Bring your boots

“Oh good, you’re both here.” Carole said bustling into Dan’s office where Faith had just managed to pin Dan down for some much needed signatures.

Faith and Dan looked at each other and then at Carole in confusion.

“Dan, has Faith had a tour of the grounds yet?”

“Um ... no, not yet. We've been struggling to fit it in” Dan replied.

“I need you to make it a priority Dan, Faith’s been here over six month’s already. That aside I need you to be familiar with the estate Faith.”

“Why’s that?” Faith asked.

“Because the two of you will be organising the New Year Fundraising Masquerade Ball in my absence.”

Faith dropped the papers she had been holding and Dan started chocking on the coffee he’d just taken a mouthful of. Faith had heard about the Masquerade Ball, it was a huge deal for the estate. The ticket sales alone would pay for half of the annual wages bill. What was Carole thinking leaving this with her after only six months? Sure she’d organised smaller events and school holiday activities but this?

“Now Dan,” Carole continued, “I know you don’t usually have an organisational role with the Ball but you've been around enough to know what goes on and Faith, as my deputy the duties technically fall to you but as this will be your first year it’s only fair for you to have some help. Between Dan and yourself you should be more than capable of cobbling something together.”

“Seriously Carole, wouldn't Faith just be better shadowing you for this year. I mean this is the estates biggest event we are talking about, you’re going to leave this with a glorified gardener and the newbie, no offence Faith.”

“None taken” Faith smiled at Dan, this was just how their banter had settled over that last few months. A combination of taking the mick out of each other with the odd flirtatious comment.

Carole sighed, "In all honesty Dan you’ll just have to pull it together. I’ll put it simply, I won’t be here. I have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer so I will be taking a leave of absence while I deal with it."

“Oh Carole, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” Faith asked, feeling pathetic as she did. Her worries from a minute ago seemed completely inconsequential.

“Your job Faith, that’s all I need.” And with that she walked out.

Faith and Dan stood there stunned looking at each other. “I guess we had better show you around then. Bring your boots tomorrow.”

***

Faith was already in the office when Dan came in to get his morning coffee. She could hear his footsteps down the corridor and risked a sneaky peek, hoping to catch the back of him through the open door as he went to the staff room next door. Instead their eyes met and she blushed. Smooth Faith, way to keep your stupid crush under wraps, just-a-friend-just-a-friend. Dropping her eyes to the paper work on her desk that she was trying to rush through before today’s tour and praying he hadn't noticed.

“Morning,” she shouted, trying to cover her embarrassment. As horrible as the situation was and that they were being thrown in at the deep end, the silver lining was getting to spend time with Dan and not have to find lame excuses to do it.

“Morning.” Came a much quieter voice than she was expecting and she nearly fell of her chair looking up to see Dan stood right next to her. “You know a little colour in your cheeks is nice.” Dan continued with a twinkle in his eye biting into his apple.

“What...I...” Flustered Faith blushed even more and now irritated she blurted out, “What time do we set off on this tour? And how long is it likely to take? Some of us have work to get done that doesn't include swaning around outside all day!” Faith didn't subscribe to the opinion that most of the indoor staff did; that the grounds staff were all slackers and spent the day sunning themselves and wandering aimlessly. But he was trying to get under her skin this morning and it worked. She was rewarded with that smile, the one that reached his eyes and completely disarmed her.

“About 9.30 fit in with your schedule m’lady? I have some things to sort out first, you know drink my coffee, kick back relax.” They both laughed now. “You brought your boots?”

“Well that depends on which boots you mean, the thigh high stilettos?” Faith started, raising her eyebrow for maximum flirtatious effect.

“Much as those would be amazing to see...”

“...probably best I brought the muddy walking boots instead?” Faith nodded towards the Brashers just under the desk next to where Dan was perched.

“Ah, drat. Some other time for the stilettos then?”

“In your dreams! Now get your ass in gear otherwise it’s going to be lunch-time before we get anywhere”

“Pick you up in an hour?”

“It’s a date” Faith smiled as Dan turned to leave, shaking her head. What am I playing at?