by Alan Cooke
Avoiding a large hole in the cracked pavement she almost bumped into an elderly lady walking in front of her. The lady appeared unsteady and suddenly she cried out, staggered across the pavement, clutched at a railing and slid to the ground. Carol was shocked into action. Trying to get a response from the lady she soon realised that the cause of the fall was serious. Her face was ashen and her mouth open trying to breathe.
Carol was joined by another passer-by and between them they made the lady as comfortable as possible before Carol called for an ambulance on her mobile phone. Things did not look good and Carol thought the lady might have had a heart attack. The traffic was particularly heavy at that time in the morning and it seemed an age before she heard the sound of an ambulance siren followed by that of a police car. The ambulance crew quickly took charge of the situation and soon had the casualty on a stretcher, into the ambulance and off to the hospital. A policeman asked Carol and her fellow helper to give statements about the incident which took some time. Picking up her bag which she had left by the railings she then checked her watch and was shocked to see her interview time had passed. Quickly removing her shoes she ran as fast as she could to the hotel.
In the foyer she saw the notice board detailing daily events and read that R.L.G. interviews were on the fourth floor. Dashing to the lift, she pressed buttons for both lifts. Nothing happened, one was stationary on the seventh floor, the other in the basement where Carol could hear noise of heavy items being loaded onto or off the lift. There was nothing for it but to find the staircase and run.
On the fourth floor she saw the reception desk with an R.L.G. logo standing at one side of it. The middle aged lady sitting at the desk looked up from the paperwork she was holding and glared at Carol.
‘Good morning, I’m Carol Barcroft. Terribly sorry I’m late but ...’ She didn’t have time to finish the sentence before the woman cut in aggressively.
‘I know your type, can’t get out of bed in the morning. Can’t think how you can expect to get a job with our Company. You will have to wait until all the other interviews are finished then Mr Collins might see you. If it’s after five I’m afraid you will have missed it.’
Carol was furious, the anger showing on her face. ‘My God, if there are people like you in the business I wouldn’t want to work for your company. I see that’s my application you have there.’ Carol reached over, picked up her application form and spun around towards the lift where the doors were just opening. The receptionist sat open mouthed watching Carol’s retreating back. By the time she had reached the ground floor her anger had turned to outrage. She would have her revenge. Calling at the reception desk she asked a member of staff if she could have a sheet of paper and a pen. She moved to a table and started to write. When she had finished, she took the paper and pinned it to the notice board. In bold letters the message read,
R.L.G. (1948) LTD. APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED THAT INTERVIEWS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. A LETTER WILL FOLLOW.
She didn’t feel guilty. Her thoughts were that she had saved someone from a job from hell. Heading for the exit she paused, tore up her application form and put it into a nearby waste bin. She didn’t notice the tall businessman get up from his seat, and once she had left the building and retrieve her forms from the waste bin.
On the way home she called in to see Sonia, one of her friends whose husband was her G.P. They had been friends for four years after meeting at the local gym and Carol felt comfortable pouring out details of the interview fiasco. Sonia was immediately sympathetic but thought her friend had acted a little hastily. She told Carol she was having a party in two weeks and it would help take her mind off her situation even for a short while. She had thanked Sonia and told her it would certainly help and she would love to come.
Two weeks were nearly up and there had been only one letter, another rejection. During the week she had a telephone call from an acquaintance who asked her to join a few people who were meeting at a pub before going on to Sonia and Ferdy’s party. She had agreed, this was something she needed right now, an escape from her predicament.
Checking her wardrobe, she decided on a dress which she had bought in a sale the previous year but had never worn. Trying it on again, it was just right, she felt good in it and it showed her figure to its advantage. Arriving at the pub which was only a ten minute walk away, she found it packed with people. Someone called her name and she was pleased to see Margie who had called her earlier in the week.
‘Hi Carol, come and join us.’ Dodging the crowds, Carol made her way to a large group of people all chattering away at top speed. ‘Everyone,’ Margie’s voice shrilled over the hum of conversation, ‘this is Carol, a friend of mine. Make her welcome.’ There was a general clamour of acceptance of the new arrival which helped Carol to relax a little. Someone thrust a glass of white wine in her hand and introduced himself as Hugo. Soon the two of them were deeply engrossed in conversation, and when Margie called out that it was time to go, Carol and Hugo left as a couple.
There were some thirty to forty people at the party where drinks flowed freely. Hugo stayed by Carol’s side. He was charming and attentive asking her about herself and making the right noises when she told him of her situation. In return he told her he had just returned from Hong Kong and was currently staying at the Mayfair, a five star hotel in the town while looking for a property to buy. In the meantime he would check out the market until his finances were sorted out and funds transferred from Hong Kong to his bank.
‘Have you known Ferdy and Sonia long?’ This was one interesting man and Carol could see that he was the type who would move in their circle.
‘Ferdy, I’ve known him for years. I see your glass is empty, let me get you another?’ Before she could reply he had taken the glass and headed for a table where bottles were lined up waiting to be emptied. Once he had topped up their glasses, he returned to Carol’s side.
