They’d taken time out in the middle of the day for a boozy lunch at a restaurant far beyond Holly’s own financial capabilities. The waiter led them to a leather cushioned booth under glitzy lighting. They sat, enveloped in a discreet soundcloud of Ibiza chill-out tunes.
The menu had been amazing, packed with creamy, cheesy American-style dishes that made Holly’s mouth water. But she’d known Geraldine would order a Caesar salad without dressing, and that she’d expect Holly to choose something similar.
‘It makes me feel queasy to even look at that,’ Geraldine had said the on the day of Holly’s arrival and the first time they’d eaten out together. Holly had ordered a bowl of chilli con carne and rice with sides of sour cream and cheese. ‘All that fat and cholesterol… I couldn’t bear to touch it.’
She’d been quiet at the restaurant during dinner and a bit moody for the rest of the evening. Holly had got the message loud and clear and hadn’t made the same mistake since.
Even though it felt a bit cheeky, once they’d relaxed into lunch, Holly had plucked up courage and mentioned the fact that she still had no mobile phone. Although Aunt Susan had her faults, she felt a quick call was in order, just to tell her she was OK and not to worry. She felt she owed her that much despite their final heated words.
She had already noted that there appeared to be no landline at the house; Geraldine had said there was only the one in Brendan’s locked study, which was used purely for broadband purposes.
‘I know it sounds completely paranoid, but we don’t allow staff to keep personal mobile phones on the property,’ she had explained in a regretful tone. ‘We had a very bad experience once where Brendan’s confidentiality was compromised by a disloyal staff member and it cost him nearly a hundred grand in a lost deal.’
Holly had widened her eyes.
‘I know.’ Geraldine had rolled her own eyes. ‘He acted like a bear with a sore head for weeks after that. Sometimes you’ll be party to business conversations or perhaps catch sight of confidential paperwork around the house, and it’s just easier for us all if there are no mobile phones to take photographs or record conversations. That’s why he asked you to sign the confidentiality agreement.’
Holly nodded and remembered that Brendan still hadn’t provided a copy of her signed contract. She hadn’t seen the confidentiality agreement yet and she’d hate to unwittingly breach it.
‘I know you’d never do anything like that,’ Geraldine had added quickly. ‘But we have to treat everyone the same, you see. It’s only fair.’
Holly had pondered on the fact that she was yet to see any other staff in the house apart from Patricia.
She had sipped her Bellini – Geraldine’s favourite drink – and explained about her wish to contact her aunt.
‘That’s easily solved. I’ll get you some pretty notelets and then you can write to her as and when you like. How’s that?’
‘Or I could use your phone just to make a quick call,’ Holly had suggested. ‘I wouldn’t be on long, just so she knows I’m OK.’
Geraldine’s lips had pressed together briefly before she relaxed them again into a smile.
‘I’m sure your Aunt Susan would much prefer you to drop her a note. It’s so much more personal, don’t you think?’
Holly hadn’t wanted to prolong the subject, but it seemed like a good opportunity to bring up the second thing she was missing.
‘And… I wondered if there was a laptop in the house I could use at all?’
‘Goodness! Whatever for?’ Geraldine had run her fingers irritably through her perfect chestnut curls. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just tired. Was there something in particular you wanted to do on the computer?’
‘Just general browsing online and streaming movies and music.’ Holly had shrugged. ‘Nothing specific.’
‘I’d have to ask Brendan, but the smart television in your bedroom streams everything, and you can play games on there, go on YouTube… everything you need, really.’
‘Yes.’ Holly had nodded, keen not to appear ungrateful. ‘That’s great, thanks, Geraldine.’
She’d hoped she might be able to track Markus down on Facebook or something. She’d heard nothing at all from him since he’d left, although when she’d asked Brendan, he’d told her Markus was loving his job at the Newcastle club.
She couldn’t help feeling a bit miffed that he’d just left like that without saying goodbye.
‘I’m sure he’ll contact you at some point, but I think he’s just having the time of his life right now.’
Subtext: he’s probably forgotten all about you, Holly had thought.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Holly
The next morning, David came round to the house to do some handyman bits for Cora.
Holly walked into the kitchen to find him glueing the handle onto a cream jug.
‘Morning, Holly. How are you finding things at work?’ he asked her hesitantly.
‘It’s turned out to be very good week in the end, thanks,’ Holly replied. ‘No doubt you’ll hear all about it on Monday.’
‘Hear about what?’
‘Emily’s in serious trouble. Pieces of a broken vase were found in her bag after she spent hours basically accusing me of damaging it in front of everyone.’
David didn’t say anything, but she thought the ghost of a smile passed over his lips. Probably because he disliked Emily as much as she did.
‘How about you?’ she asked. ‘I bet time drags stuck outside in that cramped little kiosk.’
‘My office is really very comfortable,’ David said, looking back down the jug. ‘It’s warm and dry in there and everything is organised. More space than that would be a waste, really.’
‘Well, yes,’ Holly said. ‘I suppose when you put it like that…’
‘And there’s lots to do, of course,’ David went on. ‘Monitoring the car park, recording car registrations, issuing tickets and ensuring time restrictions don’t lapse. Then there are the odd jobs I often do for Mr Kellington and sometimes Josh. Favours.’
‘You must be very busy.’ Holly nodded, eager to avoid further tedious details. ‘I see that now. Well, I don’t want to distract you from what you came here to do.’
She selected a glass from the cupboard and ran the cold tap.
‘I have plenty of time,’ David said behind her. ‘I wondered…’
‘Yes?’ She turned.
‘Well, it’s fine if you aren’t interested, but…’
She waited.
‘It’s just that you said about that book… the film… I thought, if you weren’t busy… would you like to go to the cinema next weekend, to see Rear Window?’
Holly stared at him.
‘It’s fine! Don’t worry. I thought you’d more than likely be busy, it was silly of me. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…’ His words tailed off and he coughed and turned back to his repair job.
‘It’s really nice of you to ask, David, and… thank you. I’d love to go to the cinema.’
He didn’t look up and she suspected he was holding his breath, as his face seemed to become more flushed by the second.
‘Were you thinking of going on Saturday, or Sunday?’ she asked lightly.
He turned to look at her. His whole face was twitching, as if he’d just been given a slight electric shock. Not the most attractive look, she thought.
‘Whichever you’d prefer,’ he said, speaking quickly now. ‘Saturday, Sunday… it’s all the same to me. I’ll find out the times, shall I?’
‘Good idea.’ She beamed. ‘Thank you.’
‘No,’ he said quietly, clasping his hands together in front of him. She was reminded of a child standing in front of a present-laden tree on Christmas morning. ‘Thank you, Holly.’
The house phone began ringing in the living room, so she left David to his mending and walked out of the kitchen.
Before she could get there, the ringing stopped and she heard Cora speaking.
‘No, this is not she. My name is Mrs Cora Barrett… Yes. Yes, she does live here… Certainly. Who shall I say is calling?’
Holly froze just outside the door, her mouth dry.
‘Very well. Hold the line, please.’ Holly watched through the crack in the door as Cora put her hand over the receiver and called out, ‘Holly!’
She held her breath and didn’t move.
‘Holly… Call for you, dear!’