Law of Attraction
Authors: Patricia Keyson
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #Romantic Suspense, #Historical Romance, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense
LAW OF ATTRACTION
Patricia Keyson
First published 2014
Not So Noble Books
www.radicaleyes.it/notsonoblebooks
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The spelling used is British English except where fidelity to the author’s rendering of accent or dialect supersedes this
©Patricia Keyson
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This book is set in the 1950s in
England, where lawyers are known as solicitors or barristers. Solicitors, generally, handle legal matters outside of courts, while barristers argue the cases in the courts. A jumper is a sweater, and a settee is a sofa! Roly poly is a heavy pudding/dessert made of rolled steamed dough filled with jam! We hope you enjoy the book.
“Here
are the letters ready to sign, Michael.” Kay laid the documents on her boss’s desk and turned to leave.
“Kay, would you tell everyone that we’d like them in my office at three.”
“Yes, of course, but did you know Charlie hasn’t turned up today? We haven’t heard anything from him, but I suppose he’s ill.”
Michael Harris’s face was grim. “I know he isn’t in. He left us yesterday. That will be all, Kay, thank you.”
Kay wasn’t used to him being anything other than friendly and kind to her and was surprised at how upset she felt that he had spoken so sharply. She wondered if running the busy solicitor’s office was going to be too much for him when his father retired. She sighed as she sat down at her own desk and sorted through the papers on it. Michael was a very attractive man with his boyish good looks, his blond hair constantly flopping down over his bright blue eyes. Not only was he attractive he was also very fair and supportive to his staff. Since she’d been working for him they’d built up a very good relationship and she almost regarded him as a friend. She and Mr Harris senior’s secretary were the only two members of staff who knew he was retiring early due to ill health and she imagined the meeting was to announce this. Suddenly she remembered Michael had asked her to tell everyone about the meeting. It was most unlike her not to be the height of efficiency and as she scurried round she wondered if she had been so distracted just because Michael had been curt with her.
She returned once more to her desk, settling herself in front of her typewriter to begin transcribing her shorthand notes. Michael popped his head round the door. “My office please, Kay.”
When she walked in he was standing at the window gazing out at the street. He spun round and said, “Take a seat. I’m sorry I was short with you. As you know I have rather a lot on my mind at the moment, but that doesn’t excuse my behaviour. Forgive me?”
Kay grinned. He looked rather like a puppy with his wistful look. “You’re the boss, you can be however you want to be. There’s nothing to forgive.”
Michael sat down on the other side of the desk. “Let’s agree to disagree on that one. I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot more pressure when Dad retires. I think he’s already having doubts about going and leaving things in my hands. I’m determined to prove I’m up to the job. It’s quite an undertaking and I’ll need everyone’s support. I hope that you’re prepared to take on a bigger work load.”
Kay was always extremely busy and wasn’t quite sure how she’d manage even more work, but she was willing and she’d make sure she helped Michael out. “I’ll do my best. What will Mr Harris do when he retires?”
“Take it easy I hope. He and Mum want to travel. They’re talking about Scotland first whilst the weather’s good and maybe France next year. Dad’s keen to take up bird-watching. That minor heart attack had us all scared and Mum wants them to celebrate their golden wedding. Some years to go, of course.”
Kay wondered how old Michael was. Definitely in his early thirties, maybe thirty-one or two. She didn’t know much about his family except that he was an only child and she’d heard that he’d always been expected to join the family business. Not that he’d ever seemed unhappy.
“I’m thirty-two if that’s what you were wondering. They’ve been married for thirty-three years.”
Kay giggled. It was funny how often he could read her mind. “Will there be many changes?”
“Quite a few. Some will be pretty major and some of the staff may not like it.”
“So that’s why Charlie left, you told him your plans.” As soon as she’d spoken she wished the words back in her mouth.
“No. I have never confided in Charlie. He’s gone now and I don’t want to think of him.” Once again Michael looked tense and angry. For some reason any mention of his accounts clerk changed his mood completely. Kay was curious to know what was behind his anger, but she’d try to never mention Charlie again. Maybe it involved a woman. The thought of that possibility made her feel surprisingly jealous and she hoped that he wasn’t reading her mind now. She rapidly changed the subject. “Where will you go when you retire?”
