Law of Attraction

by Patricia Keyson

  “We haven’t got one at home. Mum did talk about renting one, but she’s never got round to it. The first time I watched was to see the coronation. We went to a neighbour’s house. I thought it was very exciting.”

  “There are some good programmes and it’s company when you’re on your own. But I’m not alone now so I don’t suppose it will be switched on much.”

  “I’m not sure about inviting Michael round, but I would like to invite Betty. She’s a nice young girl from my old office. I’m very fond of her and as she’s not moving to Blayton I thought it would be nice if she could visit.”

  “There’s a truckle bed in the attic. I’m sure we could put it up in your room when she comes. It’ll be a bit of a squeeze, but you girls will manage.”

  “That’s very kind of you. We’ll have to see what her mum thinks, but if she agrees I could take her dancing. I’d stay with her all the time and bring her home early. I think she’d enjoy that.” Kay glanced at her watch. “My goodness. I’ll just nip up and clean my teeth then I’ll be off.” She stood up and started clearing the plates.

  “Don’t worry about doing that. I’ve got all day to clear up. Your sandwiches and apple are on the table in the hall.”

  “Lovely, thank you.”

  Kay had plenty of time to get to the office, so she decided to stroll through the park. The green hills which had been shelters during the war looked as though they would be fun for children to play on. As she passed the wooden hut two of the park keepers were sitting outside on a bench drinking their tea and having a smoke.

  “’Morning miss,” one of them said as he nodded at her. She smiled back and felt happy that her walk was so pleasant.

  * * *

  Kay spent the morning taking deliveries of furniture and stationery and enjoyed deciding where things should go. On one of his brief visits into the office that morning Michael had told her he would leave the arrangement of the office in her hands. She was thrilled at the prospect of showing him what she’d achieved so far, but when he next appeared she could tell immediately that he wasn’t in the best of moods. Knowing his last appointment had been with Tom Reacher she wondered what this meant for the future of Harris and Partners, as they were now known.

  “You won’t believe what Tom told me,” he began as he sat rigidly in one of the new office chairs. “They received a letter on our headed paper, typewritten and apparently from Dad. Tom showed it to me. Very convincing.”

  “What did it say?”

  “That due to the downward turn Tom Reacher’s company was taking we were no longer going to accept their business. It was quite horrible and Tom couldn’t believe that Dad had written it, that’s why, after he’d calmed down, he wanted to discuss things with me. We’ve always had a good relationship with them and he thought the letter was quite out of character.”

  “So who sent it? You said headed notepaper, didn’t you? Remember the stationery that went missing?”

  “You ought to be in an Agatha Christie novel.”

  “I enjoy reading her books. I really like the Miss Marple ones. And I’d love to go to London to see ‘The Mousetrap’.” Kay realised that Michael had calmed down now that they were chatting about other things, but she was intrigued with this story. “Do you know who stole the paper and typed the letter?”

  “I have a very good idea. You remember Charlie left the firm suddenly? I won’t tell you what had been going on, but as soon as I discovered what he’d been doing I fired him. I imagine he took the headed notepaper to write a reference and then decided he’d get his own back on me by taking Reacher and Good’s business away from us. I can’t prove any of it, although I’m very pleased that we’ve sorted it all out and got the business back again.”

  Kay had a sudden desire to wrap her arms round him and smooth his hair back off his face. She remembered what Olive had said about inviting him back for a meal and to watch TV. She was painting a lovely picture in her head of the two of them cuddling up together on Olive’s settee when she realised Michael was talking to her.

  “You’re in a dream again, Kay. I hope all this work isn’t too much for you.”

  “Not at all, I love being busy. I was just remembering something Olive said to me this morning.”

  “How’s that going?”

  “Very well. She cooked me a huge breakfast and prepared my sandwiches. I suppose we’d better get on.” As she walked over to one of desks she noticed something that had puzzled her earlier. “I’ve just remembered something that might be relevant to that business with Charlie. We had the furniture we’d chosen from the old office delivered today so I cleaned out some of the drawers. In Charlie’s old desk drawer I found something which I couldn’t work out.” She grabbed a handful of paper. “Look at this. Forged signatures. I couldn’t understand what it was all about. So Charlie only got a job at Twigge and Moore by writing a false reference and forging Mr Harris’s signature.”

  “I don’t suppose they mind too much especially if he causes our downfall. Your discovery confirms everything I thought. I wonder who else he’ll write to and what else he’ll do.”

  “We’ll have to hope he feels he’s done enough damage and leaves us alone from now on.” As Michael didn’t respond, she continued, “If it’s all right with you I thought I’d have my lunch and then explore the High Street.” Kay wondered if he would offer to go with her, but he simply nodded his head and went over to the filing cabinet in the corner.

  * * *

  Kay was delighted at the range of shops along the main street in Blayton. She bought two pairs of stockings and a pale pink Coty lipstick. It would have been nice to buy something for Olive, but Kay wasn’t sure what so she left that for another day. She’d spent a long time looking around the shops and decided to go back to the office to eat her lunch. There was still a lot to do there and Michael might need someone to answer the telephone while he popped out for something to eat. The news about Charlie had been a shock to her. He wasn’t her favourite person, but she’d never thought he could be involved in anything dishonest. It was good that Michael had secured Reacher and Good’s business back again, but she must keep a vigilant eye on things in case any other clients had been similarly approached by Charlie Spencer.

