Page 9 of Be More Octopus

After Cynthia apologised and went home, Em spent the rest of the afternoon looking through more job vacancies, convinced that the unusual interruption had ruined what little chance she had of getting the concierge position. She ought to be annoyed, but she'd doubted she would get it anyway. If anyone offered her another online interview, she'd lock the door in future. Lesson learned!

Em had just sent off her CV to a couple of agencies when an unknown number called her. She tapped the green button to accept the call. 'Emily Gillespie speaking.'

Nancy's voice came through loud and clear. 'Thank you for being so entertaining. The look on Nigel's face was priceless. I shall be able to dine out on that story for years,' she said. 'If you can remain calm with all that going on, you'll be fine working here.'

'Thank you,' Em said, unsure if it was a job offer or not.

'Do you still want the job?'

So it was a job offer. Em was speechless.

'Well?' said Nancy.

'Yes, I definitely do. Thank you so much.'

'Excellent. When can you start?'

Just one week later, Em was resting her head against the train window, watching the countryside rushing by, the cold glass cooling her forehead in the late spring heat. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. Birmingham was over 100 miles away already. The sunshine made the bright green colours of the fields and trees feel very appropriate for her fresh new start, far away from Connor, Astra, the suburban swingers and, of course, Cheryl, who could barely hide her delight when Em handed in her notice.

'Company policy is that employees who resign must leave immediately. Collect your things from your locker, and I'll escort you off the premises.' Em had been more than happy to comply with Cheryl's request.

Lucy had popped round with a bottle of champagne to celebrate. She made Em promise to invite her for the weekend once she'd settled in.

There had been some tears that morning when Em's dad had waved her off at New Street station, but now, after a couple of train changes, she was on the final leg of the journey to Dashford, and any sadness had given way to a weird mix of apprehension and excitement.

Beep, beep.

Em was walking out of Dashford's tiny railway station when she heard the car horn. She turned to her left and saw a woman in a British racing green open-top sports car waving at her across the car park. She looked like a 1950s movie star in sunglasses and a headscarf. As Em approached the car, she realised it was Nancy, looking smaller in real life than she had on screen last week.

'Welcome to Dashford. How was your journey?' Nancy leapt out of the car to help Em with her bags. 'There's not much room in the boot. You'll have to keep most of it on your lap.'

Em wasn't too concerned. When she'd checked Google Maps earlier, it said the journey from the station to Dashford Grange should take nine minutes. She could cope with nursing her rucksack for that.

'Hold on tight.' Nancy pulled out of the car park, aggressively turning into a small gap in the traffic, cutting up a coach in the process. 'A rally driver taught me how to drive. They're used to me around here.'

Em could see the coach driver in the wing mirror. Judging by his angry expression and hand signals, she guessed he wasn't used to Nancy's driving at all.

'What happened to the rally driver?' Em asked as they hurtled around a sharp bend on the way out of the town.

'He died young. Disagreement with a tree and the tree came off best.'

Em shut her eyes. For the first time in her life, she felt tempted to pray. Five terrifying minutes later, the car screeched to a halt on what sounded like a gravel drive. She dared to open her eyes and got her first view of Dashford Grange through a gap in the now tangled bird's nest of hair around her head.

'Sorry, I should have advised you to put a hat on,' Nancy said.

A crash helmet might have been a better idea. Em made a mental note always to offer to drive in future.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Nancy helped Em to take her suitcase and rucksack into the main hall. The dark wood panelling and the parquet flooring reminded Em of a fancy hotel.

'I'll take you over to your flat later,' Nancy said as she marched Em on a whistle-stop tour of the main house. Nancy seemed to do everything at top speed.

The house was traditionally furnished with quality antiques and expensive-looking rugs. Oil paintings in ornate gilt frames lined the grand staircase. Em stopped to admire a Victorian lady who strongly resembled Nancy.

'My late great-grandmother,' Nancy commented. 'It's thanks to her that we have this house or thanks to Edward VII anyway.' She raised her eyebrows and gave Em a meaningful look. Em vaguely remembered the king had a reputation as a philanderer. She'd have to check Wikipedia later.

A quick inspection of the upstairs revealed six spacious bedrooms, all with gorgeous views over the fields or towards the sea. There were three bathrooms, probably converted from other bedrooms, judging by their generous sizes. It was like walking into the pages of an interior design magazine.