pushed you into a relationship with John that’s too comfortable, too familiar, and too much what we as parents would like.’
When Maisie explained how she felt about John, how much she’d missed him since he’d been gone, and how excited she was about a new life in London with him, her mum had sighed. ‘Och, lass, you’d better go join him then. But remember there’s always a place here for you – never forget that,’ she’d added, giving Maisie a tight hug.
The thought of going back having made a success of life down here was infinitely preferable to having to go home and admit things hadn’t worked out. That she’d made a mistake. That John wasn’t the love of her life after all.
Maisie swung her legs out of bed and rummaged in the rucksack for the last of her clean clothes. Whichever offer she accepted, and she knew she had to decide one way or the other, she’d ask Tina if she could do a load of washing – she was in desperate need of some clean things.
‘Morning, Tina,’ she said, opening her bedroom door.
‘Hi. Coffee?’ Tina said. ‘And I thought maybe we’d have poached eggs on toast for breakfast?’
‘Sounds great. Can I help?’
Tina shook her head. ‘Kitchen’s so small there’s barely room for me. Sleep all right?’
Maisie perched on one of the tall stools by the breakfast bar. ‘It won’t surprise you to know I had the best night’s sleep in weeks. I can’t thank you enough for this and for last night. You were so kind.’
Tina pushed the cafetière and a mug towards her. ‘No worries. You look better than you did last night, which is a relief.’
‘The down-and-out look isn’t really me,’ Maisie said. ‘Not being able to shower and have clean clothes every day.’ She shuddered. ‘I’ve been thinking about your offer. The sensible thing would be for me to go home and admit I’ve made a mistake, wouldn’t it? Settle back down at home, find another job up there.’ She glanced across at Tina who simply shrugged.
‘On the other hand, the thought of living down here, working, making my own way for once, is something I’ve dreamt about for ages now. I thought coming down to be with John would be the beginning of a new life. Instead it turned into the worst two weeks I’ve ever spent.’ Thoughtfully, Maisie stirred a few grains of sugar into her coffee.
‘What sort of job did you have at home?’ Tina asked.
‘I worked in our local bookshop when I left school. When it closed I got a part-time job in a coffee bar until I persuaded a friend’s mother to give me a job in her boutique. I loved it. Clothes, jewellery and make-up – it was heaven. I’ve not got the right qualifications to have an actual “career”.’ Maisie sighed and made finger signs in the air as she said the word career. ‘I’m computer literate though,’ she added. ‘At least John gave me that.’ She took a sip of coffee as Tina gave her a curious look.
‘He’s a computer nerd. I suppose my dream job would be either in one of the big bookshops down here or in a small boutique that sells vintage clothes. Oh, thanks, this looks good,’ she said, as Tina placed two plates of poached eggs on toast on the kitchen breakfast bar.
‘I don’t know about vintage boutiques but there are several bookshops around and lots of coffee shops here that always seem to be short-staffed. Might be a start?’ Tina said. ‘Not sure what they pay though.’
‘Minimum wage,’ Maisie answered. ‘I’ve applied for some, but once they found out I didn’t have an address they didn’t want to know. Catch 22. No address – no job. No job – can’t get an address.’
‘Minimum wage isn’t a lot,’ Tina said. ‘You’d need to work a lot of hours to earn enough to live on.’
‘If I find a job and sort myself out,’ Maisie said slowly, ‘how much rent would I need to find for you?’
‘I told you, nothing for the first month. After that…’ Tina pursed her lips. ‘You should know by then if you’re happy here or whether you want to go home. If you do decide to stay, we can work out a figure you can afford based on what you’re earning.’
Maisie concentrated on eating for a moment before saying, ‘I’d like to stay. See if I can make things work out.’
‘Good. There’s just one thing – your parents. Have you spoken to them? Told them what happened with John?’
‘I’ve spoken to them a couple of times,’ Maisie said. ‘But I haven’t told them about John or how I’ve been surviving. I didn’t want to worry them.’
‘That’s the first thing then. Phone them. Tell them the truth about what’s happened and what you’re doing. If they want to talk to me, I’m happy to do that. To reassure them.’
‘I can’t believe you’re doing this for me, a stranger,’ Maisie said, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.
‘Hey, you’re just down on your luck temporarily and I’m in a position to help. Maybe one day you’ll get the chance to help someone yourself. Pay it forward, as they say.’
‘You’re like my guardian angel,’ Maisie said. ‘I promise you I’ll repay you somehow.’
‘Not necessary but, as I hate washing up, I’ll leave you to do the breakfast things,’ Tina said. ‘Afterwards, I thought we might go out and I’ll show you the neighbourhood and you can start to suss out places that might have a job for you.’
Sunday lunch at the village restaurant was lovely, but as soon as they got back to the cottage, Ben disappeared into his study again. Tina hadn’t answered her phone before lunch and Jodie really wanted to check with her about staying in the apartment before saying anything to Ben.
It was early evening before Tina finally answered her phone.
‘Hi, Jodie. How’s things? Not long before the Book Fair. Do you know which hotel Ben’s booked you into yet?’
‘He’s not coming,’ Jodie said. ‘Says he’s too busy. I’m thinking of coming on my own. Stay in the flat with you, if that’s all right?’
Tina didn’t respond straight away and in the silence Jodie could hear another voice whispering something.
‘Sorry, have you got someone there? Shall I call back later?’
‘No, it’s fine. Maisie was just asking about having another shower.’
‘Maisie?’
‘My new flatmate. Well, for a month anyway, then we’ll see what happens.’
Belatedly Jodie remembered Tina telling her about someone looking at the room last night.
‘Didn’t turn out to be a weirdo then?’ she said. ‘If she’s moved in already.’
‘She’d been sleeping rough and she’s far too young and vulnerable to be doing that. I had to help.’
‘Hang on – sleeping rough?’
‘Yes. Left home in Scotland to follow her boyfriend down here. Only to find she’d been dumped.’
‘Rent? References?’ Jodie asked, knowing what the answers would be.
‘She’s staying as a friend,’ Tina answered defensively. ‘Once she’s got herself sorted we’ll talk about rent. Jodie, she’s just a kid who needs a helping hand. You know how frightening the city can be when you first arrive here. There’s always someone unscrupulous enough to take advantage, particularly a young girl like Maisie.’
‘Oh, Tina, I do hope you’re not being taken for a ride,’ Jodie said.
‘I know I’m not,’ Tina said.