Little Women Box Set

by Chloe Carpenter

  "I see you refer to yourself as Evie, so we'll address you by that name if that's ok?"

  "Yes, that's fine, thanks." She managed a tentative smile.

  "Good. So, Evie, before we talk about the job itself, it would be useful to know a little more about you." His eyes darted to her application form. "I see you're 29, and your last job finished 18 months ago at Greyson Holdings where you worked part time. Why did you leave?"

  "It wasn't by choice. The company got into financial difficulties and had to let half the staff go. Unfortunately I was one of them."

  "Ah yes, tough times." He shot her a sympathetic look. "You worked as a manager. What skills did you learn?"

  "I learnt how to use spreadsheets and software for basic accounting, staff management, report writing ... and verbal communications skills. I gave presentations regularly."

  "Sounds good. However, I'd like to ask why you're applying for a job as a catering assistant, rather than some other job in an office environment where you can utilise your existing skills."

  Evie nodded. She was prepared for this. My husband also worked for Greyson Holdings ... he was a bit old fashioned in that he didn't want me to work at all. He wanted me to stay home and have babies. It didn't happen." She shrugged. "Anyway, we reached a compromise. I wanted to go to catering college but Greg - my husband - wasn't keen. He put in a good word for me and got me a temporary job at Greyson. I quite enjoyed it and I learnt a lot, and I was good enough at what I did to obtain a permanent post and earn a promotion to a middle management position six months later. But I wasn't ..." She paused, thinking of the right word. "I wasn't passionate about it."

  "And a job as a menial catering assistant is something you feel passionate about, is it?" asked Celia. She gave Evie a disparaging glance.

  "Yes," said Evie firmly, ignoring the woman's rudeness. "It is. You see, after Greg died ..."

  "Your husband died?" Dylan blinked. This girl didn't look old enough to be married, let alone widowed.

  Evie nodded. "Two weeks after I was made redundant, Greg was ... was killed in a car accident."

  "I'm very sorry to hear that," said Dylan. "Go on," he said gently.

  "Well, I ... it was a horrible time. Horrible." She shook her head. "For the first few months, I was in a mess. Then as time went on, I looked around for work and couldn't find anything. The house is paid for, and I had a small redundancy payment which I was using to pay the bills. I also used some of it to fund a catering course. I now have a Level 1 Diploma. It covers basic cooking processes alongside food safety, health and safety, healthier foods and special diets, workplace skills and kitchen equipment. I now need to find work, not only to support myself, but to help me save to pay for another course for a Level 2 Diploma. I'm acutely aware I don't have previous work experience in this area, but, well, that's why I'm here."

  Evie paused and bit her lip, wondering if she'd said too much, or not enough. She glanced at Celia who once again stared coldly and offered no smile or encouraging words. Not so Dylan. He surveyed her and smiled.

  "I can see you are one determined young woman who, despite bad luck and personal tragedy, has moved forward in a positive way. I'm impressed, Evie."

  For the first time since entering the room, Evie relaxed. "Thank you, Mr Draper. That means a lot to me."

  Addressing Celia he said, "Miss Morgan, would you like to inform Evie about company policy?"

  "Very well." Celia began to speak, parrot-fashion about equal opportunities, health and safety, and other workplace issues.

  As Evie listened, Dylan watched her. She was a pretty little thing who looked far younger than her years. The more he looked at her, the more convinced he was that he'd seen her before. But where? Dylan Draper had very specific interests in life, and those interests involved a large amount of kink. Given his elevated position within the company, he was always discrete in his activities outside of work. Could he have seen this girl at one of the clubs he frequented? Or maybe at a party? Try as he might, he couldn't remember, yet the conviction remained that he had most definitely encountered her before. But be that as it may, Evie Turner was here for an interview, and he resolved to ensure a successful outcome for her.

  Here was someone with a vibrant spark, yet those big hazel eyes were also full of sadness and hurt. He found himself quite captivated with her, wanting to know more about her. She was clearly a determined young woman, but there was a vulnerability about her, and an innocence. She was small and delicate with an angelic face framed by all that golden-hair. He warmed to her, felt protective, wanted to do all he could to help her on the career ladder. The fact that she looked to be very much his special type of woman was academic. He never mixed his private life with his work life, however tempting it might be.

