The Single Mums’ Book Club. Victoria Cooke

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       Chapter 4

      Something about going out and being in Janey’s company has really spurred me on. I’ve found an advert for a bookkeeper position at a vet’s practice in Crinkly, which is the next village along to ours. Rather than request the application form by email, I decided to drive over and ask for one. Otis could do with a worming tablet and I thought it would be better to meet the staff in person, just to prove I don’t have two heads or anything. I’ve been out of work so long that any employer worth their salt is bound to think there’s something wrong with me.

      Inside, it’s quite dark and dingy. The tall reception desk is panelled in worn, dark wood. There’s an empty chair behind it. Otis starts to whimper and tug me back towards the door – he’s not a fan of the vet’s and the distinctive smell must be prompting some unpleasant memories. I crouch down as best I can whilst balancing Henry, and stroke his head until he calms a little. Still, nobody appears and I don’t want to knock on the door that says: ‘Consultation Room’. For all I know, the vet could be in there telling someone their beloved pet is dead so I should wait. On the other hand, I could be here hours. The decaying remains of Otis and me could go undiscovered for years. There’s an advert for the job on the practice’s noticeboard that says, ‘Ask at reception for an application form.’ Brilliant!

      After five long minutes, I go to leave but the door creaks open behind me. It’s the one to the consultation room.

      A tall man appears. He’s on a cordless phone and doesn’t seem to have noticed me so I sit patiently.

      ‘Yes, Mrs Pearson, the last time you attended was the seventh. Let me just check that for you.’ He balances the phone between his ear and his shoulder before walking behind the reception desk where he starts clicking on the computer.

      ‘Was it cash you thought you’d paid? Hang on, Carly keeps a paper record. I’m just going to put you on hold.’

      He starts to flick through a paper file on the desk. Two deep lines form between his eyebrows.

      ‘Buggering bugger.’ He slams the file down. ‘For God’s sake.’

      I shrink down into the chair hoping he doesn’t notice me, and for once Henry rests quietly against me.

      The man turns his attention back to the computer and starts clicking away. ‘Bloody hell.’

      He eventually picks his phone back up. ‘Mrs Pearson, I’ll need to double-check with Carly but I think you’re up to date. Don’t worry. You too.’

      He hangs up his phone and slumps in the swivel chair, letting out a sigh that sounds like a slowly deflating hot air balloon. I don’t really know what to do. He’s never going to give me a job now I’ve just witnessed his outburst; he’ll be too embarrassed to ever want to see me again. I sit silently, hoping he goes back in the other room without spotting me.

      Then his eyes lock on mine. I freeze, like it helps with invisibility or something.

      ‘Oh, Jesus. I’m so sorry. Can I help you at all?’ he asks, rising to his feet and smoothing down his trousers.

      I look away, feeling more than a little awkward but Otis yanks on the lead, desperate to get over to the man for a head pat and before I know it, I’m about a foot away looking up into his mesmerising blue eyes.

      ‘Hi,’ I say, plastering on a smile whilst wrestling the lead. ‘Sorry, he gets excited.’ The vet crouches down and fusses Otis, who, in turn, wags his tail in a state of euphoric glee. Honestly, you would think he was neglected.

      ‘I’m Edward and I’m afraid I don’t cope well with chaos.’ When he’s not cursing, his voice is less harsh. It’s richer, deeper and much more smooth. He’s wearing tweed. Lots of tweed and looks like he’s wandered off the set of All Creatures Great and Small. Despite that, I can tell he’s a similar СКАЧАТЬ