That Would Be a Fairy Tale - By Amanda Grange Page 0,19

mornings a week -’

‘Good,’ said Cicely. ‘I am particularly interested in part time work.’ It would arouse less speculation about her whereabouts if she were only gone for a few hours each day, and with luck she would not be found out.

‘And enthusiasm is required more than experience.’

‘It sounds interesting,’ said Cicely. ‘Where is it?’

‘A little out of town, I’m afraid, but not too far away. It is at Oakleigh Manor.’

‘Oakleigh Manor?’ Cicely tried not to let her sinking sensation show in her voice. If there was one place she could not possibly work, it was Oakleigh Manor.

‘Yes.’ Mr Peterson looked up at her, then down at the paper again. ‘Working for a Mr Evington.’

Worse and worse, thought Cicely. Of all the bad luck, to find the only suitable job on Mr Peterson’s books was that of a secretary to Mr Evington . . . the one man in the whole of England she could not possibly work for!

‘In fact, if you can wait a few minutes,’ went on Mr Peterson, glancing at the clock, ‘you will be able to meet him.’

‘Meet him?’ gasped Cicely in sudden horror. Meet Mr Evington in Mr Peterson’s office, and have him discover she was looking for work? No! Not at any cost.

‘Yes,’ said Mr Peterson, fortunately not noticing the horror in her voice. ‘He is coming in at eleven o’clock to see if the post has been filled.’

‘Oh, no, that will never do,’ said Cicely, springing out of her chair. ‘I mean,’ she continued hastily as she saw Mr Peterson’s look of surprise, ‘I mean . . . ’ She cast around for a likely excuse, ‘I mean that unfortunately I cannot wait. I hadn’t realized how late it is. I’m afraid I have to —’

At that moment there was a knock at the door. Cicely started. But to her relief it was only Miss Dennis who entered the room.

The relief was short-lived, however, as Miss Dennis declared, ‘Mr Evington to see you, Mr Peterson.’

Cicely felt a hot blush spread over her face. It was too awful! To be confronted by Mr Evington, here, of all places!

‘Ah! Good,’ said Mr Peterson, rising.

Cicely put her head down in the hope that he would not recognise her, and made to slip past Miss Dennis, murmuring that she had another appointment, but it was too late. She could not slip out of the door, because Alex Evington was walking in!

‘Mr Evington! What a pleasure to see you,’ beamed Mr Peterson, who was far more fond of employers than prospective employees.

‘I’m a little early,’ began Mr Evington, ‘but -’

‘And a good thing too,’ Mr Peterson interrupted him, wreathed in smiles. ‘There is a young woman here, looking for a job as a secretary. She is a little reluctant to take a job at the Manor, but I am sure you can persuade her it will be just the thing. Mr Evington, may I present Miss Buckworth?’

Cicely felt her cheeks flame. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Mr Evington should discover her seeking employment, he had to find her using an assumed name as well!

She tried to raise her eyes, telling herself not to be such a coward, but they remained firmly fixed on the floor.

‘Miss Buck-’ Mr Evington stopped mid-sentence, as he turned towards her and realized who she was. ‘-worth,’ he finished, in a completely different tone of voice.

‘Come, come, Miss Buckworth, no need to be shy. Mr Evington will not eat you, you know,’ said Mr Peterson jovially, completely misunderstanding the reason for Cicely’s blushes.

With a supreme effort Cicely raised her head.

‘I dare say Miss Buckworth feels the Manor will be isolated, being so far out in the country. As I believe I explained to you when you asked us to find you someone, Mr Evington, most young people prefer to be closer to town, where there is a bit more life. But I’m sure you will be able to convince her otherwise,’ declared Mr Peterson.

‘No, no, I do assure you, Mr Evington cannot,’ said Cicely, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her. Realising that it was unlikely to do anything so obliging, however, she made to hurry away.

Except Mr Evington was blocking the doorway.

Cicely swallowed, hoping fervently that he would move.

Mr Evington turned to Mr Peterson. ‘If we could have a moment alone,’ he said smoothly.

‘But of course,’ said Mr Peterson with an ingratiating smile.

A moment later he had left them, and Cicely was face to face with Alex Evington, and