Page 45 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
Flo doesn’t answer. She turns away, burrowing in her bag.
‘Have you lost something?’ I ask, wondering if she thought Iwas being a bit too judgemental. Or maybe she feels guilty. Knowing the amountof socialising Flo does, there are sure to have been days when she indulged inthe ‘hair of the dog’ to help her work through another hangover!
She shakes her head, avoiding my eye. ‘Just looking for mypurse. I’ll get the drinks.’
‘No, let me.’ I spring up, asking if anyone else is readyfor another. Then I go over to the bar. I’ve spotted Gerry, a good friend ofDad’s. He’s been serving drinks here for as long as I can remember and I’d liketo say hello, as I haven’t seen him all year.
Gerry greets me with his usual warmth, but his normallycheery face is solemn as he asks how I am. He’ll have heard about Harvey’s deathfrom Dad.
‘I’m okay, Gerry. Living with a teenager can be a challenge,but Tavie’s lovely, really.’
‘Underneath the prickles and the defiance?’ He grins. ‘Yes,I remember it well with my two. You’ll be amazed when she hits twenty. Theyturn into actual human beings overnight.’
We laugh, and I say, ‘Hey, you’ll never guess who I’ve takenon as my assistant in the business.’
His shaggy grey eyebrows rise. ‘Who’s that, then?’
‘Florence Baxter?’
He frowns. ‘Florence who?’
‘Perhaps you remember her as Flo?’
He shakes his head. ‘I can’t say I remember anyone of thatname.’
‘Oh, but she used to work here for a while. In the kitchens.As a sous chef?’
His brow wrinkles as he tries to recall her. But it’s clear he’sdrawing a blank, and a cold feeling settles inside me.
‘It was just a few years ago, I think.’ I’m racking mybrains to recall what Flo said, but there’s one thing I am certain of: Shedefinitely said she worked here. And you don’t forget a personality like Flo…
I stare at Gerry, puzzled. ‘You know everyone, Gerry. Idon’t understand…’
I turn to look across at Flo.
Then I realise she’s standing right there, behind me. Andone look at her shocked face tells me everything I need to know…
CHAPTER NINETEEN
‘You lied to me about working here? But why?’ Idemand, feeling more confused than angry.
I’ve steered her to the side of the bar so that we can talkalone, and right now, she looks on the verge of tears.
‘I needed the job, Jenny. I was desperate. I thought no-oneelse would employ me after I lost my job at the accountant’s.’
I stare at her. ‘Youlostyour job? But you told meyou were made redundant.’
She gulps and looks down, and for a moment I wonder if she’seven going to answer me. Then she meets my eye. ‘I was sacked,’ she confesses,her face a picture of misery. ‘After Ed and I separated, I couldn’t cope. Istarted drinking too much to dull the pain. Then one lunchtime, I saw him inthe street with his arm around another woman and I went straight to the pub todrown my sorrows.’ She pauses. ‘But I had an important meeting with a clientthat afternoon, and I knew the boss would kill me if I didn’t show up. I shouldhave just said I was ill and gone home, but stupidly, I went to the meeting.And I cocked it up completely.’ She shrugs. ‘I was disciplined and one thingled to another, and the upshot was I agreed to take a redundancy package. But Iknew that without a reference from my employer I was unlikely to find morework. So when I helped you out that time and you offered me work, I knew it wasthe best chance I’d ever get, so…well, I made up the story about working hereas a sous chef.’
I shake my head. ‘Why didn’t you just tell me the truth?’
‘Because you’d never have taken me on! I was drunk on thejob. Would you really have employed me as your assistant?’ Her eyes are wide, pleadingwith me to understand.
But all I can think is that I spent years being deceived byHarvey. And now, having really thought I could trust Flo, it’s happening allover again. Stupid, naïve me, trusting everyone because I want to be loved.When will I learn to be more cautious? I should have done things properly withFlo…gone through the usual procedure when you’re employing someone. I should haverequested a reference before she started. Then I wouldn’t have been taken for afool like I clearly have been…
I shake my head. ‘I just feel so…disappointed. And angrywith myself for not demanding a reference, and instead just taking you at yourword.’ I swallow hard, amazed at how gutted I feel. ‘Because, quite clearly,your word is pretty worthless.’
Her face twists with misery. ‘I’m so sorry, Jenny. If Icould make things right, I would. But I can’t change the past. I lied to youabout lots of things and I hate myself for it. I’ve got no excuse…except I wasso bloody desperate and lonely, going back to that empty house every night.’She shakes her head. ‘Alcohol seemed like an easy solution. It blotted outeverything – even the pain of being alone.’