  Michael had disappeared from the outer office when Kay returned and she could hear him moving around in his room. A tap came at the door and when she answered it there was another delivery man on the doorstep asking her to sign yet another receipt. “What is it?” asked Kay

  “A refrigerator,” he said, wheeling in the cardboard box. “Where do you want it?”

  Kay had no idea; she didn’t know it had been on the list of things for the new office. “In that corner,” she improvised. “I can always move it later.”

  “It’s heavy,” warned the man. “The motor at the back is cumbersome. It’ll keep your milk from going sour.”

  “Ah, it’s come,” said Michael appearing at Kay’s side as she was peering inside the refrigerator.

  “Betty would love this,” laughed Kay. “What a pity she won’t benefit from it. I must write and tell her all about it.”

  “You’re a good friend to have,” said Michael giving her an admiring glance. “Let’s have a look at the plug. I’ll need to put a fuse in.”

  “I can do that,” said Kay confidently. Her father had taught her all sorts of useful things around the house. He had a way of explaining things clearly and getting her to have a go instead of just lecturing her on how things should be done.

  “There should be a screwdriver around somewhere, but I’ve no idea where.” Michael looked around with a frown on his face.

  “I’ve been putting together a sort of useful things box,” said Kay, pulling it out from under her desk and rummaging through. “See, spare light bulbs, candles in case of a power cut and matches, of course, as well as fuses and fuse wire. Ah here’s the screwdriver.” She deftly fixed the fuse into place and plugged the refrigerator lead into the wall. It made a lou
d humming noise before settling down to a mesmeric whirr. “I’ve phoned the dairy and they’ll deliver our milk,” she said. “I won’t be as organised as Betty was with making tea.”

  “Kay, you’re a marvel, you really are. Where would I be without you? I’d never have thought of having a useful box.” He picked up his briefcase. “I have to go out again, but I should be back before you leave. If not, what shall we do about locking up?”

  “I suppose I should have a spare key to the office. But if you’re going out it’ll have to wait until tomorrow now. I’ll stay here until you get back.”

  There was plenty to occupy Kay that afternoon and by the time Michael returned the office was looking very welcoming. The air smelt of lavender polish and Kay had arranged the furniture so that a client coming in would be able to view the staff and not just their backs hunched over their desks. Staff! They’d need to recruit more people, of course. She was sure Michael had it in hand, but the only other person transferring from Harris and Son was one of the typists who had an aunt living in Blayton with whom she could lodge. Kay decided to ask Michael if he knew of anyone they could enlist to help find accounting and clerical staff, especially typists. Suddenly there seemed an awful lot still to do; arranging the layout of the office was the tip of the iceberg.

  “Kay, you’re not to worry about all of these things,” insisted Michael when she regaled him with the list of things which still needed to be done. “I’ve not been idle. This afternoon I engaged the help of a friend and he’s got a list of recommended people who I will arrange to interview during the week. We’re not going to officially open for business yet. Dad and I will also be having meetings with the two new partners we want to take on.”

  “All these changes are thrilling. It will be fun having new work colleagues. Will we have a new junior?”

  “I think that’s the least of our worries right now, but yes I would like to help another young person into work. Let’s leave that until we’re settled. You look tired. Why don’t you take yourself off home? Let me give you a lift.”

  “No, it’s not far to walk and some fresh air will do me good.”

  “Maybe one day you’ll accept, when it’s raining or snowing.”

  “Only if you put the hood of the car up!”

  * * *

  Arriving back at Elm Close, Kay felt wrung out. She had a wash in her room and changed into a pair of slacks and a clean blouse. Then she rinsed her stockings and hung them over the basin to dry. Her tummy growled in spite of her large breakfast and lunchtime sandwiches. It was nearly seven o’clock so she went downstairs to the kitchen.

  “Shall I lay the table?” she asked.

  “It’s done,” replied Olive. “Goodness, you look worn out. Busy day, I expect. Everything new.”

  “We’ve got a fridge,” said Kay. “There’s nothing in it yet, but it will be useful, especially if we have a hot summer.”

  Olive nodded and started ladling stew into big round dishes. “Don’t wait for me.”

  “This is delicious,” said Kay, “and the dumplings are so light. I wish I could cook like you and Mum.”

  “I’ll teach you if you like,” offered Olive, sitting down opposite Kay. “It’s quite easy really if you stick to simple recipes to begin with.” They ate in silence for a while. “I hope you don’t mind eating in the kitchen,” said Olive.

  “Not at all. It’s nice and cosy.”

  After a blackberry and apple crumble with hot creamy custard, Kay pushed back her chair. “I don’t think I can move,” she laughed. “If you’re going to feed me like this every day I won’t fit through the door.”

  “I don’t like anyone going hungry,” said Olive getting up to clear the table.

  “I’ll do that,” said Kay jumping to her feet.

