Law of Attraction (15 page)

“Have you? Why? My goodness, you don’t mean you’re looking for another job, do you? Kay I can’t manage without you.” Michael looked horrified and gripped Kay’s hand tightly.

Mollified slightly by the fact that Michael appreciated her in a work situation at least, Kay said, “No, of course I’m not looking for another job. I was referring to the assignment you gave me to give single ladies a discount. Do you remember?”

He loosened his grip. “Oh, of course. Thank you, but why the Labour Exchange?”

“Because that’s where people go to get jobs and there will be a lot of single ladies passing through. I know someone who works there and she said they’d display the notice. She also said it was a very welcome idea and she might make an appointment herself to see you next week. I think a lot of women have problems knowing where to turn to for help and guidance when it comes to the legal aspects of renting property, employment and so on.”

“I’ll be very happy to help if I can. And if I can’t perhaps I can give a bit of advice as to where they can get the assistance they need. I’ve been so lucky in my career, Kay, that I feel I must do something in return.”

The food in the restaurant was delicious and Michael sent their compliments to the chef before they left to go to the Orchid Ballroom.

“I’m not sure if I should be dancing with you,” said Michael as they found chairs at a vacant table in the ballroom. “You being a first prize winning dancer.”

Kay laughed. “You’re coming along quite nicely,” she allowed.

“Only ‘quite nicely’? That doesn’t sound very promising,” he frowned. “I’ll have to put more effort in, I can see.”

The evening went well and Kay relaxed as usual when she moved to the music. Michael was doing his best, she could tell. He wasn’t as instinctive a dancer as Len, but he was competent and she felt good in his arms.

During a break in the music, Kay waved to a few people she’d got to know about the town. Briefly she wondered how the dancing class was progressing. She felt sure Olive would be enjoying herself and looked forward to hearing about it when she arrived home.

“You know a lot of people, Kay.”

She shrugged. “I go up and down the High Street quite a lot. You know, to and from work and to the Post Office and, of course, shopping. I see people.”

“Perhaps if I didn’t use the car as much I’d mingle more with the locals.”

“Olive and I are going shopping tomorrow. Now she’s seeing Len she wants some new clothes. It’s lovely for her to have a new companion and new interests.”

“It must be lovely for her to have
you
as a friend,” Michael said thoughtfully.

Chapter Fifteen

“I’ve never seen such an array of clothes,” exclaimed Olive moving the garments along the rail in the department store on the High Street.

“When did you last come in here?” asked Kay.

“I can’t remember,” said Olive. “My clothes don’t seem to wear out now I’m a bit older. When you’re young it’s nice to have different dresses and coats, but I’ve never had occasions to wear elegant things to.”

“And now you have. Where’s Len taking you next week?”

“All he said was that we were going out to eat. I’d better buy something loose in that case,” laughed Olive. She tugged at a pretty yellow dress and held it up against her.

Kay shook her head. “You’ll look like a daffodil in that. Something a bit more subtle I think. How about this one?” She held up an aquamarine jacket with a peplum. “This is a bit like the one the
Queen wore in Australia. We saw it on a newsreel on the television, do you remember?”

“But she’s a lot younger than I am,” said Olive doubtfully, looking at the pretty garment. “I think it’s going to be a bit too constraining.”

Kay replaced it and pulled out a flowery print dress with a dropped waist and a boat neck.

“I like that,” said Olive immediately. “Is that my size? Let’s see what it looks like on.”

“You look lovely,” sighed Kay as Olive stood in front of the fitting room mirror.

“Yes, madam, I agree with your daughter,” said the shop assistant. “It really suits you.”

Kay and Olive smiled at each other, but didn’t own up to the fact that they were not mother and daughter. Olive continued with her shopping and added a skirt and blouse plus a light cardigan to her pile on the counter.

“Are you buying anything, Kay?” asked Olive, fingering a pretty chiffon scarf.

“I like the jacket. It’s a pretty colour, but I’m not sure about it.” Her hand stopped along the rail and she extracted an attractive dress which was white with red polka dots. It had a V neck, fitted bodice and full skirt. When she tried it on, it was as if it was made for her. She felt wonderful in it and she hoped she’d have an occasion to wear it very soon. Olive asked the assistant if they could leave their purchases behind the counter while she and Kay went to the cafeteria for a cup of tea. Once there they sank into chairs and gave the waitress an order for tea and scones.

“I’m so pleased you and Len are
friends,” said Kay before taking an enormous bite of buttered scone.

“I feel I’ve known him all my life,” sighed Olive. “I’m just so comfortable with him.” She poured the tea into their cups. “And you and Michael?” she asked.

