Love Returns

by Ronni Meyrick

  She sat on the bench for another couple of minutes, before getting to her feet and quickly walking back inside, secretly hoping to get a better look at the brunette’s face. Alison slowed her pace as she walked through the door. The brunette was talking to the receptionist, and turned to look at Alison. Alison gave her most charming smile, which was returned. Alison smiled to herself as she entered the lift. Jesus. Those eyes. She could quite easily drown in them. But she had this nagging feeling. I’ve seen those eyes before, but where?

  ###

  Felicity smiled at the woman who, walked past her on the way to the lift. She watched her leave reception and then watched as a man approached her. He held out his hand and said.

  “Mark Stand, It’s nice to meet you, Ms Bromwell.”

  “Oh, Felicity please.”

  “If you’d like to follow me, we can go and chat about why you would be the best candidate to employ as my new Accounts Handler.”

  Felicity followed Mark into a nearby office. She sat in one chair and he sat in the other across from her. He suddenly looked very stern and she visibly swallowed. She calmed her nerves and thought, okay let the inquisition begin.

  ###

  Later that night, Felicity sat at home with a glass of wine. She was pleased with how well her interview had gone. Mark Stand had also seemed pleased. He had praised her achievements and qualifications and had even made a joke, about how she was more qualified than he was to do his job. He asked questions about her free-lance work in Cardiff.

  Why was she only free-lance and operated from home? Why had she decided to move back to London? She wasn’t sure how to answer to start with. So she just decided to be completely honest. She told him about the girls, and the child-minding problems she had while in Cardiff. Then she explained all about Thomas.

  He was clearly surprised and appreciated her honesty. The woman from reception flashed into her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder if they had possibly met before. But that was highly unlikely.

  ###

  Alison was relaxing at home. Charlie had called Christi that afternoon, and they were going to dinner, which meant Charlie had cancelled their plans for tonight. But Alison didn’t mind she was knackered, the day seemed endless. She just wanted to relax with a glass of wine tonight. Alison smiled, when she thought about Charlie and Christi, they actually had a lot in common. Fingers crossed, Charlie realises what a nice person Christi is. Her mind again wandered to the woman she had seen at work earlier this morning. Perhaps she was a new client. She definitely didn’t work there. Oh well you never know, I might get to talk to her next time. Anything to see those eyes again. She thought to herself.

  ###

  Three weeks later. Felicity logged into her email account. She had a message waiting for her from Mark Stand, congratulating her on the new position she now held at McDougal & Cohen. She raced into the front room and picked up the house phone to call Steph.

  “Damn Flick, this better be good it’s only 8:30 a.m. I’m working afternoons this week, and loads of overtime,” she said around a yawn.

  “Sorry, Chick. Book Monday off work, I want you here all weekend. We’re celebrating.”

  “What are we celebrating? I’ll have to scrutinise my finances, before I give you my answer. I’m saving to come up for Christmas.”

  “Just come, Steph. I’ll take care of your petrol. I can’t expect you to keep coming up here, but I would really like you to come up and, celebrate my new job with me and the girls.”

  “Only if you’re sure?”

  “I’m more than sure.”

  Steph laughed. “Okay, buddy, see you Saturday morning.”

  Now, how to tell the girls? She was so happy. Things finally seemed to be looking up.

  Chapter Five

  Felicity had been in her new position for a couple of months now, and was very comfortable and happy with the work she had been doing. Mark seemed really pleased too. She was currently looking after twenty-five accounts, adding to that number meant she would receive a higher bonus. She had added five new customers to the company. They had all insisted that she be the person to handle their business, which meant that some of her other accounts had been passed over. She was just about to leave for lunch when Mark approached her.

  “Hey Mark. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah everything is fine, Flick. I just wanted to let you know, that a Floor Manager’s position is opening up. We’ve all been asked if we would put anyone from our team forward for this post. I immediately thought of you.”

  Felicity was clearly taken aback. “Why me? There are other people that have been here longer, that are probably more qualified.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I hate to see people not using all of their abilities. I think you’d be one of the best Floor Managers, McDougal and Cohen has ever seen. Well apart from me that is,” he laughed out loud at his last comment.

  “Okay, so who do I have to see about this new position?"

  “Mr Cohen is doing the interviews, and has asked for you to send a CV over to him A.S.A.P.”

  “I can do that. Thanks, Mark. I really appreciate this opportunity.”

  “You deserve it, Flick. If they don’t hire you for this position, they’re mad. You’re more than qualified, and have brought more new customers in a month than others do in a year.”

  “Thanks again.”

  Instead of heading straight off for lunch, she decided to send the email to Mr Cohen first.

  When she got back from lunch there was an email from Mr Cohen. She was going to be sent a time and date for an interview, but it probably wouldn’t be until the beginning of January. Christmas was a busy time of year for all their clients, and the handlers would need to be at the top of their game.

