Page 53 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

I’m really not sure he’s going to notice so I refuse to feel worried about it as I head off into his bedroom to finish cleaning.

A couple of minutes later I head back to my bag for the box of brownies Oz gave me for Zach. I don’t need to be worrying this much about George having no food to eat.

* * *

I’m back in the bedroom, smoothing the comforter on his bed when the ‘Danger, Will Robinson!’ ringtone interrupts.

Fishing my phone from my pocket I answer, ‘Hi, Ma.’

‘Why haven’t you been answering your phone?’

‘I’m busy. You know, doing what I’m supposed to be doing in the middle of a Tuesday morning, working.’

‘I … you’re sure? You’re not just telling me what you think I want to hear?’

The fact my mother sounds as if she has donned actual kid gloves has me starting to worry. ‘What’s up?’

‘First, tell me what has you so busy. I thought you said this guy’s apartment was sterile and soulless?’

‘It was.’

‘Was?’

I’m disconcerted to realise I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I know.

So wrong.

It’s not that I’m happy that someone’s life is potentially in turmoil. It’s more the feeling that I’m finally being treated to George’s inner life.

Maybe he’s starting to trust me – trust that I will clean up the mess he’s left.

I can’t tell you how gratifying that is.

Mostly because it’s my job.

But also, I don’t know … it feels good.

Like I’m being given the chance to really help.

‘I think Mrs. Lundy was right about George,’ I say in a gossipy, confidante kind of whisper.

‘Who’s Mrs. Lundy?’

Eye roll.

Only my mother could pick up on the new fact rather than the way I said it.

‘My friend,’ I answer defensively.

‘Honey, you don’t call friends by their last name like that.’

Busted.

‘Mrs. Lundy is becoming my friend. Her first name is Hildy and we talk every week.’

‘Every week, huh? Like at a regular time?’ I hear her take in a breath and hold it and I brace before she releases it in a stream of exasperation. ‘Ashleigh, it’s bad enough you’re doing this job. Now, you’re thinking these clients are your friends? They’re not your friends, Ashleigh. They’re your employer.’

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