One Rainy Day (50 page)

‘I’m not scared, just curious. I can’t imagine what you would want to see me for. I leave here for good in a few hours’ time, and I haven’t neglected the office work while working my week’s notice. The files are all up to date; you will find all is in order.’

Mr Sutherland laced his fingers and sat back in the brown leather chair. ‘I know you and Miss Slater have worked very diligently this week. Mr Hammond has reported on this several times. In fact he’s been singing your praises each day. But I didn’t know you were also qualified to be a secretary.’ He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. ‘Why did my son never mention this?’

‘Because he didn’t know. I only finished the course last week.’ Poppy couldn’t make out what was going on. But whatever it was she wasn’t going to be talked down to. So she tossed her head, sending the golden curls swinging, and said,
‘I’m happy to say I passed with flying colours.’ She opened her bag and took out the envelope with Mr Jones’s reference in. She placed it on the desk, saying, ‘As you can see, Mr Sutherland, I did very well.’

John Sutherland scanned the words, then passed the letter back with a smile. ‘Indeed you did, Miss Meadows. And the reference backs up Mr Hammond’s praise for your work. So what I would like to do is offer you a position as a secretary with this firm.’

‘Oh, no! I’m leaving here today. Thank you for the offer, but although it may hurt you to hear this, I could never, ever, work for Mr John. Not in any position, and not for all the money in the world. I have too much pride for that. I’ll soon find a job. I’m not lazy.’

John Sutherland lifted his hand. ‘I wouldn’t expect you to work with my son again. The offer I’m making is for you to work in this office as my private secretary.’ When he saw she was about to speak, he said, ‘Please hear me out, and then decide.’ Once again he laced his fingers. ‘It is many years since I had a private secretary. We have many typists, and Mr Hammond has taken my dictation, for he has been a qualified secretary since I set up this firm. So we have managed between us very well all these years. The filing system is also one of Mr Hammond’s duties, and one he enjoys.’

Poppy was confused, and asked, ‘Then if your office is being run to your liking, why am I sitting here?’

‘Because, my dear, Mr Hammond is wanting to retire. He will be calling in each day because he lives alone and would miss our daily chats. But he has reached the stage where he no longer enjoys getting up early every morning. As he says, he doesn’t want a rigid routine, but he would like to come in and potter.’

‘But there must be other staff you could use as your secretary?’ Poppy said. ‘They wouldn’t take kindly to me taking over. Besides, I would still be in contact with your son; it would be unavoidable.’

‘You have my word that would never happen. I can’t say you will never pass each other on the steps or in the street, but I can say, without any doubt, that my son will never speak one word to you.’

‘But why me?’ Poppy was still confused. ‘There are probably dozens of girls far more competent than I am.’ She quickly added, ‘Not that I’m incompetent, because I’m not. Neither am I lazy, and I don’t take time off work.’ John Senior chuckled. ‘That is why I would like you to accept the position. It would be nice for me to have someone who wouldn’t be afraid to say what she thinks.’

Poppy relaxed. He really was a nice man, and if it weren’t for his son she would have accepted the job without hesitation. And he was right, she needn’t see Mr John if she didn’t want to. And she had a feeling he’d be in hot water if he ever did confront her. ‘What are the terms, if I agree to take the job? Would it be the same hours, and the same lunch break?’

‘Nine o’clock start, and one o’clock lunch break. The starting salary would be six pounds a week. Saturday, of course, the office is closed.’

Poppy was flabbergasted. That was double the salary she was on. And it was a pound a week more than Jean would be getting at her new job. ‘That is a very tempting offer, Mr Sutherland, and I will be truthful and say I wasn’t expecting such a good wage because of my lack of experience.’

‘I get the impression you are a person who always speaks her mind, Miss Meadows. Am I correct?’

Poppy nodded. ‘I was brought up to be honest and
outspoken, but not at the cost of hurting someone.’ She chuckled, and a smile crossed her lovely face. ‘I’m at a loss here, I’m afraid. I really don’t know what I am to call you. I could not address you as Mr John, because it wouldn’t fit comfortably with me.’

‘So you are going to accept the post, Miss Meadows?’

‘Tell me how I am supposed to address you, then I’ll tell you.’

‘Let me put my thinking cap on.’ He tapped on his desk for a few seconds, and then came to a decision. ‘How does JS sound?’

