by I Beacham
“It’s gone well. It’s still early, but I like John. I feel he understands. His military background helps.”
Her counselor, John, was an ex lieutenant colonel in the Royal Marines. He had been Special Forces and served all over the world in some of the most hostile places. He too had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. It was why he’d eventually left the military and trained as a counselor. He wanted to help others overcome their problems.
Joey laughed. “I still find it surreal. He’s built like the side of a mountain and all muscle. I can’t believe he’s the one I’m going to reveal my inner demons to.”
“But you will.”
“Yes. I trust him.” Joey watched as Sam removed her jacket and hung it up. “He did say that things might get worse before they get better.”
Sam turned.
“I just want to forewarn you, Sam. It’ll take time and—”
“I know. But we do this together. You’re not alone this time.”
Sam was always so strong. Joey knew she’d be there for her.
“John said that if you ever need to talk to him…”
“I’ll know where to find him.” Sam patted Joey’s face with affection. “Stop worrying about me. I’m ready, and I have a very good support system.”
Sam raised her eyes to the ceiling, to the boss. It reminded Joey that she’d come straight to the vicarage from counseling to get Sam’s news. She was itching to find out what Neil was so secretive about.
“Well? Don’t keep me in suspense.” Joey saw a twinkle in Sam’s eyes that suggested good news.
“I might just have a job,” Sam said. “It’s working for a trust that supports appeals for church building restoration projects and church charities. The office is in Worcester. One of the team is an ordained minister who is coming up for retirement. Neil seems to think the job might be mine if I want it. Of course, I have to be interviewed, and I’ve no idea how many other applicants have applied.”
Joey didn’t have to ask if Sam was interested. She was smiling like a birthday girl.
“When’s the interview?”
“Next Friday, and I’m going to the trust office tomorrow to have a chat about the job.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Joey flung her arms around her. Sam hadn’t said much, but Joey knew she was worried about not having proper work. The radio series was something, but it was unlikely to become permanent employment. Sam kept joking about going out onto the streets with a begging bowl, but Joey saw behind her façade. Sam was nervous and desperate for a new role in life, preferably one that improved her bank account.
“Let’s celebrate with a cuppa. You’re happy with John, and I might have a job.” Sam started to fill the kettle with water.
“You’ve only just missed Gloria.”
Sam turned. Joey saw her disappointment. “Is she okay?”
Joey could never hide her feelings.
Sam stopped what she was doing. “What’s wrong?”
“I hoped you’d be back before Gloria left. She’s been very low today and not her usual talkative self.”
Joey signaled Sam to get on with making the tea as she sat at the table. “No, not wrong exactly, but yes. She’s just sad, Sam. She hasn’t said anything, but I can tell she hates all this change.”
“Do you think it’s money worries…about losing the job?” Sam had told Joey that the new vicar didn’t want a housekeeper, and even if he had, the new place was too far for Gloria to travel. She didn’t drive, and the bus routes weren’t good. While Gloria wasn’t broke, her husband hadn’t left her in the land of the Rockefellers, and her state pension wasn’t much.
“It’s not the job. She’s going to miss you.”
Sam poured the tea, and Joey could see she’d burst Sam’s happy bubble. She hadn’t wanted to. She felt miserable about Gloria’s future too.
“I know,” Sam said. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? She’s such an irascible sort, but I love her to bits. She’s like family.”
“What do you think she’ll do?”
“Gloria is the wrong age to break into new employment. I guess she won’t do anything.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll stay in touch with her…have her over for dinner. Maybe she can come and stay over.”
“I’d like that,” Sam said.
“She’s a cantankerous old bird, but I love her too.” Despite Joey’s assurances, Sam didn’t look any happier. She thought of other news that might return Sam’s smile.
“Something else happened today. I’m not sure, but I think I might have found us a house.”
Sam’s eyes widened.
“When I drive to work, I come to a set of traffic lights and I’ve often seen a house set back on a hill. It’s such a pretty place, and with a lovely little garden. Anyway, this morning I was caught up in morning traffic and we’d come to a stop. I happened to look up at the place and it’s got a For Sale sign outside. I hope you don’t mind, but I gave the Realtor a call. She told me it’s empty and that it’s been on the market for a few months. The owners have gone abroad and are interested in selling as soon as possible. They’re willing to consider a sensible offer. It’s in our price range. Do you think we can go see it?”
“I’d love to. Maybe we could take a drive past it after we’ve had tea. Have a snoop.”
Joey started to get excited. There was something about the place calling to her. It was the same when she’d seen the townhouse in Baltimore. No one else had shown any interest in it, but the minute she’d opened the door she knew it would be hers. She hoped Sam would like it enough for them to call the agent back and book a viewing.
After tea, they went to see it.
They drove up the short drive, parked the car, and “snooped.”