“Oh, you know, just the same. I’m still not sure where I am with him. I’m pleased that business with Charlie is out of the way and he can concentrate on his work.” As she said it, she thought about whether it was true. Then she admitted, “To be truthful, I wish he’d concentrate on me rather than on his work.” She giggled to make a joke out of it, but she was serious about what she’d said.

* * *

As her birthday approached Kay waited to see if Michael or Olive would make any suggestions for a celebration. They both knew the date and Olive had even put it on her calendar as a reminder. It was a work day so she would visit her parents for a birthday tea the following weekend. She’d hung the polka dot dress on the door of her wardrobe so that she could admire it and thought it would be perfect for a birthday outing with Olive, Len and Michael. But time passed and there was no sign of an invitation. Michael was preoccupied at work and although they saw each every day their social life together had waned completely. She had wondered about suggesting something herself, but decided that if her friends didn’t want to celebrate her birthday then neither did she.

“’Morning, dear,” Olive said, as she placed a plate of tomatoes on toast in front of Kay.

“That looks good. What are you up to today?”

“Nothing much. Just the usual. You’d better get a move on. Look at the time.” Olive nodded towards the clock.

Having wolfed down her breakfast Kay headed for the office. If there were any cards for her they would arrive whilst she was at work. Michael was already in the office engrossed in a pile of paperwork.

“Hello, Kay. Could you fetch me the Davidson file, please,” he asked without looking up. When she returned he looked up to take the file and Kay thought he must have been up all night. There were dark circles under his eyes and he was unshaven. It was unlike him to be anything other than perfectly groomed and Kay was immediately alarmed.

“What’s wrong?” she blurted out.

“Nothing to concern you.”

Kay felt hurt. “Michael, we’re friends aren’t we? If something’s bothering you, don’t you think you should share it with me? I might be able to help.”

“It’s not very likely even you can help with this problem. But sit down, I suppose it’s time I told you what’s been going on. You’re right, it will be a relief to tell you. I’ve been worried, and I’m sorry if I’ve been neglecting you. Just before I left work yesterday evening the bank rang and confirmed my suspicions. I just haven’t felt like going out or doing anything with this on my mind.”

“What is it? What’s happened?”

“Charlie…”

“I thought he’d confessed and that was the end of all your difficulties with him.”

“No, it seems that the Charlies of this world never give up. As you know we decided not to press charges as Mr Twigge said he’d deal with Charlie and Alastair, but it turns out Charlie’s got a friend who works at the local bank, our bank. There have been dubious goings on and the bank manager has only just discovered discrepancies in the paperwork. One consolation is that we are not the only local
business to have been involved, so it’s likely that Charlie and Alastair will get their just deserts.”

“But how come nobody noticed sooner? Surely there must have been constant checking of the accounts?”

“It’s happened over quite a small time scale and they used the opportunity of a change in bank manager to commit their crime. If you remember the old manager retired and the new one has only just been appointed. Charlie’s clever.”

“So what happens now?”

“I’m not sure, Kay. I’m afraid it’s not going to be easy. With the expansion the future looked promising, but now I just don’t know.”

Kay had never seen him so dejected. She longed to take him in her arms and comfort him. Why couldn’t she? She moved round the desk, stood behind him and massaged his shoulders. “It’s not the end of everything. I’m sure we can all pull together, even take pay cuts if necessary. Your staff are very loyal and will support you in whatever way they can.”

“I knew they would, but this is such a blow. After all our hard work setting up the office here in Blayton. I’m not even sure how it will affect me personally. Maybe I’ll have to sell my car and house. I have an appointment with my accountant tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t matter, does it? It’s the people in our lives who are important not things.”

Michael reached up and patted her hand. “You’re so sensible. I wish I’d told you sooner. I couldn’t talk about it. I thought we’d finished with Charlie and then this happens. I feel slightly better having told you. It’s as though a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

“Do you know what I think you should do? Go home, have a nice relaxing bath, shave and put on some fresh clothes. We can manage very well without you this morning.”

“I think I will. Come with me, please. You can listen to the radio then we can have some lunch and come back here this afternoon. The break will do us both good.”

After Michael had explained to Vanessa they would be out of the office until after lunch she winked at him and said, “That’s a good idea.”

Michael’s home was modest and just how Kay imagined a bachelor’s home would be, comfortless, but with every modern convenience she could imagine. After Michael had made them both a cup of tea he took his upstairs leaving her with a pile of magazines which she thought looked rather dull. However, she flicked through them as she now had more of an awareness of advertisements and wanted to see how products were sold. Then she wandered into the kitchen so see what they might have for lunch and decided on eggs as there wasn’t much else in the pantry or fridge. By the time Michael appeared she’d laid the table and had sliced the bread and beaten the eggs ready to cook.

