Cantankerous – 200 words
"Just what on earth are you doing, Jones?"
This, of course, was said after she had collided with him, the box she had been carrying being at the right height to catch him in the stomach. At least neither of them had ended up on the floor, that would have been embarrassing.
"Jones?"
Oh yeah, he had been talking to her.
"Putting the box away?" Nell answered weakly.
The Assistant Director raised an eyebrow at her.
"I can see that. Are those more decorations you put up? Didn't you and Beale put enough lights up already?"
"Um."
What was the best way to politely tell your boss that there could never be enough lights?
"Not lights," she said, pointing to the writing on the side. "Sam gave us more decorations. There was tinsel and a garland and baubles."
He gave her a suspicious look. "And where did all that go?"
"Around," she replied vaguely, not wanting to mention that it was mostly around his office.
Thankfully he noticed it when she was well out of his line of sight.
"I do not need Christmas cheer!"
"There is no need to be a Grinch, Owen," Nell heard Hetty scold.
"Bah, humbug."