The Cleaning Lady

Mumbling to herself Gerta Gleeson buttoned up her raincoat checking the pockets for canceled tickets crumpled hankies and receipts that lived there she picked up her tote bag and carefully closed the gate to her little cottage. The taxi rounded the corner just as she turned a little unsteady on her feet.

“Where to mum?” asked the driver.

“Em…well I had it…oh this...no…ah yes,” fumbling in her handbag she came up with the address scribbled on an envelope and handed it to the driver.

“Ah you’re for The Glen a right nice new town that’s sprung up in our midst,” he said all friendly like.

“Is it? I’ve never heard of it,” she said settling back on the seat.

“Well then mum, why are ya goin’ there then?”

“Goin’ where did you say?”

“To The Glen, mum…ya said,” the driver answered adjusting his rear view for a look at his passenger.

“Ah yes well so I am,” she giggled. “I’ve got job there at Barrett’s.”

“Have you now…doin’ what?”

“Cleanin’ up…yes I’ll be cleanin’ up I will.” She smiled looking out the side window as the trees sped past. “He called me you know?”

“Who called you mum?”

“Mr. Barrett himself…the old Mr. Barrett…he remembered you see…I worked for him in Sydney I did.”

“Ah…well how did you arrive here mum.”

“I retired didn’t I yes…I don’t work anymore…got a nice pension.”

“Well then, why are you off to work this morn?”

“Mr. Barrett Sr. called…needed me at the new store…do you know about it…the new store?”

“Ah no mum, it’s a bit out of my league…too pricy for the like of me.”

“Yes…they do have nice things…I always liked nice things.”

“Well here we are mum…eh?”

“Is this it…but its…are you sure?”

“Yes mum, see the sign over the door…this is it.”

“Ah well now it’s only small isn’t it but nice…I like nice things.”

Greta paid the driver and got out of the taxi with her tote bag and stood for a moment admiring the window displays. Opening the door she took a deep breath, ah yes, it smelled like nice things. She took her time walking through the store toward the glassed office in the back.

Kim standing with his arms clasp behind his back looking out through the glassed office couldn’t believe his eyes, “No, no,” he wailed, “it can’t be!”