It's Now or Never (13 page)

‘Oh hello, Polly. Yes, yes I am.' How exciting! To be honest I was surprised to hear from Ms Powers after what I thought was a disastrous interview and typing test.

‘It's only a two-day assignment starting today. We had someone lined up for this job, but they've let us down at the last moment. Would you be interested?'

Last week had been a write-off with Gramps in hospital, but now he was back at home with his new medication and with Marcia keeping a close eye on him, I'd made a start on the few freelance projects I had on the go, but nothing that wouldn't keep for a little while longer. Some temporary work would fit perfectly into my new schedule. I was determined to take every opportunity offered to me.

‘Yes, definitely. What is it?'

‘It's a retail promotion for one of the big department stores in town. They're launching a new product and want someone to help with handing out leaflets, that kind of thing. You would need to get down there in the next hour if you are interested.'

It didn't sound very taxing, but it didn't matter. It was only for two days and until I started bringing in some regular money from my self-employed work I would have to supplement my income with anything that came my way.

While Polly gave me the details of the company, the hourly rate and what to do with my time sheets, I slipped off my dressing gown and threw it on the bed. Thankfully I'd showered so it was just a case of popping some clothes on. I could be there in less than half an hour.

First though I just wanted to take a quick few photos of my chilli jam. I'd attempted to have a go last night, but the light had been all wrong in the kitchen. After putting the phone down on Polly, I quickly arranged the jars on my bedroom windowsill, lining them up in a row, my cream linen curtains providing a perfect frame for the shot. I snapped away happily. Today was turning into one of those perfectly productive days.

***

‘Ah, you're here? Brilliant!'

The department manager welcomed me fondly.

‘Come through. Did the agency explain what you would be doing?'

‘Not really. Only that it was a promotional role.'

‘Exactly. You'll be working alongside our product demonstrator who will be showing off the features of a new multi-variable vegetable slicer that is being launched today. These are very popular items at the moment, what with the interest in healthy eating, so we're expecting a big take-up. What we'd like you to do is hand out some product leaflets and discount vouchers.'

‘I think I can manage that,' I said enthusiastically.

‘Great. If you come out into the back, you can change into your outfit.'

‘Um…' I trailed behind the manager wondering what my outfit might be. Probably a t-shirt with the company logo on. Or a baseball cap. Or a coloured sash worn over my own clothes.

‘A tomato?' My jaw dropped open unflatteringly. Not half as unflattering as the garish red costume being held up in front of me. ‘You want me to dress up as a tomato?'

‘Yes, it's fun and eye-catching. You certainly won't be missed in this, will you? Would you like me to help you get changed.'

‘No, I wouldn't, thank you.'

Now was the time to turn on my tail and walk straight out of here, never to come back again. Trouble was, if I did, I knew that Ms Powers would never forgive me and certainly wouldn't offer me any further assignments. I had a sneaking suspicion I might need Ms Powers more than she needed me at the moment. I just needed to grit my teeth and get on with it and hope these next couple of days would be over as quickly as possible.

‘I can manage perfectly well on my own,' I said, with a forced smile, taking the outfit from her.

In the changing room, I pulled on some red tights, wriggled my body into the red velour bulbous costume, performing numerous contortions to hoik up the zip at the back, and stuck the green stalk hat onto my head. I observed my reflection in the mirror and grimaced. It certainly did the trick. I was miraculously, marvellously transformed into a tomato. An unhappy tomato. I took a deep breath and pulled back the curtain to the dressing room to a waiting audience which seemed to have doubled in size since I'd walked in there when I'd still looked like a relatively normal human being.

‘Oh, look at you,' said the manager, clapping her hands excitedly. ‘You look fantastic.'

‘Like a tomato,' said a bored young man to the side of her.

The rest of her entourage giggled, affection or pity shining in their eyes, I couldn't quite make out which, although I suspected they were all obviously hugely relieved that they hadn't been the ones to be roped into this particular little gem of a job.

‘Come along then,' she said, handing me a wad of leaflets, ‘let's get you started.'

