people make or mend things