Ruby

Back in the flat, I charged my phone and put on one of my favorite song lists. I dragged my suitcases into the bedroom and started to unpack. I had to shut out the memories of packing the week before, hastily cramming clothes into my bags, muttering my memorized list as I raced around gathering everything together. I remembered sitting on my cases to zip them shut, so excited for my future. That excitement had vanished now, oddly enough. I tried to forget my imagined future as I organized my clothes in piles on my bed: sweaters, shirts, jeans, dresses. There were hangers in the wardrobe and I was just about to hang the dresses up when the music stopped and my phone beeped.

Immediately I thought of Harry. Like a fool, I hurried over to check. Of course it wasn’t him. At that moment, though, it was the next-best thing: an e-mail about a job.

Dear Mrs. Dean,

Thanks for completing our online application form. Apologies for the e-mail rather than a phone call but I’m in a meeting and can’t talk at the moment.

I’m looking for a PA for the next few months and haven’t found anyone suitable through the agencies. I’m returning to my office in Boston in the New Year so I’m just looking for temporary cover until then.

I’ve got a busy week ahead and won’t be in my office until next Monday. I’m in Manchester at a conference today and wonder whether you could meet me there for a chat about the job? Details are below. I’ll book a meeting room but perhaps we could meet in the café at the front of the building at 2 p.m.?

Kind regards

Alan Walker

Managing Director

Immediately I brightened up. At last, a response and it was for a PA role, too. I replied at once, saying I’d be happy to meet him.

•   •   •

I drove to the conference center, panicking in case I was late. It was on the other side of Manchester and it took longer than I’d estimated to drive through the city traffic, but still I managed to get to the car park in good time. I had to park on the top floor. I hated multistory car parks, with their tight bends and tighter spaces to park, and I could feel the perspiration trickling down the back of my neck by the time I parked in an empty space.