Sarah stepped out of the London Underground and instantly realised she was underdressed. The sharp gust of wind made her shiver, so she hugged herself and darted into the warmth of the nearby shopping centre.
I really should start wearing my big winter coat, she thought.
Inside, Sarah headed for the food court, bought herself a coffee and a slice of pizza, and sat down to watch the world go by. Everyone seemed so happy, she thought, while she… well, she wasnt.
After five years studying economics at uni, Sarah still hadnt managed to find a proper job. Well, there were offers, but the pay was so rubbish she could barely have afforded rent, let alone feed herself.
Why on earth did I rush off to the capital for work? And I thought I was so clever, laughing at my mates who stayed behind Cant even imagine going back now. Too embarrassing.
Of course, Sarah had worksort of. She cleaned the communal areas in a block of flats every morning. The pay was decent and she shared a room with someone, rent-free. But was it really a job? It was supposed to be temporary, but somehow, temporary had stretched on and on.
The upside was that it only took a few hours each day, so she could keep hunting for something better.
—
Excuse me, love!
Sarah stopped mopping and looked up to see one of the tenants, an elderly gentleman who always greeted her.
Morning! she called.
Im Simon Hughes. And you are?
Sarah.
Well, Sarah, I just wanted to say thank you. Weve had plenty of cleaners, but youre the only one who actually does a decent job.
Sarah couldnt help but smile. She knew for a fact the other cleaners were always getting complaints at the property management meetings, but shed never had any, and even got the odd bit of praise.
Well, its my job, she replied cheerily. I always try to do things properly.
Thats how she got talking with Simon. Theyd chat most morningshed share stories about his life, shed tell him bits about hers.
Sarah, fancy earning a bit extra? Simon asked one day.
What kind of thing?
Oh, just the same as youre doing now, really. Im getting on a bit, my son lives abroad, my grandson well, he doesnt seem to realise Im not as young as I used to be. Itd help immensely if you could pop round once a week to give my place a proper tidy. Ive been keeping an eye on you, you seem like a good egg.
Yeah, why not! Sarah grinned.
And thats how she picked up her first extra job. Word spreadfirst one of Simons acquaintances wanted her help, then another, and another. Some wanted her to do their shopping or a bit of cooking as well.
No one seemed to mind paying good money for it, either.
Simon, to be honest, Im struggling to keep up with all these new clients, Sarah admitted.
Well, you must know other cleanersbring them in! But remember, quality work, thats the key!
Before long, Sarah had her own small cleaning business going. Shed stopped cleaning herself, mostly supervising and organising, but still went to job interviews, hoping to finally land something in economics.
—
One afternoon, she was back at her favourite spot in the shopping centre, planning out the week ahead, sipping her coffee.
Mind if I sit here? a mans voice asked. Place is packed and
Sarah glanced around at the almost-empty tables and burst out laughing.
Yes, absolutely mobbed! Go on, have a seat.
Im Jack, by the way. And you?
Elizabeth, Sarah replied, surprising both herself and him with the lie.
What a lovely namelike the queen, right? Jack smiled.
They hit it off straight awaysimilar interests, easy conversation. Before they knew it, the evening had flown by.
Alright, Liz. Lovely to meet you. Ive got to get going, Jack said.
You dont live near here?
No, just visited my grandad. You wouldnt believe it, hes taken on some cleaner or otherprobably after his flat, cheeky thing. I need to have words with her, make sure shes not got any funny ideas
People still do that? Sarah teased.
Why not? If he leaves her everything Ill have something to say! Be good to have a chat with her
Better give me a ring, then, Sarah said, flashing a smile as Jack wandered off.
He did call, and soon enough, they started seeing each other.
—
Sarah, love, ever thought about tutoring online? Simon asked her over tea one day. You said you did well at uni.
Mmm Never really considered it, to be honest.
You could also do bookkeeping for small businesses from home, with your background! No more nine-to-five grind. Could even train to be an auditorthose lot rake it in!
Youre a real strategist, Simon! I actually really like your ideas, Sarah chuckled.
—
Weeks passed. Sarah was getting to know Jack and really liked him, but she still hadnt come clean about her name or what she actually did for a living. She no longer cleaned herself, instead managing her growing cleaning company and handling accounts for a couple of small firms remotely, and shed even managed to buy herself a little flat in the suburbs. But every time she saw Jack, she stayed silent about it all.
Each time, shed promise herself Ill tell him next time. Somehow, it never felt like the right moment. So she remained Liz in his eyes.
—
Simon, do you think someone would treat you the same if you confessed youd lied about something important? Sarah asked one day.
Goodness, thats a tricky one, love. All depends on the person, I suppose.
Their chat was interrupted by a knock at the door. Simon shuffled off to answer it.
Sarah, its my grandson! Come and meet my right-hand woman, Simon called.
To her complete shock, Simon returned with Jack.
Sarah went pale. Jack shot her a wry smile.
So, youre Sarah Or should I say Elizabeth? So youre the one after my grandads flat!
Jack, honestly, youve got it all wrong. Im just helping out your grandad, and I wanted to tell you everything
My gran wouldnt have been able to keep up a lie like yours!
Sarahs heart dropped through her boots.
I just wanted to introduce you,” Simon grumbled. “Thought youd like each other Never mind.
Thank you for the tea, Simon. Ill be off, Sarah said, getting up bravely.
As she brushed past Jack, she paused: You know, your grandads full of brilliant ideas. Ive been doing his shopping and cleaning for free for ages.
—
Back in her tiny rented room, Sarah stared out at the cold city lights, crying her heart out all night. She had to block Jack everywherehe just kept sending nasty messages.
Maybe its for the best, she told herself at last. Hes good looking, but a bit narrow-minded. And lets face it, how could we have carried on, once he found out I was new to London and only just managed to buy a flat out in the sticks? Hed have dumped me anyway. So yes, probably for the best.
—
As the months went on, Sarah moved away from cleaning herself, running her business as it grew into a successful mid-sized cleaning company. She retrained as an auditor, got married, and later welcomed a baby daughter.
One day, in the changing rooms at her local gym, she quite literally bumped into Jack.
Wowyou look incredible! he blurted. So, what are you up to now?
Alls wellmarried with a daughter, running my own business
You? In business? Jack looked sceptical.
Yeahcleaning, actually.
Whod have thought there was money in cleaning?! he scoffed.
Youd be surprised, Jack. Not just flats eitherhouses, shops, offices Anyway, not that it matters. What about you? Sarahs patience was running thin.
Oh, you know a couple of long-term girlfriends, but none of them stuck around. Seems like everyone only wants my money and my flat Cant trust anyone these days.
They chatted a bit longer before parting ways.
As Sarah walked home, she couldnt help feeling relieved things with Jack hadnt worked out. Life, she thought, had worked out just fine.
