...
Merlin loved his job, it wasn't very well paid, but he got a great deal of satisfaction from it. He was a potter working for one of the very few British firms that still employed such a person, instead of casting liquid clay in a mould. The pottery still employed two people to throw pots on a wheel. He worked with the other potter, who was part time, and four decorators and they produced beautiful and unique pieces for sale to the general public, each piece different and handcrafted. Even the firms that used the moulds were fast disappearing in Britain, as the companies moved their production to eastern countries where costs were cheaper.
The company had recently been sold, yet again, but they had been told their jobs were safe, but no more. They had yet to meet the new owner but Merlin guessed they would soon. Elena was already looking at everyone who came in the shop in a suit trying to guess if they were the new boss. The potters and decorators were sat where the public could watch them work, it was a bit like working in a gold fish bowl, but it attracted custom. They also got to speak to the people who purchased their products, they often got commissions as well, which all helped the business. Alright it wasn't their business but selling pieces was what kept them in work in an industry that had lost almost all the companies to the Far East. Even the greats like Daulton and Wedgewood had gone. The company they worked for used to employ hundreds in its heyday but it was still producing and in the UK. And they were proud of it.
"Suits to the right" Elena, one of the decorators whispered "Wouldn't mind the blonde as our new boss"
"Elena behave" Merlin whispered back as he centred a new piece of clay on the wheel. He looked at the small crowd who had gathered to watch him. Looking at one of the children he asked "What would you like me to throw a tall thin pot or a short fat one"
The boy he was about eight grinned at being asked "A square one please"
Merlin laughed "I don't think I can do that! What about I start and see what happens"
The crowd stayed there until Merlin had thrown yet another pot then dispersed. Some to watch one of the girls painting. The shop was open seven days a week, so at any one time there was always at least three of them working, more if no one was on holiday. Today there was him and Elena and Gwen.
As Merlin looked up he saw the suits coming closer, they certainly didn't look like their normal customers, perhaps Elena was right perhaps it was the new owners. He heard Elena and Gwen talking to a customer about a commission. Merlin carried on throwing but as he expected he heard Gwen call out.
"Merlin could you spare a moment"
Merlin stopped the wheel and stood up and walked over to where Gwen was sitting. "This lady wants to know how big a charger you can throw, she wants it decorated with her dogs but would like it as big as possible"
Merlin smiled "It's more how big the kiln is and how much room I have on my wheel madam, the biggest we can fit in is sixty centimetres"
"I can understand the kiln but why the wheel?" the lady asked.
"Well the chargers are also hand thrown, when you have finished discussing your design with Gwen if you come along to my station I will show you how I thrown a charger" Merlin smiled and left Gwen to it.
Gwen spent some time discussing what the lady wanted and said she would bring some photos of her dog in, Then she walked up to Merlin who had just finished a vase. "Hello Madam I'll just centre the clay then demonstrate how I throw a charger. As you can see the wheel dictates what size I can throw." Merlin started to mould the clay first up then down then into a bowl shape before slowly pulling out the edges until a plate shape could be seen to appear. When he was finished he removed the charger from the wheel. "The skill is in making the plate the same thickness throughout it took me ages to get that right"
"Oh I thought you were going to make mine but that isn't big enough" the woman sounded disappointed.
"We don't sell many of that size madam but when you return with your order I could throw it then for you, or if I'm not here Elyan can." Merlin explained.
The woman went of looking very disappointed as the blonde in the suit stopped in front of Merlin's station. "You may have lost a customer" he said casually.
"I doubt it, in any case not everyone who enquires goes on to order, and as I said we don't sell many of that size." Merlin said.
"Maybe not but surely you could have humoured her and reused the clay later"
The man's tone made Merlin annoyed "That would be a waste of time, I have orders for several chargers of the size I have just thrown, and they needed to be done, I demonstrated the concept, even though this morning I was going to concentrate on vases. Now I'm sorry Sir but I must continue, you are welcome to stand and watch" with that Merlin centred his next lump of clay.
The man stood and watched Merlin then went on to watch the girls decorating. Then he lifted the chain that separated the work stations from the shop floor, and walked in.
"Excuse me Sir you are not permitted this side" Gwen said politely but firmly. Merlin turned round to see if he was needed.
"Oh but I think I am young lady, as of a week ago I am the owner" the blonde smirked.
Gwen looked flustered "I'm sorry Sir I wasn't to know"
"If you had introduced yourself the confusion wouldn't have occurred" Merlin said cuttingly. "We had no idea who you were or that you were visiting today"
"I wanted to see what went on without you being prepared for me, a spot check is always better than a pre-planned one for getting the feel of a business. My name in case you are unaware is Arthur Pendragon"
"Well Mr Pendragon, we weren't aware because no one told us, we are the last to know anything. I would have thought you would have looked around before you bought the business" Merlin said wiping his hands on his apron. Then sticking his hand out he said "Merlin Emrys and this is Gwen Smith, and Elena Godling"
Arthur was a good business man but had bought company because mother collected the pottery they produced and couldn't bear to see it close. He had done the deal over the phone and had only just managed to get the time to visit. His Uncle had worked on the deal and Arthur had assumed that the staff would have been kept informed. To hear they hadn't annoyed him. Not for the first time he wondered why he still employed his uncle. But he did it to please his mother more than anything.
Arthur took the potters hand "I apologise that you were not kept informed. One of my staff dealt with the deal. To be honest I bought the place because my mother is a keen collector and not as an investment, and because it is a firm I would have hated to see go. I have had pottery around me all my childhood."
Merlin's irritation lessened as he heard the new owners comments "Has you mother visited us?"
"Not yet but I will bring her for her birthday, as yet she has no idea the company is mine." Then Arthur had an idea "Perhaps you could make her something to give her with when she visits"
"We would be pleased to, you say she collects our pottery, does she collect a particular decorator's work? And what would you like us to make?" Merlin was now on familiar territory and felt more confidant.
Arthur smiled "I think it would be nice if you could all be involved, allow your artistic talents to flow" he looked around "Knowing my mother she would love any of what I have seen today. Although I do know she is a fan of your one off pieces. He paused "Perhaps something depicting the history of the firm?"
Merlin gave his a huge smile and Arthur immediately knew he would get to like the young man in front of him.
"A large charger perhaps? The girls could each decorate part of it, would you like us to send you our ideas?"
"No need I am staying here for a week to get the feel of the place. Now I won't keep you any longer I see your public awaits" Arthur gestured the customers who were waiting for a demonstration. He turned to the others "I will speak to you all individually during the week"
As soon as the 'suits' as Elena called them left, Gwen turned to Merlin "So he's the new owner"
Merlin nodded "Yeh, put on your thinking caps girls if we are to make this piece for a lady who saved all our jobs it better be a good one."