It was a four-bedroom detached house in a semi-rural setting. A well-tended garden wrapped itself around the property, and there was a balcony and a patio to the rear. There were numerous garden sheds at the bottom of the garden, and a large double garage at the side of the house. Joey noted how Sam’s eyes locked on to the garage. She was probably thinking of a place for her motorbike.
They peered in at the ground floor windows and saw rooms that were well proportioned and with good ceiling height. The kitchen was less inviting.
“It looks tired and in need of modernization,” Sam said as she pressed her face up at the window.
“And it’s small,” Joey added.
“Yes, but there are several doors off it. I don’t know what’s behind them, but we might be able to open the kitchen up and make it a more open plan.”
“You like it, don’t you,” Joey stated.
Sam stepped back. “The place is dated but nothing a lick of paint won’t change. If the upstairs is as promising as downstairs…”
“And it’s a perfect location for commuting.”
“Small, not too big,” Sam said.
“Big, not too small,” Joey added.
The next day, after Sam returned from her appointment with Dominic Bell, and when Joey finished work, they went around the house with the agent. The day after that, they put in a formal offer subject to the usual checks, which was later accepted.
Three months later, they were standing outside the property with the keys in their hands. They were the new owners.
“Is it me or is everything going well?” Sam leaned into Joey as they looked up at the front of the house. “I have a new job. You enjoy yours. And we are now the proud owners of a house.”
“It’s almost perfect,” Joey said.
“Almost? What more do you want, woman?”
Joey narrowed her eyes. “Something else needs sorting.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
*
Sam and Joey were at the vicarage loading boxes into the back of a hire van.
They had moved into the new house and were in the final throes of taking the precious possessions Sam hadn’t trusted to the removal company. Sam’s happiness w
ould have been perfect but for the fact this was the last time she’d set foot in the vicarage…and with Gloria as housekeeper.
Gloria was in her usual place in the kitchen. Though she was no longer employed, she’d turned up to help pack things into boxes, and to make copious cups of tea and bacon sandwiches.
For all her bluster and acceptance of the change, Gloria couldn’t hide her grief. Sam had caught her sniffling into a handkerchief earlier on. The two of them had developed a bond, albeit an odd one, and Sam suspected that coming to the vicarage nearly every day and taking care of her had become Gloria’s life. Stripped of it, Sam worried that Gloria might wither away.
As Sam and Joey were in the back of the van sliding and organizing boxes, Joey stopped and put her hand on Sam’s.
“You’re upset about Gloria.” Joey had earlier caught Sam wiping a few tears of her own.
“I can’t stand this. She’s breaking my heart. I’m going to miss her, and I’m worried what will happen to her.”
“We’ll stay in touch, Sam.”
“Sure.” But Sam knew their good intentions of staying in touch would eventually fade. And Gloria was such a proud woman. She’d sense what they were doing. Sam hated all of this.
Joey sat down on a box.
“Sam, do you remember I told you there were a few other things that had to be sorted? Well, I’ve been busy. I think I’ve found Gloria a job, but I want your approval before I tell her. You might not like my idea.”
“What?” Sam asked.
Joey had waited until today to surprise Sam and Gloria. Sam was staring at her, waiting to hear her news. Joey tried not to let her excitement show.
“Pretty much the same work as she does now and for a couple. The place is nearby too,” Joey said.
“Are they nice?”
“I think so.”
“Will they pay her as much…like her sense of humor?”
Joey smiled at Sam’s protectiveness. “I think they will.”
“They know she’s not young…that she can’t lift heavy things? They’ll have to carry the vacuum cleaner up the stairs for her.”
“They know.”
“Who are they? Where do they live?”
Joey leaned into her and whispered in her ear. “They’re us.” She waited till she saw the smile on Sam’s face before she pulled her from the van. “Come on.”
As they walked into the kitchen, Gloria had her back to them and was washing up.
“Gloria, can you stop? We’ve got a proposal for you,” Joey said.
Gloria turned with the brush still in her hand.
Joey linked an arm through Sam’s. “It’s quite simple. Sam and I both have busy jobs. The new house is fairly large. Neither of us is particularly good at housework. You already know what Sam’s housekeeping skills are like.”
“Joey’s aren’t much better,” Sam added dryly.
“We’ve spoken about this, and we’ve decided we need a housekeeper. Would you be interested in becoming our housekeeper? The house is no farther travel for you, and there’s a direct bus route…better than here.”
Sam looked at her surprised.
“I’ve checked them,” Joey explained.
“Impressive,” Sam said under her breath before speaking to Gloria. “The current kitchen is not good, but it’s the first room we’re going to modernize. We’re knocking a few walls down so things will be messy to begin with.”
Joey took over. “Now I know you’ll probably have other jobs lined up and—”
“What are you paying?” Gloria crossed her arms, the brush held like an assault weapon.
