After an hour had passed Kay felt hot and her feet ached a bit with the unaccustomed movements. “Tea break,” called Len. “The urn’s on.”
“I could do with something a bit stronger than tea,” gasped one of the men.
“Me too,” added a young woman, fanning herself with her hand. “Are we going for a drink afterwards as usual?”
“Yes, you must come with us, Kay. It’s nice to have another pretty woman in the group.”
When they’d had their tea, Len put on another record and invited them to take their partners for a waltz. “That’s an easy one for you all to enjoy,” he said.
The evening passed pleasantly and Kay was sorry to leave the hall, but was looking forward to going to the pub along the road with the group. She was making new friends and it felt good.
“Kay,” called Len, “I forgot to say that there’s a competition soon. Would you like me to enter you?”
She had no hesitation in nodding her head.
“I’ll let you have the details next week.”
At last she was starting to achieve her independence.
Kay was surprised to see the lights on in Elm Close when she arrived home. She let herself in quietly in case Olive was asleep in her chair. Tiptoeing into the sitting room, she was greeted with a smile from her landlady. “I had to wait up and see how you got on,” she said standing up. “The milk’s in the pan. Come through to the kitchen and tell me all about it.”
“It was great fun,” enthused Kay, keeping Olive amused with the goings on of the evening while the milk boiled. “And we went to the pub.”
“You sound as if I’d be shocked at that revelation,” grinned Olive.
Kay knew her mother would be. “And you’re not?”
“Not at all.”
Olive Carter was full of surprises, thought Kay as she sipped her cocoa. It was nearly midnight and Kay was pleased that tomorrow was Saturday and she didn’t have to set her alarm clock.
Up in her room she pirouetted lightly around the room, her pretty dress circling around her. She’d not take much rocking tonight, she reflected.
But once in bed with the quietness of the night around her, Kay found her thoughts returning to Michael. A lot had happened in the past few days. When she closed her eyes all she could see was Michael and Vanessa laughing together and she was excluded.
* * *
When Kay eventually wandered down to the kitchen in her dressing gown to fetch a cup of tea Olive insisted she tell her every last detail of the previous evening once again. Kay was happy to oblige and also happy to watch her landlady baking.
“That fruit cake mix looks delicious.”
“You can lick the bowl out when I’ve put the mixture in the tin,” Olive said before checking the temperature of the oven.
As Kay was scraping the sides of the bowl with a spoon she remembered Michael saying that they hadn’t ordered a cake for his dad’s retirement do. “Do you ever bake cakes for other people?” she asked.
“Sometimes people ask me. I do a few iced Christmas cakes for friends.”
“Would you be happy to make the retirement cake for Michael’s dad? You’ll be paid properly for it.”
“I’d love to. Just let me have enough to cover the cost of the ingredients. When you’re dressed we’ll go to the grocer’s and get what we need.”
* * *
The weekend had been hectic. After getting the shopping Olive had continued to make cakes on Saturday while Kay busied herself with a bit of housework, and on Sunday they’d walked around the park and up and down the High Street, with Olive showing Kay the points of interest. Even with all that activity, Olive’s hip had still allowed her to stand long enough to cook an extremely mouth-watering Sunday lunch of roast beef with all the trimmings with an apple pie and custard for pudding.
But now it was Monday morning and Kay made sure she was in the office early as it would be open officially for business today from ten o’clock. There was no sign of Vanessa and Kay decided not to mention her absence.
“Hello, Kay. Good weekend?” asked Michael following her in.
“Very nice, thanks. I hope yours was, too.” Kay wondered what he’d been doing, but didn’t like to ask.
He just smiled at her. “Where’s Vanessa?”
“Not in yet. How far does she have to come?”
“I gave her a lift. She asked me to drop her at the front door before I parked the car. I thought she’d be at her desk by now. It doesn’t matter, she won’t be long.”
Kay tried hard not to feel jealousy at Vanessa being given a lift to work by Michael. He’d offered her a lift a few times and she’d refused so it was her own fault. The telephone rang and Kay hurried to answer it, picking up a pencil to jot down a message.
Luckily the recruiting of more office staff had been easier than Kay had imagined. Apart from Vanessa there would be two typists, and two accounting staff starting that morning. After what Michael had confided in her about Charlie, she hoped that these latter would be honest. There was a gentle tap at the door and when it opened, Kay ended her phone call and cried out, “Susan, how lovely to see you. Come on in and inspect the new office. I’m so pleased I’m not the only one who transferred here.” Susan had been a very efficient typist at the offices of Harris and Son.
“Which is my desk? Is Mr Michael in? We have missed him.” Susan hung up her jacket and put her bag in the drawer of the desk Kay indicated she would occupy. “By the way, Betty sends her best wishes. She says she’s written you a letter. She can’t wait to visit you. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of Charlie.”
“He’s working for a rival firm here in Blayton,” said Kay, hoping she hadn’t said too much, but it would be general knowledge around the town and Susan might bump into him.
The door opened again and the other new employees sidled in and Kay gave them her attention, showing them their places and introducing Susan.
