AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sorry.”
She glances up and I note the tears glistening in her eyes and say kindly, “Tell me what it is. I don’t bite and who knows, maybe I can help.”
I can sense she’s uncomfortable about telling me whatever’s troubling her and then she almost crumbles before my eyes, tears sliding down her face unchecked as she sobs, “I’m sorry, sir, it’s well, I had some bad news last week and it’s difficult to deal with.”
If anything, I’m annoyed at myself that it’s taken me a week to notice and I hand her a tissue from the box in my drawer and say gently, “Tell me.”
She blows her nose and says sadly, “My mum’s ill. She needs an operation, and it’s fifty-fifty if she’ll survive.”
I say nothing and she sighs. “It’s cancer, sir. She never even mentioned she was ill and the first thing I knew about it was when she called to say she’d arranged the power of attorney over her affairs and if anything happened to her, it was all in my hands.”
She wipes her eyes. “I feel so helpless. I can’t be with her when she needs me the most, and it’s tearing me apart.”
“Why not?” I’m surprised at that, and she looks worried. “My job. It’s a busy time of year and, well, I can’t afford to let you down, sir.”
If anything, I’m ashamed of myself. The fact she couldn’t even come to me tells me how much of an ogre I am. I never really considered that my staff have real lives outside of these walls and now I’m peering through the window on one, I don’t like how it makes me feel.
“Sylvia.” She glances up in fear at the anger in my voice and I say irritably, “Take the rest of the year off.”
“Excuse me.”
She looks worried and I say firmly, “On full pay. Go to your mother, do what you can to help, and I don’t want to see you back until, well, the matter’s resolved. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to help, just ask.”
“But…” She appears lost for words, and I smile kindly. “You are a good assistant, and I don’t want to have to search for another. If you’re happy, your work won’t suffer. I need you to be fighting fit and firing on all cylinders. You cannot possibly work while this is going on, so leave now and get your affairs in order.”
The tears that streak down her face remain unchecked as her eyes glisten, and the relief on her face tells me I’ve done the right thing.
“I can’t thank you enough, sir.”
“Don’t thank me for doing what’s right. All I ask is that you send your mother my regards and my wishes for a speedy recovery.”
She stands and I say kindly, “Now go. I expect you have a lot to arrange and, Sylvia…”
She peers at me nervously and I smile. “If I don’t see you before, happy Christmas. I hope your prayers are answered.”
“Happy Christmas, sir, I wish that for you too.”
For a split second, we share the same wish. Neither of us wish for material things but life changing ones. She wishes her mother pulls through and me, well, I’m wishing for something that I never thought I wanted. An end to loneliness, somebody to share my life with and, dare I even hope, happiness.
As my assistant leaves the office, I waste no time in picking up my phone and as soon as I hear her irritated greeting, I smile.
“Jessica.” My voice is firm and rather abrupt, and it amuses me to picture her rolling her eyes as she huffs, “What?”
“Change of plan. I need an assistant, and you’re the only one in line for the job. Be here in five minutes.”
I cut the call and laugh to myself, picturing her outrage at being summoned to my office like the hired help. This should be interesting.
CHAPTER17
JESSICA
How bloody dare he speak to me like that! Who does he think he is? I’m not his employee to summon like the hired help. I’m a professional brought in to help him stay alive and I demand respect, not orders.
Mrs Armstrong watches me warily as I grab my bag and growl, “It appears I’m needed elsewhere. I’ll be in touch.”
Without another word, I stride from her office with a scowl firmly etched on my face as I prepare to tell Robert blooming Harvey exactly what I think of him.
His assistant, he says. Does this mean he’s fired yet another undeserving soul, who will be cast out on the bitter streets of winter, denying yet another family a very merry Christmas? I wouldn’t put it past him, and I am beyond angry on their behalf.
