4
The Interview
Dani brushed her hair for the umpteenth time as she checked herself in the hallway mirror.
Her brown hair was going to take some getting used to, after being blonde for nearly five years.
She loved the new length though. It was great having layers.
It gave her hair body. She shook her head from side to side, watching it move.
Sophie watched her from the stairs where she was sitting in the hallway. “You’re funny,” she giggled.
“Am I?” Dani winked at her. Sophie nodded. Dani turned to face her. “So, do I look okay for my interview?”
“You look pretty,” Sophie grinned. Dani beamed at her. Why was a compliment from a five year old such a thrill?
“Do I?” Sophie nodded and Dani walked up to her and squeezed her. “I’m so glad I’m here,” she sighed.
“Me too.”
Dani lifted her up and rested her on her hip, then walked through to the kitchen where the rest of the family were eating breakfast.
“Ani!” shouted Rosie and Sophie giggled.
“It’s Dani, D, D, D, Dani!” corrected Chloe. “Morning! You look lovely, Dani.” Chloe smiled up at her. “Are you nervous?” she asked as she placed some buttered toast, cut into strips, on a plate for Rosie.
Dani twisted her mouth, “A bit. I really need the job. The skirt isn’t too short, is it?
I don’t want to look slutty.” Dani motioned to her black pleated skirt that came a few inches over her knee.
She’d paired it with a cream turtle-necked sweater, thick black tights, knee-high black boots and her black leather biker jacket.
“No, you look smart and edgy,” Chloe answered, pleased with her description.
Adam looked up at her. “They’d be mad not to take you. You’re way overqualified and experienced.”
Dani shrugged. She just wanted to get a job and start afresh. She could do the job standing on her head, but maybe they wouldn’t want someone overqualified.
“Did you give Dani her present?” Chloe asked Sophie.
“No. I’ll go and get it.” Sophie wriggled from Dani’s arms and Dani lowered her to the ground. Sophie ran to the kitchen counter and picked something out of the drawer, then she ran back over to Dani.
“Here, this is for good luck.” Sophie held out a bracelet made from dry macaroni threaded on a string of elastic. “I made it,” she said gleefully.
“You made this for me?” Dani crouched down so she was eye level with Sophie, clearly moved.
Sophie smiled bashfully. “It’s lovely. Thank you.
Put it on for me.” Dani put out her hand and Sophie carefully slipped it on her right wrist. Then Dani jiggled her wrist and it rattled.
Sophie smiled widely. “It fits perfectly.” Sophie looked across at her mother and Chloe winked at her.
“She made it out of macaroni because you’re going to an Italian restaurant,” explained Chloe.
“Oh, I see. Good job I’m not going to a German restaurant – you’d have made it out of frankfurters!
” laughed Dani, and Sophie giggled. “Eskimo kiss?” Sophie nodded and stepped closer, tilting her face up as Dani lowered her nose to Sophie’s.
They rubbed noses and then Dani hugged her. “Thank you for my bracelet. I love it.”
“Come on, Dani. If we don’t leave soon, the traffic will be a bitch.” Adam put down his coffee cup.
“Itch,” repeated Rosie.
“B-B-B-Bitch,” corrected Adam, to Chloe and Dani’s horror. He bent down to kiss Rosie, Ollie and Chloe.
“Adam!” chastised Chloe.
“I was just correcting her.” He put on a look that said, ‘what’s the problem?’
“One day she’s going to repeat something and you’ll regret it.” Adam shrugged and chuckled.
Sophie held Dani’s hand and fiddled with the bracelet she’d made her.
“Will you see us to the door?” Adam asked Sophie, and she nodded.
“Good luck, Dani. Call as soon as you’re done,” Chloe said.
“Thanks. I will.”
They made their way to the door and Adam kissed Sophie and went out to start the car.
Dani put on her cream, woolly peaked hat, tilting it a little as she looked at herself in the hallway mirror.
“Bye, Sophie. I’ll see you in a bit.” Dani stepped out of the door into the cold, crisp morning and turned to Sophie. “Wish me luck, angel.”
“Good luck,” Sophie called out to her as she closed the door behind them and went back into the kitchen.
