Mavis and Hilary had prepared for the next meeting of the candidates. They had three main objectives. 1. Discuss the questionnaires.
2. Check the commitment level.
3. Answer any questions.
They waited anxiously to see who would arrive first and if all four of the women would turn up at all.
There had been no phone calls to indicate a change of mind but last minute panic was not unlikely in the circumstances.
The waiting was worse than the first time. Hilary roamed from front door to living room and made minor adjustments to the seating. They had decided to leave the dining room set up as normal with the teak table in the centre and six chairs around it. For the second meeting they would be less formal and start the discussions in the living room as if among visiting friends.
Mavis had recommended this approach.
“You should stay seated, Hilary. Read a magazine or something for now. We don’t want to alarm them. I’ll welcome the women as before and you start the conversation as casually as you can manage. When everyone has arrived, I will wheel in the tea trolley and we’ll get down to business.”
It was a fine plan but fine plans don’t always turn out as expected.
Wilma Smith’s car drove into the driveway at the same time as Jannice O’Connor rounded the last bend in the road. She had been running part of the way from the bus stop fearing to be late and her long black hair had been jolted free of the clasps that held it off her face and strands were now clinging to her moist forehead.
Vilma locked her car door and waited while Jannice approached at fast walking speed.
Really, she’s quite a pretty little thing with that high cheek colour and the clear blue eyes. I don’t think there’s a vestige of makeup on her face and she looks fine. Dress her up nicely and she would be quite attractive but the clothes!! What a mess! Nothing fits her and it all must have fallen out of some old closet years ago. She needs help.
“Hi there, Jannice! What kind of week have you had? I’ve been clearing out my clothes and shoes all week.”
“Oh, Mrs. Smith, I am so worried. You’ve seen where I live. I am afraid the old house will not sell for near enough cash so I can claim a place in the shared house. I will be so disappointed. This idea was my one big chance.”
“Dear, dear! Please don’t cry. Call me Vilma. You won’t be alone to deal with this. The whole thing about living together is so we can help each other when we need help. Come inside with me and we’ll see what can be done to help you.”
This was the final straw. Jannice collapsed against Vilma’s side in relief and wept tears of happiness.
She had twisted herself into knots for days and here was help on the very doorstep; and from such an unlikely source. Under normal circumstances she would never dream of asking a wealthy woman like Vilma Smith for assistance of any kind and now she was offering help.
Jannice dashed the tears from her face, tucked the errant strands of her hair back behind her ears and followed Vilma up the front steps.
It’s a lesson to me, for sure. I will try never to judge a person on first impressions again.
Mavis watched this interaction through the stained glass panel on the door. She was surprised to see Vilma react with sympathy. She could not hear the words they exchanged but the body language spoke volumes. She felt sure she had an unexpected ally in Vilma and opened the door to welcome them both with real warmth.
She took their coats.
“You two are the first to arrive. The wind is chilly today and there’s a definite touch of winter in the air. Hilary is in the living room waiting for you. I’ll bring hot tea and coffee when everyone is here.”
Next to come was Josette Delacour. She was wearing a black fur hat on her fair hair and a pair of ridiculously high heels on her feet. The heavy fur coat to match the hat was found a spot in the hall closet and Mavis felt its weight and knew it was not imitation. She thought it was risky to wear fur these days as so many people were against killing animals for this purpose. She also figured Josette probably could not care less about those opinions.
“Please go through, Josette. Vilma and Jannice have just arrived.”
Hilary looked up as Josette entered and her eyes went to the shoes, as did those of Vilma and Jannice.
They had just been hearing of Vilma’s attempts to clear out her shoe closet and all three could not repress a chuckle as they saw what Vilma had described as ‘passion pushers’ on Josette’s feet.
The wearer of the shoes was not affected in the least. She presumed it was envy and as that was exactly the impression she was trying to make, she was pleased. She took a seat on the other side of the room, fluffed up her hair, smiled contentedly and made herself comfortable.
