One Rainy Day by Joan Jonker Read Free Book Online

except Andrew is far more clever than I’ll ever be.’
    Andrew was standing behind his desk, and he beckoned his sister over. ‘Come and sit in the junior partner’s chair and see if it makes you feel important. But take your coat off first, so you look the part.’
    Wendy helped Charlotte with her coat, and couldn’t help feeling the quality of the material. She didn’t feel envy, just admiration for the style and colour. ‘I’ll put this on a hanger for you, Miss Charlotte.’
    ‘Thank you, Mrs Stamford, but I don’t want to put you to any trouble.’
    ‘It’s no trouble. I’m just so pleased you are here.’ Wendy caught Andrew’s eye. ‘Shall I make a pot of tea, Mr Andrew? I’m sure you and Miss Charlotte have a lot to talk about.’
    It was Charlotte who answered, as she sat in Andrew’s chair and placed her hands on top of the desk. ‘While I’m in thischair, Mrs Stamford, I think I should give the orders. As my brother said, it does make me feel very important.’ With that she spun round in the chair and her laughter filled the room. ‘You’ll have to fight me to get your chair back, Andrew. I love it.’
    He winked at his secretary. ‘She’s still a little girl at heart, so I’ll pamper her this once. If it comes to a fight over the chair, though, I would remind you that as my secretary you will be obliged to help me separate her from it.’
    Wendy laughed as she made her way out of Andrew’s office into her own. ‘I’m afraid fisticuffs are not in my contract, Mr Andrew, so I’m afraid you’re on your own.’ She popped her head round the door. ‘Making a good cup of tea is, though, and it will be served in ten minutes.’
    Charlotte waited for the door to close before saying, ‘I like your secretary. She’s very friendly and seems good fun. Are you going to explain what she does for you?’
    Andrew sat on the corner of his desk, delighted at the way things had gone so smoothly. Swinging his leg, he began to explain Mrs Stamford’s duties, and his sister’s eyes grew wider as she listened. ‘You mean she can write as quickly as you speak, and then she types all the letters? She must be very clever.’
    ‘Very efficient, Charlotte. She keeps this office ticking over like clockwork. Not alone, of course, for there are two typists in the other office who are very efficient also. But Mrs Stamford is very much in charge of everything that goes on. She worked for Father until I took over some of the business. Then he kindly gave her to me to help me familiarize myself with the many aspects of running an office. And I have to say I’d have floundered without her. She’s an absolute gem.’
    Charlotte was taking in what Andrew said, and she wasthinking he must be very clever. ‘Can I meet the rest of your staff, Andrew, or would I be interfering with their work? I would very much like to meet them, then I’ll be able to tell Mother all about it. I must say I am very impressed, and I believe she will be, too!’
    Andrew quickly got to his feet, pleased that his sister was showing some interest. ‘Of course you can meet them. That was my intention. Come now, before Mrs Stamford brings the tea in.’
    To say Nita Williams and Letty Kennedy were taken aback when Andrew walked into their office with a girl on his arm would be putting it mildly. Their fingers hovered over their typewriters as they wondered whether they should carry on working or not. Andrew’s introduction and Charlotte’s friendly smile quickly broke the ice, though, and soon the clerks were chatting while they made a mental note of the clothes their boss’s sister was wearing. The wage they earned was average, and didn’t run to such fine, high-fashion clothes. But that didn’t stop them appreciating and admiring them.
    Charlotte was quite happy asking questions and would have stayed longer, but Andrew didn’t want to keep the women from what they were doing. ‘I think Mrs Stamford will be ready for us now, so