  When Celia finished, Dylan discussed the specific requirements of the job and the hours of work. "You'll be required to work two Saturdays in each month, with a day off during the week to compensate. Will that be a problem, Evie?"

  "No, not at all. I can manage that."

  "Excellent. Well Evie, I'd like to formally offer you the position, and if you accept, we'll be happy to start you two increments higher up the scale, in view of your diploma."

  Evie was so excited she failed to hear Celia's hiss of breath as she reacted to the hike in salary. "Oh Mr Draper, thank you! Thank you so much! I'd be delighted to accept."

  "I'm very pleased to hear it, Evie. And after your first probationary month has elapsed, if you are happy with your employment at Barkers and if we are happy with you - and I'm sure that we will be - we'll fund your Level 2 qualification and allow you time off to study, providing you remain in our employ for at least 2 years after qualifying. How does that sound? Fair?"

  Evie stared slack-jawed, and as the implications of his words registered, her face showed shock, disbelief, relief, and undisguised glee. "More than fair. I'm very grateful for the opportunity. Thank you."

  "That isn't usual company policy, Mr Draper," said Miss Morgan disapprovingly.

  "Nor is being demoted, Miss Morgan, but such things happen when special circumstances dictate," said Dylan. He spoke slowly and clearly, and his tone was such that Celia Morgan bit her tongue and avoided arguing the matter. Her face flamed in embarrassment and there was venom in her eyes.

  "Do you have any questions, Evie?" asked Dylan.

  "No, I don't think so - except... when can I start?" she asked with shining eyes.

  "How about next week? Monday morning, 8.30."

  "That's fantastic. I can't thank you enough."

  "My pleasure. I think you'll be a real asset to the company. Welcome aboard." He reached over the desk and shook her hand. "We'll get your letter of appointment and other paperwork sorted this afternoon and put it in the post. I'll look forward to seeing you on Monday."

  And that was it. Evie left the room feeling ten feet tall. Life was improving. Not only did she have a job, her new employers were going to fund her studies! And what a wonderful man Mr Draper was ...

  Tight-lipped, Celia picked up the papers and headed for the door.

  "Not so fast, Celia. Get back here."

  Unaccustomed to being spoken to in such a manner, Celia glared at Dylan, but one look at his stern face had her slinking back to her seat.

  "We need to have a little chat about your interview techniques, amongst other things," said Dylan ominously.

  Thirty minutes later, Celia Morgan left the room feeling utterly humiliated and chastised. She vowed silently that if there was ever an opportunity to bring down Dylan Draper and the stupid Evie Turner he had taken under his wing, she would do so. She would make them pay.

  ---oOo---

  Evie loved the job and the people she worked with. Anna, the supervisor was great, and on the first morning gave Evie an introduction to the work.

  "You'll be in the kitchen mostly, but we'll also give you some training on serving, taking payments at the till, and waitressing. That way you'll get an understanding of all th
e different roles, and if anyone is off sick, you'll be in a position to cover."

  "Sure. That sounds sensible," said Evie.

  "Great," said Anna. "The cafeteria opens at 9am. We're busy throughout the day with breakfasts and lunches, and afternoon tea. You'll finish at 5pm, and we have part time staff who come in to work from 5 through to 8pm. I'll show you the rota. You have this Saturday off, but are down to work the one after, with Thursday as your day off. I must say, you must have made one hell of an impression with Mr Draper. I've been here six years and I've never known him interview catering staff before."

  "I think I just got lucky," said Evie. "I'm not complaining though! He seemed very nice - much nicer than the woman from Personnel."

  "Ah yes, Celia Morgan." Anna looked round conspiratorially to make sure she wasn't being overheard. "I'm not one to gossip, but that woman has got a well-deserved comeuppance if you ask me. She used to make everyone's life hell, but not any more ... not since she was demoted to Assistant Personnel Officer. Serves her right. She pulled strings to get her niece a job here on a temporary basis, and had her earmarked for your job. I am so glad Mr Draper intervened and put a stop to it."

