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she had read the information aloud. Her interview with J. Marsden was for the next morning at eleven o’clock. She wondered what the mysterious J. Marsden would be like. In the morning she dressed carefully. She was to have her interview over coffee in one of the department stores. That at least was something, she supposed. She wondered if the mysterious J. Marsden would be forced into drinking dozens of cups of coffee, as they interviewed prospective employees! The prospect sent her off with a smile.
    J. Marsden turned out to be Jennifer Marsden, wife of Rupert. Instantly Frances felt at home with Jennifer, an easygoing, petite woman in her early thirties. She was plump with pregnancy and explained that the job was a mixture of household help, supervising her three sons, and checking stock once the harvesting season had started.
    ‘Quite frankly, I don’t care if you don’t know one end of a sheep from the other, so long as we can have someone we can live with.’ Her eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘As a matter of fact as soon as I saw this photo I knew you were the one! My husband was impressed too. He has a similar harvester to my brother and they do a lot of contract work in summer.’
    Frances looked at the photo. Young Kathy must have slipped it in. She felt a fool having to explain it, but could see the funny side of the situation. Jenny laughed too and a bond of friendship was formed.
    By the time their coffee was finished Frances and Jennifer knew a great deal more about each other. Jennifer had explained that she had lost a baby with a miscarriage three years before and this time she wanted nothing to go wrong. ‘My doctor is wonderful, but he’s warned me that if my behaviour isn’t perfect he’ll whip me into hospital. Quite frankly I’d hate that as summer is such a frantically busy time on the farm, so Rupe suggested we have additional help. I was very much against the whole idea until I saw your photo. You seemed to be young and cheerful.’ She paused. ‘You can ride horses, can’t you?’ she asked.
    Frances reassured her truthfully. She loved riding and had spent many hours at a stables not far from her home. As a child she had had her own pony and it had been a source of constant joy to her.
    Jennifer was pleased with her answer. She outlined the hours and time off and discussed salary. It was not at all the princely sum Frances was accustomed to, but as it included her board it was sufficient for her needs. The time suited Frances perfectly too, as Kathy had pointed out originally. The life-style would be a complete change for her as it would be a welcome break from the office routine she was accustomed to in the city. She tried to take in instructions as to roads to follow to reach the farm the following Monday morning.
    Happily she said, ‘Goodbye,’ looking forward to her new job with genuine pleasure. Back home her parents were delighted and even her young brother Martin, in his last year at High School, was pleased for her. Kathy had made a gooseberry pie for tea.
    ‘It was to be a consolation prize if you missed out, but it’s a happy pie this way!’ explained Kathy. Frances hadn’t the heart to reprimand her about inserting the photo in the envelope. After all, she doubted if she would have been selected for an interview if it hadn’t been for that.
    It was a happy family occasion. That night when the telephone rang for her, she told her mother to tell John that she was going away.
    Her spirits seemed to lift at the prospect of doing something so necessary. Once she was gone John would forget his feelings for her, and perhaps make an effort to settle with his wife and the small baby.
     
    Early on Monday morning Frances kissed her parents a fond farewell and set off for the farm. Her suitcase was full of trousers and shorts and tops, a change from her previous working wardrobe. To drive out she had worn the pretty flounced skirt with the neat pintucked blouse. She felt quite at ease