Glynis swore at the sight of the abandoned dishes piled high on every surface and the smell of stale food. Shes had a party and left us to clear it up. Well, she can forget that! she said aggressively.
Were down for two hours extra here. Now we know why. Chrissy opened a window to air the room. Ill start in here, shall I? You can take the lounge, she suggested.
Glynis said something rude and stalked off. Chrissy worked quietly and efficiently, hoping that just for once Glynis was in the mood for work. Their schedule had to be strictly followed. Clients always specified hours when their homes were empty.
What do you think?
Chrissy spun and her eyes widened incredulously. Glynis was doing a twirl in a fancy cocktail dress.
Couldnt resist it...gorgeous, isnt it? And shell never notice. The bedrooms a tip. This was lying on the floor
For heavens sake, take it off and put it back! Chrissy gasped in horror.
Dont be such a pain! Glynis groaned. Ive done the lounge. Ill finish up in here if you like. I hate doing corner baths...
Take it off! Chrissy repeated.
Glynis gave her a filthy look. OK...OK. I cant say youre a barrel of fun to work with, can I? she snapped.
Chrissy had just entered the bathroom when she heard the front door open and the sound of voices, male and female mingling. She sprang upright, wondering frantically if Glynis had had time to change back into her overall. A brunette appeared in the doorway and frowned. Arent you finished yet?
Im sorry, no. Chrissy made no attempt to point out that they had been booked for a specified time and were indeed still half an hour within that period. Do you want us to leave?
The elegant brunette pouted. How long will it take you to finish up?
About twenty minutes...
I suppose Ill have to put up with you, then, or I wont be getting what I paid for, the brunette said witheringly.
Who are you talking to? a dismayingly familiar drawl interposed.
Blaze Kenyon strolled into view.
What are you doing h-here? Chrissy demanded in stark disbelief, her faith in the impossibility of two such glaring coincidences in one day severely shaken.
His brilliant blue eyes narrowed. I was about to pick Leila up when we ran into each other earlier. What are you doing in her bathroom?
Shes supposed to be cleaning it! his female companion cut in thinly. Are you telling me that you know this girl?
Youre a cleaner? Blaze did not conceal his astonishment.
Leila curved a hand round his arm. Come on, darling...the sooner she finishes, the quicker shell be out of here, she purred suggestively, but she eyed Chrissy with grim annoyance.
Chrissy felt utterly humiliated. She was not ashamed of what she did for a living. The hours suited her and the agency paid a reasonable rate. Three years ago she would never have dreamt that she would be cleaning other peoples homes to survive, but a lot of things had changed in those same three years. She had no false pride about her work, had indeed been grateful to have paid employment...until Blaze Kenyon surveyed her with well-bred amazement and suddenly made her feel like the lowest of the low.
Hell, that was close! Glynis whispered from the doorway. Ill finish the kitchen. You dump those flowers in the hall and well get out!
Chrissy was gathering the fallen petals off the carpet when she heard Blaze speaking. The lounge door wasnt closed and he had a deep, carrying voice. Every word was crystal-clear.
When I say nouveau riche I mean nouveau riche. The Hamiltons were into spotlit bonsai trees and floodlit oils. Jim Hamilton is one of the most vulgar loudmouths one could meet...
Chrissy straightened and froze, her facial muscles clenching painfully tight as she moved closer to the ajar door, the sound of her own ruptured breathing loud in her eardrums.
The mother was the worm that turned, Blaze drawled smoothly. Belle was quite incapable of furthering Hamiltons social aspirations. She drank too much and dropped the most frightful clangers with the happiest smiles. When the good life got too much, she ran off with a freezer salesman, who turned out to be a bigamist. Hamilton thought it was the funniest thing he had ever heard. Night after night he dined out on the story
with glee
What are you doing? Glynis demanded from behind her as Chrissy thrust the door wide.
Chrissy had the vase of wilted flowers in her hand. Blaze was indolently sprawled on the sofa several steps inside the door. Raising the vase, Chrissy up-ended the contents over Blaze Kenyons gleaming dark head.
Leila shrieked as though she had plunged a knife into his back. The vase contained a surprising amount of water. A deluge descended on Chrissys victim.
Blaze sprang up, scattering flowers, and spun round.
You p-pig! Chrissy shouted.
Blaze clawed wet hair off his brow with one hand, his glittering ice-blue eyes smouldering threat at Chrissy.
You are a p-pig! Without warning her bravado was punctured.
Are you crazy? the brunette screamed at her shrilly.
Angry, Blaze murmured drily.
Im going to have you fired for this! Leila promised, grabbing up the phone and punching out a number.