Apart from the obvious shame and embarrassment at being cast in the role, I quickly discovered there were a number of pitfalls to being a tomato. Firstly, the material of my costume was so scratchy it brought me out in a rash. Secondly, it was so hot in there that my face quickly took on the colour of the rest of my body – pulsating a lovely shade of scarlet. Thirdly, the cut of my suit made it impossible to walk straight, instead forcing my feet out sideways, giving me an ungainly waddle. Otherwise, I think I did a pretty good job of being a tomato.

Most people gave me a sympathetic smile as they took one of my leaflets, clearly feeling sorry for me and my predicament, and children reacted in one of two ways. Either screaming in horror as the red blob with the silly grin approached them or bringing out the devil in them as they decided I could be their own personal plaything, taking it upon themselves to kick me in the shins, prod at my bulbous middle or calling me names that would make a tomato blush.

Still, I kept reassuring myself that it was only for two days and then I would never have to wear the silly costume again. Next time I'd be a bit more cautious if Polly Powers offered me a job. There would be no more dressing up as vegetables or fruit in my future that was for sure.

On the afternoon of the second day of what was turning out to be the longest assignment in history, I was just wandering around the department trying to offload my leaflets onto any unsuspecting customers when my attention drifted over to the escalator. From the top of the steps Alex Fellows emerged, looking breathtakingly handsome, like a god delivered from high up above to the kitchen department. With his tall and broad physique, highly defined features and dark wavy hair, he would command attention anywhere, but in the humdrum surroundings of a shop floor, his good looks only seemed to be accentuated.

When I saw he was heading over my way, I gulped and quickly turned away, my cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red, if that were possible. I bent down to tie my shoelaces, only realising once I got down there that I didn't actually have any shoelaces. I held out my hand to the floor to steady a threatening wobble, but because I was so top heavy it was a futile gesture. I had no chance of stopping myself as I toppled over in an ungainly heap – landing on my back, legs akimbo, straight into the path of Alex Fellows.

‘Goodness,' he said, almost falling on top of me, ‘are you all right?'

He bent down to look at me, but I turned my face into my collar, hoping he wouldn't recognise me beneath the tomatoey disguise. I attempted to roll over, but I couldn't get enough momentum and only ended back where I started, my legs swinging wildly in the air.

‘Here,' he said, and I felt sure I recognised a warm note of humour in his voice. ‘Let me help you up?'

With Alex's help, I clambered to my feet, tucking my chin into my neck and dropping my head to my chest, a very shy tomato now, wondering if I could scoot away without being spotted, but it was no good, Alex was far too perceptive for that.

‘Hey, Jen, that's not you under there is it?'

He tipped my chin up with his finger and I lifted my head to look into his eyes. Warm bluey/brown/grey eyes that were smiling at me now, matching the big grin spreading across his face.

‘It is you. Well… this is a surprise. Fancy that.' He fell silent for a moment, his gaze travelling up and down the length of my body. His eyebrows rose as he chewed on the inside of his lip. He was trying desperately not to laugh, I could tell. ‘What are you doing here? And, I suppose an obvious question, but why are you dressed as a tomato? Is this a new career for you now?'

I squirmed in my suit. I couldn't have turned redder if I'd tried. No wonder Alex looked shocked. I'd have been equally surprised if I'd found him cavorting around somewhere unexpectedly as a vegetable.

‘It's a favour for a friend. My friend Polly. She was a bit desperate and asked if I could help her out so I said yes. A friend in need and all that. It's only for today. Thankfully.'

‘Right, I see. Well I think I see,' he said, still smiling. ‘With friends like that… eh?'

‘Yes,' I forced a laugh, wishing he would go away now. Couldn't he tell my ritual humiliation was complete?

‘Right, well I should get on and leave you to whatever it is you should be doing.' He turned as if to walk away, before turning back again. ‘Oh Jen, I called you, but got your voicemail again. We're on first name terms now, I've spent that long chatting to it. I didn't leave a message this time, but was wondering if you were free this Saturday.'

