Page 54 of Plot Twist

‘Ah, I miss yoga,’ Ellie said, completely missing my point. ‘I love going. I’ve not had much time, what with the renovation works going on and everything, but once everything is up and running, I’m definitely going back.’

No mention of Eimear. Ellie wasn’t picking up on my gossip cues. I wondered if Bridget might. She was hardly Little Miss Subtle.

‘Ach, you know, I can really take it or leave it.’ Bridget shrugged, stretching her legs out. ‘Prefer the old mountain walks.’

‘We’ll have to take turns exercising soon. Can’t both be away at the same time once the business gets going.’

‘True,’ Bridget agreed. ‘Especially now we don’t have our receptionist lined up.’

‘Receptionist?’ I repeated.

Ellie sighed. ‘Yes, we were meant to have someone starting with us, working part time in the office and helping with the bookings, cleaning, admin, all that kind of stuff. But she was offered another job yesterday so it’s back to being just the two of us.’

‘Not that we mind,’ Bridget said. ‘But if we do happen to get a call about adopting soon. . .’

‘We might not be in the best position,’ Ellie finished her sentence. ‘We’ll work it out though. I’m sure we’ll find someone.’

‘Me,’ I said. ‘I mean, what about me? Could I. . . apply?’

Ellie looked up at me in surprise. ‘You want a job? I thought you were a teacher,’ she said. ‘You’re a professional. We’re really just looking for someone that’s starting out for now.’

‘Yeah, the pay isn’t the best, Becca. In fact, it’s a bit shit. You’ll be used to earning way more than we can pay you just yet. And won’t you be going back to your real job in a few weeks?’ Bridget asked.

‘Long story, but please,’ I said. ‘I’d really love to help. If you’d have me. I could take on the job until you find someone else to do it, you know, more permanently.’

‘Well, if you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to have you on board,’ Ellie said. ‘We hardly need to interview you. The job is yours, if you want it.’

‘I want it,’ I said firmly.

We all put our hip flasks in the middle and toasted my new job. I didn’t tell them just yet that I was, in fact, free forever. One step at a time.

‘That was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be,’ I exclaimed.

‘Cheers, to our new employee.’ Bridget smiled.

‘Cheers to my new bosses. You’re already a million times better than my last boss and I haven’t even started yet.’

‘Just wait until Ellie goes through her cleaning regime with you,’ Bridget whispered. ‘You might not be saying that then. She’s a hard taskmaster. She changes the cups in the dishwasher around every time I load it.’

‘That’s because you’re shit at loading the dishwasher, Bridget.’ Ellie rolled her eyes and grinned.

Bridget stuck her tongue out at Ellie.

‘I’m sure I’ll be able to handle it,’ I assured them.

Book and wine club, minus the books, was about to start. I sat back and looked up at the early evening sky and pushed all the uneasy thoughts of my bitch boss to the back of my mind.

‘We have a surprise for you tomorrow,’ Bridget whispered, and Ellie grinned conspiratorially. ‘You and Riley. Bring your laptops.’

I took another sip from the hip flask, wondering what on earth they had up their sleeves.

23

‘Oh my God, you guys! This is so exciting!’

Riley and I had been instructed to meet Bridget and Ellie for a full tour of their self-catering cottages. They had shown me ‘before’ pictures of the old apartments before taking Riley and me around every cottage. The lovingly restored houses were now filled with character, charm and warmth. Every cottage was freshly decorated with a themed colour running throughout the space. We were in Teal Cottage, heading towards the last space: a luxury two-bedroom apartment.

We brought our laptops and notebooks, as instructed, so we could take notes along the way. I wasn’t sure what notes I was meant to be taking but I was enjoying the tour experience.