Page 19 of Summer Ever After
I gulped but nodded.
“Why do you want this job?”
I blinked. “I don’t understand…”
Faye sighed. “It’s a simple question.”
How honest did I need to be? I crossed my hands just like hers. “Mrs. Graham. As you can see, I have a lot of experience in the custodial arts. You will also see that I don’t have an education. I’m working to change that.”
“But, why housekeeping? You’re a pretty girl. You could make much more waitressing at the Stone Oven. Probably have a lot more fun too.” She crossed her arms and stared me down.
“The Stone Oven isn’t open year-round. If it rains, the patio closes down. The factory cleaning happens every day, no matter what. I get twelve-hour shifts, and they pay overtime. I listen to textbooks on my earphones while I work. I’m studying while I mop.” I glanced at my hands, I had been unconsciously wringing them. I slipped them onto my lap. “I get into a zone. As ridiculous as it sounds, right now cleaning is my escape. It’s not glamorous, but it’s my way out of this town.” My voice wavered and I hated myself for it.
Her eyes softened. “We need more staff for this summer. The hours are going to be long, and you won’t have any access to Mr. Starling, or any of the Starling family. If you do a good job, we can keep you on year-round. How does this sound to you? We may even need you to stay over as this ridiculous masquerade thing gets closer.”
“Consistent long hours and no commute? I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend my summer.”
“We’ve got bunks in the back here. It’s not…as you call it – glamorous.”
What I didn’t tell Faye was that a bunk in the back of the cottage keepers’ cabin wasn’t just a step up from my twin bed in the garden shed, it was a colossal leap. “I’m fine with that, Mrs. Graham.”
The radio squawked and a girl’s voice came from the box on the credenza behind the table.
Tara to base
“Hold on honey.” Faye pushed herself up from the table.
Honey. I was winning her over.
“Base to Tara.” Mrs. Graham spoke into the speaker.
I didn’t know Tara, but I recognized a panicked voice when I heard it. “There’s a coffee ring on the table in the great room.”
“Shit” Mrs. Graham muttered. “There’s no one at the main cottage. How did it get there?”
“I set down my mug. I wasn’t thinking.” Her words tumbled out of the speaker. “I have the furniture polish in my basket, but I don’t think that it’s the natural stuff.”
Mrs. Graham’s cheeks filled with air that she slowly released through pursed lips. She was regulating herself; I knew because I’d done it myself.
Mrs. Graham looked at me. “That’s a thirty-thousand-dollar table that’s been in the family for a hundred years. The polish we’ve got will fix it up lickety-split, but we’re under strict instructions not to use any chemicals. Mr. Starling is taking this environmental stuff to the next level.”
I hopped up. “Do you mind?” I reached for the microphone.
Her brow furrowed, but she extended her arm, handing me the small black device. “Tara. It’s easy. All you’ve got to do is mix up an olive oil and vinegar solution. If that doesn’t work on its own, cover it with a microfiber towel and use an iron on low heat.. That mark will be as good as gone, no chemicals or varnish required.”
“Who is this?” Tara asked.
Mrs. Graham took the microphone from me. “It’s Daisy, the new cottage keeper. Now, go do it. If there’s no sign of that ring when I get to the main cottage, you can keep your job.”
I stepped away from Mrs. Graham.
“Oh, don’t worry. She gave me the first genuine smile I’d seen from her, showing her bright white teeth. I wouldn’t fire her, but she can’t know that. Although an early twentieth-century oak table would take a huge chunk out of her paycheck for the next, oh, fifteen years or so.”
She folded her arms. “How did you know about that trick?”
It was my turn to smile. “I old you, I don’t have an official degree, but I’ve practically got a Ph.D. In the custodial arts. I also plan to study environmental engineering, so there’s that too.”
Mrs. Graham wrapped her arm around my waist and squeezed me tightly. “You’re perfect. When can you start?”
