‘You must be Martha. Welcome!’ She smiles warmly. ‘If youcould just wait there. There’s someone I believe you know who’s very much lookingforward to seeing you.’
My heart lurches and stupidly, I think:Logan!
The receptionist disappears and I check myself. Of course itwon’t be Logan! But just in case he’s here, my hands fly into action, quickly smoothingmy hair and my skirt. My heart rate has gathered speed, like the hands of aclock in a movie when they depict the passage of time. I feel quite dizzy withanticipation at the thought of seeing him again.
Footsteps are approaching along the corridor.
I take a deep breath and arrange my lips into a nervous smile.
Two people step into my vision and my insides turn over withshock.
Lila?
‘Well, look who it is,’ she says with a fake smile. ‘MarthaMunro. When they told me who our new housekeeping assistant was, I couldn’tquite believe it.’
I swallow. ‘No... no, I’m sure,’ I manageto stammer, as my head whirls in confusion.
‘Oh dear, she looks so nervous. Doesn’t she, Pauline? Don’tworry, Martha. It’ll be fine. There’s nothing to fear.’
‘No, of course not.’ I stare at her, completely blindsided.
I’m going to have to work in the same building as bloody Lilo?This is a total nightmare. But maybe our paths won’t cross too often...
Lila beams at me and I zero in on her gleaming white frontteeth which seem a shade brighter than the rest. ‘I believe you met Anna whenyou came for your interview?’
‘Yes. Will she be showing me the ropes?’ I ask hopefully.
‘Ah, well, sadly Anna’s no longer here. She left us to starta new job on Friday. She’s going to be living nearer her daughter, which willbe nice.’
‘Oh, what a shame.’ I feel genuinely gutted. ‘I mean, that’slovely that she’ll be near her family. But I’d have really enjoyed working withher.’
‘Oh, don’t worry. The new housekeeper will have you up tospeed in no time.’ She gives me a little wink.
I nod, my insides shifting uneasily.
‘Haven’t you guessed?I’mAnna’s replacement. Soyou’ll be answering to me, Martha. And although we happen to know each other,please don’t assume there’ll be any favouritism here. Quite the opposite, infact.’ She leans closer and whispers, ‘I would watch out if I were you.’
Her sinister warning sends a chill through me. Then shebursts out laughing. ‘Oh, dear. Your face, Martha! I’m only joking. Right,let’s get you a uniform.’
She walks jauntily off along the corridor and I stare afterher in bleak resignation.
I remember her saying, on the night of the accident, thatshe was starting a new job. But I’d no idea it was right here, otherwisethere’s no way I would have applied.
My head is starting to throb. I’d like to run for the hills,if I’m honest, but after paying a small fortune for Dad’s book, I really needthis job.
Taking a deep breath, I hurry after Lila...
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
As it turns out, Lila introduces me to another housekeepingassistant, who’s going to be showing me the ropes. Her name is Katrina andshe’s originally from Liverpool. She has a mass of curly red hair and aninfectious laugh, and I warm to her immediately – especially after Lila finishesissuing us with instructions and Katrina replies, in her broad Scouse accent, ‘Yes,ofcourse, no problem,’ then – as soon as Lila turns to go – promptly givesher a swift two fingers.
‘Some people would benefit from a pole up their backside,’she comments thoughtfully. ‘I don’t trust that one as far as I could throwher.’
‘You don’t like Lila, then.’
‘About as much as finding a pile of rabbit droppings in meporridge.’
We look at each other and start to laugh. And instantly, I’mfeeling more relaxed.
