Here to Lend a Hand
“Miss Gleeson,” Kim said as she came into his office.
“Oh young Mr. Barrett how good to see you; you’re looking more and more like your father every day.” She came in with her large tote bag and purse and looking around placed them on the floor.
Kim managed a smile, “I thought you’d retired?”
“I did, yes I did, retired now got a nice little bungalow outside of Coffs Harbour.” She smiled and folded her hands.
“So what brings you in this morning, shopping are you?”
“Oh no Young Mr. Barrett, I’m to work, yes cleaning-up that’s me.”
Kim cleared his throat, “I didn’t hire you did I?”
“No, no that would be Mr. Barrett himself as hired me. Called me himself he did asked if I’d lend a hand.”
Kim knew the old bat since his childhood and knew quite well just what kind of hand she lent. “I’m afraid Miss Gleeson he neglected to consult with me, I’ve already hired a cleaning crew. Sorry you came all this way for nothing.”
“Oh well, as he’s paying me, I’d best get to work, could you tell me where the cleaning cupboard might be?”
“I’m afraid you don’t understand Miss Gleeson, your services will not be needed.”
She wagged a finger at him, “Now, now Young Mister, it’s your father who’s seeing to my wages and gives me orders. The cleaning cupboard please.” She pulled herself to her full height.
There was nothing to do but show her the cleaning supplies and get her out of his office. He looked around where she’d been standing to see if anything was missing from the shelves and picked up the phone to call his father.
“Ah Kim, I was just about to call you, the opening figures are in you did quite well my boy. I’ve hired a secretary for you she should be arriving this week sometime. You must be delighted at the reception there in The Glen.”
“Well yes, it went quite well, thanks. Um the reason I called, Miss Gleeson is here…”
“Is she, good I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Poor old soul, your mother talked with her and said she needed something to do so I thought right, a few days a week in your store would put her right in no time, its only doing her a favor you understand, I shall be paying her wages.”
“That’s kind of you I’m sure but, Dad, you’ve known her forever you know what she does.” He said into the phone.
“Nonsense, she cleaned my house and store for years and never bothered a thing in the house. It’s only small things she takes.”
“Right now I can’t afford to be losing inventory surely you understand I can’t possibly afford her.”
“Tell her I said hello and Kim, be kind to her.”
Kim hung up the phone and walked over to the window looking out on the floor, “If I catch her stealing I shall have her arrested,” he said to himself.
Miss Gleeson snapped up her smock and picked up the broom and dustpan happy to have something to do again.
