In August 1988, Mavis Riley decided to leave The Kabin after 15 years and secured an interview for the position of Head of Distribution. Arriving there, she was stunned to be interviewed by her former fiancé Derek Wilton, who had worked there in a high-level position in the sales department, with his own office and secretary, since selling his Cornwall stationery outlet to Barkers earlier that year. Mavis's joy at her stroke of luck turned to humiliation when Derek passed her over, and revealed that he had only given her an interview as a means of affecting a reconciliation. Derek then proposed and, much to her friends' surprise, Mavis accepted.