‘You have had a very exciting life, won’t you find the U.K. a bit dull after those years in the East?’ She thought it would be very difficult, her imagination running riot on how Hugo’s life had been. He was obviously a high flyer and would have the lifestyle to go with it.
‘You know, life can be exciting wherever you are, even in the U.K. there’s always something going on, and having travelled a fair bit I’ve built up quite a network of friends around the world. Most end up in London some time or other, they’ll keep me busy I’m sure.’
Having had time to reflect while he was getting the drinks, she thought he was a very nice man. Not pushy, not suggestive but nice. Could she rent him a room, rather than him paying Mayfair Hotel prices, it would ease her financial commitments. What had she got to lose? Ferdy was very choosy about his friends, so Hugo was obviously honest and reliable otherwise he wouldn’t have invited him to the party.
‘Don’t think me presumptuous, but I could offer far better rates than the Mayfair, and you would be with friends. I have a spare room, all newly decorated and furnished. I won’t be hurt if you say no.’ She wouldn’t feel hurt but she would be disappointed, this was a chance to survive a little longer.
‘Carol, you are so kind, I do find hotels soulless places even those on the triple A list.’ He was looking directly at her, locking his eyes on hers and getting satisfaction from the warmth her eyes signalled. ‘I have a meeting tomorrow and mid- morning the following day, if it’s alright by you, I would be free after that.’
The noise from the chatter around them had increased as the alcohol continued to flow and he moved closer to her creating an intimacy which she enjoyed.
They had food from the buffet and more drinks, but the only person she spoke to all evening was Hugo. Sonia had seen them together, obviously enjoying each other’s company, and decided to leave well alone. Her invitation to Carol had worked out well.
The evening came to an end too soon for Carol. She was relaxed, a result of the wine and also Hugo’s company. Best of all she had found a paying guest so maybe she could keep up her mor
tgage repayments.
Outside Hugo asked Carol if she would like a taxi to get home as it was late, but she declined. ‘It’s only a ten minute walk and it’s quite safe around here, the walk will do me good. Should I ring you at the hotel so I can call and pick you up on Thursday? Oh! And I don’t even know your surname, I can’t just ask for Hugo can I.’
‘If you would ring me that would be excellent, the name’s Biggs-Connaughton, it’s a bit of a mouthful I’m afraid. I usually use only Connaughton, but the full name is on my passport. The family was originally from Ireland, land and horses you know. Not my scene at all. Now I’m the only one left as far as I know, but there could be the odd one hiding in the woodwork. Who knows everything about their family lines? If some do exist they wouldn’t want an ageing relative turning up on their doorstep. That’s enough about me. Thanks for this evening Carol I have really enjoyed it.’ He took her hand and squeezed it. ‘I’d better be on my way. Are you sure I can’t walk you home?’
‘No thanks Hugo, I want to make plans for tomorrow while I’m walking home, the fresh air will revive my flagging brain and who knows what brilliant ideas I might come up with.’ With this she turned in the direction of her flat and set off at a steady pace. With the night air, her head was clearing, this would be a good time to think.
Hugo was similarly engaged. He had plans to make, and some of them involved the delightful Carol. The stroll back to the Mayfair would give him enough time to sort something out for the coming weeks. He wanted an uncluttered mind and by the time he would get back to the bar in the Mayfair, there might be the odd group of female executives letting their hair down, eager for attentive company. Once they were away from home on Company business they took advantage of the unaccustomed freedom, and Hugo was thankful for it.
Two days and three rejection letters later, Carol rang Hugo to arrange a pick up time outside the hotel. He was there as arranged together with luggage. As she drove into the hotel forecourt she was pleasantly surprised to see that he was handsome and she hadn’t just convinced herself that he was. He smiled and waved as she pulled up alongside the kerb. Waving back she reminded herself she should not be too enthusiastic, welcoming yes, but not gushing.
‘Hello Hugo, hope I haven’t kept you waiting, I can never trust my watch.’ Looking at her wrist, she gently tapped the watch face without seeing it. She was on time to the minute. She released the boot lock so Hugo could load in his luggage. ‘It only takes ten minutes to get to the flat, and then I’ll get you sorted out with a bed and a grand tour of its four rooms.’ She laughed. ‘It won’t be up to the standard you’re used to, but it’s clean and comfortable.’ Ten minutes later, his belongings had been deposited in the spare bedroom and Carol had put the kettle on for coffee. ‘Well that was all very painless,’ she said to herself as she picked up the tray in the kitchen ready to give her paying guest his first sample of her hospitality.
After the coffee was poured and the nibbles offered, Carol decided to lay her cards on the table. ‘You may remember Hugo, at the party I told you of my redundancy situation. Sorry to bring it up again but I think it’s better to sort this out from at the beginning.’ It wasn’t easy for her to do this, she felt almost like a beggar, but before she had time to continue, Hugo interrupted.
‘It was my turn to speak Carol, and you interrupted me,’ he said laughing at her. ‘When I think how kind you have been rescuing me from the dreaded Mayfair, I must really repay that kindness. Am I being too mean if I say five hundred pounds a week? Don’t pull any punches if you think it’s too little. I am not yet reattuned to U.K. currency.’ He leaned forward towards her, his hands together moving towards his face as if in thoughtful prayer.
