When Thea’s role in the tree discussion was over, Ezz was left with Grete. It seemed a good opportunity, though her online course hadn’t prepared her for this exact situation. She took a breath. ‘I’m hoping to ask your view on something.’ Then the planned explanation of the downtime situation tumbled out in an awkward rush.
Grete’s silvery eyebrows rose above her glasses in dismay. ‘Of course, you must take your time off. I am sorry this was never discussed.’ Embarrassed colour stained her cheeks. ‘I have been wrapped up in our arrival and did not realise you were here too much. It will be good if Orla could cover your absences, but we will need very little apart from housekeeping.’ Grete rose, her usual twinkle back in place. ‘A little more money for Orla, I think. Let me know what is appropriate.’
‘Of course.’ Ezz beamed in relief, rising to walk Grete to the door, grateful that her world felt back on its axis. She waited for the family door to close behind Grete, then, feeling ten times lighter than a couple of hours ago, smiled at Orla, sitting behind the reception desk. ‘Can you come into my office a moment, please?’
Orla looked anxious but hurried to follow as Ezz settled herself behind the desk. Ezz began, ‘I’ve been speaking to Mrs Larsson about arrangements while the family’s here. As we don’t have our new assistant manager yet, I’m hoping you can cover my days off. It will mean a small salary increase—’
But she got no further. Orla clasped her hands and blurted, ‘Ezz, I’m sorry. I’m to hand in my notice. We visited Drumnadrochit so my husband could attend a job interview. He’s just heard this morning that he was successful. His new boss’s husband works at the Loch Ness Centre and thinks there might be a vacancy for me. We’re to leave before Christmas.’
Ezz’s buoyancy faded into a second of dismayed silence. With an effort, she summoned a smile. ‘That’s a surprise, but congratulations. I hope you’ll both be happy in your new jobs.’
But this news, on a day of seesawing emotions when she’d crashed from anger at Mats Larsson’s big ideas, to fear she’d have to leave her job, and then into relief that Grete’s calm hand of authority had prevailed.
For once, she just wanted to go home and shut herself away.
