Read Online Evergreen Falls by Kimberley Freeman - Free Book Online Page B

just unfinishedwood. “Your room is the third on the right. You’ll be sharing with Myrtle and Queenie. Don’t take advice from Queenie. She’s a bit slow.”
    Miss Zander knocked briskly once, then fetched a key to open the room. Three beds were lined up under a window that was at the level of the grass outside. Her suitcase and gramophone waited on one of the beds, along with some folded linen. Through the gauzy white curtain, Violet could see a pair of men’s shoes. She approached the window and peered up. It was Clive.
    “Ah, there he is,” she said.
    Miss Zander furrowed her brow. “Now, I know that you and Mr. Betts are friends, but I expect you to work and not chat. As you aren’t rostered on until dinner tomorrow night, I expect you to leave him be to get on with fixing our kitchen shutters.”
    “Of course.”
    The older woman then reached across and wiped her thumb hard across Violet’s lips.
    “Ow,” Violet said, cringing away.
    “Just making certain your lips are that color naturally. I won’t tolerate my girls wearing makeup. You’re not ladies of the night.”
    “Understood, ma’am.”
    Miss Zander smiled, all high-handedness evaporated. “I do hope you’ll be happy working here, dear. You’ve a sweet face.”
    “Thank you.” Violet glowed a little, and wondered how, on such short acquaintance, she’d decided she very badly wanted Miss Zander to like her.
    “Myrtle is on shift. Get yourself dry and changed. Laundry and bathroom are just across the hall. Here’s your key. If it fines up, get out for a walk. Fresh air is good for the constitution.” She nodded once, then left in a swirling wake of perfume.
    Violet went once more to the window. The room was very dim with so little light, and with the dark clouds outside. But when shelooked up, she could see Clive working in the rain, sleeves rolled up to his elbow, his body flexed in concentration on the task at hand. She knocked on the glass but he didn’t hear, so she simply stood for a while looking at his shoes, dripping on the bare wooden floor.
    *  *  *
    Myrtle was too young to be described as kindly, and yet that was precisely what she was, with her round body and big bosom and soft white hands. That afternoon and evening she gave Violet a speedy induction to the Evergreen Spa. Fortunately, Violet had worked in hotels long enough not to be intimidated by the various rules and things to remember. She was given a five-day roster, all split shifts: eleven until three, and then five until nine. Even though she wasn’t rostered, she worked the earlier shift alongside Myrtle for experience. The lunch tables were all laid out beautifully, with silverware polished to a blaze, and a huge silver platter of seasonal fruit in the center of every one. Violet pinched an orange and hid it up the leg of her bloomers as she was finishing her shift.
    Outside, the sun was shining and the sky was blue and white. It was a day to be outside, preferably singing. She hummed to herself as walked around to the back of the building, where she released the orange from its hiding place and began to peel it. That’s when she saw Clive, still working on the kitchen shutters.
    “Clive!” she called happily, and ran over to him.
    He looked up, puzzled. “Aren’t I supposed to collect you from the station in an hour?”
    “I came a day early. Found my own way. Look, I already have my uniform.” Violet twirled for him.
    “You look wonderful. I’m so glad you’ve come.” He beamed, then she remembered what Miss Zander said, and how Clive had made her promise not to get him in trouble.
    “I’d best not disturb you. Miss Zander said to leave you be while you’re working.” She pocketed the orange peel.
    Clive returned to the shutter, which he was screwing in with a large screwdriver. “Wonders mightn’t cease. Violet’s doing everything she’s told.”
    She brandished her orange. “Almost everything.”
    He laughed. “You be careful.”
    She