At one minute before ten o’clock Vanessa arrived looking cool and serene. “Just been to have my hair done,” she explained. “It’s a big day, isn’t it? Opening a new office.” She glanced at Kay’s hair quickly before adding, “Well I’m the receptionist and I’m the first person a client sees so I have to make a good impression.”
If you’re around to make one, seethed Kay to herself. There was no time for introductions as Michael came out of his office. He immediately walked over to Vanessa. Typical, Kay thought to herself, but then she heard what he was saying. “I expect you’ll be working through your lunch hour to make up for your lateness. And now I’d like you to make tea for us all and as soon as it’s ready let me know. I’m going to welcome everyone and explain a few things.” As he walked back to his office he winked at Kay.
For the next ten minutes Kay could hear the loud rattling of crockery and slamming of cupboard doors. She hoped Vanessa would realise this was a proper job and that there were plenty of people who would be more than happy to take her place.
The rest of the week passed busily as there was a lot of interest generated by the new firm with potential clients popping in to get copies of their terms of business. Two new partners had taken up their positions and were often huddled in meetings with Michael, occasionally requiring Kay to come and take shorthand notes to be typed up. Susan operated the duplicator and the office was a hive of activity.
“How are you getting on with the other partners?” asked Michael during an unexpectedly slack moment.
“I like them,” declared Kay. “But I was surprised that Alastair wasn’t asked to join you, mainly because he’s known to your family.”
Michael put his arm around Kay and said, “I thought you took a dislike to him and I don’t want you working in an environment where you feel threatened and uncomfortable.”
Kay knew she hadn’t managed to disguise her antagonistic feelings for Alastair. “How thoughtful you are.”
* * *
On Friday morning Michael made an announcement. “I know that several of
you weren’t employees at the old office, but I’d like to invite everybody to my father’s retirement party this afternoon. I’ve arranged for a mini bus to take everyone. It’ll be ready to leave at two o’clock.” He walked over to Kay’s desk. “Kay, will you come with me in my car? I need to go a bit earlier to check that everything’s just right and you always spot things that haven’t been thought of.”
“Yes, of course.” She noticed Vanessa glaring at her so assumed she’d overheard. Kay had tried very hard to be friendly with her, but it was hard work and she was beginning to feel it wasn’t worth it.
“Mike,” Vanessa called.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Could I have a word? It’s just that I get sick in mini buses and I’d really like to go to this party. It’s such an important occasion and I feel so loyal to this firm and your family.”
“The trouble is my car’s a two seater and I’ve already asked Kay to come with me.”
Vanessa gave him a woeful look.
“All right. I’m sure Kay won’t mind going with the others.” He turned to her. “Is that all right if I take Vanessa in the car?”
Kay tried to suppress her feelings. “Fine,” she said banging away at her typewriter. So much for Michael saying that he wanted her help. He’d have to rely on Vanessa now.
Chapter Nine
It was great fun in the bus. Susan started singing and soon everyone was joining in. Even the new partners had decided to leave their cars in Blayton and travel with the office staff. They were all still laughing and giggling as they wandered into the old office which had been decorated with streamers and balloons. As expected the table was laden with plates piled high with delicious looking food. Michael was opening champagne and pouring it into the glasses Vanessa held out for him.
Betty bounced over. “What do you think, Kay?” she asked indicating the food.
“Mrs Harris has done us proud as usual,” Kay replied.
Betty beamed. “It wasn’t Mrs Harris. She was too busy organising some charity event at the golf club.”
“Who sorted all this lot out then? Mr Harris’s secretary has left already.”
“I did!”
“That’s wonderful. You should be really pleased with yourself,” beamed Kay. Yet another achievement for Betty; she was doing remarkably well.
“Mr Harris is delighted. He’s such a dear.”
“What was it you wanted to tell me about Charlie?”
“I don’t know what you’ll make of this.”
Kay’s heart sank.
“I met Charlie as I was leaving the office one evening. I think maybe he’d been hanging around waiting for me. He told me how pretty I looked and how he’d always had a soft spot for me. I remembered that time he’d upset me, but we seemed to have put that behind us. You never mentioned it again and everyone makes mistakes so I forgave him. He asked if he could walk me home and we chatted about this and that. It was nice having his attention. When we got to my house he said how good it was to see me again and that he’d like to take me out and would I consider having dinner with him at that posh restaurant in Blayton. I never imagined going there and I’ve never had a boyfriend so it all seemed like a wonderful dream. He was ever so charming. He’s not good looking, not like Mr Michael, but there’s something about him. I told him I’d like to go out with him very much and that I’d ask my mum.”
“What did she say?”
“I didn’t ask Mum in the end. When I got to the door I turned round and looked at him. There was something about him that told me he couldn’t care less about me, I can’t explain it really. I called after him and told him my answer was ‘No’. What do you think he was up to?” Betty rearranged some sausage rolls on a plate.
“I’m not sure. He’s done some bad things, Betty. Maybe he was hoping to get some information from you about the business.”
“But why? He’s got a good job at Twigge and Moore. He told me.”
