The Visitors(60)

It had kept slipping Brendan’s mind. Each time she’d asked, he’d hit the side of his head with the heel of his hand.

‘Sorry! My mind has been like a sieve lately. I’ll definitely sort it out later today.’

Each subsequent excuse had been a variation on this one. He seemed to have no trouble just plucking something out of the air. Eventually, she’d stopped asking.

Anyway, apart from a couple of bits – her mobile phone and a small, tatty photograph of her mother and a five-year-old Holly – there had been nothing she’d missed or needed.

The wall of mirrored wardrobes now concealed rails of clothes that fitted her perfectly, hanging neatly behind the doors.

The day after Holly accepted the job, Geraldine had taken her to the Trafford Centre, and they’d spent the day there selecting everything from underwear to a warm wool coat.

They’d taken time out in the middle of the day for a boozy lunch at a restaurant far beyond Holly’s own financial capabilities. The waiter led them to a leather cushioned booth under glitzy lighting. They sat, enveloped in a discreet soundcloud of Ibiza chill-out tunes.

The menu had been amazing, packed with creamy, cheesy American-style dishes that made Holly’s mouth water. But she’d known Geraldine would order a Caesar salad without dressing, and that she’d expect Holly to choose something similar.

‘It makes me feel queasy to even look at that,’ Geraldine had said the on the day of Holly’s arrival and the first time they’d eaten out together. Holly had ordered a bowl of chilli con carne and rice with sides of sour cream and cheese. ‘All that fat and cholesterol… I couldn’t bear to touch it.’

She’d been quiet at the restaurant during dinner and a bit moody for the rest of the evening. Holly had got the message loud and clear and hadn’t made the same mistake since.

Even though it felt a bit cheeky, once they’d relaxed into lunch, Holly had plucked up courage and mentioned the fact that she still had no mobile phone. Although Aunt Susan had her faults, she felt a quick call was in order, just to tell her she was OK and not to worry. She felt she owed her that much despite their final heated words.

She had already noted that there appeared to be no landline at the house; Geraldine had said there was only the one in Brendan’s locked study, which was used purely for broadband purposes.

‘I know it sounds completely paranoid, but we don’t allow staff to keep personal mobile phones on the property,’ she had explained in a regretful tone. ‘We had a very bad experience once where Brendan’s confidentiality was compromised by a disloyal staff member and it cost him nearly a hundred grand in a lost deal.’

Holly had widened her eyes.

‘I know.’ Geraldine had rolled her own eyes. ‘He acted like a bear with a sore head for weeks after that. Sometimes you’ll be party to business conversations or perhaps catch sight of confidential paperwork around the house, and it’s just easier for us all if there are no mobile phones to take photographs or record conversations. That’s why he asked you to sign the confidentiality agreement.’

Holly nodded and remembered that Brendan still hadn’t provided a copy of her signed contract. She hadn’t seen the confidentiality agreement yet and she’d hate to unwittingly breach it.

‘I know you’d never do anything like that,’ Geraldine had added quickly. ‘But we have to treat everyone the same, you see. It’s only fair.’

Holly had pondered on the fact that she was yet to see any other staff in the house apart from Patricia.

She had sipped her Bellini – Geraldine’s favourite drink – and explained about her wish to contact her aunt.

‘That’s easily solved. I’ll get you some pretty notelets and then you can write to her as and when you like. How’s that?’

‘Or I could use your phone just to make a quick call,’ Holly had suggested. ‘I wouldn’t be on long, just so she knows I’m OK.’

Geraldine’s lips had pressed together briefly before she relaxed them again into a smile.

‘I’m sure your Aunt Susan would much prefer you to drop her a note. It’s so much more personal, don’t you think?’

Holly hadn’t wanted to prolong the subject, but it seemed like a good opportunity to bring up the second thing she was missing.

‘And… I wondered if there was a laptop in the house I could use at all?’

‘Goodness! Whatever for?’ Geraldine had run her fingers irritably through her perfect chestnut curls. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just tired. Was there something in particular you wanted to do on the computer?’

‘Just general browsing online and streaming movies and music.’ Holly had shrugged. ‘Nothing specific.’

‘I’d have to ask Brendan, but the smart television in your bedroom streams everything, and you can play games on there, go on YouTube… everything you need, really.’

‘Yes.’ Holly had nodded, keen not to appear ungrateful. ‘That’s great, thanks, Geraldine.’

She’d hoped she might be able to track Markus down on Facebook or something. She’d heard nothing at all from him since he’d left, although when she’d asked Brendan, he’d told her Markus was loving his job at the Newcastle club.

She couldn’t help feeling a bit miffed that he’d just left like that without saying goodbye.