Fear on Friday Read Online Free PDF Page A

business plan. I need a reliable woman who works hard, doesn’t talk too much, and iswilling to get down on her hands and knees if there’s a call for it.”
    Howard stood up and stretched. “Just going up to my den for half an hour or so,” he said. “Oh, and by the way,” he added. “Make sure this woman knows nobody goes in to clean my den. I do it myself as always. Don’t forget, Doreen!”
    “You keep it locked anyway, Howard,” Doreen said quietly to his retreating back.
    “A MAN ?” SAID D OREEN NEXT DAY . S HE HAD DECIDED to interview Mrs. Meade in her kitchen. Start as we mean to go on, Doreen had decided. Now she looked at the confident, attractive woman sitting on the other side of the table, and repeated, “A man to come and clean for me? Good gracious, I can’t have that. What would Howard say?”
    Lois smiled patiently. “I don’t know, Mrs. Jenkinson. It isn’t all that unusual these days. Bill has worked for me for quite a while, and has always given satisfaction. He’s the son of a farmer in Yorkshire, and as well as working for me, he helps out at the vets. There’s nothing odd about Bill.”
    But Doreen frowned. “Is there no woman who could come?” she said.
    “Certainly,” Lois said, realising she was up against a person used to having her own way. “But perhaps you’d like to give Bill a try? Then we could send someone else if you weren’t happy with him. Anyway,” she added, getting to her feet, “why don’t you talk to your husband about it, and give me a ring tomorrow? I have some very experienced women on my team, and there’d be no problem in sending one of them.”
    “Very experienced?” said Doreen. “In what way? Surely it doesn’t take much experience to do a bit of dusting and hoovering. We don’t make a lot of mess, just the two of us.”
    Lois looked at her watch. “We take our cleaning very seriously, Mrs. Jenkinson, and our clients appreciate that. I’m sure you’ll find we do a good job. Our aim is to make you happy. After all, it’s your home and you live in it. No,” she added, “don’t disturb yourself. I’ll see myself out, and look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.”
    “Oh, no, I’ll see you to the door,” Doreen said, hastily following her out of the kitchen. “And there was one other point—an important point. My husband does not like anyone going into his den. Even me! He keeps it locked, as he has important papers in there. He cleans it himself, so he knows nothing will be disturbed.”
    Does he now, thought Lois, but she nodded and said, “Fine. We’ll remember that. Hear from you tomorrow then,” she smiled, and walked briskly out to her van.
    On her way home, she called in to see Bill. He had just returned from his least favourite job at Farnden Hall, and was making strong tea for himself and his long-time partner, Rebecca.
    “I hope I’m not interrupting,” said Lois, accepting a cup of Bill’s brew. “Just thought I’d let you know that you’ll be cleaning for the Mayor and his lady wife as from next week.”
    “Wow!” said Bill. “They don’t come any grander in Tresham. Old Howard Jenkinson? I’ve heard he’s a wheeler-dealer and one to beware of. A real Treshamite of the old school. Tough and unforgiving. Charming on the surface, and ready to crucify you if necessary.”
    “Where’d’you hear that?” Rebecca said. She taught in Waltonby village school, and was not well up in town gossip.
    “These things get around,” said Bill. “We hear all sorts in the vets’ waiting room. Apparently the Jenkinsons used to breed those poor little squashed-face dogs, and were tight as ticks when our bills were sent. Always quibbled. Wanted discounts. You know the sort, Mrs. M.”
    Lois smiled. “We’ll be ready for ‘em, then,” she said. “Mrs. J has to clear it with her husband—she’s not at allsure about having a male cleaner. You know, the usual thing. But I think it’ll be all right. If not, I’ll