Dreams to Sell by Anne Douglas Read Free Book Online Page A

department before they have their interviews. We’ve cancelled all appointments for today.’
    â€˜Oh, the fellows might be along soon, then!’ Norma cried. ‘I’d better get back to the front desk – Miss Calder wants me to look after it this afternoon.’
    As soon as Norma had left, Roz took her compact from her handbag and studied her face. Must look my best, she thought, but, oh, Lord, see those violet shadows underneath my eyes! Looked as though she hadn’t slept for a week, and it was true that last night, at least, she had lain awake for far too long.
    That was partly because she had been worrying over Dougal’s leaving and how Ma would take it when it actually happened, for though she was now well enough to return to work – just in time before Mrs Abbot sacked her – there was no guarantee that she would stay well when the goodbyes came. It was partly, also, of course, to do with what was happening today. Her own D-Day, as they’d called that day of invasion in the war – her own crucial day of reckoning, for this would be the time when her life at work would be decided just as surely as the successful candidate’s.
    Norma had asked why she was so worried, and Roz had tried to explain the importance of getting on with your boss. But it was more than that, really. More that she’d become so used to Mr MacKenna’s easy ways, so cushioned against difficulties, that she wasn’t sure how she’d cope with someone who might be different. Almost certainly would be different – that was the point.
    Oh, grow up! she told herself. You can do your job well, whatever happens. Just don’t worry about how the new man does his and how that might affect you. Powder your nose, put some more lipstick on, and look your best. The candidates could walk in any minute now.
    Sure enough, almost as soon as she’d put her compact away, they did walk in, shepherded by Mr MacKenna, all three looking around with interest at the department. And her.
    â€˜Gentlemen, this is Miss Rainey, my assistant,’ Mr MacKenna told them. ‘My prop and stay ever since she joined the department. Someone I really couldn’t do without, and who will be as helpful, I know, to my successor.’
    As a quick blush rose to Roz’s brow, the young men nodded and smiled. Mr Appin, the plump one, soon looked away, as did Mr Franklin, who was wearing tortoiseshell glasses and was almost as thin as Mr Wray, while only tall Mr Shield’s gaze rested on her a little longer. And it was a friendly gaze, quite intent, from fine hazel eyes beneath well-marked dark brows, darker than his thick, light brown hair, and Roz rather enjoyed returning it. Only for a moment, though, as Mr MacKenna was beginning to outline some of the routine work of the department, moving the candidates on to study the property photographs before showing them Roz’s own little office and asking her to explain her duties.
    She managed that quite well, surprising herself with the ease with which she went through her work, before leaving it to Mr MacKenna to add a last word or two.
    â€˜As you know from the job description,’ he began, ‘the duties here include a certain amount of general legal work apart from managing this department – you’ll have to be prepared for whatever comes along, but in any event, Miss Rainey here will hold the fort. She will also assist on visits to properties in taking particulars.’
    Glancing at Roz, as he spoke, he added: ‘I believe she considers it one of the perks of this job that she gets to see the houses. Isn’t that right, Miss Rainey?’
    â€˜Oh, yes, Mr MacKenna,’ she agreed eagerly. ‘Houses are my real interest.’
    â€˜Yours, too, of course?’ Mr MacKenna asked the candidates, at which there was a chorus of agreement and a smile from him.
    â€˜They have to be, it goes without saying, if you look after a