‘A bit too familiar. The rest of the staff here would really think I was pushy. How about Mr S.?’

John Sutherland Senior was thinking how lucky he was that his friend Cecil Hammond had recommended Poppy Meadows. She was like a ray of sunshine in the room. He felt sure the office would never be dull again. ‘We’ll settle for Mr S. for the time being, until something more suitable comes to mind. And now to business. For the first week or so Cecil Hammond will be here every morning at nine o’clock. I am privileged; I come in a little later. I will contact Personnel as soon as you leave here and explain you will not be leaving the firm. I will fill them in as regards salary, and they will have all your particulars, anyway.’

‘I was due to pick up my week in hand as well as this week’s wages, so would you tell them I’m not entitled to it all, and ask them to make the necessary deduction?’

‘I don’t think I need to go through all that, Miss Meadows. You will take the wage packet handed to you without any comment. Your increase in salary will start next week. So I will see you on Monday morning. Perhaps not at nine o’clock, though.’

Poppy felt like jumping for joy, and had to control the urge to hug him. Oh, wait until she told her mam and David! They would be so proud of her. But she couldn’t contain her joy until she got home: she just had to tell someone. Then she remembered Charlotte was going to see her father, and would probably still be in his office.

Poppy only gave it a second’s thought. She’d burst if she didn’t tell someone, and Jean would be busy with Mr Hammond.

‘Mr Sutherland, I wasn’t expecting this, and I’ve made arrangements to meet a friend on Monday for lunch. Unfortunately we don’t have a phone at home, but I know where she is right now. Would you mind if I took time out to see her? Otherwise she will think I’ve let her down if I’m a little late, or even can’t make it at all, since it will be my first day.’

‘By all means go and see your friend. I realize this has come as a bolt from the blue. Off you go, but be back in time to pick up your wages.’

Poppy leaned over the desk. ‘You are very kind. But don’t be too kind or I’ll take advantage of you.’ She heard a low chortle as she closed the door behind her. Then she ran down the stairs, and opened the door to her old office to see Jean and Mr Hammond going through the filing cabinet. Taking her coat from the stand, she told a startled Jean, ‘I won’t be long because I’m walking on air. I’ve wonderful news for you later.’

The receptionist in the Wilkie-Brook’s office smiled as she recognized Poppy. ‘Can I help you?’

‘Is Miss Charlotte still here?’

‘Yes, she’s with her father. Shall I tell her you’re here?’

Poppy nodded. ‘Yes, please, if you would.’

The receptionist passed the message down the phone, then
told Poppy, ‘Will you go through? Miss Charlotte will open the door for you.’

‘Oh, Charlotte, you’ll never guess. My mind is all higgledy-piggledy, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I’ve just got to tell someone my news, or my head will burst.’

‘Come in, Poppy.’ Charlotte opened the door wider, and Poppy saw her friend’s father behind his desk. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I never thought I’d be interrupting. In fact I’m not capable of rational thinking right now. Shall we go outside, Charlotte, so your father can get on with his work?’

‘Don’t you dare leave this office.’ George came from behind his desk. ‘I am as eager as my daughter is to hear your news.’

‘I’ve got a job! Just like that.’ Poppy snapped her fingers. ‘I’ve got a job! Isn’t that wonderful?’

Charlotte was agog. ‘I haven’t long left you, and you’ve got a job! You clever girl, how did you do that?’

‘Charlotte, you sit on the desk and Poppy can sit in the chair,’ George said. ‘I’m intrigued, Poppy. How could you have found a job so quickly? I’m very happy for you, though, and I can quite understand your excitement. But do put my daughter and me out of our misery and tell us how it came about.’

Poppy’s words poured from her mouth in her excitement. There were lots of things she left out, things she didn’t think important for now. ‘I can’t believe I’m so lucky! And Mr Sutherland Senior is so nice. I’m sure I’ll get on with him.’

‘If your job is with John Senior, I can assure you he is a world apart from his son,’ George said, feeling happy for the girl who had made such a difference to his daughter’s life. And looking at Poppy now, with her wide smile and eyes like saucers, he could understand his son’s falling for her. ‘You couldn’t find a nicer or kinder man for a boss. You really are very lucky.’

‘Come upstairs and tell Andrew,’ Charlotte said. ‘He will be so happy for you.’

‘Oh, no, I can’t disturb him. He’ll think I’m behaving stupidly just because I’ve got a job.’

