Maureen adjusted her glasses before jotting a note on Cassies form.
Now, I must emphasize that not all families are easy to work for. Some are very challenging and some are downright difficult. The success of the job will rest on your shoulders.
Ill do my best to succeed.
Quitting an assignment before your year is over is not acceptable. It will incur a substantial cancellation fee and you will never work for us again. The details are stipulated in the contract. Maureen tapped her pen on the page.
I cant see that happening, Cassie replied determinedly.
Good. Then the final point we need to discuss is the timeframe.
Yes. How soon will I leave? Cassie asked, her anxiety flooding back as she wondered how much longer shed need to duck and dive.
It usually takes about six weeks, but this familys application is very urgent so we are going to fast-track it. If things move along as expected, you will fly out within a week. Is that acceptable?
Itits perfect, she stammered. Please, I accept the position. Ill do whatever it takes to make it work, and I wont let you down.
The woman stared back at her long and hard, as if summing her up one last time.
Dont, she said.
CHAPTER TWO
Airports were all about goodbyes, Cassie thought. Rushed farewells, the impersonal environment robbing you of the words you really wanted to say, and the time to say them properly.
Shed insisted that the girlfriend whod given her a ride to the airport drop her off rather than come in with her. A hug before jumping out of the car was quick and easy. Better than expensive coffee and awkward conversation, drying up as departure time drew closer. After all, she was traveling alone, leaving everyone she knew behind. It made sense to start that journey sooner, rather than later.
As Cassie wheeled the luggage cart into the terminal, she felt a sense of relief at the goals shed accomplished so far. Shed gotten the assignmentthe most important goal of all. Shed paid the flight and the agency fee, her visa had been fast-tracked, and she was on time for check-in. Her belongings were packed according to the list suppliedshe was glad for the bright blue backpack shed been given with the Maureens Au Pairs logo, because there wouldnt have been room in her suitcase for all her clothes.
From here on until she landed in Paris, she was sure everything would go smoothly.
And then she stopped in her tracks, her heart hammering, as she saw him.
He was standing near the terminal entrance, with his back to the wall, thumbs hooked into the pockets of the leather jacket shed given him. His height, his dark, spiky hair, and his aggressive jaw made him easy to spot as he scanned the crowds.
Zane.
He must have found out she was leaving at this time. Shed heard from various friends hed been phoning around, asking where she was and checking up on the Florida story. Zane could be manipulative, and not everyone knew about her situation. Someone must have innocently told him the truth.
Before he could look in her direction, she swiveled the cart round, yanking her tracksuit hood over her head to hide her wavy auburn hair. She rushed the other way, steering the cart behind a pillar and out of his sight.
The Air France check-in desk was at the far end of the terminal. There was no way she could get past without him seeing her.
Think, Cassie, she told herself. In the past, Zane had praised her for her ability to make a fast plan in a tricky situation. You think on your feet, hed said. That had been at the beginning of their relationship. By the end, hed been accusing her bitterly of being sneaky, underhanded, too damn clever for her own good.
Time to be too damn clever, then. She took a deep breath, hoping for ideas. Zane was standing near the terminal entrance. Why? It would have been easier to wait by the check-in desk where hed be sure of spotting her. So that meant he didnt know which airline she was flying. Whoever hed gotten the information from either hadnt known, or hadnt said. If she could find another way to the desk, she might be able to check in before he came looking.
Cassie unloaded her luggage, shouldering the heavy backpack and dragging her suitcase behind her. There was an escalator at the buildings entranceshed passed it on her way in. If she rode it up to the top level she hoped she would find one going down, or an elevator, at the other end.
Abandoning the luggage cart, she hurried back the way she had come and rode the escalator up. The one at the other end was broken, so she climbed down the steep steps, dragging her heavy bag behind her. The Air France check-in desk was a short distance away, but to her dismay, there was already a long and slow-moving line.
Pulling the gray hood further forward, she joined the line, took a paperback from her purse, and began reading. She wasnt taking in the words, and the hood was sweltering. She wanted to rip it away, cool the perspiration on her neck. She couldnt risk it, though, not when her bright hair would be instantly visible. Better to stay in hiding.
But then a firm hand tapped her on her shoulder.
She whirled round, gasping, and found herself staring into the surprised eyes of a tall blonde who was about her own age.
Sorry to startle you, she said. Im Jess. I noticed your backpack and thought I should say hello.
Oh. Yes. Maureens Au Pairs.
Are you flying out on an assignment? Jess asked.
I am.
Me too. Do you want to see if the airline will seat us together? We could request it at check-in.
While Jess chatted about the weather in France, Cassie glanced nervously around the terminal. She knew Zane wouldnt give up easilynot after driving all the way out here. He would want something from heran apology, a commitment. He would force her to come with him for a goodbye drink and pick a fight. He wouldnt care if she arrived in France with fresh bruises or missed her flight completely.
And then she saw him. He was heading in her direction, a few counters away, scanning each line carefully as he searched.
She turned away quickly, in case he sensed her gaze. With a flicker of hope, she saw they had reached the front of their line.
Maam, youll need to remove that, the check-in clerk said, pointing to Cassies hood.
Complying reluctantly, she pushed it back.
Hey, Cass! She heard Zane shouting the words.
Cassie froze, knowing a response would mean disaster.
Clumsy with nerves, she dropped her passport and scrabbled for it, her top-heavy backpack tipping over her head.
Another shout, and this time she glanced back.
He had seen her and was pushing his way through the line, elbowing people aside. The passengers were angry; she could hear raised voices. Zane was causing a commotion.
Wed like to sit together if possible, Jess told the clerk, and Cassie bit her lip at the additional delay.
Zane shouted again, and she realized with a sick feeling that he would reach her in a few moments. Hed turn on the charm and beg her for a chance to talk, reassure Cassie that it would only take a minute for him to say what he needed in private. His aim, she knew from experience, would be to get her away and alone. And then the charm would vanish.
Whos that guy? Jess asked curiously. Is he looking for you?
Hes my ex-boyfriend, Cassie muttered. Ive been trying to avoid him. I dont want him causing trouble before I leave.