A Year of Taking Chances

by Jennifer Bohnet

  When Maisie explained how she felt about John, how much she’d missed him since he’d been gone, and how excited she was about a new life in London with him, her mum had sighed. ‘Och, lass, you’d better go join him then. But remember there’s always a place here for you – never forget that,’ she’d added, giving Maisie a tight hug.

  The thought of going back having made a success of life down here was infinitely preferable to having to go home and admit things hadn’t worked out. That she’d made a mistake. That John wasn’t the love of her life after all.

  Maisie swung her legs out of bed and rummaged in the rucksack for the last of her clean clothes. Whichever offer she accepted, and she knew she had to decide one way or the other, she’d ask Tina if she could do a load of washing – she was in desperate need of some clean things.

  ‘Morning, Tina,’ she said, opening her bedroom door.

  ‘Hi. Coffee?’ Tina said. ‘And I thought maybe we’d have poached eggs on toast for breakfast?’

  ‘Sounds great. Can I help?’

  Tina shook her head. ‘Kitchen’s so small there’s barely room for me. Sleep all right?’

  Maisie perched on one of the tall stools by the breakfast bar. ‘It won’t surprise you to know I had the best night’s sleep in weeks. I can’t thank you enough for this and for last night. You were so kind.’

  Tina pushed the cafetière and a mug towards her. ‘No worries. You look better than you did last night, which is a relief.’

  ‘The down-and-out look isn’t really me,’ Maisie said. ‘Not being able to shower and have clean clothes every day.’ She shuddered. ‘I’ve been thinking about your offer. The sensible thing would be for me to go home and admit I’ve made a mistake, wouldn’t it? Settle back down at home, find another job up there.’ She glanced across at Tina who simply shrugged.

  ‘On the other hand, the thought of living down here, working, making my own way for once, is something I’ve dreamt about for ages now. I thought coming down to be with John would be the beginning of a new life. Instead it turned into the worst two weeks I’ve ever spent.’ Thoughtfully, Maisie stirred a few grains of sugar into her coffee.

  ‘What sort of job did you have at home?’ Tina asked.

  ‘I worked in our local bookshop when I left school. When it closed I got a part-time job in a coffee bar until I persuaded a friend’s mother to give me a job in her boutique. I loved it. Clothes, jewellery and make-up – it was heaven. I’ve not got the right qualifications to have an actual “career”.’ Maisie sighed and made finger signs in the air as she said the word career. ‘I’m computer literate though,’ she added. ‘At least John gave me that.’ She took a sip of coffee as Tina gave her a curious look.

  ‘He’s a computer nerd. I suppose my dream job would be either in one of the big bookshops down here or in a small boutique that sells vintage clothes. Oh, thanks, this looks good,’ she said, as Tina placed two plates of poached eggs on toast on the kitchen breakfast bar.

  ‘I don’t know about vintage boutiques but there are several bookshops around and lots of coffee shops here that always seem to be short-staffed. Might be a start?’ Tina said. ‘Not sure what they pay though.’

  ‘Minimum wage,’ Maisie answered. ‘I’ve applied for some, but once they found out I didn’t have an address they didn’t want to know. Catch 22. No address – no job. No job – can’t get an address.’

  ‘Minimum wage isn’t a lot,’ Tina said. ‘You’d need to work a lot of hours to earn enough to live on.’

  ‘If I find a job and sort myself out,’ Maisie said slowly, ‘how much rent would I need to find for you?’

  ‘I told you, nothing for the first month. After that…’ Tina pursed her lips. ‘You should know by then if you’re happy here or whether you want to go home. If you do decide to stay, we can work out a figure you can afford based on what you’re earning.’

  Maisie concentrated on eating for a moment before saying, ‘I’d like to stay. See if I can make things work out.’

  ‘Good. There’s just one thing – your parents. Have you spoken to them? Told them what happened with John?’

  ‘I’ve spoken to them a couple of times,’ Maisie said. ‘But I haven’t told them about John or how I’ve been surviving. I didn’t want to worry them.’

