Page 7 of Surprise Me Tonight
Stella or Suzie, at least I assume it’s her and not someone trying to talk me into donating to a worthy cause, stands there clutching a purple handbag like it might shield her from an unsuspected attack. Black trousers, white round-neck top, a black cardigan stretched neat and proper over her shoulders. Her hair’s pulled back into a ponytail, with a few strands slipping loose to frame her round face. She looks… nervous. Unsure.
Not what I expected. Jess said she’d be sharp. Capable. A bit bossy, probably. This woman doesn’t look like she’s about to take charge of anything. She looks more like she’s hoping I’ll cancel the interview so she can go home and pretend this never happened.
The only colour on her is the purple of that bag and the flush in her cheeks. Both stand out more than they should.
She’s not what most people would call striking. But there’s something about her. Something that makes me look twice, then forget to look away.
She opens her mouth but hesitates.
“Callum Wright,” I cut in.
“Stella Marsh,” she says quickly.Ah, so it is Stella not Suzie.
Her voice is steady enough, but I can see the tension in the way she grips the bag strap.
I nod. “Come in.”
She follows me through the hall and into the living room. Boxes still untouched, packing tape still clinging on. I’ve made no effort to hide the chaos. If she’s put off by it, she doesn’t show it. No small talk either. I appreciate that, at least.
I stop at the office door. The hinges are stiff, the paintwork’s patchy where the last owner clearly gave up halfway through a job. I nod to the chair I’ve placed by the frame.
“You can wait here.”
She lowers herself onto it with that same careful movement she’s had since I opened the door. Not hesitant, exactly. Just measured. She doesn’t relax into the seat. She sits straight-backed, bag on her lap, ankles together like she’s bracing for something formal.
I close the office door behind me. It doesn’t latch properly. Typical.
Phone in hand, I open the video app and hit call. No Wi-Fi, so it takes a second for the connection to stabilise on mobile data. Then Jess appears on screen.
She’s all sharp lipstick, neat bun, and smug expression.
“Look who’s alive,” she says. “Let me guess. Still no lucky with the router, and you’ve probably thrown a screwdriver across the room at least once.”
I ignore her.
She waits a beat, then adds, “You know, for someone who designs sustainable tech, you really are hopeless with basic setup.”
“Remind me why I let you get away with talking like this to me.” I try to sound grumpy but I can’t help a grin. I do like our banter. “I didn’t call to get insulted.”
“No, you called to start an interview, so maybe we shouldstart the interview.”
I exhale through my nose, then turn and pull the door open.
Stella is still there. Right where I left her.
“Come on in.”
She rises at once and follows me in. I motion to the chair across from my makeshift desk. She sits with the same quiet formality she’s carried since I opened the door.
“Hi, Stella. Thanks so much for coming. Sorry I couldn’t be there in person but I was needed in London.” Jess greets her before Stella has even taken a seat.
“That’s all right,” Stella replies. Her voice is soft but clear. She offers a small, polite smile to the screen. Not to me.
Jess gets straight into it. “So, we’ve seen your CV and the notes about your course in your cover letter. Can you tell us a bit more about your previous role? Day-to-day duties, that kind of thing.”
Stella shifts slightly in the chair. Not uncomfortable, just... cautious.
“Yes. I handled diary management, meetings, documents, calls, follow-ups. Mostly internal communications. I worked for a media agency, fast-paced but structured. I liked it.”