“This looks good enough to eat,” grinned Michael, towelling his still damp hair and sitting down at the table.

The scrambled eggs on toast were soon devoured and they helped themselves to fresh fruit from the bowl on the sideboard.

Michael looked at his watch. “Would you like to see the garden while you’re here? I’ll warn you that it’s functional rather than ornate. I like to relax there in the good weather and not have much gardening to do.”

“As long as we’re not late back at the office,” worried Kay.

“We’ve plenty of time. I’m the boss, after all.” His face fell as he added, “For the time being at least.”

“Show me the garden, please,” instructed Kay, hoping to take his mind off work. She wished she hadn’t referred to it as Michael appeared to have unwound a lot since his bath and lunch. Kay decided she’d probably kill Charlie Spencer if she set eyes on him again because of all the anguish he’d put Michael through.

“These smell beautiful,” said Kay inhaling the aroma of a beautifully mature rose and caressing its velvety petals.

“So do you,” replied Michael putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him.

About to plant a kiss on his cheek, Kay recalled he’d forgotten her birthday. Although she was happy to spend time with him on her special day, it would have been nice if he’d sent her a card or wished her many happy returns. Then she allowed that he had bought her shoes, lucky shoes. It was impossible to stay mad at him and she decided a kiss would be nice no matter what.

They sat together on the grass and listened to the bees buzzing in and out of the flowers and the birds singing. It was so peaceful and Kay wanted to stay there for ever. All too soon, Michael held out his hand and pulled her to her feet.

“Time to go, I’m afraid. I feel as if I’ve played truant for long enough. Back to the grindstone.”

* * *

“Isn’t that Olive?” cried Kay as Michael drove slowly along the High Street to the office.

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “When we get back inside, remind me to ask Vanessa about a tennis booking, will you?” He placed a hand on her arm and pressed it, almost forcing her, it seemed, to turn and look at him. She had been certain it was Olive she saw.

Kay preceded Michael into the office and gasped. The reception area was festooned with brightly coloured balloons and there was a hand-made banner proclaiming: Happy Birthday Kay. Tears of happiness pricked her eyes. How could she think she’d been forgotten? As her friends sang Happy Birthday to her, she caught sight of Michael grinning and yes, there was Olive. So it
had
been her.

“Thank you all very much.” It was all Kay trusted herself to say without making a fool of herself and breaking down completely.

“Here you are, dear. I’ve brought the cards from the first
and
second post,” said Olive, handing over a stack of envelopes.

Sifting through them, Kay saw her parents and friends hadn’t forgotten her after all.

“That’s not all,” said Vanessa. “Look. With Olive’s help and the baker down the road, we’ve got a feast of cakes. I’ll make tea
while you open your cards and then we can indulge ourselves.”

“Didn’t you want to ask Vanessa something about tennis?” enquired Kay of Michael.

“That was a ruse, I’m afraid, so you wouldn’t look too closely and find out you were right about Olive coming into the office.”

In the middle of the reception desk was an iced cake with Kay’s name on it and twenty-one candles. Michael struck a match and lit them. “See if you can blow them out in one go.”

It took three attempts before Kay managed to extinguish them all and everyone clapped when she’d accomplished it.

Vanessa and Olive cleared up the office while Kay followed Michael to his room.

“There are a few letters I must dictate, but there’s no need to type them up today.”

With the work out of the way, Michael loosened his tie and walked around his desk to where Kay was sitting. “It’s been a different day today. I hope you didn’t think we’d forgotten your birthday. We wanted to make it a surprise for you.” At that moment the phone on Michael’s desk rang. He answered it and held out the receiver to Kay. “It’s for you.”

“Kay Watson speaking. Oh Mum, what a surprise to hear
from you. Thank you for my pretty card. I’ve had a lovely birthday tea at the office. Michael and Olive arranged it all. It was a surprise party.” She chatted some more and then replaced the handset. “I expect you arranged that as well, did you?”

Michael nodded. “
And
I’d like to suggest one more thing to add to your memorable day. Would you come out with me this evening, please?”

“As long as it’s not to eat, I’d love to,” giggled Kay.

* * *

It was a treat for Kay to be in the Odeon in Blayton. She sat close to Michael and they laughed their way through ‘Carry
On Sergeant’, enjoying the performances of Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey. Kay liked watching Shirley Eaton and took notice of the way she did her hair. If hers hadn’t been so wavy, she’d have liked to try and style it like that.