?
Tell them Im coming straight in, I stammer. Tell Ketterman Ill be there at once... Im
getting on a train...
It might be too late. Guy sounds heavy and reluctant. Samantha... all sorts of stories are
going round.
Stories? My heart is thudding so hard I can barely say the word. What... what stories?
I cant take all this in. I feel like my car has suddenly lurched off the road and I cant
stop it.
Apparently people have said youre... unreliable, Guy says at last. That this isnt the
first time. That youve made errors before.
Errors ? I leap to my feet, my voice as sharp as though Ive been scalded. Whos saying that? Ive
never made any errors! What are they talking about?
I dont know. I wasnt in the meeting. Samantha... think back carefully. Have you made any
other mistakes?
Think back carefully?
Im stunned. He doesnt believe me?
Ive never made any mistakes, I say, trying and failing to keep my voice level. None.
Never! Im a good lawyer. Im a good lawyer. To my dismay I realize tears are pouring down my cheeks. Im steady! You know that, Guy.
In the tense little silence that follows, the unsaid is there between us. Like a
conviction. I lost a client £50 million.
Guy, I dont know how I didnt see the Glazerbrooks documentation. My words tumble out
faster and faster. I dont know how it happened. It doesnt make any sense. I know my desk
is messy, but I have my systems, for Gods sake. I dont miss things like that. I just dont
Samantha, calm down
How can I calm down? I almost yell. This is my life. My life . I dont have anything else! I wipe the tears away from my cheeks. Im not losing this. Im
coming in. Now.
I cut the phone dead and get to my feet, bubbling with panic. I should have gone back. I
should have gone back straightaway, not wasted time here. I dont know what times the
trains will be, but I dont care. I have to get out of here.
I grab a piece of paper and a pencil and scrawl,
Dear Mrs. Geiger, I am afraid I must resign as your housekeeper. While I have enjoyed my
time
Come on. I havent got time to write any more, I have to leave now. I put the paper down on
the table and head for the door. Then I stop. I cant leave the letter unfinished in the
middle of a sentence.
While I have enjoyed my time with you, I feel I would like afresh challenge. Many thanks
for your kindness.
Yours sincerely, Samantha Sweeting
I put the pen down and push my chair back with a scrape. As I reach the door my mobile
vibrates again.
Guy, I instantly think. I reach for itand am already flipping it open when I see the
caller ID. Its not Guy.
Its Ketterman.
Something cold grips my spine. As I stare at his name I feel real fear in a way I never
have before. Childish, nightmarish fear. Every instinct in my body is telling me not to
answer.
But my phones already open. Its too late. Slowly I lift it up to my ear. Hello. Samantha.
John Ketterman here. Right. My voice is scratchy with nerves. Hello.
Theres a long pause. I know this is my moment to speak, but my throat feels wadded by
cotton wool. No words seem adequate. Everyone knows how much Ketterman despises apologies
and excuses and explanations.
Samantha, Im ringing to tell you that your contract with Carter Spink has been terminated.
I feel all the blood drain from my face.
A letter is on its way to you giving the reasons. His tone is distant and formal. Gross
negligence compounded by your subsequent unprofessional behavior. Your P45 will be sent to
you. Your pass has been disabled. I dont expect to see you at the Carter Spink offices
again.
Hes going too fast. This is all happening too fast.
Please dont... I blurt out. Please give me another chance. I made one mistake. One.
Lawyers at Carter Spink dont make mistakes, Samantha. Nor do they run away from their
mistakes.
I know it was wrong to run away. Im shaking all over. But it was such a shock... I wasnt
thinking straight...
Youve
Tell them Im coming straight in, I stammer. Tell Ketterman Ill be there at once... Im
getting on a train...
It might be too late. Guy sounds heavy and reluctant. Samantha... all sorts of stories are
going round.
Stories? My heart is thudding so hard I can barely say the word. What... what stories?
I cant take all this in. I feel like my car has suddenly lurched off the road and I cant
stop it.
Apparently people have said youre... unreliable, Guy says at last. That this isnt the
first time. That youve made errors before.
Errors ? I leap to my feet, my voice as sharp as though Ive been scalded. Whos saying that? Ive
never made any errors! What are they talking about?
I dont know. I wasnt in the meeting. Samantha... think back carefully. Have you made any
other mistakes?
Think back carefully?
Im stunned. He doesnt believe me?
Ive never made any mistakes, I say, trying and failing to keep my voice level. None.
Never! Im a good lawyer. Im a good lawyer. To my dismay I realize tears are pouring down my cheeks. Im steady! You know that, Guy.
In the tense little silence that follows, the unsaid is there between us. Like a
conviction. I lost a client £50 million.
Guy, I dont know how I didnt see the Glazerbrooks documentation. My words tumble out
faster and faster. I dont know how it happened. It doesnt make any sense. I know my desk
is messy, but I have my systems, for Gods sake. I dont miss things like that. I just dont
Samantha, calm down
How can I calm down? I almost yell. This is my life. My life . I dont have anything else! I wipe the tears away from my cheeks. Im not losing this. Im
coming in. Now.
I cut the phone dead and get to my feet, bubbling with panic. I should have gone back. I
should have gone back straightaway, not wasted time here. I dont know what times the
trains will be, but I dont care. I have to get out of here.
I grab a piece of paper and a pencil and scrawl,
Dear Mrs. Geiger, I am afraid I must resign as your housekeeper. While I have enjoyed my
time
Come on. I havent got time to write any more, I have to leave now. I put the paper down on
the table and head for the door. Then I stop. I cant leave the letter unfinished in the
middle of a sentence.
While I have enjoyed my time with you, I feel I would like afresh challenge. Many thanks
for your kindness.
Yours sincerely, Samantha Sweeting
I put the pen down and push my chair back with a scrape. As I reach the door my mobile
vibrates again.
Guy, I instantly think. I reach for itand am already flipping it open when I see the
caller ID. Its not Guy.
Its Ketterman.
Something cold grips my spine. As I stare at his name I feel real fear in a way I never
have before. Childish, nightmarish fear. Every instinct in my body is telling me not to
answer.
But my phones already open. Its too late. Slowly I lift it up to my ear. Hello. Samantha.
John Ketterman here. Right. My voice is scratchy with nerves. Hello.
Theres a long pause. I know this is my moment to speak, but my throat feels wadded by
cotton wool. No words seem adequate. Everyone knows how much Ketterman despises apologies
and excuses and explanations.
Samantha, Im ringing to tell you that your contract with Carter Spink has been terminated.
I feel all the blood drain from my face.
A letter is on its way to you giving the reasons. His tone is distant and formal. Gross
negligence compounded by your subsequent unprofessional behavior. Your P45 will be sent to
you. Your pass has been disabled. I dont expect to see you at the Carter Spink offices
again.
Hes going too fast. This is all happening too fast.
Please dont... I blurt out. Please give me another chance. I made one mistake. One.
Lawyers at Carter Spink dont make mistakes, Samantha. Nor do they run away from their
mistakes.
I know it was wrong to run away. Im shaking all over. But it was such a shock... I wasnt
thinking straight...
Youve
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