by Jonker, Joan
‘Yes’ he agreed, ‘a pleasure indeed.’
Philip and his uncle were having their lunch in the State Hotel when the younger man asked, ‘Uncle Simon, have you anyone in mind for my secretary?’
Simon Astbury raised his thick white eyebrows. ‘I presumed you would be bringing your present secretary with you. I’m used to hearing you singing her praises.’
‘She is very efficient, I must admit.’ Philip decided a little white lie was called for. ‘However, the other two partners feel she will be needed for the new man they are bringing in to fill my position as she is familiar with our clients. And as I have given so little notice of my departure, I felt it would be unfair of me to deprive them of such an efficient worker. You must admit, Uncle, a good secretary is jolly hard to find.’
‘Then we must be quick about finding a replacement for Miss Saunders as we are both leaving in just two weeks. I’ll have a word with her when we get back, perhaps she knows someone who would fit the bill.’ Simon picked up the heavy linen napkin and patted his lips. ‘Miss Coombes is very punctual and efficient, but she is settled in with James and I’m sure he wouldn’t want to share her.’
‘What about Mrs Sinclair? I was talking to her while you were busy and she seems to have had a decent education. She is certainly articulate.’
His uncle showed surprise. ‘Mrs Sinclair is an office clerk, she does not have the qualifications to be a secretary.’
‘You do surprise me,’ Philip said. ‘I walked into Miss Saunders’ office after leaving yours because I heard the click of a typewriter and wondered who could be in there. I found Mrs Sinclair sitting at the desk, typing. She stopped immediately so I couldn’t say for sure how fast she was. But I’m surprised you didn’t know this, Uncle Simon? She’s obviously far too intelligent to be a mere clerk.’
Simon looked at his nephew under his thick eyebrows. ‘And of course she is very attractive too, is she not?’ He shook his head. ‘Don’t you tire of constantly moving from woman to woman? Would you not like to settle down with a good wife and raise a family?’
‘Good heavens, Uncle Simon, are you trying to spoil my lunch for me?’ Philip laughed, for he and his uncle were very close and dear to each other. ‘I ask a question about a member of your staff who is, I admit, very attractive, and it leads directly to my settling down and getting married. Oh, and raising a family.’
‘You are incorrigible, Philip,’ Simon Astbury said, a smile on his thin, lined face. ‘Anyway, I know very little about Mrs Sinclair apart from the fact that she’s a war widow. Perhaps Miss Saunders would be the best person to whom to direct your questions. She probably knows more about the woman’s qualifications than I do. And in the meantime, could we forget the office and enjoy our meal in peace? It isn’t often I have a companion to talk to over a decent meal and a glass of excellent claret. So indulge an old man and forget your pursuit of the opposite sex for the next half-hour.’
Philip feigned shock. ‘Half an hour, Uncle Simon, surely not! That’s an eternity.’
‘You mark my words, young man, the day will come when one of the pretty girls you pursue will trap you in her net. And I hope I live long enough to see it, it would give me great pleasure.’
‘I’ll see if I can arrange it, Uncle, but didn’t you suggest a while ago that we should eat our meal in peace? It will soon be time to return to the office.’
‘Miss Saunders, may I have a word with you in your office?’ Philip knew that Mrs Sinclair was in his uncle’s room filing away some correspondence and wanted to take advantage of her absence. ‘I won’t keep you long from your work.’
‘That’s all right, Mr Philip, the letters I have to type practically all read the same so I don’t have to keep checking my notes.’ Mildred led the way into her office, and when Philip was inside, closed the door. ‘How can I help you?’
‘It concerns my secretary.’ He sat down and crossed his legs. ‘Uncle Simon was under the impression I was bringing my own, but two of us leaving the firm at once is a little too much. It would be inconsiderate of me to leave my previous partners short-staffed. After all, I’ve been there for ten years, and we have always worked in harmony. I would not like to walk out leaving any bad feeling. Which means I have to find a new secretary before my uncle retires.’ Forever the ladies’ man, he added, ‘Of course, you would have been ideal, but alas you too are leaving. Which leads me to ask for your help. I do hope you don’t mind my taking advantage of your experience?’