Michael laughed. “Couldn’t you do better than that? Distraction isn’t one of your strong points then? As you well know I haven’t given it any thought, have you?”
“I’m only twenty!”
Kay felt more content now she’d spent a happy time with Michael. The tension between them had disappeared and she’d enjoyed the way they could pull each other’s leg so easily. She watched the clock on the wall drawing towards three. “Betty,” she said to the most junior member of staff, “could you make the tea a little earlier than usual, please? I think we could put it on the trolley and wheel it into Mr Michael’s office.” Kay had a feeling they were all going to need a cuppa to arm them against the news Michael was about to impart. Kay watched as Betty filled the sugar bowl. “It’s so nice to be off rationing and have as much sugar as we like, isn’t it?”
Betty grinned. “Mr Michael has loads of sugar in his tea. I suppose that’s where he gets all his energy from.” Her face clouded over. “I wonder why we’ve got to see him.”
Nervously, the employees of Harris and Son followed Kay as she wheeled the tea trolley towards the office.
“What a good idea,” whispered Michael, indicating the cups and saucers, as he opened the door in answer to her deferential knock.
Betty fussed around pouring tea, adding milk and sugar and carrying cups and saucers to people. Mr Robert Harris took his cup and sipped at the hot liquid. The staff had taken their seats and were nursing their cups. The air was expectant as they waited to hear why they’d been summoned.
It was as if Michael sensed the tension for he stood up, put his cup on his desk and spoke. “It must be a bit of a shock for you all to have been asked to attend a meeting with us, but there’s nothing to worry about,” he assured them. There was an audible sigh from his audience. “Dad and I…” Mr Harris senior cleared his throat and Michael looked in his direction. He grinned and continued, “Mr Harris and I have something to tell you. He has decided that it is time for him to retire from the practice.” He paused so they could take in what he was saying. “I have been invited to take the reins and I hope you won’t be too disappointed with that arrangement.”
“I’ll be very happy to work with you in charge, Mr Harris,” piped up Betty. “But I’ll miss Mr Harris.” She fished up her sleeve for a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
Mr Harris senior gave the young girl a smile. “Thank you, Betty. I’ll miss you too, and your excellent tea, as well as the rest of the first-rate team we’ve been so lucky to have here, but the time has come for me to stand aside and let my son be in charge. I’m sure he’ll do a good job, particularly if you all decide you’ll stay on with him after I’ve left.”
Kay listened to what was being said with a thumping heart. Whatever did he mean by that? Why wouldn’t they stay? What could happen to make them even think about leaving? She glanced around the room wondering if anyone else had similar thoughts, but if they did, their faces showed no curiosity.
Michael’s father continued, “I won’t be leaving immediately as I have a few things to settle first, but I wanted you all to know the news. One important item I have to tell you is that in recognition of your loyalty there will be a bonus lump sum paid to each of you.”
Happy smiles were now on the faces of the employees as they turned to each other and expressed their delight. Kay could keep quiet no longer. She stood up and the room fell quiet. “Mr Harris, on behalf of us all here may I offer our best wishes to you and Mrs Harris and our thanks for your generosity.”
He acknowledged Kay’s words with a nod.
Then Betty said, “What about Charlie? He’s not in today. How can we let him know the news?”
Kay could see Michael’s jaw tightening and she jumped in without wondering how appropriate she was being. “I think we can leave that to Mr Harris to deal with, Betty.” She glanced at Michael and his father and received a tight smile from Michael. “If you’ll collect the crockery, Betty, I’ll help you take the trolley back.”
As the meeting broke up, Michael put his arm on Kay’s elbow and squeezed it. She took it to be a thank you and was grateful that she’d stepped in when she did.
At last it was six o’clock and, with their desks cleared, everyone pulled on their coats and headed out of the office. Kay couldn’t wait to get home and share the news. She had been bursting to tell her parents, but had been asked to keep it to herself. They had met both Mr Harris and his son at a Christmas party the previous year and agreed with Kay that they were good people to be working for.