It was far too much but it would solve her immediate problems. She couldn’t be dishonest and reacted quickly. ‘Hugo, that’s far too much, how about...’ She didn’t get a chance to finish before his hands had reached out and grasped hers.
‘If you knew how much the Mayfair was costing you wouldn’t say that. I think my offer is fair and I would be offended if you declined it.’ His face had a hurt look which immediately made Carol feel guilty.
‘It is really very kind of you Hugo, it will certainly help me out. But if I get fixed up with a job in the next week or so we’ll halve the amount, do you agree?’ Glancing at him, she felt that he would say yes but mean no.
‘Of course I agree, but don’t forget I’m still waiting for my money to come from Hong Kong. It should be through this coming week with luck, but occasionally time and distance don’t make good marriage partners.’ He creased his brow as though to warn Carol that the money might not be as immediate as she had hoped. ‘I have my credit card so I can buy all the things we might need until the bank turns up trumps.’ He was his affable self again which reassured her. ‘By the way, I had an interesting offer in London, similar to the Hong Kong job. The pay is marvellous, but my grapevine is proving more interesting right now. You have to be happy in the job even if the pay is in six figures, don’t you agree?’
‘My view exactly. It was a let off with R.L.G. (1948 Ltd.) That would never have worked even if they had offered me a job.’ She was warming to him even more. His opinions were hers too and it was not often that happened between a man and a woman.
The following morning Carol told Hugo that she had to go the cash dispenser to get some money before continuing her job search and he offered to accompany her. He didn’t like seeing females on their own at cash points, they were too vulnerable. Relating things about thieves targeting people and stealing their cards having first watched the individual key in their security number soon had Carol looking over her shoulder. It was a very bleak picture that he painted of today’s society, and she was pleased to have his company while she got her money.
They didn’t see much of each other over the next week as they both followed their own itineraries. At the weekend they decided to have dinner together in the flat. Carol prepared the meal, set up the dining table and decided that this was to be a candlelit dinner. The wine and brandy that followed put her totally at ease. She had worried that her cooking might not do the meal justice but, with a little help from Marks and Spencer’s things had worked really well and Hugo had been profuse in his praise and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. Carol responded and soon they were in each other’s arms. She needed this closeness, this support and when Hugo’s hands moved over her body she responded willingly. That night he moved into her bed.
Each morning he was up before Carol, bringing her coffee and toast in bed. He had told her he liked to keep fit, and after leaving the tray with her, he would put on shorts and trainers and leave the flat for half an hour. Telling her to stay in bed until he returned, he would join her after showering. It was always a very happy Hugo who returned to give Carol a kiss before joining her in bed for the promised half hour. She was pleased she had bought a new bed, if she had kept her old one, the noise from their love making would have been heard throughout the block.
He encouraged her to go out each morning and visit preselected businesses which might be interested in her as a potential employee. Although the response to date had been negative, the support Hugo gave her blunted the edge from the disappointment she had first felt. He was proving to be the asset she had hoped for. One day on her return from job hunting, Hugo told her he had some business to deal with in the City and would not be back until the following day. She would miss him and the support he gave her.
Soon after Hugo had left the flat for his City trip, the telephone rang. Carol answered in her usual cheerful manner but was in shock when the caller finished his first sentence.
‘Yes, it is overdrawn by over two thousand pounds, we did agree an overdraft but not this much. You have of course been withdrawing the maximum amount a day from the cash line, this has added to the problem. I did ring you last week but a man answered the phone and said you were on holiday. It was only when I looked out of my office window yesterday that I saw you crossing th
e road. You should come in to see me as soon as possible so that you can update me on your plans.’
She stood clutching the telephone, staring at nothing in particular, stunned by the information she had been given. ‘Yes. Yes.’ Her words were barely audible.
‘When should I come in?’
‘Well you have a number of standing order payments to make, and nothing in your account, so I would suggest four o’clock today.’ His manner was now intimidating, or Carol sensed it was. She would have to sit down and think things out.
‘Yes. Four o’clock. I’ll be there.’ She didn’t wait for an answer. The telephone handset was slowly replaced before the tears started to flow. It could only be Hugo. Should she wait and confront him? He may not be back tonight, and if he was, what would happen. In a flash she remembered Ferdy, he would know what to do.
The call was answered by a receptionist who told her that Dr. Grainger was doing house calls but would then be going directly home. She rang his home number hoping to get Sonia but the answer machine had cut in and she couldn’t think of anything to say.
She had felt helpless unemployed, but this was catastrophic. Who was this man who she had let into her home and her bed and who might have plundered her bank account? Questions needed answers. She would go to the bank first and then visit Sonia and Ferdy.
It was an embarrassing meeting, she had to tell the Bank Manager the whole story and he had been very understanding. He had even offered to increase her overdraft to cover the losses and the current month’s outstanding orders, one of which was her mortgage repayment. However he did warn her that she might find herself without a flat if payments were not maintained. Thanking him for his understanding she let him know that she had no intention of sitting back and letting that happen.
