Page 6 of The Romance Library

One day I hoped I could just have one job instead of running from place to place and worrying about how I was going to make ends meet. But that was life, right? It was what everyone did: work, eat, sleep, repeat.

Work was a means to an end. It was what people did to survive, not for enjoyment. Dreams weren’t for people like me.

‘But what about love?’ she asked.

‘What about it?’ I replied flatly. I was glad that she was a fan of love, but it wasn’t for me.

Thankfully Mrs Davis took the hint and for the rest of the journey we didn’t speak.

As I helped her back into the house, something tugged in my chest. Although I knew she loved her books and preferred them to people, the fact that she’d be left here alone for another week made me feel bad. If I didn’t have to work, I would’ve stayed and kept her company.

‘Thank you.’ She smiled.

‘You’re welcome,’ I said, thinking I’d only driven her to see a building. Usually when I provided home support, it was more involved, like giving them a bath, cleaning up the house, doing the shopping and stuff like that.

‘Don’t give up on love.’ She looked me deep in the eyes. ‘Someone just as wonderful as a book boyfriend is out there. When the time is right, you’ll find each other.’

An involuntary laugh flew from my mouth.

‘Sorry.’ I winced, hoping I didn’t sound rude. ‘It’s just that… never mind.’

She’d read so many books that she believed in the fantasy of true love. But I’d seen the destruction that so-called ‘love’ could cause. And I wasn’t in any hurry to repeat the experience.

‘Until then, find love between the pages of a good book.’

‘Goodbye, Mrs Davis,’ I said, thinking it was best not to respond to her comment. Working three jobs didn’t leave much time or energy for reading. ‘Hopefully I’ll see you next week?’

‘Goodbye, Jessica,’ she said without confirming.

Fingers crossed I’d salvaged the situation enough for her to ask me back. Time would tell.

As I bent down to stock the drinks at the bottom of the bar, I blew out a breath. It’d been a busy week and after only getting five hours sleep, I was exhausted. But I had to keep going. The bills wouldn’t pay themselves.

I heard the bar stool scrape across the floor as a customer sat down.

‘I’ll be with you in a sec,’ I called out.

‘Oh good, you’re already on your knees.’ A sweaty man’s head appeared over the top of the bar. ‘That’s exactly how I like my women.’ He licked his lips and grinned suggestively.

My jaw dropped and my body shuddered with disgust. I quickly stood up and rushed out the back.

I wished I could say comments like that were rare at this crappy bar, but there wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t get at least one inappropriate comment or some arsehole trying to cop a feel.

I also wished I could knee that sexist wanker in the balls or report him to my boss, but he was no better. And if I complained, I’d be out of a job. I hated working here. But I had no choice.

Even with this extra shift, it was still going to be a struggle to pay the rent this month. I really hoped Marion would get back to me soon about whether I was working at Mrs Davis’s house tomorrow or not.

‘Mick!’ I called out to my boss. ‘I have to use the loo and there’s a customer out front.’

Without even waiting for him to reply, I dived into the toilet. Just as I closed the door, my phone started ringing. Speak of the devil.

‘Hi, Marion!’ I said cheerily. ‘I was just thinking about you!’

‘So… about Mrs Davis…’ Her voice was solemn.

‘Let me guess, I’m not working tomorrow?’

‘No.’

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