Page 64 of Things We Need to Say
‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ Emma asked.
‘With the briefing?’
‘No, with the rooms.’
‘You’re offering to clean rooms?’
‘Well, yes.’ Emma wondered why the head housekeeper looked so perplexed.
‘You’re management.’
‘But surely the best way to learn everything you need to manage is to start at the bottom and learn from the ground up.’
‘Well, there is that, but I don’t really have the spare staff to train you up today.’
‘I did do some stand-in days a few months ago.’
‘Really? Must have been when I was away. That’s not how I run things.’
‘Maybe you can put me with an experienced staff member and we can work the rooms together. That way we can getthrough the work quicker, especially if we make the beds together.’
‘That might work. You could help Adejo. But your clothes?’ Mrs Henderson pointed to Emma’s best work suit.
She had a point. It would be difficult to work in this suit, especially as the skirt was narrowly fitted. Then she remembered her spare clothes. ‘I’ve got my gym kit in my locker. I was going to do a work-out when I finished, but, after a day in housekeeping, I guess I won’t need to. If you can lend me a tabard, I’ll fit in with everyone else.’
For the first time since she’d entered the office, Mrs Henderson smiled.
‘Do you know, Emma, I think we’re going to get on just fine. I’m Jane, by the way.’
* * *
Emma was delighted that she seemed to have won over Mrs Henderson. But judging by the look on Adejo’s face when she learned that Emma was going to be working with her, she knew she had another hurdle to climb.
‘Follow me,’ Adejo said when the briefing was over. She walked away and left no room for Emma to make conversation. Adejo pushed the trolley with the fresh linen while Emma steered one containing everything else that was necessary to replenish the rooms. While they waited for the lift, Emma smiled at her colleague.
‘Have you worked here long, Adejo?’
‘About ten years.’
‘That’s a long time. You must like it here.’
Adejo glanced at her. ‘I do it for the money.’
Emma nodded. She was afraid to make another comment and say the wrong thing. Adejo was obviously not the kind of person to be won over by mere conversation. She would justhave to prove that she was capable of hard work. It was probably the only way to gain her respect.
The silence in the lift was tense and Emma was glad when they reached the first bedroom. Adejo swiped her card to open the door.
‘What would you like me to do first?’ Emma asked.
Adejo shrugged. ‘You’re the boss.’
‘Not today I’m not. I’m here to work for you and lighten your load.’
Adejo frowned as if the concept was unfamiliar.
‘Okay,’ she said slowly. ‘First thing is to strip the bedding and put it in the basket in the trolley outside. Then all the surfaces need to be cleaned and polished. The teas, coffees, milk and sugar need replacing. There’s a list on the trolley. I’ll make a start on the bathroom.’
Emma nodded and got down to work. She was already sweating by the time she’d stripped the bed. It was so large she could see how difficult it would be for one person to remake it.