Mildred was old enough to want to retire, but not too old to succumb to the charm of such a handsome young man. ‘Not at all, Mr Philip! If I can help then I will be more than happy to do so. What had you in mind?’
‘I met a young woman in your office this morning. Her name, she told me, is Mrs Sinclair. She was busy at the typewriter at the time, and I took her to be a senior secretary. But Uncle Simon tells me she is merely a clerk and not experienced enough to take over from you. In fact, he was of the opinion that she was unable to type. So I thought I would seek out someone who has the welfare of this firm at heart and ask for her opinion.’ His lopsided grin, as he’d expected, had her going weak at the knees. ‘Do you think Mrs Sinclair, given a little time, is capable of following in your footsteps?’
‘Oh, I couldn’t say with any certainty, Mr Philip, that wouldn’t be fair to you. But she worked in an office before she was married, and was qualified then in both shorthand and typing. She admits she is rusty now, after so long, but I allowed her to use my office this morning, and was quite pleased with her speed on the typewriter. Not up to the standard required, mind you, but she could well pass a test in a few weeks.’ Mildred thought she’d better include the other female member of staff in this conversation too. ‘Miss Coombes mentioned that she would be happy to serve both you and Mr Woodward for the time being. And she suggested that as your uncle has the heavier workload, with her experience, it would be best if she stayed with your uncle and his replacement, and the new secretary could work for Mr Woodward.’
There, Mildred told herself, no one could accuse her of not passing on the message as she’d promised. But she hadn’t promised anything else. ‘I don’t think that would work, frankly. I believe a new member of staff would be better placed with a new partner, so they could learn together how the office has been run under Mr Simon. We had a system, understood each other, and have worked in harmony for more years than I care to remember.’
Philip remembered flattery always worked for him. As he was intrigued by the very attractive war widow, he now flashed his best smile. ‘It would solve all our problems if you could stay on, Miss Saunders. My troubles would be over then, I think we would work well together. But I understand your desire to retire, and am in agreement that you have earned the right to enjoy some freedom now. You have served my uncle well, our whole family agrees, and we are grateful to you.’
Blushing like a schoolgirl, Mildred was indeed delighted by such praise. ‘It has been a pleasure to serve Mr Simon. In all the years we have worked together there has never been a cross word. I shall miss him, and miss coming to this office every day too. But no one can go on for ever, Mr Philip, age catches up with us all eventually.’
‘Nonsense, Mildred! You don’t look a day older than you did ten years ago. I have watched Uncle Simon grow older, but you never seem to change.’
It was the first time the blushing woman had been addressed by her first name since she came to work for the firm, and she lowered her head to hide her embarrassment. ‘Now you know that’s not true, Mr Philip, the mirror in my bedroom tells me otherwise. But it’s nice to be flattered by a handsome young man.’
Philip left his chair and sat on the edge of the desk. ‘Sit down, Mildred, and let’s discuss this further. I want the take-over from Uncle Simon to go smoothly so that our clients are not inconvenienced. In other words, in the next two weeks I have to learn everything I need to know. Now, can we go back to Mrs Sinclair? I know she is at present filing away copies o
f letters to and from clients which I hope means she is familiar with the filing system and able to put her hand on any correspondence I may need? Am I correct in thinking this?’
Mildred nodded. ‘Oh, yes, she is very competent. You will never find a file or a letter out of place. She is always able to put her hand on anything she is asked for. And she is familiar with the working of the office, which it would take a newcomer several months to get used to. There are many points in her favour, I have to say. She is always neat, never a hair out of place, and quite capable of answering the telephone politely and welcoming clients to the office. In fact, several clients have commented on her style and deportment.’
