He pauses to take a drink of water and I steal another glance at him. As he puts the glass down he catches my eye and gives me atiny hopeful smile. Of course, he isn’t aware that I already know his secret, and shame burns at my face, so I look away again.
“I find I don’t want to sell the hall. I don’t want to destroy what my uncle built, and I don’t want to see any of you lose your jobs. But in order for that to happen, I need money... a lot of it. So I’ve done one of the few things I can do to try and raise the money in time. I don’t know how many of you are aware of adult sites, in particular For my Fans. Well, a couple of weeks ago I created an account and I’ve been creating videos of lets say... adult content. I’m sure I don’t need to go into the details.”
He pauses again for a drink, and I see Courtney trying not to giggle. I guess she’s allowed to as she’s the youngest.
“It’s been surprisingly successful. I don’t know if I can raise the full amount but I’m going to try my best. Does anyone have anything to say, any questions?”
Again I feel him look my way, his eyes boring into me. But I resolutely look at my fingers as I trace the scars on the table from a lifetime of use. I desperately want to look up into his shining amber feline eyes, but I daren’t, because now it’s far worse than I expected. He created that account for noble reasons, to save the hall and save our jobs. All I’ve done is indulge in pure lust for him, and I’m no longer kidding myself that it was a likeness. I wanted it to be him, I just never in a million years expected the truth that it was.
Simone starts talking and I feel his gaze move on.
“I thought it was something like that. It’s kind of exciting really. If there’s anything I can do to help, not with that but with helping you raise the money, then count me in.” There’s a chorus of offers to help from everyone else, of course there is, we’refamily and we pull together. But this time I can’t. I push my chair back, wincing as it scrapes along the floor, and everyone turns in my direction. I don’t look up, though. I can’t risk anyone seeing my shame and embarrassment. Maybe I do need to look for another job.
CHAPTER 14
KAI
“Sir? My niece Roberta is here,” Jones informs me when I look up from another of my uncle’s journals I’m reading. I’ve nearly finished them. There are just a couple left.
“Thank you, I’ll be there right away. Can you bring some refreshments?”
“Of course, sir,” he says with a smile before withdrawing. I put down the book and stand, but before I leave the room I walk over to the window and look out. I’m doing that more and more these days. I know I’m hoping for a glimpse of Jason. All of the staff have been brilliant and supportive since I spoke to them a couple of days ago. Almost all. I haven’t spoken to Jason. I’ve barely seen him, just the occasional sighting of him in the gardens, but not often. It’s as if he’s taken to working elsewhere in the grounds. His reaction at the meeting was pretty clear. He’s judging me for what I’m doing. I’m surprised at that, but also hurt. And not seeing him, not being able to go out and talk to him, leaves a gaping hollow in my chest. But what I’m tryingto do here is bigger than his opinion of me, it’s bigger than my feelings for him, so I just have to carry on, even if the thought of victory feels like ashes in my mouth. I sigh and turn away from the window, ready to at least do something productive and make it so I can understand the estate better, and make sure Mr Nagle can have no more influence over me.
I like Roberta immediately, possibly because she’s a fellow coffee drinker, but maybe more so because of what she says when she takes her mug from Jones.
“Thanks, Uncle Bob.” Jones’s face is a picture, and I have to press my lips together until he leaves the room. Only then do I let out a laugh, and Roberta joins in.
“He would have a fit of apoplexy if I called him Bob,” I say, and Roberta grins.
“The advantages of being his favourite niece,” she replies.
“Are you named after him?” My brain finally connects that Bob is short for Robert.
“I am, and it’s an honour,” she says with some of the austerity I see in Jones.
I go through what I think the job entails, which is extremely vague as I have no idea what I’m looking for, so I’m pleased when Roberta grasps the situation straight away and sums it up better than I can.
“You want someone to go through all the paperwork and affairs of the estate, let you know the important things, tell you where you’re leaking money, look for opportunities to make money, and ensure all your assets are secure.”
“That’s pretty much it, but I have no idea where to begin,” I say, and I give her some of my background as well as a history of the hall without giving any secrets away. I also tell her about my attempt to save the hall and how I’m going about it.
“I think there are also some paintings and furniture I could sell. Mr Nagle had an inventory of everything,” I add.
“Okay, so I can make sure we get a copy of that. I have a friend who’s an art dealer and I’m sure they’d be able to help with that.” Roberta is sounding more efficient with every sentence, and my confidence in her ability to help grows.
We agree on a trial period and what days she’ll work to fit around her studies. Then, just as Jones comes back to ask if we want more coffee, a thought comes to me.
“I have no idea what to do next. How do I actually go about employing you? What paperwork do I need?” I turn to Jones. “Jones, have you ever been involved in that?”
“No, sir. Your uncle dealt with all the staff.”
“Oh lord!” I have no idea where to start. “You have been paid, haven’t you?” I ask, unsure of that process too. Another part of the estate which I kind of thought ran itself.
“For this month, sir, yes,” Jones says in a tone that implies that they might not get paid next month unless I do something about it.
“So, Roberta, your first job is to find out how I pay everyone and get yourself on the payroll.” I shudder at the thought of them leaving me. “Also, how soon can you start?”
She chuckles slightly, and I’m glad she doesn’t seem fazed by my lack of knowledge or experience. I’ve never employed anyone.I’ve hardly been employed myself. A few acting jobs and a cash-in-hand barman don’t count as steady jobs.
