One Summer in Spain Read online

  The cakes were nicely arranged on a silver platter, and the aroma of freshly brewed tea and coffee provided a welcoming touch. Dulcie was seated on the sofa and Rupert in the chair, but where would the interviewees sit? Gemma realised that they really hadn’t thought everything through properly, and where was their paperwork? Surely they had a list of questions ready to ask each candidate? It didn’t seem at all professional as when she raised the subject, both Dulcie and Rupert each thought the other had seen to that. Gemma could see that for everyone’s sake it was best that she took over the reins. With that, the doorbell rang…

  “I’ll get that, and show the lady into the dining room, while we quickly put some questions together.”

  “My dear, I think it would probably be better if you were to stay in here and ask the questions for us, don’t you think, Rupert?”

  “Well, the thing is, I don’t know what you’re really looking for in the ideal candidate or what the job entails.”

  Gemma felt she was slightly out of her depth, with the first candidate arriving early, but she showed the lady into the dining room as suggested, and went to help Dulcie and Rupert put together a list. The role was quite straightforward; the successful applicant would be expected to carry out domestic tasks – cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, plus drive Dulcie and Rupert wherever they wanted to go. It was important for the new housekeeper to have a clean driving licence and ample housekeeping experience.

  Gemma had persuaded them that they should ask the questions and go over the role and responsibilities, and she would stay in the background and only intervene if they run into difficulties. By the time they had agreed on the questions they wanted to ask, two more ladies had arrived and it was edging close to ten o’clock. Gemma brought the first candidate through to the lounge, a woman in her 40s, but somewhat stern and difficult to take to, she thought. She couldn’t really imagine either Dulcie or Rupert getting along with her, but that remained to be seen.

  “This is the first lady. Please come in. This is Amanda….”

  “My name is Miss Crane, and that is how I wish to be addressed. First of all, you don’t have any pets living here, do you? Cats, dogs, rabbits, small animals? I’m telling you now, I don’t like animals at all, so if I decided to take the job, I wouldn’t allow you to have any pets in the future.”

  The first interview was not going well. In fact, it seemed to be conducted by Miss Crane rather than Dulcie and Rupert who both answered her questions like naughty school children facing a dominating headmistress. Miss Crane hardly stopped to draw breath, pushing Rupert to speak up when he hesitated to answer her quickly enough and telling him not to be so shy and that she didn’t bite. Two things stood out there as being far from accurate. Firstly, Rupert was far from shy. He was a self-assured, sharp witted gay man who had probably spent most of his life putting others down, and secondly Miss Crane was exactly like a little terrier, biting, snapping and with far too much energy for her own good. When she did eventually stop for a breath, Dulcie took the opportunity to put her in her place.

  “It’s such a shame, Miss Crane. You would have been ideal for this role, except that I’ll be getting a couple of poodle puppies soon. They’ll need walking twice a day as well as bathing at least once a week, so it’s a pity you don’t like animals. Thank you for your time. Gemma will show you out.”

  That was the perfect way to end the interview. Gemma saw the funny side of that one, and almost pushed Miss Crane out of the door in her rush to introduce the next interviewee. In fact, candidates two and three were the complete opposite to Miss Crane. Neither woman had much to say for herself, choosing to answer in a monosyllabic fashion. These interviews were most strained, much like getting blood out of a stone, Gemma thought.

  Three down, two to go. However, with only one lady left in the waiting room, it was obvious that the 11.30 candidate had failed to turn up. The last lady did seem very pleasant, she had a captivating smile and as Gemma saw her into the lounge and introduced her to Dulcie and Rupert, she seemed to be most open and warm.

  The interview was going well. All three seemed to have established an immediate rapport and Rupert was in his element making the lady laugh by telling her there would be no need to clean his kitchen as he tended to eat downstairs with Dulcie most of the time. Gemma could tell that this lady was perfect for the role; she had relevant experience, was polite, easy to get on with and was willing and able to carry out the driving duties required.

