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constant
letters that flowed through the office.  Jason’s voice was warm and friendly,
reflecting his smile, and listening to it, she suddenly felt excited at
actually working for him once he arrived back from New York.
    During
her first week, Anna posted letters to the boys and to her mother.  In them she
said that everything was fine, she had found a job and a place to live and
would keep in touch no matter what.  Dropping the envelopes in the post box,
she hoped they would understand.
    On
Friday morning, Jason arrived back from New York.  Ben had gone to fetch him
from the airport and Sharon mischievously forced Anna into her chair and told
her to look busy while she hid in the downstairs toilet.  It all seemed very
childish, but Anna went along with the joke.
    Jason
entered the room.  “Sharon, I need…” Anna turned her head and smiled.  “No,
you’re not Sharon,” he said, frowning.
    “Tell
me what you need and I’ll see what I can do for you,” said Anna, sporting her
most efficient voice.
    “Err,”
he coughed nervously.  “I need to talk to Graham.”
    Anna
picked up the phone and dialled the number.  Soon she was talking to Graham’s
secretary who put her through.  Anna transferred the call.  “Graham’s on the
line, Jason.”
    Jason
sank down in his chair, his eyes never leaving Anna, who had turned to the
computer and carried on typing while trying to keep her face straight.  Sharon
returned from her hiding place and walked across to her boss, who had finished
his call.
    “So,
what have you been up to?” he asked, his eyebrows raised.
    Sharon
giggled.  “Jason, may I introduce you to your new PA, Mrs Anna Stevens.”
    “Welcome
to Harrington Rhodes, Mrs Stevens,” he murmured.
     
    Despite the
practical joke, Anna was keenly aware that Sharon would be departing for
Ireland the following morning, leaving her entirely responsible for running the
office and working with her new employer.  The thought of it made her feel
nervous, but she constantly reminded herself she had set this chain of events
in motion, she sank or swam by her own actions.
    The
three worked together for the rest of the day, until about four in the
afternoon, when Sharon brought some letters over to Jason for signing.
    He
took them from her, put them on his desk, then stood up and tucked her hand
through his arm.  “Never mind about those.  Come with me.  You too Anna.”
    Slightly
bemused, Sharon allowed herself to be led across the hallway and into the
kitchen, followed by the equally delighted Anna.
    The
room seemed full of people.  The table groaned under the weight of an elaborate
buffet, Ben stood by the sink pouring out wine, while Mrs Wilby handed round
the glasses.  Everyone clapped and cheered as Sharon came in, her cheeks tinged
scarlet with painful embarrassment at all the attention.
    Jason
quickly introduced Anna to the guests.  Many of the people from the village she
already knew, but it was interesting to meet some of the personnel from the
Bristol office.  Then she noticed a tall woman with long, dark hair and large,
brown eyes, the colour of melting chocolate.  And she knew beyond any doubt
that she was looking at Kiera Harrington.
    Jason
gave a short speech, very much the usual words an employer would say when
losing a special and valued employee.  Sharon responded with a shy, quick
‘thank you’.  It was obvious the whole occasion was too overwhelming for her
and as she opened her presents, she wiped tears from her cheeks.
    Eventually,
Anna found herself in Sharon’s company and felt the need to add her own
sentiments to the occasion.
    “I
know we’ll all miss you, especially me.  You’ve been so patient this last week
and a marvellous teacher.  Thanks for everything.”
    “I
think you’ve done very well.  You’ve certainly picked it up quickly.  All you
need is more practice.  Jason will look after you though.  Oh dear! I didn’t
realise how much I’d miss