‘Both qualities which are an asset to the firm, would you not say?’ His uncle’s secretary was eating out of Philip’s hand by now, and nodded enthusiastically. So he pressed the case he was quite sure he would win. Mrs Sinclair’s looks and manner had appealed to him, and he intended to become better acquainted with her. Miss Saunders was being very co-operative, and he was sure she would add her weight to his intention of making Mrs Sinclair his secretary. If she didn’t, then he would seek permission from the uncle who would deny him nothing. One thing he was certain of: Janet Coombes would never get close to him. She may be an excellent worker, but he didn’t find her in the least attractive. He’d only met her once socially and then she’d been all over him, practically drooling. Philip liked a challenge, he didn’t want an easy conquest, there was no thrill or fun attached to it.
‘Well, what do you think, Mildred?’ he asked, knowing it made little difference what the older woman said for his mind had been made up since Evelyn had walked out of the office, saying indifferently, ‘It has been most pleasant talking to you.’ He had immediately told himself that this was a challenge he couldn’t resist. ‘I think we should give her a chance, rather than taking on a new member of staff. After all, she has been here for a couple of years and deserves to be considered. And I’m sure that while you are here, you will continue to offer her all the help you can.’
‘You have my promise that my office will be at her disposal for at least an hour in the mornings and an hour in the afternoon.’
Philip stepped away from the desk and ran his fingers down the immaculate crease in his trousers. ‘I don’t think Mrs Sinclair should be approached by me or your good self. Uncle Simon is the obvious one to interview her. That’s if she’s interested in taking up the position, of course. Perhaps she has a private income and doesn’t need any extra money?’
‘Oh, I’m sure she will be interested, Mr Philip, I don’t think she has any private income. She is as careful with money as she is with her clothes. She never mentions a family, so I have always presumed she lives alone. Never talks about her dead husband either, but of course the reason for that may be that she finds it too painful.’
‘Then I’ll ask Uncle Simon to go gently with her. On such a delicate subject as her late husband, I’m sure he will be very understanding.’ Philip put a hand on each of Miss Saunders’ shoulders, sending shock waves down her spine. ‘You are a brick, Mildred, and I am indebted to you for your help. I hope our plan works, for I would hate to take over from my uncle while working with a secretary who knows nothing of the firm or its clients. At least Mrs Sinclair can hold my hand and show me where everything is.’
Mildred was wishing she was twenty-five years younger. She hadn’t been bad-looking then, and might have stood a chance with Philip. Then she mentally shook her head. He was a playboy, not likely to be content with a nice, down-to-earth girl who would keep a good house for him. He would find that far too dull. Playing the field was more in his line. ‘I won’t say anything to Mrs Sinclair, I’ll wait until she tells me, and then I’ll act as though the news is a complete surprise.’
Philip squeezed her shoulder again. ‘How lucky my uncle has been to have you to care for him all these year. Never a worry about correspondence going astray or words mis-spelt. He has been truly blessed.’
And Philip’s words were sincere, for he was very fond of his uncle and had been told over the years how this dear lady made sure his working life was made easy. Always a hot drink when he arrived at the office on a winter’s morning, and never a draught allowed to reach his desk. Philip bent to kiss her forehead. ‘Thank you.’
After leaving a tearful Miss Saunders, he made for his uncle’s office. He rapped on the door with his knuckles and called, ‘It’s only your beloved nephew, Uncle Simon, so you don’t have to hide your snuff box.’
Simon Astbury tried in vain to hide a smile. ‘You cheeky young whippersnaper. Wait until you reach my age, then you too will have to make do with whatever pleasures remain to you.’
Philip pulled out a chair facing his uncle across the shiny dark mahogany desk. ‘Thank you for the warning, Uncle. I shall have to make hay while the sun shines, don’t you agree? I intend to experience as much of life as is humanly possible, and I reckon I have at least thirty years left to do it in.’
‘And with the grace of God you may, my boy. But try to pack everything into the time allotted to you and you may find yourself worn out before you reach the age of fifty. You can never have your cake and eat it.’