She walked along to the corner with Betty who was still chattering away. “Wasn’t it lovely that Mr Harris said he’d miss my tea?” she said. “I expect we’ll get used to working for Mr Michael, don’t you?”
“I’m sure we will,” smiled Kay, a warm feeling going through her. When they reached the place where their ways parted, she called, “See you tomorrow.”
* * *
As Kay walked up the garden path and round to the back, a delicious smell of stew wafted out through the kitchen door. It was Tuesday and her mum was using up the last of the meat left from Sunday’s roast. In the kitchen Mrs Watson was busy at the sink, but looked perfectly groomed with her carefully permed hair and neat apron.
“There’s tea in the pot, love.”
Kay wondered why she felt the need to tell her as there was always a pot of tea ready when she and her dad came home from work. “Is Dad back?”
“Yes, he’s taken his tea up to the shed. He’s got some seedlings he wants to pot up.”
“I’ve got some news, Mum, but it’ll wait until Dad’s here.”
“Good news I hope.”
“Yes, well it’s not bad. Quite exciting really. For Michael anyway.”
“Now he’s a nice young man. Not like some I could mention.”
“Don’t start, Mum.” Kay took down a cup and saucer and poured some tea. “Michael
is
nice, but he wouldn’t give me a second look in that way. Even if I
was
interested,” she added hastily. “He’s out of my league completely. No, I think he’ll probably marry someone at the tennis club he belongs to.” Hoping to change the subject, she asked, “I’ll lay the table, shall I?”
“Please. Then go and call your dad. The vegetables are ready.”
Kay quickly completed her task then headed down to the bottom of the garden. “Supper’s ready,” she said pecking him on the cheek before picking up his empty cup.
“Best not be late then.” After rubbing the dirt from his hands, Mr Watson tucked his daughter’s arm through his and they walked in companionable silence back to the house.
“Nice stew, Evelyn. That new butcher in the high street seems to know what he’s doing. Much better than the old one.”
“Don’t forget
that the old one, as you put it, helped us out during the rationing, Harry.”
“Anyway, not all change is bad, Dad. That’s what I want to talk to you about. Mr Harris is retiring shortly and leaving Michael in charge.”
“I’m pleased for both Mr Harris senior and junior, but where does that leave you, love?”
“What on earth do you mean?”
“Well, you’re Michael’s secretary and Mr Harris has his own secretary. Surely she’s not retiring as well? Won’t she be the new boss’s secretary? She’s been there a lot longer than you.”
Kay’s heart fell. She hadn’t given that possibility any thought at all. Mr Harris senior’s secretary had been at the dentist when the meeting was being held and hadn’t returned before the office closed. Kay wondered if she knew what the future plans were and if so
whether it would be indiscreet to ask her. Feeling very selfish, Kay tried to think of possible ways to find out what was going on. How silly she’d been to assume she would continue to be Michael’s secretary just because he’d told her there would be extra work. Maybe he’d said that to everyone. She might just have general duties which would be a shame as she did enjoy working closely with Michael.
“Don’t worry,” Mr Watson leaned across and gave her arm a squeeze, “it’s not the end of the world.”
Kay couldn’t sleep. The moon was full and bright and shone through her thin curtains making it almost light enough to read by. She tossed and turned. Why hadn’t she been told that she would be losing her job? Surely Michael should have had the decency to tell her yesterday before she heard from someone else at the office. Even Betty would probably know her future by now.
* * *
It was with a heavy heart that she settled at her desk the following morning.
“Hello, Kay. Hope you’re ready for a busy day,” Michael said cheerily as he disappeared into his office. He soon reappeared in the doorway. “What’s the matter? Are you ill? You look dreadful.”
“Thank you, Mr Harris, that’s just what I need to hear.”
Michael walked over and sat on the desk. “Why the formality? I thought we’d managed to get over that.” He fiddled with a pencil.
“I didn’t sleep well, that’s all. Now, if you wouldn’t mind shifting I’ll get on.”
“I’m not moving until you tell me what the problem is. I can be very stubborn. Ask my parents.”
“I do know that. I have been your secretary for long enough.” Tears welled in her eyes. She really must get control of herself.