Free The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella Page B

working life. All I ever, ever wanted was...
    I cant even say it.
    Samantha, I know youre a very talented lawyer.Arnold sighs. No one is in any doubt of that.
    But I made a mistake.
    I can hear tiny crackles down the line; my own pulse beating in my ears.
    Samantha, Ill do everything I can, he says at last. I might as well tell you, a meeting
     has been arranged this morning to discuss your future.
    And you honestly dont think I should come in? I bite my lip.
    It might do more harm than good at the moment. Stay where you are. Leave the rest to
     me.Arnold hesitates, his voice a little gruff. Ill do my best, Samantha. I promise.
    Thank you so much... I say quickly. But hes gone. Slowly I put down the phone.
    I have never felt so powerless in my life. I have a sudden vision of them all sitting
     gravely round a conference table.Arnold . Ketterman. Maybe even Guy. Deciding whether to
     give me another break.
    Theres still a chance. IfArnold is on my side, others might be too...
    Super girl.
    I jump at the sound of Trishs approaching voice. Well, of course Ill check her references,
     but, Gillian, I am a very good judge of character. Im not easily fooled...
    Trish rounds the corner, holding a mobile to her ear, and I quickly move away from the
     telephone.
    Samantha! she says in surprise. What are you doing? Still not dressed? Buck up! She heads
     off again and I scuttle back to my room.
    I suddenly feel bad.
    In fact... I feel terrible. How are the Geigers going to react when I tell them Im a total
     fraud? That Im not a trained Cordon Bleu housekeeper at all, I just wanted a place to stay
     for the night?
    I have a sudden image of them bundling me furiously out of the house. Feeling totally
     used. Maybe theyll even call the police and file charges. Oh, God. This could get really
     nasty.
    But, I mean, its not like I have any other option. Its not like I could actually... ...
     Could I? I pick up the blue uniform and finger it, my mind whirling round and round.
    Theyve been so kind, putting me up. Its not like Im doing anything else right now. Its not
     like I have anywhere else to go. Maybe itll even take my mind off things, doing a little
     light housework
    Abruptly I come to a decision.
    Ill busk it for a morning. It cant be that hard. Ill make their toast and dust the
     ornaments or whatever. Ill think of it as my little thank-you to them. Then as soon as I
     hear fromArnold Ill find a convincing excuse to leave. And the Geigers will never know I
     wasnt a proper housekeeper.
    Hurriedly I put on my uniform and run a comb through my hair. Then I stand to face myself
     in the mirror.
    Good morning, Mrs. Geiger, I say to my reflection. And... er... how would you like the
     drawing room dusted?
    The Geigers are standing at the bottom of the stairs looking up at me as I descend. I have
     never felt more self-conscious in my life.
    Im a housekeeper. I must behave like a housekeeper.
    Welcome, Samantha! says Eddie as I arrive down in the hall. Hes wearing a polo shirt with
     some crested logo, and golfing trousers. Sleep all right?
    Very well, thank you, Mr. Geiger, I reply demurely.
    Thats good! Eddie rocks back and forth on the soles of his feet. He seems just a little
     awkward. In fact... they both seem awkward. Underneath the makeup, the tans, the expensive
     clothes... there seems a hint of uncertainty about the Geigers.
    I walk over to the bench seat and straighten a cushion, trying to look as though I know
     what Im doing.
    Youll be wanting to get to know your new kitchen! says Trish brightly. Of course! I say
     with a confident smile. Im...looking forward to it! Its only a kitchen. Its only one
     morning. I can do this.
    Trish leads the way into the vast maple kitchen, and this time I try to take in the
     details. Theres a huge hob set into the granite counter to my left. A bank of ovens built
     into the wall.
    Everywhere I look I can see shiny chrome gadgets plugged into sockets. Racks of