UPSIDE DOWN
- twist XIX -
I'm wrong. The media interest doesn't die down. I wake up the next morning to find twice as many reporters as yesterday camped outside, plus two TV vans. My mobile is so jammed with messages from journalists who have got hold of the number, I've given up listening to them. As I enter the kitchen, Tin and Tol are sitting at the table, which is covered in newspapers.
"You're in every single paper. Uncle Tol went down to the shop for them. Look."...Tin informs me.
She shows me a double-page spread in the Sun. There's a picture of me superimposed on the background of a loo, and someone's drawn a toilet brush in one of my hands, "I'D RATHER CLEAN LOOS!" is in huge letters next to my face.
"Oh, my God. Why?"
"It's August. Nothing else in the news. Says here you're a casualty of today's work-obsessed society."
Tol turns the paper around to show me a small item topped with the headline MAITLAND-SMITH HEIRESS CHOOSES TO BE A HOUSEKEEPER.
"There's a picture of your parents in this one. Nice-looking couple."
"My parents?"
"High-flying daughter of high-flying parents. Was the pressure to succeed too much?"...Tol reads aloud.
Oh, God. My parents are going to kill me. I raise my head to see Ericka coming into the kitchen, holding a bundle of newspapers under her arm. As she looks at me she has the same shell-shocked expression of awe that she had yesterday, as though I'm a priceless work of art that has suddenly pitched up in her kitchen.
"I've just been reading about you!"
"Good morning, Mrs. Lee."
I put down the Daily World and hastily get to my feet.
"Um, what can I get you for breakfast? Some coffee to begin with?"
"Don't you make the coffee, Divine! Tol, you can make the coffee!"...she replies, looking flustered.
"I'm not making the coffee!"...objects Tol.
"Then... Tin! Make us all some nice coffee. Divine, you sit down for once! You're our guest!"
"I'm not your guest! I'm your housekeeper!"
I can see Tol and Ericka exchanging doubtful looks. What do they think? That I'm going to leave?
"Nothing's different! I'm still your housekeeper! I just want to carry on my job as usual."
"Are you crazy? Have you seen how much your corporation wants to pay you?"...demands Tin.
"You wouldn't understand. Mr. and Mrs. Lee... you'll understand. I've learned a lot living here. I've changed as a person.
And I've found a fulfilling way of life. Yes, I could make a lot more money being a lawyer. Yes, I could have some high-powered, pressurized career. But it's not what I want. This is what I want to do. This is where I want to be."
I'm half expecting Tol and Ericka to look moved by my little speech. Instead, they both peer at me in total incomprehension, then glance at each other again.
"I think you should consider the offer. Your family is there after all."
"We won't be at all offended if you leave. We'll completely understand."...adds Ericka, nodding emphatically.
Is that all they can say? Aren't they glad I want to stay? Don't they want me as their housekeeper?
"I don't want to leave! I want to stay here and enjoy a fulfilling life at a different pace."
