Page 30 of Prelude To You

For the first time, Miss Leyland genuinely smiled. It was a wonderful smile that made you feel special just being in her presence. “I didn’t know that, Miss Le Roche. That’s very interesting. You know your literature.”

“But maybe Henry’s not so into the Brontës as we are.”

“You might be right. I’ll have Nelson escort you to the library tomorrow morning,” she said. “There you’ll find all the classics on the second floor.”

Library. Second floor. Okay then. Wait, tomorrow?

“Does this mean I have the job?” I asked carefully.

“Miss Le Roche, you’ve shown a certain kind of aptitude that’s refreshing. If you think John Steinbeck isn’t entertaining, that means you’re paying attention and showing interest, unlike every reader before you. And anyone who is so passionate about Wuthering Heights deserves this chance. So yes, you have the position…at least for a trial period.”

“Thank you, Miss Leyland. I really appreciate it.”

She rose from her chair as eloquently as one would expect. “If you come along, I’ll show you the staff living room, and then introduce you to Henry.”

I followed, once again trying to keep my jaw from dragging on the ground. The staff living room was down yet another hallway and I just had to ask. “What wing are we in?”

“This is the west wing. Henry lives in the north wing.”

“Okay wow, you mean there are literally north, south, east and west wings?”

“Indeed. You only have to concern yourself with the west and north wings. The south wing is off-limits except for senior staff. The east wing is where the staff quarters and apartments are. It’s mostly empty now since we’re not running at full capacity so far as staff goes.”

Whatever that meant.

We turned into the staff living room, another space that took my breath away. It was saturated with sunlight beaming in through those huge French windows. There were deep velvet couches, an old dining table with chairs, and a small kitchen.

“During your breaks, please feel free to come here, Miss Le Roche. This room is reserved for senior staff only, so it will mostly be empty. Or if you prefer you can join the junior staff for lunch downstairs, in the kitchen and staff dining room. There’s also a lovely courtyard outside the north wing, if you prefer to have lunch by yourself.”

We left the room and started the long trek to what I assumed was the north wing.

As we were going down long hallways and winding staircases, Miss Leyland became chatty and very agreeable. “You’ll be provided with a restricted map of the estate to guide you around the area you’re permitted to be in.”

“A map would be great,” I babbled. “I couldn’t find the front door at this point if you held a knife to my throat.”

Miss Leyland smiled. “That’s quite descriptive, Miss Le Roche. Rest assured no one here plans on holding a knife to your throat.”

As I walked alongside Miss Leyland, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. You could say I was swept up and wide-eyed. To me, the place was like Mars. “Color me stunned,” I whispered. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Believe me,” Miss Leyland replied. “I’ve been here for a long time, and sometimes it still amazes me.”

Finally we arrived at our destination, double doors that led to the biggest and most luxurious bedroom I’d ever seen in my life. My entire apartment could fit in there with room to spare. Classical music played in the background.

And then there were the syncopated sounds of machines, keeping a human clinging to life.Those were sounds I was veryfamiliar with, and it involuntarily brought back memories of my mom in the hospital, fighting tirelessly to stay alive.

Henry was asleep on a state-of-the-art hospital bed, surrounded by machines. At a guess he was in his sixties, but even in his state of unconsciousness his dignity remained perfectly intact.

Miss Leyland walked over to Henry and put her hand over his for a moment before turning to me. “This is Henry. You will be reading to him.”

I stepped closer. “Hi Henry, I’m Isabel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Henry is in a coma, and he is very ill, so please keep that in mind at all times.”

My heart sank. “Oh no, is he going to be okay?”

Miss Leyland met my gaze and smiled ever-so-graciously. “We have an entire medical team on standby right here on the estate. They look after him very well. I’m sure they’re doing everything they can. Nurses might interrupt your reading sessions to see to Henry’s needs, just so you’re aware. At such times you’re welcome to take a fifteen-minute break.”

Miss Leyland indicated a chair beside the bed. “You’ll sit here when you read. If you need something more comfortable, please let Nelson know. He’ll do his best to accommodate you.”

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