George, after telling himself he was getting as bad as his daughter for wanting to play Cupid, said with enthusiasm, ‘There’s no one with him at the moment, and I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear your news. Go with Charlotte and cheer him up.’

‘I shouldn’t really,’ Poppy said half-heartedly. ‘I should go back and finish the work with Jean, so the office is all in order for whoever takes over next week.’

‘Five minutes won’t make any difference.’ Charlotte gave her friend no choice and dragged her out of the office and up the stairs, leaving George wishing he could go as well, to see how his son reacted to seeing the girl he’d fallen for. But his presence would hold his son back, so it would be best for him to keep away now and rely on his daughter to fill him in on her now nightly visit to his study. He’d get a really good account, for Charlotte was fast becoming an excellent impressionist. There wasn’t anyone she couldn’t take off, and he’d begun to wonder if she ever did an impression of him behind his back.

Andrew was sitting behind his desk when the door was flung open and his sister appeared, with a reluctant Poppy in tow. ‘Really, Charlotte, do you never do anything quietly? Anyone would think you didn’t have a minute to spare.’

‘We came to give you Poppy’s good news, Andrew. You’ll never believe how lucky she’s been. She was so excited she had to come and tell us.’

Andrew walked round his desk. ‘Is that true, Poppy? You’ve come with good news?’

‘Yes, yes, yes! I keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.’ Poppy’s face was so alive, Andrew couldn’t take his eyes off her. ‘I thought I might be out of work for a long time, and I was worried.’ The words rolled from her tongue. ‘Then I get a job handed to me, and I can’t take it all in. I am so lucky, I could cry.’

Andrew was taken aback. ‘You’ve got a job, Poppy?’

Yes, and I’m so happy. I can’t wait to tell my mam and David.’

Andrew walked towards her, saying, ‘That’s wonderful news, Poppy. I am so pleased for you.’ He put his arms round her, as though it was the natural thing to do, and she smiled up at him.

‘It won’t sink in, Andrew. Mr Sutherland was so nice to me, giving me the job without even an interview, on twice the salary I was on before.’

Andrew’s smile faded, and he held her away. ‘You’re going to work for John Sutherland? That brute of a man? I’m disappointed in you, Poppy.’

‘No, not John Junior – I would never speak to him again, let alone work for him. I’d starve first.’

‘Come and sit down and tell me all about it. I’m astounded really, and can’t wait to hear the whole story.’

‘I can’t stay now. I’ve left Jean to clear the office and tidy up. She doesn’t even know what’s happened, and I can’t leave her to hear it from someone else. She’s been a good friend to me. Charlotte will fill you in. I know it sounds childish, but I was so thrilled I had to tell someone, and I knew Charlotte was coming here.’

‘When you’re ready to go home, why don’t I drive you there? I’ve finished here for the day, and you’d be home sooner to tell your mother the news.’

Before Poppy could reply, Charlotte stepped in. ‘Oh, what a good idea! I could come with you, then go straight home with Andrew.’ Charlotte had her own car parked by Exchange station, but that wasn’t going to stop her helping her brother. ‘Come here when you finish work, Poppy, and we’ll run you home, save you waiting for a bus and getting crushed.’

The suggestion had brought Poppy down to earth. She couldn’t take Andrew and Charlotte to her home. She wasn’t ashamed of living in a six-roomed house, and certainly wasn’t ashamed of her family. But these two were used to servants and heaven only knows what else. And her mam would be only getting home herself, and not ready for visitors. ‘No, I don’t want you to run me home, but I appreciate your offer. My mother won’t be prepared for visitors, and it wouldn’t be fair on her.’

‘We wouldn’t think of coming inside your house, Poppy,’ Andrew said. ‘Not without a prior invitation. We will drop you at the corner of your street, and you wouldn’t have the discomfort of waiting for a bus, and being squashed. You’d be home in ten or fifteen minutes.’

The offer was too tempting to refuse. Friday night, when everyone was finishing work for the weekend, was a mad scramble to get on a bus. ‘That would be fine, thank you, and now I really must go, or Jean will think I’ve deserted her.’

‘We’ll be ready and waiting for you,’ Charlotte said, thinking that things were moving on in the love stakes. She gave Poppy a big hug. ‘I am so happy for you.’

‘Where on earth have you been?’ Jean asked. ‘I thought there was something wrong, the way you ran off.’