‘I intend to do my damnedest, Uncle, but I will remember your words when I reach the grand old age of fifty. For now, I want to talk to you about engaging a secretary. Do you have the time to spare?’
Simon took off his spectacles and laid them on the desk. ‘I will always make time for you. What have you in mind?’
Chapter Five
‘Well, Mrs Sinclair, in two weeks’ time you will be working as my secretary. Meanwhile I hope to find out a little more about how my uncle’s office has been run so efficiently for the last twenty or more years.’ Philip had caught up with Evelyn as she was leaving Miss Saunders’ office after telling her why Mr Simon had asked to see her. ‘I am quite looking forward to the experience, as I hope you are?’
‘Like yourself, Mr Astbury, I have quite a lot to learn in the next two weeks, and think perhaps I would rather answer your question after that. If I wasn’t so out of practice in taking dictation, I would feel much happier about my abilities. As it is, I have to admit to being a little apprehensive.’
Evelyn was feeling quite flustered by the way he was staring her out, but she was determined not to show it. He was very sure of himself, almost cocky, and she didn’t intend to add to his inflated ego. ‘I am not used to this feeling, I am usually so sure of myself. But I’m going to put that down to the surprise your uncle sprang on me. The last thing I expected was to be offered the position of secretary. It’s a position I last held before I was married and, without wanting to sound boastful, I really was very good at my job then.’
She didn’t want him digging too deeply into her past, and tried to step around him. But he was quick to put himself in her path. ‘Oh, and where was this job you were so good at? In the city centre, was it?’
‘I’m a private person, Mr Astbury, not one to gossip about myself or other people. My private life is my own, and I wish to keep it that way. I hope you will understand and respect my wishes?’
‘Ah, well now, Mrs Sinclair, that has made me very curious. Two or three children hidden away, and a man friend perhaps? Or is it one child and two men friends? I am really very intrigued now.’
‘I live alone, Mr Astbury, and that is through choice. After my husband was killed in the war I became a recluse. Over a period of time my friends dropped off one by one, and for the last couple of years my social life has been non-existent.’ Evelyn liked the sound of the life she’d just created, and almost came to believe it herself. But she mustn’t let herself be carried away. ‘May I pass now, please? If I want to be proficient by the end of two weeks, I am really going to have to work hard on both my typing and shorthand speeds. Miss Saunders has kindly offered the use of her machine, but shorthand I’ll have to practise at home. Something we shall both benefit from.’
He watched her take her coat from the
stand and said, ‘I forgot, you only work until four o’clock.’
Evelyn slipped her arms into the sleeves of the coat. ‘Just for today and tomorrow. On Monday I start working full-time.’ She was fastening the buttons as she walked towards the door. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, goodbye.’
Philip stood still for a few minutes after she’d disappeared through the door. And under his breath, he muttered, ‘It’s going to be fun breaking her in.’
He might have thought differently if he could have read Evelyn’s mind as she skipped lightly down the stairs. For while he saw her as an attractive woman whom he would eventually add to his long list of conquests before moving on to the next, she saw him in an entirely different light. She saw him as a way out of the rut she was in, and a way back to the life she believed she deserved. A wealthy husband and a life of luxury. She’d known it would happen some time.
Evelyn’s spirits were high, her mind filled with excitement and pleasure as she sat on the tram on her way home. She had no doubt it was Philip Astbury who had talked his uncle into offering her the position of secretary, which meant he was more than a little interested in her. In fact, he hadn’t hidden the fact he found her attractive. But he was so sure of his ability to charm any woman, she knew he was the love them and leave them type. Because of this, and because she really needed him in order to change her life, she’d decided the way to keep him interested was to play it very cool. And she would do, until she had him just where she wanted him. She didn’t want a short fling, she wanted a lasting relationship which would lead to marriage and her step back up the social ladder to all the trappings that went with wealth.
