Page 6 of Love Will Save the Day
My mouth stretches into a benevolent smile before I realise that I’mactuallynot responsible for his happiness. That I did not save his life. ‘I’m a really, really good personal trainer,’ I declare, vowing that in order to make up for the fact that I am lying to this innocent and very handsome man, I will be the best personal trainer he’s ever had.
‘I’m so sorry you’re being evicted, Bess’ Henry says, announcing the word ‘evicted’ like it’s foreign to him which it likely is. I know how much a woollen coat like his sells for, and let’s put it this way – one of those coats could pay a month of the rent that Mr Hemmings is evicting me for.
‘Um, yeah,’ I say with an embarrassed grimace. ‘I suppose life just got a little bit tricky these last few weeks. I’m sure I’ll be back on my feet soon! You hiring me will definitely help. So… would you like me to email you my CV?’ I say trying my best to slip into professional mode. ‘And my standard rates? I have plenty of experience. Of course, I’m not going to cause you injury or anything but you might want to check me out before you definitely decide you want to do this.’
‘Are you kidding?’ Henry laughs. ‘I literally trust you with my life. I’m thrilled to have the chance to repay you in some way, although, it feels like you’d be helping me out more than the other way around.’
‘Not at all,’ I say. ‘You would be helping me massively.’
‘Hey…’ Henry says thoughtfully. ‘This is going to sound awfully unconventional but… I happen to have a spare room at my house if you need somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks or so?’
I frown. ‘What?’
‘I mean. Gosh. I hope you don’t think that’s inappropriate of me to suggest? I just… I meant what I said about repaying you. And it appears that there is actually something I can do…’
I can’t go and stay in the house of a total stranger. A stranger I’ve just tricked him into hiring me. To live in his spare room would be a million steps too far. That would make me a full on crazy con woman.
I laugh politely. ‘Ah, it’s alright. But thank you for the offer. I’m sure I’ll be alright.’
‘Are you sure?’ Henry says. ‘It’s a lovely mews property off Ledbury Road. I have a room-mate, Auguste, and he’s lovely. It would really be no worry. And you could stay as long as you like. Rent free of course. It’s the least I could do. And I promise I am very normal. I could send youmyCV, if you like?’ He chuckles kindly.
Wow. Henry is genuinely grateful to this mystery woman. I peer down at my gloved hands. I consider the fact that I’m still shivering and that I’ll likely not get any sleep tonight because it’s so cold in here. I think about going through the Spare Room message replies and having to weed out the pervs and the crazies in order to find some extortionately priced box room in Catford or something.
‘Um…’
It’s very unlikely that he’s an incredibly well dressed, handsome and polite serial killer. And I suppose it would be the same as staying in a nice Airbnb for a little while, giving me some time to find a more suitable place to stay and another full-time job. Plus, he said he lives in a mews house. I’ve always wanted to go inside one of those gorgeous looking Notting Hill mews houses.
A tiny mouse skitters out from under the sink, takes a quick peek around and then turns around and skitters back, probably because it’s too cold in here.
Argh.
I literally do not have anything to lose.
‘You know…’ I say eventually, my heart thumping because this whole thing is bonkers, ‘having somewhere to stay for a couple of weeks would actually be really helpful, Henry.’
I hear a surprised intake of breath from the other end of the phone.
‘Yes!’ Henry says. ‘That’s great. I’d be so happy to help. I can pick you up if you like?’
‘You mean, like, tonight?’
‘Why not?’
Why not.