  "I remember Celia's niece. She was really rude to me when I was waiting for my interview. She told me I was wasting my time and to piss off and go home!"

  "What a bitch! That doesn't surprise me in the least. Dreadful girl." Anna shook her head. "We were all heartily sick of her airs and graces and laziness, and every time Mr Draper put in an appearance, she'd be simpering around him, batting her eyelashes and generally sucking up. It didn't work with him though."

  "Is he married?"

  "No, I don't think so, and there's been many a willing female in the store vying for his attentions. I suppose in his position, it wouldn't be wise to have romantic entanglements with work colleagues." She darted a sly look at Evie. "Fancy him, do you? Join the club."

  Evie laughed. "He's quite charming but I'm off men, thank you."

  "Oh dear. Bad experience?"

  "Yes." Evie nodded but said no more, so Anna wisely refrained from probing further.

  ---oOo---

  Evie took to the work like a duck to water, and at the end of the first week felt settled and happy. Because of her diminutive stature (she was just five feet tall) her colleagues took to calling her 'Little Evie'. She was popular, being hardworking with a sunny disposition, and always eager to help with even the most menial of tasks.

  The staff at Barkers had a large recreational room in the basement where they ate their lunch and took coffee breaks. Although Evie looked for him, she didn't once catch sight of Dylan Draper. However, Friday lunchtime she was behind the counter serving food from the hot-plate to the customers, and when she looked up, there he was, smiling down at her.

  "Hello Mr Draper," she said shyly. "What can I get you?"

  "I'll have the fish please Evie. I'm starving." He grinned boyishly.

  Evie found herself grinning back as she put an extra large helping of fries on the plate. "There you go. Enjoy your lunch."

  "Will do. How are you getting on?"

  "I'm loving it, I really am."

  "Glad to hear it. Have a good weekend."

  "Thank you. You too."

  "Oh yes, in with the big boss are we?" whispered Jack, a fellow catering assistant. He winked suggestively at Evie.

  "Just being polite, that's all." She grinned at Jack. "And take your sleeve out of the shepherd's pie, you big lummock."

  "Oh!" Jack beat a hasty retreat to clean his sleeve before he got a ticking off from Anna.

  Evie smiled. She liked everyone she worked with and thanked her lucky stars that Caroline Smith wasn't amongst them.

  That evening, Evie went home tired but happy. 'Enjoy your weekend', Mr Draper had said. Well, she planned to do just that. Money was very tight and she had another three weeks to wait before she received her first salary payment from Barkers. Still, walking didn't cost anything, and after a week of warm sunshine, it was highly likely that the good weather would continue over the weekend. A nice long walk in the countryside would be perfect. Before going to bed she looked up the bus timetables, planned her route from a book of walks, and dug out her old rucksack. Tomorrow would be an adventure!

  And so it was - but not quite in the way she expected.

  ---oOo---

  Evie jumped out of bed as soon as the alarm clock sounded. After a quick shower and a breakfast of peanut butter on toast, she made herself a couple of sandwiches and stashed them in her rucksack with a bottle of water and an apple. A trashy novel was also put in the rucksack. There could be nothing nicer, she thought, than lounging in the sun eating a picnic and reading a trashy novel.

  She slipped on a pink t-shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans, then decided it would be too hot for jeans, so opted instead for a pair of cute cream shorts. However, when she paused to look at her reflection in the cheval glass in her bedroom, she decided that her big clunky hiking boots and thick socks looked mighty silly with shorts, so she took the boots off and put on a pair of pumps instead. Brushing her hair, she secured it in a pink Alice band and set off to the bus stop with a big smile on her face.

  She caught the bus to the outskirts of town and 40 minutes later alighted at the terminus in a pretty little village. Pausing to have a quick drink of water, she fumbled in her rucksack for her book of walks. It wasn't there.

  Damn! I've forgotten it! She berated herself for leaving it on the kitchen table. Oh well, I can manage perfectly well without it, she thought. Who needs a guidebook, anyway?!

