Deceit of Angels Read Free

look.”
    “I
bet,” giggled Anna, putting her cup down on the table.  “Where is he, by the
way?”
    “Oh,
he’s gone to tie up the daffs.  He’s the gardener and handyman too, you know,
as well as the chauffeur.”
    “And
what about the fourth and fifth?” asked Anna.
    Mrs
Wilby thought for a moment.  “The fourth rang up to say he had had a better
offer and we’re still waiting for the fifth!  So, you could be in with a chance
after all, my dear.”
    Before
Anna could reply, Sharon appeared.  “Could you come back to the office please,”
she said. 
    Anna
tried to read her expression but it was obvious she wasn’t going to give
anything away.  She followed her once more across the hall and into the office,
where Jason was leaning back in his chair, tapping his pen on the desk.  His
expression was serious as he told her to take her seat.
    Anna
sat down, her body calm, her thoughts quiet.  She knew what was coming and she
was ready for it.
    “Well,
Mrs Stevens. The job is yours,” said Jason without any preamble. 
    Anna
stared at him.  “I’m sorry, did you say I’d got the job?” she stammered.
    “Yes,
I did and I’m hoping you can start within the next few weeks.  Sharon has
agreed to spend time with you, teaching you the ropes and getting everything
sorted out.”  Turning his head, he directed his next remark to Sharon. “Has
your father given you a date for starting?”
    She
shook her head.  “No, he’s leaving it up to me, but it would be helpful if I
could have a good five days in the office with Mrs Stevens.”  She looked across
at Anna and a smile spread across her face as she realised Anna’s utter
bewilderment. “I think you’ve taken Mrs Stevens by surprise, Jason.”
    “You’re
offering me the job?” repeated Anna.
    Jason
laughed.  “If you want the job, it’s yours.”
    “But...I
never expected!”  Her voice faded as she glanced from Jason to Sharon and then
back to Jason.
    He
shook his head in amusement.  “Are you accepting the job or have you come all
this way just to turn it down?”
    “I’m
sorry.  What I mean is…I’d like the work very much.  It’s just that your offer
has come as…actually, I’m gobsmacked.”  Her voice shook as she scanned the
expression of the man sitting opposite her.
    He
threw her that disarming smile of his, understanding her confusion.  “Well, Mrs
Stevens…Anna.  May I call you Anna?”  She nodded.  “I’m always delighted when I
catch people unawares.  But I’m sure you’ll do very well as my PA.  Your work
as a school secretary has given you the right experience.  Of course, Sharon
will have to train you in the way I want the office to run and we’ll have to
sort out your references.”   He glanced down at her CV again.  “I see you’ve
put down your referees as the headmistress at the school and your boss in the
Prison Service.”  Anna nodded again and he added,  “So, when can we say you’ll
start?”
    “I
must give four weeks’ notice,” she answered slowly.  “The headmistress will be
surprised but understanding.  She knows my boys are going off to university in
the autumn.”
    “Good. 
Then let us know,” said Jason, a bright smile lighting up his face. 
    Anna
nodded and murmured a soft, “Thank you.” 
    Jason
rubbed his hands together as if he had just completed a satisfactory business
deal and stood, holding out his hand.  She took it reluctantly.  “Good! 
Welcome to the family, Anna. I hope you’ll be happy with us.  Now then, Sharon,
where’s my damned briefcase!”  Sharon jumped up, collected a black leather bag
from the chair by the wall and placed it on his desk.  He opened it with a
sharp snap of the catches and started flinging in papers.  He closed the case
and picking up his mobile phone, attached it to his trouser belt.  “Will you
tell Ben I’m ready to leave for the airport.”  Sharon left the office en route
to the kitchen.  Jason