  Suddenly, the mood of the interview completely changed when the lady asked if she could bring her daughter and two-year-old grandson with her. The flat up in the loft space was so tiny that it was barely big enough for one person, let alone three, and was hardly suitable for a toddler. Unfortunately, Dulcie and Rupert had to refuse. It was sad because she would have been perfect for the job, but at least she was understanding and thanked them for their time.

  “So, why are you leaving the job, Gemma,” the lady remarked as she made her exit. “I expect you’ve had great fun living here with such lovely people.”

  “Oh, no, I don’t live and work here. I’m helping Dulcie today as she’s hurt her leg.”

  “Really? Oh, that’s a surprise. I thought I was being interviewed for your job. If you don’t mind me saying, I think you’d be perfect for it. Perhaps you should apply!”

  Gemma showed her out and headed back to Dulcie and Rupert who were deep in conversation.

  “So now that’s all over, let’s talk about you. Do you have a job, Gemma?”

  They certainly weren’t short of questions now, bombarding her with one after the other. Two hours, and a few cream cakes later, Dulcie and Rupert knew her whole life story, not that there was much to tell. Gemma knew what was coming – but she couldn’t drive and that was one of the most important aspects of the job.

  “Look at the time! I think we should have a nice glass of something, don’t you, Rupert? Why not crack open a bottle of wine for us all. Believe it or not, Gemma, it’s one of the few jobs Rupert can do without messing up.”

  “Cheeky, my dear! It‘s not as if you’ve ever refused a glass or two.”

  Gemma really liked Dulcie and Rupert and half wished she had taken the opportunity to learn to drive. Working as a housekeeper here would be a laugh a minute role. One glass of wine soon led to three, and she enjoyed listening to all their amusing recollections of adventures together spanning many years.

  “So, Gemma, how would you like to look after us? Don’t worry about not being able to drive though. We’re quite capable of getting taxis until you pass your test, and we’re happy to pay for your lessons. Actually, we haven’t mentioned the salary, have we, and before you make your mind up, you should go up and see the room. If the decoration isn’t to your taste, you’d be more than welcome to change it all. Follow the stairs all the way to the top, and then come and tell us what you think.”

  Gemma climbed the first flight of stairs, noticing that all the doors were open, including Rupert’s room. There was a smaller, narrower set of stairs leading into an attic space complete with lounge, kitchenette, bedroom and shower room. It did need brightening up and would have been far too small for two adults and a toddler. For one single person it was ideal. Heading back down the stairs, Gemma could hear Rupert and Dulcie speaking in hushed tones, or making a poor attempt at whispering, which was actually quite amusing.

  “Now don‘t rush her, Rupert. Anyway, the wage might not be suitable. Come to that, she may not even want to look after us two has-beens. She’s just left university, don’t forget. She has her whole life in front of her, and as we know, the world is such an exciting place.”

  Approaching the lounge, Gemma made a noise out on the hallway to signal she was about to come in, so they wouldn’t be embarrassed about talking about her. She could see herself being happy living in the small attic flat, but apart from not being able to drive she also had another reservation about accepting the job and it was only fair that she should mention it. />
  “I love the flat. It’s perfect, and I would be very happy living here and working for the pair of you. I’m sure it would be a real joy and far from boring.”

  “Do I sense a but coming, Gemma?”

  “Yes, there is to be honest. I’ve discussed my career history and background with you, but it’s just that I don’t seem to have a lot of patience when it comes to jobs. I’ve never been able to stick at anything and I even got bored on my gap year abroad.”

  “But how do you feel about the job right now? As you can see, we’re quite desperate for help now Dulcie’s hurt her leg. How would you feel about taking the job on temporarily?”

  “Take no notice of him, Gemma. He’s only thinking about himself, or should I say, his stomach. He struggles to boil a kettle, you know. Goodness knows what he’d do if he had to cook himself a meal!

  “But you could give it a try, say for three months, and if in the meantime something more exciting came up, you’d only have to give us a little notice to try and find someone else.”

