The Gap Year - Chapter Three

A few months previously, Jeff Andrews, a family friend, had been helping Anna with her business accounts.  Anna, often working from home, regularly asked Jeff for his assistance and so Grace often used to find him in her kitchen when she came home from college, eating the last of the biscuits, as he and Anna were rounding off for the day.  With Grace's A levels out of the way this term, she had opted for a Gap year instead of University straight away, and had decided to take a part-time secretarial course to fill her time and supply her with some extra qualifications.  One afternoon, Jeff and Anna had finished work early and Anna, popping out to see a friend, had left Jeff to clear away for her.  Grace came home to find him alone but with a very interesting proposition.

'Mum, I'm home,' Grace hollered as she came through the door.  Sam bounded forward and collided with her knees.

'Hi,' Jeff called back, 'she's gone out.  She said she'd be back in a couple of hours.  Fancy a cuppa?'

'Um, yes, please.  Thanks,' Grace replied, as she entered the kitchen, an excited Sam in tow.

Jeff was leaning against the counter, a teaspoon in one hand, and the filled kettle in the other.  Grace was struck at how good he looked today, in a clean v-necked t-shirt and jeans, and commented so.  He was now a regular visitor in the house and finding him here alone was no longer unusual.  He was always charming and he had a devillish sense of humour.  Grace decided he was fun to have around.  As he flicked the kettle on to boil, he leant forward to reach the tea caddy behind her.  As he retrieved it, he let his arm brush gently against hers, and he smiled.
'How was college today?' he asked.
'Fine.  Nothing interesting to report.  What's happened today with you two?'
'Not too bad.  Finished the admin work for this month.'
Grace turned away from him and took off her coat.  She stepped out of the kitchen to throw it on the stairs.  Then, aware of her company, she picked it up, and hung it in the cloakroom.
'Grace?'
'Yes?' she replied, pulling the door closed again and going back to the kitchen.
'I hear from your Mum that you're after a part-time job, using your newly acquired secretarial skills?'
'Yes.  Nothing too strenuous.'  She smiled, 'I've been looking in the paper for jobs but nothing's been suitable yet.'
'What do you think about working for me?' Jeff said, nonchalantly.  Grace looked up and noticed him trying to cover a smirk.
'You?  Doing what?  You need a secretary?'
'Of sorts.  Yes.  I'm looking for someone to... need you to help out a bit.  With the extra work from your Mum and the rest of my projects, I thought you might like to help and get a bit of experience under your belt.'
Grace pondered this.  If Grace did help, keeping Jeff on good terms, he may stay to help Anna when she expanded her business during the next few months.
'And I talked it through with your Mum,' he continued, 'and she seems to think it's a good idea.  If you're interested?'
'How much would you pay me?' she asked, as she reached over his arm to get the boiled kettle.  She filled the two cups and glanced flirtatiously over her shoulder at him, 'Are you sure you can afford me?'
'I'm sure we could come to an agreement, I think my terms will be more than satisfactory.'
Grace replaced the kettle and crossed the kitchen floor to the fridge.  Walking behind her, Jeff managed to get there first and he put is flat palm onto the fridge door.
'There's something else.'
'What?' Grace took a step back and put one hand on her hip, expectantly.  She looked into his beautiful eyes and smiled.
'Grace,' he cleared his throat, 'you must realise I like you.  You might not know how much, but you know it's there.'
Grace felt her face flush.  She scolded herself inwardly at her own naivety.  Why did she have to blush?  She was certain she looked stupid; flushed, young with nothing to say.  She had to say something though.  She took the bullet.
'I like you too, Jeff.  What do you want to do about it?'