nice to meet you. I’m Jane Trucker, Mr . . .’ she paused for a moment, realising what she had been going to say before she changed it to ‘. . . the manager’s secretary. I’ll show you through. I wasn’t sure whether you’d prefer tea or coffee so I’ve ordered both. As soon as you’re settled, I will inform the kitchen you’re here and have it sent up. I hope that is acceptable to you?’
Cait was wondering why on earth she was being treated like a very important person. Perhaps her mother demanded such attention from those she dealt with here.
Now in the manager’s office, Jane Trucker was standing by the chair to the front of the desk, it being obvious she was expecting Cait to take the seat behind it. Cait thought that was odd, but had no objection to sitting in the red leather chair behind the desk. It might be well-worn but looked to be far more comfortable than the chair opposite.
With a sad expression on her plain face, hands clasped tightly in her lap on top of the shorthand book and pencil she had brought along with her, Jane Trucker said to Cait, ‘I hope you don’t object to my handling this situation, Miss Thomas, only Mrs Thomas usually dealt with Mr Swinton himself. As his personal secretary I did have a certain amount of contact with her too so . . .’
Cait didn’t care at this moment who she dealt with, she just wanted to get this over with and go home. ‘Just what is this urgent matter only my mother can resolve for you?’ she demanded.
Miss Trucker paused for a moment. Obviously what she was about to divulge was causing her distress. ‘Miss Thomas, it’s my very sad task to inform you that Mr Swinton passed away yesterday morning. He suffered a massive heart attack. Obviously we needed to inform Mrs Thomas as soon as possible, as you can appreciate. I have informed Mr Swinton’s widow of the reason why Mrs Thomas hasn’t yet been in contact with her to offer her condolences, but now that you’re here I expect you’d like to be in touch yourself and speak on behalf of the family. I know Mrs Swinton would appreciate that. I have her details.
‘As soon as the funeral arrangements have been finalised, I’ll inform you. We office staff are having a collection for flowers and the factory workers are having a separate one. If you wish me to arrange a wreath on the family’s behalf, I’ll be happy to do so. The more senior staff, myself included, would like to attend the funeral, but we need to ask you first if you have any objection to our taking the time off? Oh, also, I’d appreciate if you’d tell me if you wish me to arrange a car to take you to the church and then the funeral tea afterwards. I understand Mrs Thomas isn’t expected back for two or three weeks, so as her representative I assume you’ll be attending on her behalf? Unless you have managed to contact Mrs Thomas since my telephone call this morning and she’s making her way back as we speak?’
Cait was staring at the woman blankly, wondering why she was telling her all this. Although it was sad, what did it matter to her mother that the manager of the firm that made her husband’s shoes had died? And why was this woman seeking Cait’s approval for the senior staff to attend the funeral? Something odd was going on here, something she couldn’t grasp. She asked, ‘Are you making special arrangements to go to the manager’s funeral for all your best customers?’
Jane Trucker looked a mite embarrassed that she hadn’t thought to do that. ‘I will certainly contact them and make arrangements for those who wish to attend.’ She picked up her notebook and pencil and made a reminder note to herself.
It was Cait’s turn to look at her in surprise. Why had the woman responded as if she were obeying an order? The throbbing headache she had woken up with that morning was returning with a vengeance. ‘Look,’ she said briskly, ‘can we just get on with whatever you called me in here for?’
Jane looked taken aback for a moment. Reg Swinton had always treated her with the utmost respect and courtesy, no matter how fraught he felt. As a professional, she managed to keep her feelings to herself and responded evenly, ‘Yes, of course.