Mavis moved nervously between the front entrance and the kitchen. The trolley was ready for the boiling water to be poured into the teapot. The coffee was heating beneath the coffee maker and the cookies and scones were in place. She was beginning to fear that Eve Barton might not come today and a series of awful visions were parading through her mind. All involved actions and reactions of the husband from whom Eve had been keeping secrets. Mavis had not yet fully apprised Hilary of her worries about Eve. She knew that discussion could not be postponed much longer. She was waiting to see what today’s meeting would reveal.
Just as she was adding more napkins to the trolley, she heard a quiet tap on the front door. She saw the familiar slouchy hat and the awkward angle of head she recognized from their first meeting and opened the door quickly before anyone else noticed. The volume of voices in the living room should give them a moment or two of private conversation.
“Eve, I am so glad to see you. Come inside out of the wind. Did you come by cab again? How are you?
Sorry! I am not giving you a chance to reply. I have been anxious about you.”
“I am here safely, Mavis, and that’s all that is important for now. It’s most kind of you to be concerned for me and I appreciate it more than you can know. I am looking forward to today’s discussion. I have my answers ready. I hope they will suffice.”
“Don’t worry. Come in and take a seat. Keep your hat on as before, if you wish. Give me a hand with the trolley.”
Hilary looked up as the two women pushed the trolley forward into the room.
“Excellent! Everyone is here. Help yourselves to a hot drink and something sweet. Mavis’s raisin and cheese scones are legendary. She brought extras.”
Eve clutched her questionnaire in her hand and sat down. Mavis poured a cup of tea for her and balanced a fudge cookie on the saucer. “I think you took milk the last time, Eve. Relax for a minute. We’ll start soon.”
Eve nodded gratefully. She felt inadequate to enter the conversations of the others and needed space to calm her beating heart.
Hilary waited until everyone was served then she commenced on the program they had decided upon. First, she announced that the questionnaires would not be collected.
“I imagine you guessed I was a teacher for some years but this is not an exam. The purpose of Mavis’s questions is to give you a chance to think more deeply about the shared house idea.”
There was an outbreak of relieved laughter in the room. Four women visibly relaxed and the questions began at once with a comment.
“I found these questions to be thought-provoking and I’m sure I was not alone in that.”
Hilary immediately noticed how Vilma had included the others in her comment. This was a good sign and a point in her favour. She was not the superficial rich woman she first appeared to be.
Jannice smiled at Vilma and ventured to add, “I thought a lot about all the questions and the one I want to mention is about hidden talents. You see I’m afraid I don’t have much to offer in the other categories and I am not sure I will be included in this wonderful plan in the end, but I do have practical nursing skills. I looked after both my parents at home until they died and there’s not much I haven’t seen or done in that department. I am also willing to act in any other helpful capacity, if needed.”
Jannice visibly deflated after this long speech. It was as if she had summoned up everything in her and now she was emptied out.
Mavis, who had seen her distraught arrival at the house only a few minutes previously, was impressed by her courage and quick to respond. “Thank you, Jannice. Those are very important suggestions. Does anyone have anything to add on the issue of hidden talents?”
Attention now moved to the others and Jannice cast a grateful glance toward Mavis.
Josette decided she needed to divert interest away from these women she considered to be born losers.
“Well, personally, I have many talents, none of them hidden.” She chuckled knowingly at this jest. “However, I am more concerned about comforts and facilities like square footage and private bathrooms and space for cars. Comprenez-vous?
Mavis let Hilary handle this one. She was becoming more and more convinced that Josette was not going to be a compatible companion for this venture.
“Yes, Jo. These concerns are valid, of course, but we are still a long way from decisions like that. If and when we choose our house we can get into specifics.”
Hilary’s tone was cool and Josette was delighted to have thrown a spanner into the works as it were. She settled back in her chair and watched with interest to see what would emerge next.
Surprisingly, to both Hilary and Mavis, it was Eve Barton who spoke up. She pulled nervously at her hat and swallowed visibly.