  ‘That’s the first thing then. Phone them. Tell them the truth about what’s happened and what you’re doing. If they want to talk to me, I’m happy to do that. To reassure them.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this for me, a stranger,’ Maisie said, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.

  ‘Hey, you’re just down on your luck temporarily and I’m in a position to help. Maybe one day you’ll get the chance to help someone yourself. Pay it forward, as they say.’

  ‘You’re like my guardian angel,’ Maisie said. ‘I promise you I’ll repay you somehow.’

  ‘Not necessary but, as I hate washing up, I’ll leave you to do the breakfast things,’ Tina said. ‘Afterwards, I thought we might go out and I’ll show you the neighbourhood and you can start to suss out places that might have a job for you.’

  Chapter Ten

  Sunday lunch at the village restaurant was lovely, but as soon as they got back to the cottage, Ben disappeared into his study again. Tina hadn’t answered her phone before lunch and Jodie really wanted to check with her about staying in the apartment before saying anything to Ben.

  It was early evening before Tina finally answered her phone.

  ‘Hi, Jodie. How’s things? Not long before the Book Fair. Do you know which hotel Ben’s booked you into yet?’

  ‘He’s not coming,’ Jodie said. ‘Says he’s too busy. I’m thinking of coming on my own. Stay in the flat with you, if that’s all right?’

  Tina didn’t respond straight away and in the silence Jodie could hear another voice whispering something.

  ‘Sorry, have you got someone there? Shall I call back later?’

  ‘No, it’s fine. Maisie was just asking about having another shower.’

  ‘Maisie?’

  ‘My new flatmate. Well, for a month anyway, then we’ll see what happens.’

  Belatedly Jodie remembered Tina telling her about someone looking at the room last night.

  ‘Didn’t turn out to be a weirdo then?’ she said. ‘If she’s moved in already.’

  ‘She’d been sleeping rough and she’s far too young and vulnerable to be doing that. I had to help.’

  ‘Hang on – sleeping rough?’

  ‘Yes. Left home in Scotland to follow her boyfriend down here. Only to find she’d been dumped.’

  ‘Rent? References?’ Jodie asked, knowing what the answers would be.

  ‘She’s staying as a friend,’ Tina answered defensively. ‘Once she’s got herself sorted we’ll talk about rent. Jodie, she’s just a kid who needs a helping hand. You know how frightening the city can be when you first arrive here. There’s always someone unscrupulous enough to take advantage, particularly a young girl like Maisie.’

  ‘Oh, Tina, I do hope you’re not being taken for a ride,’ Jodie said.

  ‘I know I’m not,’ Tina said. ‘Anyway, Maisie’s got the spare room now but the sofabed’s still free if you want. Do come. I was looking forward to seeing you. I can’t take a day off during Book Fair week but I’ll organise you a ticket for the fair and we can maybe hit the town one evening.’

  ‘OK,’ Jodie said, coming to a decision. ‘I’ll look into flights and let you know which day. I can check out this Maisie for you then too. I know what a big softie you are.’

  Ben, when she told him her plans in bed that night, hugged her. ‘I’ll miss you but I’m glad you’re going. I know you miss your friends. I can lock myself away and, who knows, by the time you get back, my book might be finished and we can spend more time together. Might even have the time to start house-hunting.’

  Jodie spent the next few days beginning to organise things for the time she’d be away. It was unbelieva
ble how much there was to do for such a short time. Shopping for food so Ben wouldn’t starve. Dog food. Washing and ironing up-to-date. She couldn’t help remembering how, in her previous, single life, she’d just thrown things into a suitcase and taken off, not worrying about the chaos she left behind in her bedroom.

  Organising how to get down to the airport proved a major stumbling block. Leave the house at five and catch an early morning flight? Or book a mid-morning one? Both of which would mean Ben losing hours of his writing day taking her down.

  Annette offered to solve her problem. ‘Thierry and I can drive you down at a sensible hour. I’d quite like the opportunity to do some shopping in Nice,’ Annette said. ‘And Thierry has wanted to treat me to lunch at the Negresco for weeks now, so he’ll be happy.’

  Thierry might have been happy at the prospect but Ben definitely wasn’t.

  ‘There was no need to ask him. I would have driven you down,’ he said when she told him the plan.

