Law of Attraction (13 page)

“Well, I’m going to take it as it comes. If we find we enjoy each other’s company it will be a bonus in what has become quite an exciting and interesting life since Kay moved in.” Olive grinned.

“May I change the subject? Have there been any more developments regarding Charlie? Kay told me all about your visit to see Alastair when she made you the appointment with me. Have Twigge and Moore communicated with you since you went to see them?” Michael frowned.

“No, I haven’t heard a dickey bird.”

“Good, I hope it stays that way. I’d better be getting back,” he said. “It’s been an interesting evening with a good result. Well done, Kay. And thank you, Olive, for being a lovely companion.”

Michael let himself out and the two women sat chatting, neither of them feeling ready for bed.

“Len’s a very nice man, Olive. I’m glad he wants to see you again.”

“I hardly know him, but we seem to have a lot in common. He’s been involved in amateur dramatics just like me so we might both audition for the same production. I’d like to do that again. I wonder if he can cook.”

“He did tell me he likes going to restaurants, so I’m sure you’ll have some lovely outings.”

“I might have to buy myself a few new dresses. I haven’t been clothes shopping for a long time. Would you come with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“Good. What a shame your parents couldn’t come and see you dance. Still it will be nice for you to show them where you live when they come tomorrow. You can take them to the office. They won’t exactly see it in action on a Sunday, but you’ve got your key so you can let them see how nice it is. I’ll have a good tea ready for when you get back.”

“That’s very generous of you. I’m sure they’ll be pleased when they meet you. It will put Mum’s mind at rest when she knows I’m in safe hands. And it will give me the chance to ask Dad a few things about the garden.”

Olive pushed herself to her feet. “I think I’ll go to bed. We’ve got another busy day tomorrow. I just hope that if you do go to the office there aren’t any awful incidents like when you showed Betty round.”

Chapter Thirteen

When she awoke, Kay reached out for her teddy bear and hugged him. Yesterday had been wonderful. Wanting to take another look at the cup on the mantelpiece, she pulled on a light robe and went downstairs. There was no sign of Olive in the kitchen or the sitting room.

Kay picked up the trophy and waltzed around the room, reliving the previous evening. Looking out of the back window, she was amazed to see Olive and Len in the garden. About to join them, she looked down at her night clothes and hurried upstairs to wash and dress. Drawing back her bedroom curtains, she saw they were still in deep conversation and wondered if she should disturb them. But she was feeling curious.

“Len, I’m surprised you’re up and about this early,” Kay said, walking up the grass towards him.

“Olive invited me to lunch,” he smiled.

“Is it that time already?” gasped Kay. “I slept late. I’m sorry, Olive.”

“No need to apologise to me, dear, this is your home now and you can do as you wish.”

“In that case, I’ll make a cup of tea,” grinned Kay. “Anyone else like one?”

They shook their heads. “Len’s been looking at the vegetable patch you’re digging,” said Olive. “He thinks your plans are good.”

Kay enjoyed the praise and spent a few minutes outlining the other ideas she’d had for the garden.

“Sounds ambitious to me,” said Len. “But you’re young and strong and you appear to enjoy a challenge.”

“I’ll go and make that tea. Is there anything I can do to help before I go and meet Mum and Dad?”

“I think everything’s under control and Len tells me he’s good in the kitchen.”

Kay thought they looked as though they’d known each other a long time. They appeared to be so comfortable together.

* * *

The afternoon with her parents was fun and they arrived back at Olive’s shortly before tea time. They were soon made to feel at home and it wasn’t long before Kay’s mum was helping Olive in the kitchen and Len and her dad were out in the garden chatting about the war, rationing and the garden. Kay sat on the bench and let it all drift over her.

“Penny for them.”

Kay opened her eyes to see Michael sitting down next to her. “Hello. Is something wrong?”

“No, Olive asked me to tea. Didn’t she tell you?”

“She kept that quiet.”

“I suppose she just wants even numbers.” Michael grinned. “I’m looking forward to getting to know your parents a bit better. Looks as though Len and your dad are getting on.” He nodded towards the two men who were engrossed in a discussion of what should be planted where. “Olive and your mum were discussing you and George when I walked in.”

“Were they? I can’t think why.”

“I shouldn’t have told you, should I?”

“It’s all right. What were they saying?”

“Your mum was saying you thought he was the love of your life. Did you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Hey, you two, come and give us your opinion on this. Harry thinks some fruit bushes should be planted here and I think they’d be better in this position,” Len called out to them.

