A Servant of the Company by Alan Cooke Page B

was usually out by nine o’clock and at the job centre by nine fifteen.
    ‘Come in Anth, I was just coming downstairs. Don’t say I’ve got some replies at last.’
    He was excited seeing the number of envelopes in her hand, hoping that they wouldn’t have the same response as those already received.
    Anthea stood by the bed as he sat down to open the letters one by one. ‘Regret, regret, re bloody gret.’ The first three were two liners thanking him for his interest but no job. The fourth was different, in the envelope was a cutting from a newspaper. ‘What do you think of this Anthea, it’s very odd, just an advert with a scribbled note saying ‘APPLY.’ He passed the cutting to her for her comments. She was so sensible and level headed and would have an idea what it was all about.
    ‘Steve, I’ve never come across anything like it. I would think someone who knows you for what you are really worth has put in a good word for you with the people advertising. Could it be one of your officers?’ She passed the advert back to him.
    ‘The job is for a business development manager, I don’t know anything at all about that. I just don’t understand it.’ He put the advert on the bed and opened the rest of the mail. There was nothing in any of the letters that would put him at his ease. The only positive thing was lying on the bed covers.
    ‘What have you got to lose Steve, it’s an opportunity. For God’s sake apply and see what comes of it. Once you are there, I’m sure you will do well. If you impress me, then you would impress any of these people.’
    She spoke with such conviction that Steve was immediately moved to take action.
    ‘Would you mind if I used your computer Anthea, I’m quite good with Microsoft Word, but have terrible handwriting.’ It was something he had tried to correct, but it had been low on his list of priorities when he was in the Army. He collected all the rejections together and would check them off against his list of applications.
    ‘I keep telling you, the computer is there to be used. You don’t have to ask every time.’ She grinned at him and said, ‘I know you are only a bloody lodger, but you are a welcome one. If there is ever a problem, I’ll discuss it with you, but I can’t ever imagine that happening.’ She turned to leave the room with Steve sitting on the bed gazing at her.
    ‘Do you know you’ve saved my life. I just don’t know what I’d do without you.’ He got up, walked to the door and put his arms around her, his eyes filled with tears. He held her close before stepping back and giving Anthea a chance to leave the room. She too had tears in her eyes, but she didn’t let Steve see them. She had liked the strength of him holding her and would have liked to have stayed there longer, but knew he was just showing his appreciation for what she had done for him.
    ‘I will have to dash or I’ll be late for work. I may be the boss’s daughter but he doesn’t treat me differently from anyone else, if I’m late, his voice will let everyone know. He doesn’t take any prisoners, isn’t that what the Army would say?’ She regretted mentioning the Army as soon as she had opened her mouth. It was tactless as she was well aware that any mention would only open up Steve’s wounds.
    He didn’t show that it had hurt. ‘Have a good day Anthea. Tonight you are getting a stir fry, I’ll show you I’m not totally useless. Dinner’s on the table at 6 o’clock precisely, so don’t be late.’ He gave her a wave as she headed for the front door.
    She had to escape, if she didn’t, tears would flow. It was all so very sad. He was such a good man and must feel the world was against him. With luck there might be a better response from his application for the business development manager job.
    Settling in front of the computer waiting, he decided that the best thing to do first was try and find out something on the net about the job which was in the