  “Okay, that’s a deal. Three months, it is, but it works both ways, you know. If you aren’t happy with me for any reason, you mustn’t be nervous about mentioning it. I’ll understand and there’ll be no hard feelings.”

  “What a perfect compromise, Dulcie, and by the way, my dear, no, my stomach doesn’t come first. She was only joking with you. By the way, we haven’t discussed the salary. It’s twenty-five thousand per year, just over two thousand pounds per month. How would that suit you, Gemma?”

  Chapter 3

  “Morning, darling. Dad’s just left for work, so let me make you a coffee and we’ll sit down and chat about this new job and the elderly couple offering it to you. We’re a bit concerned, to be honest. It seems to be good to be true, and you know what they say about that statement. If it seems too good to be true, it generally is. It’s an extremely high wage for a live-in housekeeper’s role, and did I hear you say that you shouldn’t tell anyone about it? You have to admit, it’s all rather strange.”

  “I know, Mum. I’ve been going over it all in my head, and coming up with the same things. Yes, the wage does seem to be on the high side with the accommodation being included too, but it’s a very tiny room. Anyway, don’t worry about it. I’ll discuss it all with them and ask some questions, but first things first. I must just phone for a taxi to take Dulcie and me to the hospital to get her leg looked at. I’ll take everything from there, I promise. I know it’s all a bit unusual, but it’s actually quite exciting too. Really can’t wait for you to meet them!”

  Gemma booked the taxi and phoned Dulcie to tell her to be ready for ten o’clock to go to the hospital. As she showered and got ready, she mulled over her conversation with her mother and could fully understand her concerns. The whole situation was odd. Why had these two elderly people suddenly decided they needed a housekeeper? If they had that sort of money spare, surely they would have had one before this. Were they hiding something? Was it all legal and above board?

  “Taxi’s here, Mum, I’m off now, and please don’t worry. I’ll call you when we get back from the hospital and I’ve had a chance to chat about things with them both. Bye for now.”

  “Morning, taxi for the hospital? I’ve got an instruction here to pick you up and also call at another address on the way. Is that right? Oh, well, well, it’s Gemma, isn’t it! Bet you don’t remember me. Craig! We were at primary and junior school together.”

  Gemma had a vague recollection of Craig. He had gone to the comprehensive school whereas she had gone to high school, but it was a long while back and a lot had happened in the meantime. They chatted over their lives and careers while taking the short journey over to Dulcie’s. Craig explained that he had trained to be a carpenter on leaving school, but he had met Claire, his now wife, and gone to work for her father’s mini cab business. Five years on, and he was still working for his father-in-law. Craig was very chatty and open, also ruggedly handsome in an innocent, rather shy way with his vivid blue eyes and blond hair. Quite fit, in fact.

  “Do you have any children, Craig?”

  “Sadly not. I’d quite like to have a family, but Claire prefers her single lifestyle too much.”

  “Thought you said you were married? How does the single lifestyle fit in with that?”

  “I guess it’s all a bit complicated, but it works for her.”

  “But does it work for you, Craig?” I suppose you’ve got a good job working for her Dad though.”

  “Driving around day and night ferrying members of the public around! I wouldn’t call it enjoyable, but I suppose it’s a secure job. Things will get better for us in time. Right, here we are. This is the address I’ve been told to wait at, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, that’s right. If you could wait here, I’ll go and fetch Dulcie. She might be a minute or two as she’s elderly and struggling to walk – hence the hospital trip.”

  Dulcie was in a state of disarray. Still not dressed, unable to move very well and her leg looking quite swollen. Gemma nipped outside to tell Craig they’d be a little longer, but eventually with his help, the pair of them managed to get Dulcie into the back seat of the mini cab.

  Traffic was light and it didn’t take too long to get to the hospital. Dulcie did most of the talking on the way, taking over the questioning from Gemma. “Do you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?” she asked Craig. His response, although short and sweet, was unusual. “Yes, I have to,” he replied.

  “No, you don’t, young man. Nobody has to do anything they don’t want to.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want to.”

  “No, that’s true, but something tells me you aren’t overly happy.”

