Bones in the Nest by Helen Cadbury Read Free Book Online

little further along the journey than some of our clients, if there’s something available … Yes, here we are. Right up your street.’
    Chloe reads the page upside down.
    Halsworth Grange, Trainee Gardener, full-time.
    She’s looking for a pound sign and some numbers to go with it. She can’t wait to be earning her own money, but Mrs Hildred has moved on to an application form and is tellingher that the closing date is very soon, so if she’s interested they’ll need to be quick.
    ‘How much are they paying?’ she asks.
    ‘It’s an apprenticeship, Chloe. It’s just £2.73 an hour while you’re training.’
    ‘That’s not even minimum wage. And I’m already trained. I’ve got …’
    ‘Yes. No. Ah, well, I mean, I know you have your certificates but with you being’ – she runs a finger up the inside of her arm and pulls it away – ‘out of the job market for such a long time.’
    The eczema rash has deepened to a livid scarlet and the rest of her skin is pink. Chloe wonders why Mrs Hildred is so embarrassed. She might as well say it. It’s clear she knows exactly where Chloe’s been.
    ‘It’s OK,’ Chloe says. She can’t watch the poor woman suffer any longer. She dodges the knees to pick up her CV and gives it back to Mrs Hildred. ‘I’ll apply.’
    ‘Wonderful! I’ll go and scan this and we can get an email off to them straight away.’
     
    The next morning Chloe stands under the shower. She’s been awake since six, to be sure of getting in the bathroom first. Mrs Hildred phoned the hostel shortly after Chloe got back and said she needed to be at Halsworth Grange the next day for an interview. Taheera has offered to take her in the car. It’s tiny, like a creamy white toy car with a burgundy roof and seats to match. It’s beautiful and Chloe doesn’t want to stink it out, so she scrubs herself hard and when she’s dry, she sprays herself all over with Icy Mist.
    She stands in the lobby of Meredith House waiting for Taheera to finish her handover to Darren, the assistant residential officer. Taheera’s got a few days’ leave and is going to see her family. She says Halsworth Grange is on her way and at least Chloe won’t have to worry about being late. She’s helped her to look up her return journey: bus, train, bus. It’s going to take a while, but it’s OK. Chloe is looking forward to the ride. The times and numbers are all printed out and she’s grateful for that. She’s no good with computers.
    The office door opens and Taheera’s there. There’s no sign that she’s done a night shift. Her make-up is perfect. The black kohl around her eyes rings the green like pools of water. She’s wearing pale pink leggings and a green tunic with a pattern of peacock feathers. Chloe can’t get over how beautiful she looks.
    ‘Come on, then!’ Taheera laughs as she speaks. ‘Are we going?’
    Chloe nods. She holds her carrier bag tightly in her hands. Inside is a folder with all her documents, including a letter sealed in a brown envelope, which she must not lose. As they head towards the door, Emma comes out of the TV room.
    ‘Good luck, pet. Knock ’em dead!’
    Chloe manages half a smile but she can’t speak.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Halsworth Grange
    Halsworth Grange is up a long drive. She asks Taheera to drop her at the gate. She wants the last few moments to clear her head, to think a little. In the car they listened to the radio. Taheera was happy to be going home and Chloe tried to be happy for her. There’s a mum and a dad and a brother there, Taheera said, and an older sister who’s left home but who comes back all the time with her baby son. Every now and then, Taheera gave her little pieces of advice about how to answer questions and to remember to smile and look interested.
    Chloe practises the smile as she walks up the hill, but it feels strained. She is wondering if Taheera will be seeing Mo, the young man with the tag on his ankle. It’s none of her business, she knows