ADAM PULLED UP OUTSIDE La Casa d’Italia.
It was ten to nine. She was forty minutes early but she didn’t care.
Dani hated being late. The building was set on the river and was a converted old stone mill.
It had been beautifully restored and from the outside it looked like it had three floors.
The entrance way had a glass extension to it and the original windows had been replaced with long larger ones, presumably to let in as much natural light as possible.
There were ten large sandstone planters along the front with sculptured bay trees in each one.
At the side was a large car park and further around was a deck overlooking the river.
Dani presumed this was for the warm summer months.
Definitely not for now – it was freezing today.
She looked up at the building from the car window.
The top floor had window boxes at each of the windows.
It looked like a residence. There were already a couple of cars in the car park.
The whole area had been re-landscaped with sandstone-paved footpaths. Trees lined the road along with periodically positioned benches. It must be well used in the warmer months, thought Dani. The offices and businesses must use the area for lunch breaks.
Dani looked over at Adam and he gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll wait with you until it’s time, if you like.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want you to be late.”
“I’m a partner, Dani, I can do what I damn well please.
If you sit here until it’s time to go in, you’ll freeze.
” He handed her a coffee which they’d picked up on the way, and she took a welcome sip.
She’d have preferred an espresso, to give her a buzz, but the cappuccino would have to do.
She could have also done with a cigarette.
Her cravings weren’t really subsiding, but she was pleased she’d stuck it out going cold turkey for five days.
She’d promised herself if she made it a whole week without a cigarette and also got a job, she’d buy herself some new boots. Footwear was always the best therapy.
“If they don’t take you on here, there’s a new hotel that’s opening. I know the owner. He’s bound to be looking for staff. I know you prefer restaurants and bars, but it’s an option too.”
Dani looked over to him and smiled. “Thanks.”
She was lucky she had Adam and Chloe. Her heart cracked a little at the thought.
She’d hoped by now she’d have her own family instead of intruding on theirs.
She knew they loved her being with them, but it just made the fact that she didn’t have her own even more apparent.
Her life had taken several steps backwards in the last couple of days.
She was back to being single, out of work and crashing in their spare room, instead of building her own future.
She’d lost everything: her home, her job and her man.
“Hey, stop that. It’ll work out Dani.” Adam squeezed her hand.
“Thanks for this, Adam,” she mumbled.
“They were looking for someone anyway, Dani.” He knew she was feeling indebted to him for getting her the interview.
“They won’t take you on because of me. I just heard they were looking, that’s all.
With any luck, I might get a discount if you get the job,” he joked, trying to ease her tension with humour.
“Our company spends enough bloody money in there,” he snorted.
Dani grinned. She looked over to the building and felt something.
She wasn’t sure what, but it felt warm and homely.
Even though the outside was urbane and polished, it still felt welcoming.
Her attention was distracted by a tall man jogging towards the building.
He was wearing long, grey shorts with a matching hooded top, covering his head.
His breath formed clouds in the cold air as he steadily moved closer.
Dani unbuckled her belt and reached for her bag.
“You get off. I’ll go in and wait. Thanks for the lift. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
Dani nodded and Adam slipped his arm around her, giving her a hug. “Good luck. Not that you need it,” he grinned.
Dani opened the door and stepped out. She swung her small bag over her shoulder, smoothed down her skirt, then reached into the car to retrieve her CV and coffee. Closing the door, she waved bye and blew Adam a kiss, causing him to grin and blush.
Dani watched him pull away up the street.
There were a few cars driving into neighbouring buildings further up.
Dani checked the time. It was just past nine.
Thirty minutes to go. She looked back at the building and noticed the jogger had stopped and was leaning against the small wall that enclosed the car park.
He was lighting up a cigarette and his brilliant blue eyes looked up as he felt her watching him.
Dani smiled tightly, embarrassed that she’d been caught out staring.
Dani took a sip of her coffee, then sat down on one of the benches that ran across the paved area opposite the restaurant.
She tried to refrain from looking back up again and fiddled with her cup, but she felt his eyes on her still, and was desperate to get a second look.
That quick glimpse of him was enough for her to want to take in the rest of him.