  ###

  Felicity enjoyed Christmas. Steph had made the journey from Cardiff on Christmas Eve night, just so she could be with the girls on Christmas Morning. Steph had brought a boot full of presents, and even her share in food and wine. The girls had a sensational time. They had all gone to Greenwich Park on Christmas Day, so that the girls could try out their new bikes. They had all stuffed themselves stupid, and had a great time. It took her mind off work.

  She was apprehensive about getting the email regarding, her interview for Floor Manager. She was happy in the position she had at the moment, and didn’t know if she wanted that to change. But then again it depended on what the pay rise was like.

  ###

  Alison was glad to get Christmas and New Year out of the way. She had spent it with Christi and Charlie, who were like two lovesick teenagers. They had all brought gifts for each other. They opened them first thing in the morning, before breakfast and then Christi cooked them all a full English breakfast.

  Lunch was a quiet affair, but huge. Christi had cooked enough to feed a family of twelve. Alison wished that her Mother could have joined them, but she had gone to France, to be with her boyfriend. She decided to leave Alison to her own devices this year. She hated the quietness, even though it was nice to have two whole weeks away from work.

  She was relaxed and rejuvenated, ready for the New Year to start. She hoped the Christmas figures had been better than last year’s. They would determine what kind of pay rise they would receive in April. All the staff had worked their arses off. She felt they deserved something for all their hard work.

  ###

  First day back at work, and Felicity felt relaxed and ready for the day. She got into the lift and waited to be taken to her floor. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand stopped them. It was the woman who had smiled at her the day of her interview. The woman was very beautiful and Felicity couldn’t help but stare. She was tall with short brown hair, and appeared to have an athletic build.

  Before she could stop herself, her eyes travelled to the woman’s backside, she pulled them away quickly. What the hell is wrong with me? I have never once looked at a woman’s arse before. Oh and what an arse that was. Gorgeous just like the
woman it belonged to. Gorgeous? Where had that come from? Other women were, never gorgeous to her they were just simply pretty.

  Her thoughts drifted to why she was thinking of the woman as attractive. She heard the lift ding to announce a floor. She pulled herself away from her thoughts, and realised that it was her floor. She excused herself past three or four people and then exited, but not before the brunette gave her another scorching smile. She returned it and hurried off down the hall.

  Once seated at her desk, she started to think back to the woman in the lift. Again that feeling of ’I know you’ came to her. She simply couldn’t place her. This thing with looking at the woman’s arse, was getting to her. It will pass. Maybe it was just the appreciation of the woman’s figure. Oh well, it’s not like I bump into her every day. I will just forget about what happened today.

  Felicity settled into her daily routine and at 11 a.m. was checking through her emails. She was surprised to find her interview was scheduled for later today, and she started to panic. At lunch she went home and got changed into one of her ’power suits’, that’s what Steph called them. She grabbed a salad box from the fridge, and headed back out the door. She had just enough time to eat on the train, and still be back in time for work.

  At 4:00 p.m., Felicity was taken up three floors and asked to wait in Mr Cohen’s reception. She was called in five minutes later. A man got up from behind his desk, and walked straight towards her.

  “Felicity, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mark has done nothing but sing your praises, since you started here.”

  Felicity shook the extended hand, and was led to a chair in front of the desk. “Well thank you, Sir, but I think Mark may have a higher opinion of me than I do of myself,” she said with a slight smile, to alleviate any self-conscious issues.

  “Could I offer you a drink? I’ve got coffee, tea or mineral water. I would offer you an alcoholic beverage, but we’re still working.”

  “A coffee would be fine, thank you.”

  They chatted in general about the extra clients she had brought on, and how hard she had been working to maintain them.

  “Now where were we? Oh yes, Mark singing your praises and you shrugging them off. I tend to agree with Mark about your talents. Your CV is very good and with your qualifications, you could easily have applied for a General Accounts Manager position, over the whole team at McDougal & Cohen. I’m impressed, and so is Mr. McDougal who looked over your CV this morning.”

  He laughed at the blush that crossed Felicity’s face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but for someone to impress Mr. McDougal is a big thing. I’ve got a few more interviews to conduct today, but I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow morning.”

  Felicity looked a little confused and asked. “But, are you not supposed to be interviewing me today?”

  “Felicity, with a CV as detailed and professional as yours, I don’t need to conduct a full interview. I thought a little meet and greet would be more acceptable. I didn’t want to insult you by asking questions, I already have the answers to in your CV.”

  She smiled at Mr Cohen and picked up her coffee. It was cool enough for her to take a mouthful.

  “Well thank you, Mr Cohen, I really appreciate your opinion.”

  He asked a few more questions, while they drank their coffee. Then he stood up and walked around to the front of his desk, a signal that Felicity’s interview was over. She stood too and offered her hand, which he shook eagerly.

  He walked her to the door and then stopped and said. “By this time tomorrow you may be able to call me Frank. I hate all that formal bull. But Mr. McDougal is Mr. McDougal, he would have a fit if you called him Gerald,” he laughed robustly and showed Felicity out. “It was a real pleasure to meet you, Ms Bromwell, I hope to see more of you around. Good Luck for tomorrow.”

