Page 3 of A Chance in a Million
‘Yes, indeed. Now, what other questions can I answer for you?’
Jane produced a number of questions about pay and conditions as well as asking for more details regarding the exact nature of her duties. The solicitor was able to answer most without trouble and she was pleasantly surprised by the generous nature of the package, particularly as it would include free accommodation in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Her last question about exactly what the job would entail, however, was evidently not so easy for him to answer.
‘As for your duties, I’m afraid I can’t give you much detail. I asked my client to draw up a job description, but all she managed to produce was this.’ He reached for another sheet from the file. Although Jane couldn’t read it upside down, she could see that it was far from lengthy. He read it out to her.
‘Secretarial duties, including routine typing, mail, answering the phone, emails and other messages. General assistance with day-to-day life. Representation of VL at functions.’ He dropped the sheet back on the desk and caught Jane’s eye. ‘I’m afraid that’s all I managed to get out of her.’
‘I see.’ Jane smiled back at him. ‘So it sounds like I’m in for a voyage of discovery.’
‘Indeed. What I can tell you is that Veronica is a very honest, straightforward person. You can trust her implicitly. I’ve known her for almost forty years now and I have nothing but the highest regard for her.’ She saw him hesitate. ‘There is just one thing, though. I don’t think I’ll be infringing client confidentiality if I add that her husband’s death two years ago came as a massive blow to her and, entre nous, I imagine a good part of your job will be to help cheer her up, to provide support and encouragement. Do you think you can do that?’
Jane very nearly told him she could do with a bit of support and encouragement herself, but she decided not to say anything. The fact was that this would involve revealing much about her recent past that she was keen to keep to herself. Instead, she took a deep breath and did her best to reply in positive tones.
‘I promise I’ll try as hard as I can.’
‘Excellent, excellent. Now, as you know, this is a residential position. Could I ask if you’ll be alone or accompanied?’
‘On my own, sir. I have no partner.’ She almost added the word ‘now’, but stopped herself.
‘And when might you be available to begin?’
‘Whenever I’m required. Whenever it suits Lady Veronica… or should that be Lady Cooper?’
‘The correct appellation is Lady Cooper, but Veronica was never interested in her title. She’s a very down to earth sort of person, you’ll see. Now, I know she’s keen for you to start as soon as feasible. Would you be able to start early next month, maybe even as soon as next week? Monday will be the first of June or would you like more time?’
‘Next week would be fine. I’m back living with my parents at the moment so I don’t have any complications with tenancies or anything like that.’
‘Excellent. So, Captain Reed, can I take it that you accept the position?’
‘Yes, sir, I’m very happy to accept. Thank you.’
‘Like I said, Veronica hasn’t been herself recently, so you may have to tread a careful path.’ He shot her a little smile. ‘But after your experience in mine clearance that shouldn’t be a problem for you.’
‘Certainly, sir, and thank you again.’
They both stood up and shook hands again. ‘Good luck, Captain Reed.’
She almost saluted him, but just managed to restrain the instinctive response in the nick of time.
Chapter 2
Venice was unlike anywhere Jane had ever been before. She travelled in from Marco Polo airport in a vaporetto, one of the ubiquitous waterbuses that plied to and fro around the Venetian lagoon just like normal buses in an ordinary city. This dropped her at a landing stage just past the imposing arch of the Rialto bridge and from there she had to walk the rest of the way through the pedestrians-only area. The address she had been given wasn’t easy to find. All she had was Palazzo Morea, Calle dell’Asino, and the fact that it wasn’t far from the Rialto Bridge. Fortunately she had managed to locate the tiny alleyway on Google Earth the night before and put her military training to good use as she wheeled her suitcase across the flagstones, using glimpses of the sun between the buildings to maintain her bearings.
Everywhere she went, the narrow streets were packed with tourists and the temperature was high, the air almost as humid as the Tropics. By the time she finally reached the door she was perspiring, and she was initially disappointed with what she found. With a name likepalazzo, she had been expecting a grand entrance, but all she was faced with was an admittedly rather fine – and recently renovated – oak door, but it was set in a fairly scruffy wall on one side of an unprepossessing alley little wider than a single bed, at the end of which there was just the grey-green water of the Grand Canal. The plaster had come off the base of the wall, revealing centuries-old red bricks, worn and weathered by the passing of the years, and vandals had even sprayed one spot with graffiti. Incongruously, this was in basic – and questionable – English, rather than Italian, and readPinck Floyd Sux. Clearly this was no medieval relic.
An impressive brass door knocker in the shape of a lion took pride of place on the door and gleamed in the dying rays of the sun. Evidently somebody was looking after the door and the knocker, if not the plaster. She reached out and gave it a hefty thump, hearing the sound echo up the high walls of the alley and, no doubt, around the palazzo inside, and she hoped she hadn’t offended the inhabitants. A few seconds later there was a rattling sound and the door was pulled open to reveal a mature lady dressed in black. Jane gave her a smile.
‘Lady Cooper?’
The lady shook her head and replied in Italian. ‘I’m afraid she isn’t available at the moment. Can I help?’
‘My name’s Jane Reed. I’m here to start my new job as Lady Cooper’s personal assistant.’ She was pleased to hear her Italian sounding pretty fluent. She saw the expression on the lady’s face soften.
‘Do come in, Signora Reed. We’ve been expecting you.’ She stepped to one side and ushered Jane into a shadowy hallway where it was blissfully cool after the stuffy heat outside. Shutting the door behind her she turned, wiping her hand on a cloth, before holding it out. ‘My name’s Maria. I’m the housekeeper.’ She gave Jane an appraising look. ‘You’re so much younger than I was expecting.’ A smile spread across her face. ‘That’s rather good. We need some fresh young blood here in the house.’
‘No other younger people here?’
‘No, not now. They’re all grown up and have fled the nest.’ Maria suddenly took in the fact that Jane had brought a suitcase. ‘Have you come from the airport? You should have called. Alvise would have been happy to come and pick you up. He’s my husband. He looks after the launch and the cars.’