  Jodie gazed at him exasperated. ‘It’s a two-hour drive there and back and you’ve got a book to edit! Besides, I didn’t ask – Annette offered.’

  ‘Well, I’ll pick you up, OK?’

  ‘I’ll book an evening return flight so as not to disturb your day,’ Jodie said, smiling.

  But picking up the phone to book her flights, something inside made Jodie hesitate. Tina would never tell her she was in the way but London Book Fair week was one of the busiest of the year for her. She didn’t really need extra hassle from Jodie putting in an unexpected appearance and camping out in the flat.

  Besides, Jodie herself had always held the opinion that people sleeping on the put-u-up were invariably in the way, so how could she inflict herself on Tina?

  She began to seriously question why she was going on her own in the first place. What would she gain from going? Some indulgent retail therapy, and a couple of dinners with Tina and possibly a few other friends.

  Spending time at the Book Fair would be interesting, but she was so out of the loop now, was there any real point in her networking, trying to keep her name out there? Although there was always the chance of picking up some freelance work.

  Jodie sighed. It was beginning to feel more and more like she was really going just to make the point to Ben that she could still do things independently. Instead of looking forward to it she was almost beginning to feel as if she was running away from her new life – before it had begun properly.

  Deep in thought, her fingers fiddled with the pendant’s gold chain. What would her mum say? Would she encourage her to go and do her own thing? Or would she say ‘Sort yourself out, Jodie. Get your priorities in the right order.’ Well, she didn’t really have to think about the answer to that, did she?

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘I wish I could stay and give you another day to settle in but this week is manic at work,’ Tina said as she prepared to leave on Monday morning.

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ Maisie assured her. ‘After the last few weeks, today will be a doddle, and hopefully, by the time you get home this evening, I’ll have some news about a job.’

  ‘You’ve got a key and my office number? Any problems give me a ring. Right – I’ll see you later. Good luck.’ And Tina left in a rush.

  The weeks before the London Book Fair were always busy and this year was no exception. Meetings with publishers, foreign representatives, networking, clients… everything had to be organised before the Fair even began. Tina’s diary for the three days of the actual event had so many things marked in it, she felt tired every time she tried to squeeze in another appointment.

  When Kirsty stopped by her desk to tell her they’d been invited to join the panel at a seminar on ‘The Importance of Foreign Rights’ the second day of the Fair, she protested it was impossible.

  ‘It’s a bit last-minute, this invitation, isn’t it?’ Tina said, shaking her head as she scanned her diary. ‘Somebody let them down?’

  ‘Doesn’t matter,’ Kirsty snapped. ‘Brilliant opportunity to get our name out there. I can’t rearrange my meeting so you’ll have to do it. Move whatever you’ve got planned for Wednesday afternoon to another time.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘When you’ve done it, make sure you give Leah copies of the timetable for each day, so she can coordinate things on the stand.’

  ‘I thought Margaret was organising the stand for us like she normally does?’ Tina said. ‘With Leah staying in the office.’

  ‘Change of plan.’ Kirsty lowered her voice. ‘Margaret’s getting a bit too old to cope with the travelling across London and all the frenzy of the Fair, so I’ve told Leah she’ll be coming with us instead. She’s thrilled.’

  ‘I bet she is,’ Tina muttered. She sighed as she watched Kirsty walk away. Once upon a time they’d discussed things and Kirsty had valued her opinion. Treated her almost like a partner. These days, though, Kirsty was taking more and more decisions without involving her. And as for Leah being in charge of the stand at the Fair… Tina shook her head. Not good news.

  At least she’d be too busy to have much to do with Leah. Definitely no snatched coffee breaks like she’d enjoyed in past years with Margaret, that was for sure. Mentally Tina made a note to check with Margaret that she really was happy with this year’s arrangement. Not that there was anything she could do to change it.

  The complete manuscript of the time-slip story was in her email box that morning and she quickly checked to make sure it had synced into her mail programme on her laptop so she could read it at home. She sent a quick email to the author acknowledging receipt and saying she’d be in touch as soon as she’d read it.