  Felicity practically floated down the hallway, on a cloud made of her ego. The rest of the day was lost on her. She managed to get her work done, but didn’t remember doing any of it.

  ###

  Alison was in a daze most of the day. She had finally spotted the woman, from reception. Her eyes had been haunting her dreams for months. But she still couldn’t place her. She had racked her brains all day, to no avail. She had eaten lunch in her office, to get everything ready for the Paul Jenkins trial next week.

  In the ten years he had worked for the company, he had embezzled over £1,000,000. Mr. McDougal nearly had a heart attack on his office floor. She delivered the news and had to call an ambulance, as he was struggling to breathe. He had been put on a nebuliser, and taken to hospital for further tests. She returned to her office at 5:00 p.m. and was getting ready to go home, when an email arrived from her Mother. She opened it and was just about to start reading, when her office phone rang.

  “Hello, Alison Macguire.”

  “Good Afternoon, Ms Macguire, I’m calling from Hughes, Hughes and Jones solicitors.”

  Alison immediately thought of the lawsuit Paul Jenkins had filled. “I’m sorry, but the Jenkins case is being handled by our legal team, so all correspondence has to go through them,” she was about to hang up when the person spoke again.

  “I’m calling as your Mother’s representative in the UK. I understand she has sent you an email, to inform you of my call.”

  “I’m afraid I’ve been in a meeting all afternoon, and have only just opened the email.”

  “Oh, well it’s quite simple really. Your Mother has decided to stay in France for good now. As her only, Daughter, she has decided to give you the house in the city. She said you would inherit it anyway, so she was just speeding the process along.”

  Alison fell back into her desk chair. She was not expecting this. She was stunned and for once speechless. “Sorry, but could you please give me your contact details. I would like to talk to my Mother and read this email, then call you back.”

  The solicitor gave her his number and asked her to call back before 7:00 p.m., as he was due on the squash court.

  Alison rolled her eyes at the last instruction as hung up, and then started to read the email from her Mother. It read.

  My Darling Alison.

  I hope this email is finding you well? I’m sorry we haven’t spoken since Christmas Day, but I’ve been very preoccupied with a new renovation project here in France.

  Anyway, I’ve asked my solicitor to contact you regarding the house. I am going to sign the title deed over to you. You would have inherited it after I had gone anyway. I’m not asking for anything in return, just that you look after my antiques, until I’m able to come over and fetch them.

  As you can tell, I’m not coming back to Britain to live. I love this country and have decided to make a home for Claude and myself here.

  Hope you understand.

  All my love.

  Mum.

  XXXXX

  Alison was even more stunned. She had been saving to give her Mother a down payment for the house, which was easily worth £2.5 million if not more. But now she owned it free and clear. She couldn’t believe it. With that she picked her mobile up, and called her Mother. She confirmed that Alison was now the sole owner, and the deeds had already been transferred over, as she was able to supply the solicitor with all the details he needed.

  Alison hung up with a quick I love you, and a promise to go out and see her next time she was due a holiday. Next she called the solicitor back, who needed Alison to sign a couple of documents, and then she owned the house. She agreed to go over to the office right away.

  She quickly tidied her office and ran to the lift. Once in the underground car park she ran to her car. She sat and started at the interior thinking about all of her savings. She no longer needed to give the money to her Mother. She could use it for a little treat. Running her hand over the leather seats, she decided that she wouldn’t treat herself to a new car.

  She had only had this one a year, and she loved the BMW Convertible. But she had always wanted a Harley Davidson. With that sh
e made a big decision. First stop the solicitors, and then the Harley Davidson Dealership.

  What the hell would she do with a five-bedroom house? It was in an ideal location and very desirable. She loved the house and would never be able to part with it. Perhaps she would be able to find someone to share her life and house with. Now there’s a thought.

  ###

  The next morning Felicity couldn’t wait to open her inbox. With fingers crossed she clicked on the icon. There was an email from Frank Cohen waiting. She opened it and read intently.

  “YES!!!” she screamed.

  Everyone in the office turned and looked. Mark walked over to her. She pointed to the computer screen and he started to read.

  “Well done, my friend, it seems that your talents will no longer be wasted here,” he turned to the office and called for silence. “Ladies and Gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to announce that, the new Floor Manager at McDougal and Cohen is, Ms Felicity Bromwell,” everyone applauded and walked over to shake Felicity’s hand. Her phone rang. She picked up her receiver.

  “Hello, Felicity Bromwell.”

  “Hi, Felicity, It’s Frank. Congratulations. I’d like you to shadow Mark for today, and next week. The following Monday you’ll go to your new team and take over there.

  “Thank you, Frank. I won’t let you down.”

  “I don’t think you will either. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to speak to our HR manager, about putting out a company email as to your promotion, and I will also get her to call you, regarding a management ID card. She will probably arrange a meeting for you with security. We need to get you a new door lock card”