It was the end of Mandy’s first day at Ruarc’s second-hand motor home sales and Mandy had closed her first deal. Ruarc was obviously pleased and had come all away from his end of his office motorhome to her small desk which was situated by the motorhome steering wheel to give what was grudgingly his highest form of congratulation.
“You’ve not done badly today, Mandy. Your first motorhome sale! Hopefully, the first of many,” he said snidely, putting the emphasis on ‘first’.
Mandy wiped a weary hand across her brow hoping she had not left a mark on her forehead. The sun had been streaming down on her all day and she’d hardly been off her feet as she dealt with a steady stream of customers.
Although Ruarc had been in his office all day, he’d not bothered to lift a finger or a helping hand.
Mandy slumped down at her desk, trying to assess what chance she had of getting a pay advance that would enable her to buy some food and cleaning materials in the village. Ruarc, as he leaned against the side of the motorhome with his hands in his jean pockets got in first.
“You’ve got no water or electricity in your motorhome at the moment. I’ll get it connected. You can call it your first bonus.” He grinned sardonically, amused at his little joke.
“I’ve got no food,” said Mandy, hesitantly, hating that she appeared so weak.
“Food’s no problem,” said Ruarc, dismissively. “Just go to the farm shop.” He gestured in the direction of the farmhouse.
“Ask for what you want there and they’ll put it on the tab. At the end of the month, I’ll deduct your tab from your wages and give you the difference. No tax, see?” He twisted his face into a grin again. It didn’t come naturally.
Mandy did see and although she didn’t agree, she was too tired and hungry to object.
Ruarc, watched her walk across the field to the farmhouse and then ten minutes later, watched her walk back again in the direction of her motor home at the edge of the field between the trees. She was just climbing into her motor-home when he called out.
“Make sure you wear a skirt tomorrow, something tight, something that makes you look like an executive. The men like that and they’re the ones that make the decisions about buying motor homes. You remember now!”
Mandy nodded wearily and closed the door of her motorhome. She hoped he wouldn’t come visiting.
Within half an hour, magically, electricity and water started flowing into Mandy’s motorhome. Ruarc, must have thrown a couple of switches somewhere.
Tired almost to the point of exhaustion, Mandy cooked herself a mushroom omelette which was the tastiest she had ever eaten. Then she spent the rest of the evening cleaning her motorhome before slumping into bed, half clothed. She fell instantly asleep.
At one point in the night, she woke to hear screaming outside. Perhaps it was just a dream – or just sounds inside her head!
