Page 26 of Prelude To You

“Yes, she is.” Nelson took the lead through this cavernous place. I trailed meekly behind, trying not to gawk and failing miserably.

I had so many questions, like who needed to live in a house this big, how many people lived here, and why did it feel like a mausoleum instead of a home where a family stayed. Was there even anyone around to appreciate the stained-glass windows and frescoed ceilings?

Somehow I managed to keep my curiosity on the down-low, probably because Nelson didn’t seem terribly open to curious queries. What really got to me was the crushing silence all around us.

Nelson’s shoes tapped the black-and-white marble tiles, the rhythmic sound echoing in the void. My ballet flats made no sound, and for once I felt relieved I wasn’t wearing heels.

We walked past a grand winding staircase, and I wondered how to get hold of a map to this place because there was no credible scenario where I’d be able to find my own way out of here in a rush. Like, say, in case a fire broke out.

Then again there were all those huge windows to jump out of in a pinch. I chuckled quietly at my preposterous thoughts, which made Nelson turn in his step.

“Did you say something, Miss Le Roche?”

I shook my head a vigorous no. “Just admiring my surroundings, Nelson.”

“It is nice, isn’t it?” he said simply, and we resumed our journey to the center of the earth.

“Nice is one way to describe it, I guess,” I said, half to myself. And this time Nelson grinned a little.

The splendor was one thing. But most amazing of all was the fact that I hadn’t seen another living soul inside, except for Nelson.

There was yet another staircase, and this one we ascended. The beautiful, gleaming wood steps just begged for me to do the stair shuffle dance, but alas I had to keep pace with Nelson. Which gave me plenty of time to absorb the never-ending grandeur of the place.

Eventually Nelson stopped at a door in a very long hallway, and turned to me. “Please wait here for a few minutes, Miss Le Roche.”

“Oh sure,” I managed. “No problem.”

A small plaque beside the door announced Miss E. Leyland, Head of Staff, confirming she was indeed the queen of this domain. I hoped she was at least personable. Nelson knocked on the door, and I heard someone say “Come in.”

Nelson marched inside and closed the door behind him. I stood there quietly until I heard Nelson, and presumably Miss Leyland, get into a very controlled argument. And naturally, I moved closer to listen to what that was about.

“What do you mean she has no other references!?”Miss Leyland asked Nelson. Underneath the cool voice, she sounded borderline pissed.“Since when do we rely on vague references from someone outside of our staff?”

My insides churned. They were going to fire me before I even started.How foolish of me to think I could pull this off. But to my surprise, Nelson stood up to Miss Leyland.

“Emily, you have alienated every suitable recruitment agency because you are never satisfied with anyone,”he said calmly.“What do you propose we do?”

Miss Leyland countered with a dismissive tone.“This girl hasn’t been given a background check! That’s completely unacceptable, and you’re fully aware of that.”

“All the others you fired were fully vetted, and yet here we are.”Nelson shot back.“I understand your apprehension; we both share the same concern. But I suggest you give her a chance.”

I quietly appreciated the fact that Nelson was all-in for me to stay. He wasn’t taking any of Miss Leyland’s bullshit. For a moment it seemed as if Nelson won the argument. But Miss Leyland wasn’t done.

“No, I don’t think so,”she said firmly.“Give her four hours’ pay and have George drive her back home. That will be all, thank you Nelson.”

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall. The macarons spilling all over the doorstep had been an obvious harbinger of things to come. If Meg were here, she’d have recognized it as such and we’d already be going home.

But Nelson wasn’t done either.“We’ve been working together for a very long time, Emily. Has it been thirty years already? Have you ever had cause to doubt my ability to evaluate someone’s character?”

“No, of course not,”Miss Leyland admitted reluctantly.

“And did you know,”Nelson continued with certainty, “that with everyone sent to us by the recruitment agencies, I had my doubts.”

“Oh really,”Miss Leyland said.“That’s why I’m absolutely stunned that you are so lenient with someone who has zero references and no background check.”

“Ask me why,”Nelson insisted.“Ask me why I think this one is different and probably very suitable in my opinion.”

This I had to hear. I held my breath; the suspense was killing me. And good for Nelson for going to bat for Team Isabel.

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