I shrug. “Of course not. But it’s true, isn’t it? My boyfriend, on the other hand…”
She blinks again. Her mascara has clumped her eyelashes together and for some reason this makes me happy. She’s not completely perfect after all.
“Shane is a natural at this business. Charismatic, professional - everyone likes him. It speaks volumes that you joined the hotel at the same time and he’s been promoted twice, whereas you…” Her fingers flick towards me again, as if she was killing a bug.
I stand up and she scoots her chair back. There are a few specks of dandruff on her scalp.
“Lidia, don’t you think that has something to do with you? That you promote the people you have the hots for? And you can do whatever you like with no consequences since your dad owns the hotel?”
She makes a sound that’s halfway between a snort and a groan. “That’s not–”
I hold up my hand. “I hadn’t finished. I’ve worked my butt off for this place. Okay, so I’m not a natural like Shane or Taniz, but I’ve tried my hardest. You’ve never acknowledged that, because you’ve been so busy looking at how my face doesn’t fit. Well, I’m glad I don’t have to see your sour expression every day. You have no compassion. I don’t think you’ve ever even talked to me about my Mom’s disappearance. In fact, you’ve never really acknowledged that I’m a person. You treat me like a hotel minion. You’re mean, vain and your voice is incredibly annoying.”
Lidia’s eyes are wide as she looks up at me. The ticking of the clock fills the whole room.
“You know I have to pay off the loan I took to go to college. You know my Mom is missing. You flirt with my boyfriend right in front of me. The problem isn’t me, Lidia, it’s you.” I stare down at her.
Her voice cracks. “Get out.”
“I’m going. And by the way you need dandruff shampoo.” I take a step back and the clock on the desk seems to rotate upwards and then crashes to the floor.
“What did you do to my clock?” She’s outraged.
“I didn’t touch it. Get your eyesight checked too.” I turn around and march out the door. Tears prick under my eyelids as I walk up the hall. I want to text Shane, but he’s on a course today. And things have been so weird with him the last couple of months, who knows when he’ll reply?
Taniz sees my expression as I walk back to the reception area. She holds her arms out and gives me a big hug.
“She’s done it, hasn’t she?” She pats my back soothingly.
“Yep. Fired me. A nice little character assassination first. On the bright side, I finally got to tell her what I think of her. I think that’s the only bright side. I have to go now.” I sigh.
“Did you hear anything about the competition?” Taniz asks. It’s the one thing I’ve been pinning my hopes on. I entered one of my movies three months ago. The winner is given a grant for two years to make more documentaries. I could also use the prize money to pay off my student loan. I shake my head.
Taniz squeezes my hand. “Meet me at The Crux tonight? This calls for that sharing fishbowl cocktail thing they do. My treat. I’m gonna think of all the places you can get a job. We’ll strategize.”
I nod my head, trying not to cry. “Sounds good. I’m going to go have a look for Calli again when I get back. What a week this is.”
Taniz pats my hand. “Cats are smart. She’ll find her way home. They like to go for a wander and then come back.”
I sniff as I grab my bag from under the desk. “I hope so. She’s been gone nearly a week now.”
She grins. “That’s literally five minutes in cat time. I’ll cross my fingers that she shows up.”
The door opens and an elderly couple walk through, dragging two ancient suitcases.
Taniz nods at me and turns to them. “Welcome to the Hooray Hotel. How may I help you?”
As I walk back home, I keep looking for Calli. I hate to think of her out here on her own. She’s a fighter though; maybe that will keep her safe out on the mean streets of Trentbury. It’s a small town, so I’m hopeful the posters I put up might lead to a call from a neighbor, but there’s been no sign of her so far.
I’ve been living in my Mom’s house since she went missing. She said my Dad left before I was born, so it’s always just been her and me against the world. Missing mom, missing cat. I don’t think my luck can get any worse.
As I trudge up the steps to the front porch, my phone beeps. It’s Shane.
Maria, I hate to do this by text but it’s probably for the best. Things haven’t been great and the reason is that I’m in love with someone else. She feels the same and we need to be together. What makes it awkward is that it’s Lidia. We both decided that it would be too much for you to carry on working with us both. I’m sorry it turned out like this, but in time you’ll understand. Shane.
I stare at my cell.
I want to throw the phone in the bushes. I want to find Shane and Lidia, and knock their stupid heads together. But most of all, I want my Mom.