This is the best day of my life… and the hardest.
I have never been so physically exhausted before. Who knew that all this mail has to be delivered to the whole building by hand? It seems so primitive and labour intensive. And where the hell does it all come from? Hasn’t anyone ever heard of emails, for Christ’s sake?
I have paper cuts on my hands and blisters on my feet. My hair is a mess, and I’m quite sure I stink like a pig.
Sarah hands the last of the mail out. “Let’s head back downstairs, Lottie.”
Thank God. I smile and turn towards the lift.
“We only have an hour until home time. You did great today.” She smiles.
“Thanks.” I sigh.
“Monday is our easy day.”
“This is the easy day?” I frown. “You can’t be serious?”
She giggles. “Yeah, I remember when I first started, I felt like I’d never done a day’s hard labour in my entire life.”
“I can relate,” I mutter as we get into the lift and I push the button.
As we go down, I stare at the doors, thinking about the day I’ve had.
More people talked to me today than ever before. I was normal; one of the crew. People swore in front of me, hassled me, teased me, and asked me out. Veronica told me off three times, but apparently that’s good for her.
I look down at my hands in front of me. They’re dirty and grim. I drop my head and smile. I’m tired, exhausted, and utterly ecstatic with Lottie Preston’s first day of work.
I did the right thing.
* * *
“Hi, Dad,” I answer the phone.
“Hello, darling. How is my sweet daughter tonight?”
I smile broadly. “Good now that she’s talking to you. What’s happening?”
“Oh, not much, just meetings and whatnot. We’re still in New York. We had a dinner on tonight and I came home early. Edward was talking to a woman, so I snuck out. What’s new with you?”
My heart drops. I wish I could tell him about my exciting first day at work…but I know that I can’t. “Just working at this end, too,” I lie. “William called me today. He’s coming to meet me for lunch tomorrow.” I smile.
“That’s nice. What’s he doing in London?”
“I’m not sure. He said he was here overnight for an appointment.”
“Hmm.” Dad thinks for a moment. “Let’s hope it’s with a good divorce lawyer, shall we?” He chuckles.
“We can dream. One day.” I think for a moment. “Who was Edward talking to?”
“I don’t know. I can’t keep up with him. He dates a different woman every day. She was beautiful, I can tell you that much.”
“Dad, have you ever heard Edward speak of Lara?”
“Why do you ask?” I can tell by his reaction that he must have.
“I just have a hunch that those two may be more than friends.”
“I don’t think so, darling. Edward wouldn’t be interested in her.”