Kay and Michael looked at each other and laughed. Kay shrugged her shoulders. “I haven’t a clue.”

“Me neither.”

“Useless pair,” Len said. He clapped Harry on the back. “Let’s go and see if this tea’s ready. If it’s as good as lunch we’re in for a treat.”

Kay tried to join in the chatter round the table, but felt slightly unhappy that Michael had overheard the conversation about George. She hadn’t had a chance to explain that she’d only
thought
he was the love of her life. She wondered if Michael would think that she’d never find anybody who would measure up to George. If only she had the courage to tell Michael how she felt about him. But she didn’t want to appear forward and couldn’t bear the thought of being rebuffed and then having to look for another job. No, she’d keep quiet and let him think what he liked about her and her feelings for George. At least they would remain friends that way.

“I’m very happy that our Kay has found such good lodgings and a lovely landlady. I’ll be able to sleep much easier. I was worried about her.”

“I said she’d be all right,” Kay’s dad said, “She’s a sensible girl, well able to look after herself.”

“And she’s an excellent secretary,” Michael added.

“Now will you all please stop talking about me? Who’s going to help me wash up?” Kay started piling up the plates, hoping that Michael would join her in the kitchen, but her mum was on her feet in seconds.

“It’s lovely to see Michael here this afternoon, but I must say I’m surprised. Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?” Kay’s mother dried up efficiently and stacked the plates on the worktop.

“Certain, Mum,” replied Kay. “But perhaps you can tell me why you were discussing me with Olive.”

Her mother coloured and turned away to hide her face. “It was only about George. We were talking about dancing and, of course, I thought about him. But I’m pleased you won your competition with Len. He’s much nicer. Oh dear, I shouldn’t
have said that, I’m sorry, Kay.” She dropped the tea towel and put an arm around her daughter. “I didn’t like to see you so hurt.”

“I thought you liked George,” persisted Kay, although she didn’t want to talk about him anymore. “I’m glad he broke up with me. I’m much happier now.”

“Shall we forget George,” pleaded her mother.

Kay grinned. “Yes, please.” At that moment, Michael entered the kitchen.

“I came to see if there is anything I can do to help,” he offered, “but you two seem to have solved a problem for me.”

“Really?” said Kay’s mother picking up teaspoons to dry. “Kay showed us round this afternoon, you’ve got a very big office, Michael. I’d like to wish you a lot of luck in your new venture, but I’m sure your hard work will pay off.”

Michael slipped an arm around Kay and said, “Any success I have will largely be due to your daughter. She’s a wonder; there’s nothing she can’t handle. And she’s a very popular member of staff.”

“I bumped into Betty’s mum last week and she says Charlie Spencer works around here now.”

Desperately wanting to change the subject, Kay was happy to see her father and Len coming into the kitchen.

“Just off for another look at the garden,” said Len.

“And a smoke,” smiled Harry. “I don’t want to fug up Olive’s house with my pipe fumes.”

* * *

“Thank you for letting me show my parents around yesterday, Michael,” said Kay when she took the morning’s post in to him. “And I know they enjoyed seeing you. I hope it wasn’t too arduous for you to give up a precious sunny Sunday afternoon.”

“I enjoyed it. They’re nice people and you know I like seeing Olive. She says things have taken on a new lease of life since you came here.”

“I don’t think she said that exactly,” blushed Kay, wondering what had happened to make Michael so bright and cheerful.

“I’d only have gone to the tennis club if I hadn’t visited you. Which reminds me, we should book another game together. We could go this evening if you like.”

Kay would love to have accepted, but she’d promised Olive she’d watch a nature programme on the television. Since she’d been living with Olive, they hadn’t watched many programmes together. Briefly, she thought of inviting Michael to join them, but he’d spent almost the whole weekend with them and she couldn’t expect him to give up his free time to spend it watching the television. He had his own set at home anyway.

“Can we make it later in the week? Is that all right, only I promised Olive that I’d do something with her.”

“You mean she’s not seeing Len?” smiled Michael.

“She can’t appear too eager,” returned Kay, glad they were getting along so well. Since the previous evening Michael seemed to be in a much lighter mood. She was pleased, but had no idea what had caused it.

“Tomorrow, then?”

Kay looked puzzled. “Tomorrow what?” she asked.

“Tennis? And please would you have something to eat with me? We could have a light snack after work before playing and then perhaps go on to that coffee bar again. What do you say?”