  The morning sun was clear and bright. Hoisting her rucksack on her back, Evie set off, feeling the spirit of adventure flow through her veins. It was several years since she had been out walking. Greg had hated hiking. Greg. She frowned and pushed the thought of him out of her head.

  She walked through the village, past pretty houses with colourful and well manicured gardens, and at the end of the village there was a farmer's field with a rickety old wooden stile adjacent to it. She clambered over it and set off along the public footpath. It took her about two miles east, a lovely walk with only cows and a few sheep for company.

  A little later, the path forked to the right, but there was a little track straight ahead that looked more inviting so she set off along it. It was very overgrown in places and became increasingly narrower, skirting the base of undulating hills rolling by stone-walled meadows, redolent with the fragrance of wild flowers. Birds sang from the lush green valleys as she approached an old curving road winding past nestling hamlets and farmsteads. By a dip at the base of the road was a rustic bridge of ancient stone set over a bubbling stream. Entranced, Evie stared into the sun-dappled waters in the hope of spotting a fish. She felt like a kid again, and paused to dip her fingers in the trickling waters, warm from the sun and crystal clear.

  She resumed her journey on the road that cut through verdant valleys and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, shielding her eyes from the sun to trace the lines of purple heather-clad hills on the distant horizon, and before them, the huge expanse of green-capped forest.

  The morning passed. Evie climbed higher as the road led ever upwards, and when she reached the top of the hill, she climbed over a low stone wall and skipped through a field of wild flowers and long grasses, the scent of cowslip and meadowsweet all around. This was a beautiful restful place, a place to stop and eat her lunch and rest her feet which were by now beginning to ache.

  Kicking off her pumps she winced at the blisters that were forming, and wished she had worn her hiking boots after all. If only she had put a pair of socks in her pack to help stop the chafing. Sighing, she wriggled her toes and stretched herself out over soft springy moss. She ate her lunch to the accompaniment of the drone of bumblebees and the chirrup of birds in the treetops. Suddenly too tired to bother reading her book, she closed her eyes, delighting in the warmth of the sun on her face.

  And she slept.

  Heavy drops of rain splatte
d down over her face. Sitting up, she looked round in alarm and barely recognised the landscape, for now the sun had disappeared and the overhead rain clouds hung low and heavy, so dark grey they were almost black. Evie shivered as a wind gusted from nowhere and ruffled her hair.

  "Damn!" She got to her feet and stuffed the remnants of her picnic into her rucksack. The wind buffeted her, and the rain began to fall swift and hard. In under a minute she was soaked to the skin. As she struggled to get her pumps back on, an ominous growl of thunder made her shriek in alarm. It was swiftly followed by another rumble, this one much closer. And as the rain teemed, the lightning came through the jagged sky, illuminating the darkened afternoon in an eerie glow.

  "Shit! Shit!" Shit!" Evie tried to remain calm. She looked around wildly for somewhere to shelter, as anywhere would be better than being so exposed high on a remote hillside.

  Up ahead was a bank of trees, sodden leaves drooping and falling as the tree branches waved and snapped and creaked with the force of the wailing wind. But to the east of the trees was a rocky outcrop. In desperation, Evie headed towards it as fast as she could, thinking that maybe she could hunker down beneath it and be spared the worst of the storm. The thick strands of her sopping wet hair blew wildly, whipping her face as the wind raged. On she trudged, water squelching out of her flimsy pumps. Her clothes were plastered to her skin and flapped in sodden folds as she hurried to the rocks.

  Although it was only mid-afternoon, the sky was ominously dark and hostile. The whole atmosphere of this idyllic place had changed within minutes. Evie cried out in fear and panic as a deafening roar of thunder spurred her on. Her breathing was ragged as she tottered towards the rocks. They were in a long ragged line, the centre ones standing tall as sentinels, and below the highest rock was a kind of rocky ledge. Evie stumbled towards it. Beneath the ledge were several shallow rocks interspersed with clumps of heather and bracken. It wasn't much of a shelter, but it was better than nothing. Wearily, she flung herself down and huddled close to the embrace of black rock as the elements raged all around her. It was the most frightening experience of her life.