One Rainy Day by Joan Jonker Read Free Book Online Page B

informed, or is this a spur of the moment visit?’
    ‘I invited Charlotte to come and see my place of work, asa birthday present to me. And she very kindly agreed. Mrs Stamford and the others were delighted to meet in person the sister I’m always talking about. And Charlotte, of course, wouldn’t come to my office and not to yours. She’s been on pins wanting to come down. So I’ve suggested she stays with you, to be shown around, while I attend to correspondence.’
    ‘Wonderful,’ George said. ‘It will be my pleasure to give my lovely daughter a tour of inspection.’
    ‘I’m taking Charlotte to lunch, Father, and we’d very much like you to join us. Twelve o’clock on the dot.’
    The smile on George’s face faded. ‘Oh, I am so sorry, but I won’t be able to join you! I have a client coming here at half past twelve, and I can’t break the appointment because the client confirmed it just ten minutes ago. If only I had known yesterday, I could have made it another time. But it isn’t good business to cancel an appointment, especially with one of our biggest customers.’
    ‘Don’t worry, Father,’ Andrew told him. ‘We can make it another time. I’m sure Charlotte can find room in her diary to fit in a lunch with the two men in her life.’ He gave his sister a peck on the cheek. ‘Work awaits, my dear. I’ll call for you at twelve.’
    ‘Don’t forget to take your brolly, Mr Andrew.’ Wendy Stamford watched him putting his coat on. ‘It’s raining quite heavily at the moment.’
    ‘I won’t forget. I can’t let my sister get drowned on her first visit to my office. It would take all her enjoyment away.’
    When he hesitated, and looked back at his desk, Wendy said, ‘I’ll make sure all the post goes out, Mr Andrew, and I’ll make a note of all incoming calls. If anyone important rings, I’ll ask them to ring back or they can leave a message withme. So go on your way with an easy mind, and have a very enjoyable lunch.’
    Andrew took the large umbrella from the stand and placed the curved handle over his wrist. ‘At the risk of giving you a big head, Mrs Stamford, I have to say once again that secretaries don’t come any better than you.’ He bowed from the waist. ‘All being well I should be back, at the latest, by three o’clock. And now I bid you farewell.’
    Feeling carefree, Andrew whistled as he ran down the steps to his father’s office. He was pleased to see Charlotte sitting on her father’s huge desk, swinging her legs and looking relaxed. ‘You look at home, Charlotte,’ he said. ‘All you need is a notepad in one hand and a pencil in the other. You’d make a very lovely secretary, and I’m sure business would increase if you were sitting within the view of clients.’
    Fastening the buttons on her warm, pure wool coat, Charlotte shook her head. ‘I’m not very good at spelling, and even worse at arithmetic, so shorthand would be impossible. Far from attracting new clients, I’d drive away the ones you have.’
    ‘Come along.’ Andrew offered her his arm. ‘I’ve ordered them to serve the meal at twelve thirty, and I’d like us to have a drink first. I’m sorry you won’t be joining us, Father, but we’ll arrange something in the near future.’
    ‘You two youngsters enjoy yourselves. It does my heart good to see you together.’ George held his cheek for his daughter’s kiss. ‘Make the most of being young. It doesn’t last for ever.’
    ‘We’ll take your advice, Father, but perhaps not today. A quiet lunch is as exciting as it’s likely to get. However, it will be an excellent lunch, in a select, comfortable and friendly atmosphere. What more can we ask for?’
    After closing the office door behind them, Andrew and his sister stepped down on to the bottom step. ‘It’s raining very hard, Charlotte, really pelting down. As soon as I have the brolly up we’ll make a dash for it. So be ready, or your hair and clothes will be