  Eating a sandwich at her desk at lunchtime, Tina briefly wondered how Maisie was getting on. She picked up her phone to give her a ring but put it down again. She didn’t want Maisie thinking she was checking up on her or that she didn’t trust her, which she did of course. She was probably out job-hunting anyway.

  By the time Tina got back to the flat that evening she was exhausted and had decided that a bowl of pasta would be a quick and easy supper before she collapsed into bed. A happy, smiling Maisie greeted her.

  ‘Supper’s ready. Nothing special – just soup followed by an omelette. Things I found in the kitchen,’ Maisie added anxiously. ‘I hope that’s OK.’

  ‘Sounds wonderful. You had a good day?’ Tina asked.

  ‘I’ve got a job. Well, two, actually.’

  ‘Wow, that was quick. Where? When d’you start?’

  ‘The coffee bar down by the station. Guy’s Italian. Start tomorrow at ten, finish at three. Says he can’t afford me more than three days a week and possibly a couple of evenings at the moment, but that’s fine, because next week I start a job in a dress shop for three afternoons.’

  ‘The coffee from Guy’s Italian is good – I often pop in there.’

  Maisie glanced at Tina. ‘Pay isn’t brilliant for either of them but it’s a start. It’s amazing the difference having an address has made.’

  ‘Have you phoned your mum to tell her?’ Tina said.

  Maisie nodded. ‘She’s got everything crossed for me.’ She glanced at Tina. ‘She really appreciated talking to you yesterday evening. Says she owes you big time for sorting me out and any time you fancy a visit “up north” you’re more than welcome.’

  ‘I might just take her up on that one day,’ Tina said.

  The last weekend before the Book Fair, Maisie was out working and Tina was blitzing the flat before dragging herself out to do a supermarket shop when Jodie Skyped.

  ‘Hi. How you doing? Burning the midnight oil as usual with Book Fair prep?’

  ‘More than usual this year. Kirsty has become very keen on delegating. As for Leah, well, let’s just say the woman irritates me! I’m seriously thinking of moving on,’ Tina said. ‘Finding another agency.’

  ‘You should start your own,’ Jodie said. ‘I know we’ve had that discussion lots of times, but seriously, why not?’

  ‘Why not? In
a word: money. Anyway,’ Tina said, changing the subject, ‘I’m about to go and stock up with food, including your favourite chocolate and wine – anything else you fancy? What time’s your flight arriving Tuesday? I’m really looking forward to having you here.’

  ‘It would have been wonderful,’ Jodie sighed.

  ‘Would? What are you saying?’

  ‘I felt so guilty about leaving Ben and jetting off to enjoy myself that I left it too late to book flights,’ Jodie said. ‘So I’m not coming. I’m staying here.’ She didn’t add that she’d deliberately left it too late, or that she’d decided she needed to sort out her French life before she could even think of taking a flight back to the UK.

  Chapter Twelve

  Always exciting but exhausting, this year’s Book Fair had been no different and it took Tina nearly a week to recover from the long days and increased workload. Leah’s presence on the stand, too, had added an extra degree of tension into the working day, with an unsettling effect on everything. But Tina at least now knew for definite what, precisely, Leah’s agenda was. It was to take Tina’s job.

  Kirsty had been delighted with the way Leah managed everything, congratulating her in front of everyone on the smooth running of things. There clearly hadn’t been any hiccups in any of Kirsty’s appointments over the three days – the opposite of Tina’s experience.

  At first Tina had put it down to Leah’s not being experienced enough, but the incident with her notes for the ‘Importance of Foreign Rights’ seminar Kirsty had insisted she sat on the panel for had made her question that.

  She’d put the notes on the desk on the stand the morning of the discussion, ready to pick up later, only to find they’d vanished.

  ‘Leah, have you moved my notes?’ she asked crossly.

  ‘Where were they?’

  ‘I put them on the desk earlier and now they seem to have vanished.’

  ‘They’re probably in the bin.’ Leah had shrugged indifferently. ‘I knocked a couple of coffees over on the desk earlier. Everything was sodden. Thank God I managed to move the laptop in time. I just threw everything else in there.’ She gestured at the wastepaper basket.