“Same terms as here?” Sam answered.
“So no extra travel involved?” Gloria said.
“None,” Sam and Joey answered in union.
“And you’re not expecting me to clear up brick rubble?”
“Heaven’s forbid, no,” Sam said. “Joey can do that.”
Gloria stood awhile before she finally said, “I’ll take it.”
Seconds later, Gloria burst into tears. “I’m so happy.”
Joey and Sam stepped forward and indulged in a rare group hug.
Gloria sniffed. “When do I start?”
“Yesterday,” Sam said.
*
“You’re a wonderful woman,” Sam whispered in Joey’s ear as they lay in bed. Not a day went by where she wasn’t grateful for the life she now had. Everything could have turned out so differently, but somehow both of them had managed to overcome hurdles and find each other.
Joey pulled Sam’s arms tighter around her.
“It was the perfect solution. I was worried Gloria might say no and that she might see our job offer as charity,” Joey said.
“One look at the kitchen and she’ll know it isn’t,” Sam said.
They laughed. The kitchen was still in its original state and was horrible. The builders were moving in next week to start knocking down walls. Both could imagine Gloria’s bellyaching over dust and rubble.
When their laughter died down, Joey turned to her, her face serious.
Sam wondered what was on her mind.
“Can we talk about the civil ceremony?”
They had fixed a date and the guest list had gone out. Ann and Len were flying over. The marriage arrangements had been put off until Ann was able to travel. They would be arriving in less than a month and were going to stay on for a while after the ceremony so they could do some traveling.
“There’s something I want to do while Mom and Dad are here.”
“Go on.”
“I’ve done something and I hope I’ve got this right. I’ve asked Neil if he would bless our marriage…not in a church because I know he can’t do that, but maybe sometime after the civil ceremony. I thought we could have another smaller reception the following week.”
“You aren’t religious.”
“No, I’m not, but I know it’s important to you, and Neil is a good friend. I asked him…I told him I’m not a believer.”
“What did he say?”
“He’s jumped at the suggestion and really wants to do it. We could arrange it while Mom and Dad are here, before they start their travels.”
“Where?”
“In our back garden. It’ll be beautiful. We can put up a small tent in case it rains.” Joey paused. “What do you think?”
Sam shifted and gazed into Joey’s face. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Neil will love doing it. I know he’s disappointed he can’t marry us at St. Mary’s.”
“It’ll mean a lot to Mom too.”
“And Len?” Sam asked.
“Dad will be happy if Mom is.”
Sam ran a hand across Joey’s forehead, pushing her hair back. “I thought I was going to die an old, unloved woman. But you’ve come into my life and totally changed all that. Have I told you, Josephine Barry, how happy I am and how very much I love you?”
Joey smiled seductively. “A woman can never be told that enough…or shown.” She reached a hand up and pulled Sam’s face down to hers. She gave her a long passionate kiss. “Show me, Vicar.”
About the Author
I. Beacham grew up in the heart of England, a green and pleasant land, mainly because it rains so much. This is probably why she ran away to sea, to search for dry places. Over the years, and during long periods away from home constantly traveling to faraway places, she has balanced the rigidity of her professional life with her need and love to write.
Blessed with a wicked sense of humor (not all agree), she is a lover of all things water, a dreadful jogger and cook, a hopeless romantic who roams antique stores, an addict of old black and white movies, and an adorer of science fiction. In her opinion, a perfect life.
I. Beacham can be contacted at: [email protected]
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
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Phoenix Rising by Rebecca Harwell. As Storm’s Quarry faces invasion from a powerful neighbor, a mysterious newcomer with powers equal to Nadya’s challenges everything she believes about herself and her future (978-1-62639-913-6)
Soul Survivor by I. Beacham. Sam and Joey have given up on hope, but when fate brings them together it gives them a chance to change each other’s life and make dreams come true. (978-1-62639-882-5)
Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden. When Margaret Beringer’s first love Courtney Carrington returns to their small town, she must grapple with their troubled past and fight the temptation for a very delicious future. (978-1-62639-867-2)
The Girl on the Edge of Summer by J.M. Redmann. Micky Knight accepts two cases, but neither is the easy investigation it appears. The past is never past—and young girls lead complicated, even dangerous lives. (978-1-62639-687-6)
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Fury’s Bridge by Brey Willows. What if your life depended on someone who didn’t believe in your existence? (978-1-62639-841-2)
Lightning Strikes by Cass Sellars. When Parker Duncan and Sydney Hyatt’s one-night stand turns to more, both women must fight demons past and present to cling to the relationship neither of them thought she wanted. (978-1-62639-956-3)
Love in Disaster by Charlotte Greene. A professor and a celebrity chef are drawn together by chance, but can their attraction survive a natural disaster? (978-1-62639-885-6)