“Let’s forget Charlie. We don’t want him to spoil this afternoon. You did the right thing. And don’t worry, one day you’ll have a lovely boyfriend.” Kay wondered how she could be so confident in her prediction for Betty. She thought that she herself would have had a steady boyfriend by now, but apart from George there had been no one.
“I’m glad I refused him. Here, have this plate and help yourself.”
Kay wasn’t quite sure where to start. There was an amazing array of small eats including sandwiches, cheese and pineapple on sticks and mushroom and salmon vol-au-vents. Then she remembered the cake. If Michael had forgotten to bring it someone would have to go back to Blayton to fetch it. How on earth had she managed not to think of that? She supposed it was because her thoughts had been on other things, namely Vanessa and Michael. At least she’d remembered the gift. Now all she had to do was get the last few people to sign the card. But first she needed to find out about the cake. She made her way over to Michael.
“Here Kay, have some champagne. Wasn’t it generous of Dad to buy this for us? It’s a good one.” He studied the label of the bottle he was holding.
“I’m sure it is good and it was generous of you too to make such a large donation for his gift. We’d never have been able to buy such expensive binoculars otherwise. Did you remember the cake?”
“Of course! Actually I didn’t, but Vanessa reminded me.”
“She does have her uses then.” As soon as she saw Michael’s face she wished the words back in her mouth.
He took her hand. “Now listen to me. I don’t know why you and she don’t get on, but there’s no need for all this. I want my office to be a happy one where everyone works together and supports each other. So, tell me, what’s the problem?”
“She takes advantage of her friendship with you. Her time-keeping’s dreadful, she doesn’t pull her weight when she’s in so she’s creating tension with the rest of us. But you just don’t seem able to see it because she’s your friend.”
“So there’s nothing else then?”
There was certainly nothing else that Kay was going to tell him. She wasn’t going to say she was fighting with a feeling of falling in love with him and he seemed more interested in Vanessa. She pulled her hand out of his grip. “There are a few more people who need to sign the card.” As she walked away from Michael she bumped into his dad and swiftly hid the card behind her back.
“Kay, how lovely to see you. I hear from Michael that everything is running smoothly in Blayton and it’s all down to you, according to him. I always knew you’d make it to the top. It sounds as though you get on well. He barely stops singing your praises. Apparently he feels more confident moving the business forward with you helping him. And now I’ve said too much and you’re blushing. I was saying to Mrs H the other day that we must have you round for Sunday lunch. What do you say?”
“That would be lovely,” was all she could say. She could hardly tell him that Michael would probably prefer Vanessa to be invited. But then she remembered that he had been praising her to his parents.
Mr Harris squeezed her arm. “I’m very grateful for your involvement.”
Olive’s cake was delicious and everyone had second helpings except for Vanessa who, after forking a small piece into her mouth, declared herself to be full. Mr Harris was delighted with his binoculars and he stood at the window staring out through them. As Kay watched, Mrs Harris edged her way over to her husband. In a reflex action he put his arm around her shoulders and she relaxed against him. Kay had never seen this side of him before and found it delightful. She just wished she’d find that sort of happiness. Would it be with Michael? She had no way of knowing what the future would hold.
Kay moved away to talk to people and then she glanced at the clock on the wall. Not wanting to interrupt Michael as he chatted, she waited for an opportune moment. He seemed to sense her closeness and turned to her with an easy smile. “Did you want me, Kay?”
“I don’t want to appear rude, but do you think it would be possible f
or me to slip away for a half an hour. I’d like to drop in on my parents now that I’m here.”
“Of course. Hang on, I’ll give you a lift. It’ll be good to see them again.”
Mr and Mrs Watson were delighted to see Kay who’d brought them a piece of Olive’s cake.
“This looks nice,” remarked Kay’s mother. “If her cooking’s like this, I’m sure you’re in good hands. Oh Kay, we do miss you, but your letters keep us up to date. And Dad says we might be able to have a telephone installed so you can speak to us.”
Michael sipped tea while Kay nattered with her parents. Then she said her goodbyes and climbed into the car beside Michael to go back to the office where the minibus would take her back to Blayton. As Michael opened the car door for her, he said, “We could go for a walk this evening when we get back if you like. You deserve to take things easy and relax for a while after all the effort you’ve put in on the firm’s behalf lately.”
The offer was tempting, but Kay replied, “I’m sorry, Michael, I’ve plans for this evening.”
“I’m pleased for you although I have to admit I’m disappointed.” He hesitated before asking, “Doing something with Olive, are you?”
“I’m going dancing,” said Kay, smiling at the thought of the evening ahead.
“Not with George, I hope.”
Kay wasn’t sure what to make of Michael’s remark or the frown which puckered his forehead. “I don’t see what that’s got to do with you,” she said. Sorry that she’d snapped at Michael, she sought him out later to apologise, but he was amongst a group of people and it didn’t seem appropriate. Quite why she’d behaved like that, she wasn’t sure. He didn’t always bring out the best in her. It must be because she was unsure of her relationship with him.
* * *
“Hello, Kay,” greeted the others as she hurried into the dance hall. “We thought you might not be coming.”
Law of Attraction Page 8