“Yes, please,” said Kay. “Is it all right for me to use the club’s equipment again, or should I buy a racquet?”

“Might as well use what’s there. Perhaps when you become a member you can buy your own.”

“That reminds me, Michael, thank you so much for the shoes you bought me. They were very lucky for me. But you do know it’s not my birthday yet.” Kay was keen to get that right. She didn’t want Michael to think she was grasping.

“You told me.” Michael stood up and put his hands on Kay’s shoulders. “I know a lot about you. A lot more than you realise,” he said. “Can’t your boss buy you a pre-birthday present?”

Kay looked into the eyes she’d come to know so well. “Thank you… boss.” It cost her
a lot of effort to force the smile on her lips. It always seemed to come back to the fact that Michael was her boss.

“And you didn’t need a pair of lucky shoes to allow you to dance magnificently. That was on your own merit. Which reminds me, I’ve been thinking about what you said regarding wanting something more demanding to do.”

Kay’s attention was caught. Hoping it was something more interesting than merely standing in for Vanessa on reception when she was making the tea, she listened to what he outlined.

“The other partners and I have come up with an idea. We’d like to offer single ladies a discount if they use our services. We value them as customers and know they don’t earn as much money as men even when they’re doing the same job. Could you come up with something in the way of an advertisement which you think might catch their eye?”

It didn’t seem to Kay as if this was a very stimulating thing for her to be involved with, but she was happy and not surprised to find that Michael was still thinking of others at a time when it was important that he forge ahead with his career. She had no doubt it had been his idea and the other partners had hardly been involved. “Of course,” she replied, “I’ll be glad to help you.”

* * *

Kay was surprised to get back that evening and find the kitchen empty. She’d been looking forward to telling Olive about her ideas for the advertisement for single women. She thought Olive would be pleased to hear that Michael was looking out for less well paid women who didn’t have husbands to support them. She wondered if one day things would change and they would be treated equally. There was no smell of cooking and no sign of Olive. She was immediately alarmed. Ever since she’d moved in, Olive had been at home with an evening meal ready and a cheerful greeting. It reminded her of the one time her mum hadn’t been at home when she’d got back from school. She’d been very upset and sat on the doorstep crying, dreading the worst. But she was a grown up now and she hoped there would be a simple explanation for Olive’s absence.

She decided that the first thing to do was search the house and she soon found Olive in the sitting room clasping a letter. She looked terribly worried and lines etched her face. “Thank goodness I’ve found you. I’m so glad you are all right. I was really worried when you weren’t in the kitchen. Whatever’s the matter?”

“I’m afraid I’ve had an awful letter. I haven’t been able to settle all day.”

“It’s from Charlie, isn’t it? We knew he’d react to your visit to Twigge and Moore to tell them about removing your business. It was just a matter of time.” Kay waited for Olive to tell her more, but she stayed silent. “Olive, come on, it can’t be that awful, tell me. Has Charlie written to you?”

“No, the letter’s from Michael. I can’t believe what he’s put. No I can’t and won’t believe it!” Tears ran down her cheeks.

Kay sat on the arm of the chair and wrapped her arm round Olive. “There must be a simple explanation. May I read it?” Kay started reading the letter out loud. “Dear Miss Carter, It has come to our notice that you are not the sort of person we deal with. We expect our clients to be honest and open about their affairs when they instruct us to act on their behalf. Having looked into your account we know that a lot of the property you wish to bequeath after your death is not owned outright by you…”

“It’s not true,” protested Olive.

Reading on, Kay gasped, then crumpling the paper she turned to Olive. “He can’t have written this, Olive. The man I know wouldn’t have written such things, but it is his signature, I’m sure of it.” She smoothed out the paper and studied Michael’s name. Then she read the whole thing again. How could anyone have written it? It was totally unprofessional and if Olive decided to take things further then Harris and Partners would be in an awful lot of trouble with the professional bodies. Why would Michael have put his career and the firm in such jeopardy? And for what? Olive was moving her business
to
Harris and Partners. Surely this letter would be more likely to come from Twigge and Moore.

“I’m going to make a cup of tea and bring some biscuits. I don’t suppose you’ve eaten anything all day. Then we’ll decide how we’re going to deal with this.” Kay tried to sound stronger than she felt. Standing at the kitchen sink she let the tears fall. She’d loved and trusted George and he’d let her down badly. Surely Michael wouldn’t let her down as well. She sobbed uncontrollably.