The Widow and The CEO.

Chapter 3. Temporary Position.

Chapter 3. Temporary Position.

Charlotte Ferry let out a frustrated sigh as, once again, Mrs. Doubtfire called her out on her shop-bought Victoria sponge. One day she would get around to baking her own, but the truth was, she hated to bake cakes and make jam, and if the truth be told, she was not very good at it either. However, today, rather than argue back with the infuriating woman, Charlotte was going to play nice. After all, she had a favour to ask her.

“Mavis, I can never fool you. However, I am no good at baking or making Jam, and even if I was, I could never match up to your culinary skills,” Charlotte smiled at her.

Mavis looked at Charlotte Ferry, a furrow on her brow. She was not really her ‘sort’.In Mavis Hurst's opinion, she dressed too young for her age and had a mouth like a sewer on her at times. She quite rightly discerned that Charlotte Ferry was after something.

“Did I tell you? I have a new housekeeper. She is living in the cottage with her daughter-in-law,” Charlotte smiled again, getting ready to begin her pitch, to introduce Ruth to ‘Mrs Doubtfire’. Charlotte looked at her standing in her long floral dress, she was a larger lad. However, knowing how her cakes tasted, she did not blame the woman one little bit, they were divine. Her grey hair sat in perfect curls on her head, and her thick-rimmed glasses were perched on the end of her nose. She really was the double of the character in that movie.

Before Mavis could answer, Charlotte continued to speak.

“Poor girl. Only 25 years old, and a widow. Her husband died out in the desert, he was a soldier,” Charlotte continued, knowing that letting slip that Ruth was a war widow would definitely hit home with Mavis, having lost her own husband in the Falklands Conflict so many years before.

“She is quite desperate to work. Has a first honours degree in business, I believe. But, because she was a native of Afghanistan, and her husband’s tragic death had happened, before immigration could do all of their checks, it had taken them this long to allow her a work permit. So sad. I was wondering….” Charlotte’s voice trailed off as she looked at Mavis.

“I don’t have a lot going on at the moment, however, have her send in her resume, and I will see what I can do. No promises, a lot of my clients require experience, but if anything comes up, I will let you know,” Mavis sighed, knowing full well she had been played by the infamous Mrs. Charlotte Ferry, but the thought of a young girl dealing with the death of her soldier husband struck Mavis straight in her heart, and she resigned herself to attempting to find something for the girl.

“Oh wow, thank you so much. I will vote for your cake, Mavis, as always,” Charlotte smiled, then happily went to cast her vote for the best cake of the meeting.

Charlotte arrived back at her home and noted the lights to the cottage were still shining in the downstairs window. She smiled triumphantly to herself and decided to head over and give Ruth and Naomi the good news. She gave a loud confident knock on the door and waited as Ruth opened the door, wearing a long cotton nightdress that had seen better days.

“Oh, sorry, I have caught you at a bad time. But I have news,” Charlotte smiled at the beautiful woman before her.

“Oh, we were just heading to bed. Please do come in, I have just made some coco. Would you like some?” Ruth welcomed her with a smile.

“That would be lovely,” Charlotte grinned at Ruth and stepped inside the small yet beautiful cottage.

“Thank you so much Mrs. Ferry for the groceries you gave us,” Naomi smiled at her new employer.

“It is Charlotte, and no worries, you are welcome,” Charlotte waved her off with a flourish of her hand.

Ruth handed Charlotte the cup of coco, inviting her to sit down. They had spent the evening unpacking and making the cottage their home, and now she was ready for bed.

“Oh, is this a picture of your son’s?” Charlotte asked, Naomi, picking up a picture of Clay and James standing to attention on their passing out parade. They were barely adults at the time, just 18 years old.

“Yes, that is them,” Naomi smiled with pride. For all life had dealt her a bad hand, she would forever be proud that her sons had served their country, despite what had happened to them. They had made something of their lives, despite having an alcoholic father, and no real role model in their lives.

“Oh, wow, Ruth, look at you. You used to wear a hajib,” Charlotte grinned, picking up another picture that had pride of place on the mantlepiece above the stone fireplace.

“Yes, my mother had always insisted on it. She would get very cross with me because I always preferred not to wear it. When I came here, I took it off permanently, once I had the choice,” Ruth nodded her head, remembering her mother fondly, lamenting as she had over the years, that she never got to say a proper goodbye, such was the rush when Clay agreed to take her.

“You look beautiful with and without it. You and your husband were a striking couple,” Charlotte complimented her.

“Thank you,” Ruth smiled, remembering the day the picture was taken. She had felt lost and scared that day, not sure what life was going to become, but Clay had been so supportive, and kind, reassuring her every step of the way.