I swallowed hard, amazed that an extremely attractive man was asking me out while I was dressed as a tomato. Maybe my powers of attraction were much stronger than I thought.

‘Yes, I think I might be,' I said, wondering why I was even attempting to appear seductive. I was never going to pull it off in this get-up.

‘Good, how about we head outdoors. A day out in the countryside, would you fancy that?'

‘Sounds good to me.'

‘Great. I'll pick you up at nine am.' He paused, took a step backwards and looked me over again as if he still couldn't quite believe it was me he was talking to. ‘Oh and Jen, do you know something?'

‘What?'

‘You really do make a very fetching tomato.'

Chapter Fifteen

‘Are you always such a nervous passenger?'

I was certain I detected a gleeful look in Alex's eye as he threw the Land Rover around yet another sharp corner and my hands clutched on tighter to the edge of the seat. Alex's gung-ho style of driving, as though he was competing for the leading position in a cross-country rally, hadn't been quite so noticeable when we were bombing up the motorway but now, navigating narrow country lanes, I felt sure my life was in immediate danger.

‘No, never before,' I said, bracing my legs wide to the floor to counteract being flung from one side of the car to the other. ‘This is a first for me.' I looked down briefly to see my knuckles white against the seat before fixing my gaze on the road ahead again, acting as un-appointed chief look-out for any traffic coming from the opposite direction. I was ready to scream, slam my foot down on my imaginary brake and hide my head in my hands for what I felt certain was an accident waiting to happen.

Alex chuckled as though he was pleased with my answer. I smiled weakly in return, wishing to goodness he wouldn't turn to look at me like that. ‘Keep your eyes on the bloody road,' I was silently chanting.

‘Don't worry, you're in safe hands. Della's never let me down yet,' he said, tapping his hands fondly onto the steering wheel. ‘She can give a bit of a bumpy ride at times, but she's totally roadworthy.'

‘That's reassuring to know,' I said, not wanting to mention that I was more concerned about the driver and his credentials than the vehicle.

When Alex had mentioned a day out in the country I'd imagined a leisurely visit to the seaside or a country park where we would walk for miles along unchallenging territory. I loved walking and had hoped we might round off the day with a romantic picnic on a riverbank overlooking some pretty scenery. It was only after we'd been in the car for several hours, climbing increasingly narrow roads up into the hills that I got the first inkling that this wasn't going to be any ordinary day out. My imagined scenarios were looking less and less likely by the moment.

‘You still haven't told me where we're going.'

‘Well if I told you then it wouldn't be a surprise would it?'

‘Did I mention I don't like surprises? Hate them, in fact. I need to know what I'm doing or else I get terribly anxious.'

‘Ah right. This could be awkward then,' said Alex, chuckling to himself. ‘Look, hopefully you'll like this surprise. And if you don't, well there's not a lot I can do about it now.'

I sat back in my seat and let the unfamiliar countryside whizz by. Half an hour later we finally arrived at our destination. He parked the car in a huge gravel car park and we both climbed out.

‘Come on,' he said, marching ahead clearly expecting me to follow him. A feeling of trepidation was growing in my stomach with each passing moment as I realised that Alex's and my own definition of fun might differ greatly. Everywhere I looked there was a warning sign of sorts. Anything that involved safety gear, warning notices and the great outdoors didn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

‘I thought you said you wanted an adventure. This is it, Jen.' Alex flexed his arms out to the side taking a big deep breath. ‘Today's the day. Don't worry though, I think you're going to love it.'

I wasn't so sure about that.

‘No, I might give it a miss. Whatever it is. I'll watch from the sidelines and cheer you on. I'm happy to do that. I've always been a good spectator.'

‘Nope, sorry Jen. I'm afraid that's not an option.'

He took me into a large log cabin where a couple of hearty types looked me up and down and assessed my body shape. Ten minutes later I was dressed in a bright yellow jumpsuit, had a black harness wrapped unflatteringly around my nether regions, a tin hat on my head and a huge surge of adrenalin racing around my veins.