The Cleaner (a story)
Sophie stepped out of the Underground and instantly regretted not grabbing her coat. The English wind whipped around her, making her hug herself as she hurried into the warmth of the shopping centre.
Shouldve put my puffer on,” she grumbled to herself.
She made her way to the food court, picked up a flat white and a slice of margherita, and settled at a little table. People bustled by, all looking annoyingly content, while she well, she felt absolutely rubbish.
From Google Images, apparently.
Honestly, five years of studying economics and for what? To not even land a normal job!
It wasnt for lack of trying shed been hunting for a proper job since moving down to London. Sure, there were offers, but the pay wouldnt cover her rent and her supermarket meal deals, never mind anything else.
Oh, but arent you brave, moving to The Big Smoke! She remembered laughing at her mates whod stayed back in Newcastle. Not so funny now. Too proud to return, wasnt she?
Technically, Sophie did work she cleaned the communal hallways of some flats at the crack of dawn. The pay was surprisingly decent, and sharing a room meant she wasnt forking out a fortune in rent.
But was that really a job? Not a proper one, anyway. Whatever, it was only temporary except temporary had started to look suspiciously permanent.
On the upside, it gave her time to go to interviews during the day.
..
Morning, miss!
Sophie stopped scrubbing the skirting board and looked up. It was the old bloke from flat 2B, always so polite.
Morning!
Im Bernard Wilkinson. And you are?
Sophie.
Sophie, I just had to say, thank you. Weve had loads of cleaners, but none of them made the place sparkle like you do.”
Sophie went a bit pink. He was right, actually the management moaned about the others at meetings, but shed only ever been praised.
She flashed a grin, Well, its my job. I cant help but do whatever Im doing properly.
Thats how she and Bernard got to know each other. Theyd often chat: Bernard would share stories from his youth, while Sophie told him about her job hunt.
Sophie, you fancy some extra cash?
Whats the catch?
Same as youre doing now just a bit of cleaning round my flat. I cant manage so well these days, my sons off in Australia, and my grandson Well, he seems to think Im immortal. I just need someone to pop by once a week. Ive had my eye on you seem like a trustworthy sort…
Go on then, why not? Sophie agreed easily.
This turned out to be a stroke of luck. Soon, after Bernard recommended her to a friend, and then another, Sophie found herself with a steadily growing roster. Some wanted their weekly Tesco shop fetched, some wanted a bit of dinner cooked, but nobody quibbled about the price.
Bernard, Ive got to say, Im drowning here in clients… Might have to get the girls from the flats to pitch in.
Go for it, Sophie, just keep the standard up!
Fast-forward months, Sophie was running her very own small cleaning company. Shed traded in the mop for management and was now spending her mornings overseeing rather than scrubbing, though she still kept one eye on the Indeed adverts for that elusive career job.
..
One afternoon, Sophie sat in her favourite Pret, jotting down a work rota and slowly sipping an overpriced latte.
Is this seat taken? A voice piped up beside her. I know it looks full but
She glanced around at the sea of empty chairs and burst out laughing.
Completely packed, isnt it? Go on, have a seat.
Im Jamie, and you are?
Rebecca, Sophie blurted, no idea why. It just slipped out.
Lovely name. Means to bind, right?
They chatted for ages, laughing at the same silly things, losing track of time entirely.
Well, Becca, this was fun, but I best be going, Jamie said, getting up.
Dont live round here?
Nah, was visiting my granddad Found out hes got some woman coming in to clean cheeky, eh? Bet shes after his flat, hoping for a windfall when he pops off…
Surely people dont really do that these days?
Why not? Next thing you know, hell leave her the lot! Im planning to have words with her, see if shes a gold-digger.
Right. Well, give me a ring, Sophie said with a smile, watching him walk away. For some reason, she kept on smiling.
A few days later, Jamie called and soon theyd become a regular thing.
..
Sophie, did you know you can tutor online these days? Bernard remarked as they shared a cuppa in his kitchen.
Er suppose so? Never thought of it.
You also said you do accounts, yes? Plenty of businesses need a remote bookkeeper. Ought to give it a go.
I always wanted to be an economist
But working 9 to 5 isnt all its cracked up to be! Once youre bored, train as an auditor they earn a tidy sum, they do!
Sophie chuckled, You always have a plan, Bernard! Honestly, I love your thinking.
..
Sophie was on her way to see Jamie, battling her nerves. Theyd been together months now, but still, she hadnt told him her real name, or that she wasnt an economist. Not exactly. She ran a cleaning business, did some bookkeeping, happily paid her own mortgage on a shiny new (if tiny) flat on the outskirts, and money really wasnt a problem anymore.
Shed always promised herself shed fess up, but never seemed to find the perfect time.
So, for Jamie, she was still Rebecca.
..
Bernard, give me your wisdom: if someones been lying to another, but then comes clean, do you reckon the other person can forgive them?
Crikey, Sophie! Thats a biggie. Really depends on the person.
He was about to say more when the doorbell rang. Bernard went to answer it.
Soph, this is my grandson want to meet my little helper?
And in walked who else? but Jamie
Sophie turned white as a sheet, while Jamie smirked, So, is it Sophie or Rebecca? So youre the one scheming to steal gramps flat!
No, Jamie, youre wrong. Im just helping your granddad. I wanted to tell you everything
Oh, youve got the guilt written all over your face!
If possible, Sophie went even paler.
Bernard muttered, I was hoping you two would hit it off.
Bernard, thank you for the tea. I think Ill be off. Sophie stood up straight. She strode past Jamie, pausing: For the record, your granddad is a treasure trove of ideas, and Ive never charged him a penny for any of it.
..
Sophie spent that night crying by the window in her little room. Shed had to block Jamie everywhere the messages got nastier each hour.
Maybe its for the best, she mused, Honestly, yes. Hes good-looking, but such a cynic! And what would have happened when he found out I was just visiting from up North? Hed have run a mile as soon as he heard my new flat wasnt finished for another month. Dodged a bullet, really.
..
Time rolled on. Sophie wasnt mopping floors anymore she was running a real business now, one that had grown from a handful of jobs to a mid-sized company. Shed trained as an auditor, married a lovely bloke, and had a gorgeous little girl.
One day, Sophie got a gym membership and, of course, who should she bump into at the lockers but Jamie.
Well, can you believe it you look fantastic! said Jamie, So, whats new?
Oh, you know husband, daughter, own business
Business? Jamie eyed her suspiciously.
Yup, cleaning well, cleaning AND property management.
People pay for that? His voice oozed sarcasm.
Funny you should ask. Turns out people will pay for all sorts houses, offices, shopping centres But anyway! How are you?
Jamie frowned, Oh, you know. Two failed long-term relationships, no kids. Cant trust women all after what Ive got! Desperate to tie me down, but Im no mug
They exchanged pleasantries, then parted ways.
Sophie strolled home, counting her blessings things had turned out exactly as they should.
