Page 99 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘You do not need to get a job at Sparkle,’ I immediately say.

‘What’s wrong with being a cleaner?’

‘Absolutely nothing,’ I shoot back. I watch people walking towards us and there’s less frowning and more openly admiring of George now they’re not being blinded. Yeah, if George worked at Sparkle, Rhonda would have to have multiple conversations with him about how to deal with clients asking for extras. ‘I got the job through a recommendation,’ I tell him. ‘I was cleaning out my desk at my old job and one of the evening-shift cleaners, Jamal, stopped me to ask if I was leaving. When I said “yes” he said that made him sad because I was the only person who never treated the cleaning staff as if they were invisible.’

‘God, I feel like I may have done that at work.’

‘Hey, it isn’t like we want clients taking up our shift unloading their problems, but a friendly acknowledgement and sometimes a quick two-way chat? That’s different. No one likes to feel invisible.’ I hear my voice get quieter at this last statement and determine to push away the tightness in my throat. ‘I told him about my parents owning their own cleaning company and how I used to help out as a teenager and he suggested I go and see his boss. They had a domestic cleaning service as well and were always looking for staff and the rest, as they say, is history.’

It's amazing how walking in to see Rhonda and walking out with my first shift was the start of a good change. The cleaning was something I knew. It brought comfort, routine, a sense of control. Made me feel I could survive.

Because I wasn’t surviving before – not after Sarah died. Not in my job at Best Home. Not in our tiny apartment.

Not after going through her things and discovering…

‘Well,’ George says, pulling me out of spiralling thoughts. ‘I’m making a note that whatever I do next it won’t involve ignoring cleaning staff.’

‘Do you have resources to take the pressure off finding something ASAP?’

‘I do but I’m so used to having a plan and working to a plan. It’s uncomfortable to realise I need to plot my way through again.’

‘Those skills will come back to you.’

‘You’re very good at this.’

‘This?’

‘Soothing the soul. Easing the panic.’

‘Oh.’ It feels like I’m blushing. Or is it that it’s so warm out today?

‘So now that we’re out of my four walls, are we heading for anyplace in particular?’

‘I don’t know. What’s your favourite coffee shop? Favourite store?’

‘Other than the grocery store, I’m not sure I’ve been into any around here.’

‘You’ve lived in The Clouds all this time but never ventured down to the stores?’

‘Anything I needed I got delivered. Which I’ve mostly needed to do because I’ve been working, working, and, oh, yes, have I mentioned I’ve been working?’

‘Cute.’

‘I did Manhattan when I first arrived. And I know more places around where the agency is. Bars. Restaurants. The place I get my hair cut.’

‘Well let’s explore some.’

‘But I don’t need anything.’

I snort. ‘So other than your office and the surrounding area, some fancy-shmancy places to eat and drink and maybe a couple of Broadway shows, that’s the extent of your New York City experience? You’ve done none of the cheesy sightseeing? You realise when you go back for your brother’s wedding everyone’s going to ask what all the famous landmarks are like?’

‘So where do you recommend?’

‘Um … so many places.’

‘Which one did you love the best?’

I feel him looking at me but I need to concentrate on where I’m walking.

---