The first time Holly met Brendan’s wife, she’d got the distinct impression that Geraldine was looking for more than an employee; that she wanted a best friend.

Of course, she knew that couldn’t be the case; being someone’s friend was hardly a paid position.

‘Although we haven’t got kids yet, I hope we will have one day.’ A shadow had passed over Geraldine’s face but she’d quickly recovered. ‘Brendan works really hard and we have an amazing life, but it gets lonely and…’ She’d hesitated. ‘I’m not a friends sort of person, I suppose. I have difficulty trusting people.’

Holly had nodded, but she was far from being sure of exactly what Geraldine was trying to say.

‘As you can see, we have Patricia to do the housekeeping, so there wouldn’t be that much to do around the house. You’d be mainly hanging out with me and accompanying me to various places… Is that something that might interest you, Holly?’

Was she joking? Holly had thought. It had sounded like a dream… one she intended snapping up.

‘It sounds perfect. I’d love to work for you, Geraldine.’

‘Excellent! Well then, consider yourself hired. Myra at the office can sort out all the boring paperwork.’ Her eyes had flickered over Holly’s outfit. ‘We’ll go out shopping right now and get you some new clothes and anything else you need.’

Neither Brendan nor Geraldine had mentioned salary or working hours yet, but Holly felt a bit awkward bringing it up. She’d hopefully get a chance to broach the subject later.

‘I have some clothes back at the apartment,’ she had volunteered. ‘I can go and get changed if you’d prefer me to.’

‘Oh no, you don’t need to go back there. Come on, I’ll show you to your bedroom.’

Holly had found herself ushered back out into the hallway and up one of the flights of stairs. She felt a little twinge of sadness when she thought about the neat little flat with the river view. She felt sure she could have been happy there.

This was an amazing house for sure, but it occurred to her that living full-time with her boss might prove a little stifling on occasion.

Her mind had been swiftly wiped clean of any doubts whatsoever when Geraldine opened a door and they stepped inside a bedroom so beautiful it literally took her breath away.

There was a large double bed centre stage with a diamanté-studded cream headboard, champagne-coloured bedding and a matching sparkly throw. Fitted mirrored wardrobes entirely lined one long wall.

Geraldine had walked over to a door, opening it so that Holly could see the stylish black and white en suite bathroom beyond.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ Holly had exclaimed.

She’d stood by the large picture window that overlooked the front of the house and spotted the fountain Brendan had driven around earlier. From this vantage point she’d been able to see that the gravelled driveway was flanked with mature bushes and trees, with just a glimpse of the imposing metal gates beyond.

Suddenly Geraldine had been beside her, encasing Holly’s hand in her own warm, dry fingers.

Holly had managed, somehow, to keep the startled look from her face.

‘Do you think you could be happy here, Holly?’

‘I do.’ She’d placed her other hand on Geraldine’s arm, overcome by a rush of gratitude. ‘I really do think I could.’

---

The next twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind.

Geraldine wouldn’t hear of Holly going back to the apartment for her belongings.

‘Brendan will arrange for someone to pick up your things. Probably best to throw most of it away anyway,’ she’d said dismissively. ‘You’ve probably noticed we prefer clean and new here at Medlock Hall. No bad memories, no insecurities that old stuff keeps hold of, you know?’

Holly had nodded in agreement. She’d known exactly what Geraldine meant.

All the clothes she’d brought with her to Manchester had memories attached. Of feeling less-than while wearing them. Labelled an ugly duckling and never quite matching up to the other girls at school. She wouldn’t be shedding any tears by letting them go.

‘I’ll give you a tour of the house later. We have a gym and pool in the basement that you can use. It’ll take no time at all to get rid of that puppy fat.’

Holly had swallowed down the lump in her throat. The girls at school had called her lard ass every day during her last year. Puppy fat was a kinder term, but everyone knew it meant the same thing.

Just before lunchtime, Brendan had swept back into the house.

‘She’s going to stay!’ Geraldine had clapped her hands childishly as he embraced her.

‘Brilliant news,’ he’d beamed, opening his briefcase. ‘I got Myra to draw up a contract on the off chance. Nothing to worry about, just covers us and protects you, you know the kind of thing.’ He’d waved a silver pen at Holly. ‘Have a read-through, make sure you’re happy with everything and sign at the bottom.’

Holly had accepted the proffered pen and started to read through the contract, although it had been difficult to focus on it because Brendan had continued talking to her.

He’d told her briefly that Markus had begun his new job as assistant manager at one of his nightclubs.

‘One of my guys will bring your stuff over from the apartment later,’ he’d said. ‘Markus has already left for Newcastle.’

‘Newcastle?’ She’d stopped reading and looked up at him in surprise.

‘That’s where the club is.’ He’d shrugged. ‘Got to follow the work, right?’

What he’d said was true, of course. Markus had to pursue his own new start, but she’d felt unexpectedly vulnerable at the news that he’d already left. There was nobody here she knew well any more. She was alone in a strange city.

‘Hey, don’t look so put out.’ Brendan had smiled kindly. ‘We’ll look after you.’

She’d smiled back gratefully. She had no right to feel sorry for herself, living the dream like this.

‘Holly… come and see!’ Geraldine had called brightly from the hallway.

She’d pushed the contract aside and stood up.

‘Can you just sign that before Geraldine commandeers you? Myra will chew my ear off if I go back without it, and I have another bloody meeting in an hour.’ Brendan had held out his hand for the paperwork.

Holly had hesitated. She’d hardly read any of the contract yet, and there were four double-sided stapled pages filled top to bottom with official-looking typed clauses.

‘I’ll bring a copy back with me later so you can read through it at your leisure,’ Brendan had added. ‘Is that OK with you?’

She’d smiled and nodded, signing and dating the document on each page, as indicated.

Why give it a second thought? She’d got to stop acting like everyone was just waiting to do her down. She reminded herself that she’d left that all behind now. She was among professional people who were going to help her make a better life.

‘We’d usually want references, but I think we’re pretty good judges of character, and we know Markus,’ Brendan had said. ‘You seem like a good sort to me.’

She’d blushed. Then Geraldine had called her name again.

‘Thanks, Brendan,’ Holly had said before leaving the room. ‘I really do appreciate what you’re doing for me.’