"Take a look, this is what Jamison gave me and there are some notes I made based on my discussion with Emily, what else do I need to know?"
I reach for the file, my eyes scanning through the notes, noticing where Em has put in a notation to explain something further, she had warned me that Jamison has done a thorough report but seeing it in print brought back unwelcome memories. "What do you want to know?" I ask finally looking up.
"Everything" she replies with a smile, "but first let me put you at ease, I want to employ you, I think we will get along really well, I've read the report, I know what happened to you and Emily has added more, I trust her judgement if she thinks you can do it, so do I." she pauses, taking a deep breath "My husbands are very protective of me, a little while ago my cousin tried to sell some of my land to them, when things went wrong, he took me and left me chained up in an abandoned cabin... he left me to die"
"He hurt you?" I ask softly
"More than just physically, he was family, one of those who should not betray you, Bishop is also my cousin from the other side of the family and I know he would protect me with his life if it came to it but Stewart, well he would steal the shirt of your back and sell your organs if he could get away with it"
"You are okay now?" I have to ask, drawn to Maisie's story.
"Yes" I watch as she smiles and caresses her baby bump "We are all fine and that's why I need you. With the baby coming I need someone who can finish off the jobs I've started or have put off, to deal with the pushy emails, chase up my editors and be a buffer and manage everything so I can focus on this" she waves her hand over her bump.
"I've not got the experience..." I start but pause, reminding myself of the conversations I have had with Emily in the last few days, the confidence she has given me and the realisation I have been selling myself short for too long. "But I can do it, if you really want me" I glance back at the folder "But first let me tell you what happened, I sometimes have flashbacks but they don't happen often now and usually don't affect me on a daily basis" I wait for her to nod before I start...
A knock on the door precedes Emily bring in a tray of refreshments and I glance at the clock, we had been talking for over two hours.
"Sorry to disturb you but you husbands will riot if you don't have a snack soon" Emily tells Maisie setting the tray down on the table and starting to back away.
"Stay, we are nearly done" Maisie tells her, pouring herself a cup of tea before pushing the tray my way "Help yourself, you too Emily"
Em sends a glance my way before shutting the door and joining us at the table "Everything okay?" she asks and I'm not sure who she is asking me or Maisie but we both nod.
"We've been talking and I've offered Cressy the job, I was just going to outline some of the things I would like her to start with, you've met Mary and been to Greystones, so you can help me reassure her" Maisie tells her casually.
"I'm pretty sure if I take the job you tell me what to do, not try to reassure me of things" I laugh and she shrugs her shoulders.
"Probably but I want you to feel comfortable, the first things I want you to tackle is the library at my home in Scotland, it needs cataloguing and now I'm not there, its bugging me, also I hear that you have had some issues with your landlord, this way you can give him notice and that will deal with that issue"
"I..."
"You'll be in Scotland for at least three months and we will keep in touch by email and phone for all the other stuff, Mary runs the house up there with Pluto and there's more than enough space for you. I used to work out of the library so everything is there"
"I..."
"Or I can arrange for a cottage to be available for you, if you would prefer, the village is beautiful and there is quite a lot to do locally" Maisie adds.
"I..." they both turn to look at me, waiting and I smile "I accept, thank you"
Maisie laughs "We haven't even discussed salary yet!" and names a figure that make me gasp.
"That's too much" I argue and they both look at me as if I'm mad.
"Rubbish, that is the going rate and trust me you will earn every penny, you haven't seen the state of the library, now when can you start?"
I gasp out a laugh, unable to truly believe I can be this lucky "Whenever you want me to" I decide to embrace the madness.
"Will Bishop be an issue for you? He lives next door and will be around a lot" Maisie asks carefully and I feel a little flutter inside at the thought of him being around.
"I'm sure he will be too busy to be around and from the sounds of it, I will be busy too, I am sure it will be fine" I tell her, mentally cursing the blush that stains my fair skin and missing the look Maisie and Emily share.
"That's settled then, I will get a contract sent to you, with all the details, if you can start soon and you don't mind Bishop is flying back Friday and he can take you back and get you settled with Mary" Maisie says cheerfully.
"I'm sure that would be fine" I say with a panicked look at Emily, who changes the conversation to other topics as I sip my tea and let the madness sink in. My mind skittering away from thoughts of being in close contact with Commander Bishop Fraser.
Bishop and Jamison were nowhere to be seen when I say goodbye to Maisie, her husbands having come in to reclaim her (her words not mine) and to introduce themselves. After the initial shock of seeing two identical men doting on her, I had smiled and realised how lucky she was, the love was tangible between them all.
As Emily had walked me out I had realised I had just made a new friend as well as gotten a new job. Maybe things would get better from now on.
YOU ARE READING
Bishops Move
Short StoryCommander Bishop Fraser misses his cousin. Finally deciding to head to London to see her, he witnesses an altercation at the airport that he reports to security before getting into a car and leaving. But the image of the young woman being struck...
