felt comfortable about leaving Lilly here.
“It’s perfect for Lilly. You would have a place for her?”
“Yes, we cater for twenty children at a time. Bring her along tomorrow and we’ll work out all the finer details then.”
Chapter Five
At home, Lilly had fallen asleep on the couch and Mrs. Harris sat watching television. At home. It sounded good to be able to say that.
“How did it go?”
“Good, I got the job and the employer funded child minding center is really nice. I’m sure Lilly will like it there.”
“See, dear, I told you everything would work out. Make sure you send that letter off to the pension people though. If the job doesn’t work out, or Lilly isn’t happy you still have some income.”
“I’ll do it today. I hope she wasn’t any trouble?”
“No, the cat kept her entertained for most of the time. Wore her out I think.” Mrs. Harris chuckled. “She dropped off to sleep about half an hour ago.”
“Thank you for everything. As soon as I get paid, I’ll start giving you rent.”
“Don’t worry about the rent. If you help me pack that would be more than enough payment.”
“I’ll be happy to help, but I’ll still pay you some rent.”
“Don’t think I’m an old busy-body, but I took the liberty of speaking to the real estate agent and explained about you.” Mrs. Harris twisted her wedding ring around. “The new owners are happy for you to stay on for a while. They’d be prepared to negotiate a nominal rent in return for you keeping an eye on the place.”
Holly couldn’t hide her delight. “That would be perfect. I could make sure the letter box is cleared, even keep the garden tidy.” She gave Mrs. Harris a spontaneous hug. “What a terrific day it’s been.” Her luck appeared to be changing at long last. A new job, a crèche for Lilly and somewhere to stay - - all achieved within one glorious day. She felt so excited she wanted to share the good news around. Justin.
“Would you mind if I use your phone, Mrs. Harris? I’d like to ring a....a friend. He put in a good word for me at Glen Fern.”
“Of course not, dear. I am going to pop down the street. Need anything?”
“No, thanks.”
Butterflies fluttered around in the pit of her stomach as her trembling hand reached for the phone. What if Justin was busy? Worse still, he didn’t want to be bothered with them. Silly to think he would have anything but a passing interest in a widow with a small child.
“Good afternoon, Justin Devereux’s office,” said a brisk, no-nonsense female voice.
“Could you put me through to Justin, please?” She tried to sound articulate and professional.
“I’m sorry. Mr. Devereux isn’t taking any calls at present.”
“I’m sure he’d speak to me. It’s important,” she lied. “Holly Kirwan’s my name.”
“I’ll put you on hold and check with him.”
Holly waited, clutching the phone like a lifeline, as she listened to soft background music. What if he didn’t want to speak to her? She couldn’t understand why the thought upset her so much.
She heard a click followed almost immediately by Justin saying. “Hello, Holly. How are you?”
“Good, how are you?” They sounded like two polite acquaintances meeting in an elevator. “I rang to thank you about Glen Fern,” she babbled. “I got the job.”
“Congratulations. How’s Lilly?”
“Fine. Everything seems to be falling into place for us. I was able to move back where I used to live, too.” She gave a breathy little laugh. “You must be my good luck charm.”
“I don’t know about that.” He laughed, a deep throaty chuckle that did funny things to her insides.
“I... I just wanted to let you know.” Surely she could come up with something better than that. She racked her brains trying to think of some smart follow-up line and drew a complete blank.
“We’ll have to celebrate. How about coming out to dinner with me tonight? We could go to Maximums,” he
“It’s perfect for Lilly. You would have a place for her?”
“Yes, we cater for twenty children at a time. Bring her along tomorrow and we’ll work out all the finer details then.”
Chapter Five
At home, Lilly had fallen asleep on the couch and Mrs. Harris sat watching television. At home. It sounded good to be able to say that.
“How did it go?”
“Good, I got the job and the employer funded child minding center is really nice. I’m sure Lilly will like it there.”
“See, dear, I told you everything would work out. Make sure you send that letter off to the pension people though. If the job doesn’t work out, or Lilly isn’t happy you still have some income.”
“I’ll do it today. I hope she wasn’t any trouble?”
“No, the cat kept her entertained for most of the time. Wore her out I think.” Mrs. Harris chuckled. “She dropped off to sleep about half an hour ago.”
“Thank you for everything. As soon as I get paid, I’ll start giving you rent.”
“Don’t worry about the rent. If you help me pack that would be more than enough payment.”
“I’ll be happy to help, but I’ll still pay you some rent.”
“Don’t think I’m an old busy-body, but I took the liberty of speaking to the real estate agent and explained about you.” Mrs. Harris twisted her wedding ring around. “The new owners are happy for you to stay on for a while. They’d be prepared to negotiate a nominal rent in return for you keeping an eye on the place.”
Holly couldn’t hide her delight. “That would be perfect. I could make sure the letter box is cleared, even keep the garden tidy.” She gave Mrs. Harris a spontaneous hug. “What a terrific day it’s been.” Her luck appeared to be changing at long last. A new job, a crèche for Lilly and somewhere to stay - - all achieved within one glorious day. She felt so excited she wanted to share the good news around. Justin.
“Would you mind if I use your phone, Mrs. Harris? I’d like to ring a....a friend. He put in a good word for me at Glen Fern.”
“Of course not, dear. I am going to pop down the street. Need anything?”
“No, thanks.”
Butterflies fluttered around in the pit of her stomach as her trembling hand reached for the phone. What if Justin was busy? Worse still, he didn’t want to be bothered with them. Silly to think he would have anything but a passing interest in a widow with a small child.
“Good afternoon, Justin Devereux’s office,” said a brisk, no-nonsense female voice.
“Could you put me through to Justin, please?” She tried to sound articulate and professional.
“I’m sorry. Mr. Devereux isn’t taking any calls at present.”
“I’m sure he’d speak to me. It’s important,” she lied. “Holly Kirwan’s my name.”
“I’ll put you on hold and check with him.”
Holly waited, clutching the phone like a lifeline, as she listened to soft background music. What if he didn’t want to speak to her? She couldn’t understand why the thought upset her so much.
She heard a click followed almost immediately by Justin saying. “Hello, Holly. How are you?”
“Good, how are you?” They sounded like two polite acquaintances meeting in an elevator. “I rang to thank you about Glen Fern,” she babbled. “I got the job.”
“Congratulations. How’s Lilly?”
“Fine. Everything seems to be falling into place for us. I was able to move back where I used to live, too.” She gave a breathy little laugh. “You must be my good luck charm.”
“I don’t know about that.” He laughed, a deep throaty chuckle that did funny things to her insides.
“I... I just wanted to let you know.” Surely she could come up with something better than that. She racked her brains trying to think of some smart follow-up line and drew a complete blank.
“We’ll have to celebrate. How about coming out to dinner with me tonight? We could go to Maximums,” he
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