At last ‘A life’
By Julie D Cole
Chapter 44 A door closes at last

I rang Jessica and told her we’d be going to the apartment to gather the rest of Sallys’ belongings and that after that she’d said to say the flat was available for rent. She didn’t say anything except ‘Yes it’s OK.’ I’d expected some remark.

After I left work I met Sally on schedule and we arrived at Jessicas apartment at the same time as Julie who had 2 big suitcases and some cardboard boxes. Jessica hadn’t arrived home as we started to pack Sallys belongings and carrying them down to the car. Jessica turned up as we were loading the last cardboard box.

Sally just glared at her. If looks could kill she would have been dead. Jessica just said ‘ Please check to ensure you’ve got everything because I’ll be changing the lock on your door. I’ll deduct the cost and then send you a cheque for the rest of the deposit you paid’

I cut in quickly to calm the situation and said I’d let her know if Sally had forgotten anything and she could give me the cheque at work’

Then Sally spoke and said sharply ‘Or pay it into Chrissys account since you know the details.’

Jessica reacted instantly ‘What do you mean?’ and in a flash Sally said ‘ You know very well and you deserve everything that’s coming to you.’

I had to step across them and coax Sally into the car. Julie also stepped in front of Jessica to ensure there was no trouble. I think she might have liked the chance to jump in.

When we got in the car Julie started laughing and turned to Sally and said she was great and very quick with her comments. She said ‘I still think I should have punched her nose as well’

As we pulled away Sally looked up at me and said ‘Thanks for coming with me you two. You don’t know how relieved I am to leave at last.’

We arrived home and mum was just preparing some Bolognese sauce for dinner having been at the hospital all afternoon. She welcomed us with the news that Gran would be out by the weekend and that she’d probably stay with her for a few days. She said Gran had asked us to visit her so I said I’d go if I was back from Manchester in time and then told her about the trip with Kate that was planned.

We all sat in the kitchen chatting whilst mum stirred the sauce and Julie cleared up around her. She is always insisting to wash things as soon as we put them down and is very house proud. Maybe I’m not like her in this respect and I decided to try harder.

Mum was happy that we’d brought the rest of Sallys belongings home and said she was welcome to stay for a while until we sorted ourselves out. I wasn’t sure if she meant that we were crowding her or not.

She said that Gran had been chatting a lot about when Judith and mum were young schoolgirls and how they used to fight sometimes. Mum always won. Then she said that dad had called her that morning and had heard about Gran and was concerned. It was Julie that had contacted him and she confirmed this with a little smile towards me. Mum seemed pleased he’d shown concern.

I asked where he was living and she said he was in London when he called and had said he was going to York the following week and would like to call in to see us if she didn’t mind.

I wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or not. Should I let him see me or not? Should I change to meet him if he did come? It was a few years since I’d seen him and I didn’t know whether I should see him or not. Mum said ‘It’s time to talk with him I think. After Grans stroke a lot of memories came back and I think it wouldn’t harm to mend some fences.’

I joined in the preparations for dinner by making a tossed salad and Sally laid the dining room table. Julie de-frosted some Italian bread from the freezer that smelled delicious and we were soon settled around the dining room table with a bottle of sparkling wine.

It was nice to relax and we all seemed ready to wind down. But Sally seemed on a high and was really chatty since a great weight seemed to have been lifted. She’d not had chance to take her belongings upstairs but she was already settling in as one of the family and I liked being one of the girls. ‘What would I tell dad?’

None of us were late to bed and before I knew it Kate was pulling up at the bottom of the drive. What would the neighbours think with such a big car arriving.

She got out of the car to say hello to mum who couldn’t resist coming to meet her. She said that she had heard so many nice things about Kate and I was bright read by this time with embarrassment. Sally poked her head ou of the front door to take a look at Kate I suppose and Kate just smiled and waved.

It was early and the sky was bright with nice tree blossoms around the gardens that smelled so nice.

Kate turned on some music and sped off towards the motorway to try to beat the early morning rush.

‘You look nice today Chrissy. I think you’ll make a good impression.’

‘Thanks Kate I don’t like to let you down and Julie has been really helpful to be my stylist even though she didn’t need to get up early.’

I said I hoped that I would not let her down in the meetings.

She said ‘I meant you’d make a good impression at lunchtime and not in the meeting.’ That’s not so important today but it’s a good excuse for you to meet some management staff and gain confidence.’

We arrived in Manchester about 30 minutes ahead of our planned time and Kate parked in front of the main entrance and someone came out to park the car for her. She was obviously well known and treated with respect. Everybody referred to her as Ms Harper.

She introduced me to the event organizer who said she’d look after me and show me around. It was an Area Management meeting and review meeting for 2010 results.

Jackie worked for the Group CEO looking after corporate affairs and shareholder relationships. Two girls were helping her and were responsible for welcomes and the morning arrangements. We went to the meeting room that had places set for about 30 people.

As Managers arrived I was introduced and helped look after them showing them where the refreshments were and identifying their seating positions. Everybody seemed to be kind to me and I was enjoying the experience.

Kate came in to the room flanked by two guys who were obviously not so important as Kate. Then Kate told me that she’d been officially confirmed as the new Group Managing Director and had just met the CEO who was going to make the announcement. I just said ‘Congratulations Kate, I’m so proud of you.’

She said ‘Don’t worry we are not moving I’ve insisted to work from my present office.’ I guess I’d looked concerned.

Then Jackie took charge and the meeting started. I felt nervous sitting at the back of the room with the other two girls. ‘Other two girls?’ My head seems to have turned completely these last few days. Already I have trouble recalling what life was like as Chris. It didn’t seem to have any high points or excitement like this.

At the coffee break Kate came over and asked if I was OK. I said that I was very pleased to be spoiled to see her speech and that she was a great motivator. I thought she’d been very clear about her targets and ideas for the Company and the CEO seemed to have a good relationship with her.

Then she said the meeting would finish at 11-30 because the CEO was flying back to London and that she’d meet me at 12 noon to go for lunch.

‘Do you mind telling me who are we meeting?’

‘Wait and see, it's a surprise so don't spoil it. I've actually arranged us to have lunch with someone who you probably don't know. Trust me and let's take it from there. He assures me that he has met you before.’

To be continued………