RED LETTER ADVERT.

Amanda stared at her cup of coffee. Still the same one and now getting cold. She sat in the bow window of the tea shop in the high street. Outside, people went about their daily lives. Mothers with push chairs, groups of retired folk with shopping trolleys, chatted ouside the supermarket opposite. She sighed, envying them their busyness.

An attractive, middle-aged woman, she had returned to England recently after years of living abroad with her businessman husband. His sudden death and her decision to sell up and start again had left her rudderless and without direction. She had hoped to pick up the threads of her life, but it hadn't happened, at least not so far. Her friends of years ago had settled lives, husbands and children, and now grandchildren. Although pleased to see her, they had few suggestions to offer. She felt very alone.

She had rented a small flat in this bustling market town. She had put her name down as a volunteer for a variety of charitable organisations, but no one had been in touch. The tea shop had been the salvation for her empty mornings. At least she could see people!

She opened the magazine she had brought with her. She leafed through it without really reading the pages. To help pass the time, she began reading through the situations vacant columns. Suddenly, the germ of an idea came into her mind. She started reading in earnest. Halfway down a page she found it. "Free accommodation offered in cottage in Somerset in exchange for help after school and occasional dog sitting." There was a phone number. Without pausing to think, she took out her mobile and rang the number. A harrassed voice answered. In the background she could hear the sound of children's voices, a washing machine whirred on its spinning cycle and a dog barked.

Amanda took a deep breath and said,"I am ringing about the advert in the magazine. Has the post been filled yet?" The voice, now calmer, replied "Not yet. I have not found anyone who seems suitable."

Amanda pressed on,"Could you tell me a little about the job?" "Certainly. I am a district nurse, I have four children, two small dogs and a husband in the Navy. I need help with the children after school. When my husband's leaves coincide with school holidays we all like to go away together, hence the dog sitting. The cottage mentioned is small but well appointed with a tiny garden. It is a few minutes walk from my house. Tell me about yourself", the voice continued,"and why this post interests you."

Amanda found herself warming to this unknown woman at the end of the phone and gave brief details of her life.

"My name is Mary Hall", the voice identified itself. "Could you give me a phone number where I can reach you?" Amanda complied.

Back at her flat, Amanda felt happier than she had been for a long time. It was a job she knew she would enjoy. She loved chidren and, until recently, had always had a dog in her life. Somerset was a lovely county too.

A few days went by with no news. Amanda kept her fingers crossed. Mrs Hall rang one evening. "Before we both make up our minds", she said "could you come for a weekend? Meet us all, stay at the cottage and see what you would be letting yourself in for!" Mrs Hall had a wry sense of humour. Amanda accepted and arrangements were made.

She reached her destination on a bright, sunny morning. The Hall family met her at the station. It was a short drive to their home in a nearby village. But it was the children who took her to see the cottage, the youngest clasping her firmly by the hand.

The cottage was much as she had imagined, small and cosy. The little furniture that she had would fit in it perfectly. The tiny garden had been imaginatively planted and would be simple to look after. They all had tea together at the Hall's home. By the end of that same evening Amanda and Mary Hall had become friends.

The weekend passed all too quickly. But, when she boarded the train to go back on the Sunday evening, Amanda had a new home and a job that she knew she would enjoy.

"Hurry up and come back", they called, as the train moved away. She would just as soon as she could!!

Copyright Jacqueline Hastings 2009