Page 2 of A Chance in a Million
‘The Sappers, sir, the Royal Engineers.’
‘What? Bridge-building and so on?’
‘I was in bomb disposal and mine clearance, mainly training local troops in how to go about it.’
‘Remarkable.’ His bushy eyebrows arched upwards. ‘That sounds like a very demanding job. And now you’ve obtained a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge.’
‘That’s correct, sir.’ She wasn’t sure whether she really needed to keep calling him ‘sir’, but some habits were hard to break.
‘Can I ask why you decided to leave the army?’
‘A combination of things. I was involved in an incident that resulted in my being injured, but most of all I needed a change, and I’ve always wanted to write.’ There was so much more she could have told him about weeks in hospital, followed by long months of convalescence, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and of course her broken heart, but he didn’t need to hear any of that. That was nobody else’s business but hers.
‘I see. So why do you feel you would be suited for this position?’
Jane had been preparing for this question ever since reading the advert.
‘The advertisement mentioned a famous author looking for a PA. I love writing and can’t imagine anything better than being able to work alongside a successful writer. I believe my military background makes me a very organised person, and I must confess that the idea of moving to Italy has considerable appeal.’
He leant forward on his elbows. ‘How well do you speak the language? That is fairly fundamental.’
‘Quite fluently really. My mother’s originally from near Milan and she usually speaks Italian to me and my sister. I’m maybe a bit rusty now but it’ll soon come back.’
‘I see. And your command of the written language?’ He selected a sheet of paper from the file and handed it across to her. ‘Can you give me a translation of this, for example?’
She took it from him and studied it. It was an official-looking document granting permission for the renovation of a dilapidated oak door dating back five hundred years. Interestingly, the document was on City of Venice headed paper and she felt an immediate surge of excitement. The advert had only mentioned Italy, not a specific place. After giving him a quick oral translation – it wasn’t particularly complicated – she queried the document’s provenance. Venice would be amazing. Her spirits leapt as he confirmed it.
‘You will have noticed that the position would involve you working principally in Venice. This is a residential position and you’d find yourself living right in the heart of the city. Might that pose any problems for you?’
She shook her head emphatically. ‘None whatsoever. In fact, it sounds wonderful.’
‘Do you know the city?’ Seeing her shake her head. Mr Russell allowed a little smile to spread across his august features. ‘Then you will have a treat, a thousand treats, in store.’
She noted with interest his use of the future, rather than conditional tense. Might this mean he was going to offer her the job? She concentrated hard as the interview continued for almost another half an hour and when he finally drew it to a close, she saw him sit back and utter the words she had been dying to hear.
‘Captain Reed, I’m pleased to say that I’m convinced you are the best candidate for this position and on behalf of my client I would like to make you a formal offer of employment.’ The smile reappeared on his face. ‘Do you feel able to accept or would you like time to think about it?’
‘Thank you so much, Mr Russell. I would be delighted to accept although I do have a few questions.’
The smile didn’t leave his face. If anything, it broadened. ‘Excellent and, yes, I’ve been expecting you to ask quite a few questions. I imagine top of the list is the identity of your new employer.’
‘Indeed. Can I assume she is a household name?’ All it had said in the advertisement had beenworld-renowned author.
‘Yes, indeed. Her name is Lady Veronica Cooper. She instructed me that she didn’t want to broadcast her name until I’d found the best candidate for the position.’
‘Veronica Cooper…?’ Jane had to stop and think. She was a voracious reader and she felt pretty sure she would have recognised aworld-famousname. Maybe this lady wasn’t as famous as she thought she was. She glanced up at the solicitor and saw him positively grinning now.
‘Unfamiliar with the name, Captain Reed? Then how about her nom de plume: Veronica Leonard?’
‘Wow!’ Jane had been expecting a reasonably famous name, but Veronica Leonard was one of the best-known romance writers of all time. Her numerous books had been translated into dozens of languages all over the globe and she had enjoyed celebrity status – and no doubt income – for many years now. ‘I had no idea of her real name.’
‘She was married to General Sir Peter Cooper.’
‘Wasmarried?’
‘Sir Peter died two years ago.’
‘I see. And she lives in Venice?’