“I agree it’s early days to be talking about details but I need to know now when I can submit my fee. I am not a financial expert, although I did an accountancy degree years ago. I believe a large sum of money can be placed in a safe investment and the interest accumulated to benefit everyone involved. Would this not be a good idea?”
Mavis knew at once this inquiry came from Eve’s need to move her inherited money away from her husband’s grasp as soon as possible. She signalled to Hilary that she would respond and did so quickly.
“Of course, you are right, Eve. Such an investment could be important for us and it is something to consider seriously. Today we really want to hear about issues such as family, pets and other requirements to guide our future decisions. May I talk to you privately later about your idea?”
Eve nodded and subsided into her chair. Mavis knew she would not likely speak up again.
Once more Vilma filled the uncomfortably gap.
“I have no family to speak of, so that does not concern me, but I have always wanted to have a dog. Don’t they say a dog is a great companion and also a way to integrate into a new neighbourhood? What do others think about it?”
The atmosphere lightened up. “I have a cat,” said Mavis. “She’s a quiet little animal and I hope to keep her. I believe we can establish rules for pets and their owners and I agree with Vilma’s beliefs. Pets are good for mental health in many ways.”
“What?” exploded Josette. “You can’t have animals if people have allergies. I hate animals of all kinds and I would not want their hairs and nasty habits to be part of my home. A vote is required on this and other debatable points.”
Here we go again! Hilary was rapidly losing patience with her old enemy but glad she was revealing her true nature this soon.
“No decisions yet, Josette. I will make a note about your concerns.
Now, what about travel? Is anyone likely to want to flee the winter for Florida or other warm spots?”
The conversation turned to happier topics and Vilma offered the option of sharing a property she had acquired from her first husband in a rental building on the beach in Jamaica.
“There’s an agency to look after rentals for me. It’s a nice bit of income and a week is always reserved for my occupancy in February.”
“Sure now, and why wouldn’t you be wanting to stay there permanently?” asked Jannice. Jamaica in the winter sounded like paradise to her.
“Well, it’s nice to get some sun but the tourist population changes so much, it’s difficult to form friendships. I want to have a home where I am assured of companionship in a safe country with many amenities close by.”
Casual conversation continued after this. Fresh hot drinks were poured and soon Hilary was looking at her watch. Mavis had retreated to the kitchen with Eve Barton for a quick conference. She informed her that there was a bank account already set up into which she and Hilary would deposit their sums of money as soon as their houses were sold.
“I would not announce this to the others. It’s too soon, but I want you to know, Eve, you could transfer your money there if you are really sure you want to risk it this early in the process. Also, I must now make it clear to Hilary how your situation might impact our future plans.”
“I trust you, Mavis. I have since the first minute. I can’t ask anyone else to help me. It’s too dangerous. Howard might retaliate if he knew the person. Anonymity is my only hope.
If I can escape my present situation I would love to live with you and whomever you choose to join you.
If you are willing, I will bring the cash sum with me to our next meeting and leave it in your hands.
Please consider it.”
“If you are this concerned for your safety, Eve, go ahead and bring the cash with you. I realize I can’t call you at home but promise me you will be careful and come here quickly in a cab as soon as you have the money. I appreciate your confidence in us. The last thing you want is to be cheated of this inheritance and whatever freedom it can buy for you.”
Eve closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them she looked at Mavis Montgomery and saw, not the ordinary woman with delicate features and green eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses, but an angelic figure whose hands had reached out to grasp hers with a friendship and comfort Eve had never been able to claim in her whole life. Whatever happened from this point on she felt she would be safe and secure.
“There you are, Mavis! I am just about to bring this session to a close. Come and join us, Eve.”
The date for the next meeting, a week ahead, was announced, and the women made their way to the hall closet in a flurry of talk that was entirely different from the previous week’s silences.
Hilary stood back. She had collected phone and email information from the women, except from Eve Barton. There was something going on there between Eve and Mavis. She would get to the bottom of it as soon as the house had cleared.
She had promised to inform all the candidates by phone of their decision within a few days. It would be a most important discussion with Mavis and it had to start now.