“Well, for my news,” Charlotte grinned.

“I spoke to Mrs. Doubtfire, and well, she asked for your resume, Ruth. Do you have one available?” Charlotte asked.

“Yes, I did one in the library and sent it to my email address. However, we had to sell my laptop, but it is on the cloud,” Ruth nodded.

“Good, good. You can access that from my computer at the house tomorrow, and we will send it over to Mavis,” Charlotte nodded happily, making a note that the girl probably did not have office clothes. However, she could not afford to buy Ruth new clothing but had a wardrobe full of things she had never worn from the time she was young and thin like the beautiful girl before her, that could be suitable for her to wear.

“Thank you, you are so kind,” Ruth smiled, lowering her big brown eyes to the floor.

“No need for thanks,” Charlotte happily waved her off again.

“Could I ask who is ‘Mrs Doubtfire’?” Ruth asked, wondering why Charlotte Ferry kept referring to her potential new boss with the name.

“Have you never seen the film?” Charlotte asked, her eyes wide with shock.

“Sorry, no,” Ruth answered.

“Oh my dear, that is something we shall rectify tomorrow evening. How about a girl’s night up in my house? I have it on VHS, and an old player in one of the side rooms. When you meet her, you will see exactly what I mean. Now, I am going to leave you. Thank you for the coco, and I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow night,” Charlotte stood, and smiled, as she happily left Ruth and Naomi, feeling a little shocked by not only her kindness but her enthusiasm for life.

Ruth sat in the large high-backed velour chair in the waiting room of Mavis Hurst's office. She smoothed down the black pencil skirt that Charlotte had gifted to her, before ensuring her white blouse was securely tucked in at the waist. She looked around the small waiting area. The building was a refurbished old stone-built terraced house that sat on the outskirts of Durham. Her heart was hammering in her chest, as she nervously awaited her interview with the woman Charlotte insisted looked like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, although Ruth thought that Naomi’s kind and fun new employer was probably exaggerating.

“Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Hurst is ready for you now. If you go up the stairs, it is the second door on the right,” The receptionist smiled, as Ruth thanked her before nervously going up the stairs.

She knocked on the door and waited.

“Come in,” Mavis Hurst shouted, letting out a sigh. She had not been able to find a temporary position for Ruth, as all her clients had insisted the person they wanted to fill in for workers had experience. However, today she had a call, and although it was not ideal, it would give the girl Charlotte Ferry was ranting and raving about some experience in an office environment.

“Take a seat,” Mavis motioned to her receiving chair, as Ruth shyly sat down, nervously wringing her fingers together on her lap.

“I have some news, but it may not be good news,” Mavis began the conversation.

Ruth looked up and had to suppress a giggle. Charlotte had been correct. The woman before her was the spitting double of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ from the movie they had all watched a week ago. She politely smiled at her potential new employer and waited for her to speak.

“My normal clients want a person with experience. However, I have one who has a bit of a strange offer, but it would at least give you some experience in a work environment,” Mavis began.

“It is to work in the mail room, of a factory, which makes those fancy breads you find in delicatessens. The company is struggling financially, and Signor Coats is an old friend, so I said I would attempt to help him. He needs someone to deliver the mail, do the post, work as a relief for the receptionist, and do some other work, such as photocopying, and shredding. However, he can only give you expenses for traveling to and from work, but has said, any of the bread that is beautiful, but not perfectly shaped, he will give to you daily. It is only for a few weeks, as he is waiting for a big corporation that is going to purchase his group of companies, to finalise an offer. But it is something, and having you do some work, will help me when finding you a better position, that will pay you, ” Mavis informed Ruth.

Ruth felt both elated at the opportunity and slightly disappointed that again she would not be able to financially contribute to the bills. However, as far as she was concerned, if this small role helped her get better jobs in the future, then she would happily take it.

“If anything else comes along in the meantime, which pays a proper hourly rate, I will of course give you first refusal on it,” Mavis offered.

“Thank you, Mrs Hurst. I will be happy to help out Mr Coats,” Ruth smiled, hoping that Naomi would not be too disappointed with just the fancy bread that did not quite meet sales standards, for wages, and her travel expenses.

“Then you will begin Monday. I will email you all the details, and the first lot of money for your travel will be paid in cash. However, I will need a receipt for that,” Mavis explained.

Ruth listened as Mavis Hurst gave her all the information she would need, then with a shake of the hand, she walked out of the office. Grateful for the experience, but still a little disappointed that she would not receive any actual pay. But she was determined to make the most of it, and she held her head high, as she walked along the street, ready to catch the bus that would take her to her new home.