  “I thought you couldn’t move.”

  The doorbell startled the two women.

  “I don’t often get callers at this time in the evening,” Olive said, “I wonder who it could be.”

  Kay stayed in the kitchen clearing up as she was quite sure no one would be calling on her. Olive bustled in followed by Michael.

  “Hello, Kay, I’m sorry to barge in like this. It’s just that I’ve had another key cut for the office.” He turned to Olive. “Kay’s making her mark in the reception area. She’s full of good ideas.” Michael didn’t seem anxious to be leaving.

  “Have a seat and how about a dish of crumble with custard. It’s all nice and hot still,” Olive said.

  “That would be lovely, thank you.” Michael sat at the kitchen table and Kay couldn’t help thinking how comfortable and relaxed he looked.

  “I told Kay she can invite her friends round so I hope to see more of you.”

  “That’s very kind, but maybe Kay sees enough of me at work.” Michael tucked into the large portion of pudding which Olive had put on the table in front of him.

  Kay wasn’t sure what to say. “Olive says we can watch television some time, but I don’t suppose that’s something unusual for you.”

  “I do have a television, but I don’t watch much. It would be pleasant to come and watch a programme with you and Olive.”

  Olive winked at Kay who decided she should put the kettle on to make tea. She listened to Michael and Olive chatting away to each other. She liked the informal way her boss had with people. He always managed to put people at their ease.

  After the tea Michael said, “I could stay here all evening, but I’d better be getting back. I’ll see you in the morning, Kay.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll make it to work tomorrow. I might well oversleep in my cosy bed after such an exhilarating day.”

  Michael smiled. “You’d better try. I’m not saying this to be polite, but I really need you.”

  Chapter Seven

  Olive stretched her legs and rested them on the footstool she had in front of her armchair in the sitting room. “Well I never, he really needs you.”

  “Well, I suppose I am quite an efficient secretary,” Kay said, secretly pleased that Olive was teasing her.

  “Did you see the look in his eyes, those lovely bright blue eyes?”

  Kay laughed. “Do you think he’s handsome?”

  “Not like some of the film stars you see, but I think he’s very attractive. What about you?” Olive delved down the side of the armchair and produced a bag of sweets. She held them out to Kay who took one and popped it in her mouth.

  “I haven’t told anyone else this, but I think he’s gorgeous,” Kay said, her cheeks bulging.

  “Ooh, I haven’t had this much excitement in a long time. I think he’s got a soft spot for you. Why else would he turn up just to bring that key? It wasn’t necessary. It was just an excuse. He’ll be at work in the morning to let you in, won’t he?”

  “Mmm, I think he’s kind, that’s all. There’s no way he’d consider me as anything other than a friend. I’m sure he has plenty of admirers at the tennis club he goes to.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  Kay had a warm feeling inside as she got ready for bed. Perhaps it was possible that Michael could think of her as someone other than a friend.

  * * *

  It was back to business the next day. Michael looked as though he’d been at the office for some time before Kay arrived. He’d thrown off his jacket, loosened his tie and undone the top buttons of his shirt. “I want to discuss a few things with you straight away, Kay. Come in to my room and sit down. I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship.”

  Kay’s heart missed a beat.

  “I’ve decided that I must share everything with you completely. You’ve been my secretary for quite some time now and I think you need to know all I do about our employees and clients. I’m relying absolutely on your discretion.” Michael took a deep breath. “So, I’m going to start by telling you the whole story about Charlie.”

  Kay told herself not to be silly. What had she been expecting? Some declaration of undying love?


  “There have been discrepancies in the accounts over the past few months. At first the missing amounts were small and we put it down to accounting errors, but then the sums became larger so Dad and I decided I should keep a close eye on things. I went into the office in the evenings or weekends when there was no one around and went over the accounts with a fine tooth comb. What I found was that Charlie was fiddling them. I asked him to stay on after everyone else had gone home one day and challenged him about it.”

  “That must have been awful.”

  “It was. I don’t know what you thought of Charlie, but he was a very unpleasant character. When I confronted him he sneered and said it was no more than his due. He said a lot of other disagreeable things which I won’t bore you with. I fired him there and then and told him to collect his belongings from his desk. I should have gone with him as I think that is probably when he took the stationery from the cupboard. He’s quite clever so realising he wouldn’t get a reference from me, he thought he would type his own on our paper. That’s what I guess anyway. And of course he wrote that letter to Reacher and Good.”

  “Shouldn’t you tell Twigge and Moore?”

  “I’ll write a letter, but I doubt they’ll be interested. He will seem like a loyal employee. They won’t know the half of what he’s up to. I didn’t. I’ll definitely let them know I didn’t write his reference and also that I fired him for fiddling our accounts. You’ll have to make sure the letter is marked confidential. We’re going to have to be very careful about any further damage he might inflict on us, but with you here by my side I’m sure we can get through this and build the business.”

  “Good morning.” A man had walked into the office without knocking. “I hope you don’t mind me calling unexpectedly. I was just passing so thought I’d see how things are going,” he said, holding out his hand to a puzzled Michael. “Alastair Barnes from Twigge and Moore.”