  With that, they had arrived at the entrance to the hospital and said their goodbyes. Gemma fetched a wheelchair from the reception area, helped Dulcie into it, pushed her into a space in the corner of the accident and emergency waiting room and registered her details. Unfortunately, it looked like being a long wait. The receptionist warned it could be anything up to three hours, and taking a look round Gemma could see why. There were children, workmen with injuries, elderly people in wheelchairs – quite a queue of patients to be seen.

  Noticing two empty chairs in a secluded part of the waiting room, Gemma helped Dulcie out of the wheelchair and they settled down together in readiness for their lengthy wait.

  “This is a far better spot, my dear, far more private, and away from listening ears. We can talk here without being overheard. I’m sure you’ve got quite a lot of questions you’d like to ask, as no doubt this job seems a little strange to you. I wouldn’t be surprised if your parents are concerned about it too.”

  Dulcie seemed to be one step ahead in the conversation, and over the next few hours everything slowly became clear. She had met Rupert on a film set more than 50 years ago, and that had been the start of their blossoming friendship. They were young, carefree and single, and had lived together in a small London flat whilst both working in hotels waiting on tables. In those days getting a job was far easier, cash in hand jobs were plentiful and flexibility was more common. You could swap your shifts with your colleagues if needed, and that was the secret of their success. If one of them went for an audition, the other would stand in and cover their shift, and in the event of one of them securing a role, working as an extra on a TV programme or a film, the other would work all hours covering breakfast, lunch and dinner shifts.

  Working in the hotel gave them a social life as well as an income. They enjoyed the entertainment, the alcoholic parties and the hectic pace of the hospitality industry, but eventually both of them realised that they were never going to make the grade as actors. They’d have to continue with the hotel work and concentrate on making the most of the life they had. Over time they moved on, both with their respective partners, yet still close friends when needed.

  “You see, Gemma, the wage we’d be paying you… Well, to be honest, Rupert and I haven’t had the money very l
ong and in a way it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. In a way you’d be our very first purchase, our very own luxury, a treat to ourselves! Let me put that a little better.

  “During my marriage, I had a daughter, Janice, and she’s part of the reason I’d like our arrangement to be just between the three of us. Janice is now a middle-aged woman, but she can’t see it. She still thinks she’s a teenager, and sadly she tries to keep up a young lifestyle, partying at the weekend and enjoying a single lifestyle after a couple of failed relationships. However, that said, she’s given me a lovely grandson, Jamie. He’s doing so well for himself, studying at medical school and trying to be there for Janice.”

  They were then interrupted by a nurse handing them some paperwork and giving directions to the X-Ray Department. Gemma was starting to build up an interesting picture in her mind of Dulcie and Rupert’s friendship over the years, each of them being there for the other, despite their personal family issues. She also understood why Dulcie wanted the money to be kept a secret from her daughter. Gemma gained the impression that Janice would be round every five minutes wanting money from her mother, but there was still one unexplained mystery. Where had the money come from?

  X-rays completed and analysed with good news. No broken bones, just severe swelling. Dulcie needed a dose of tender loving care, rest and painkillers. Three hours after arriving at the hospital, they found themselves again at reception waiting for the mini cab to take them home.

  “Oh, a different driver. I was hoping it would be the nice young man who brought us here. He was so helpful, and so polite and pleasant.”

  “Ah, sorry about that, Madam, you must mean Craig, my son-in-law, but don’t worry – I’m helpful, polite and pleasant too.”

  “I’m sure you are. I must say you’re so lucky to have such a lovely son-in-law.”

  “Well, I know that, but it’s a shame my daughter doesn’t realise what a gem of a husband she has. One day she’ll wake up and it’ll all be too late. If Craig’s got any sense he’ll realise that and walk away. I know it’s not nice to talk about my own daughter like this, but she really does treat him like a doormat. I keep telling her she’ll lose him one day, but does she take any notice? No, of course not, but that’s kids for you, I suppose. Anyway, if he’s daft enough to put up with her, that’s his problem.”