This is part of chapter two of my current WIP.
I'd appreciate any comments.
Even better constructive critism.
Best of all would be comments if you like it.
Emma’s shift was only starting in an hour’s time, but she took
a lift from Jack as she usually did on Mondays. Jack worked an extra hour each
Monday and Friday to cover for a longer lunch when he was allowed to use the
gym in the basement.
“Excuse me?”
Emma turned around and looked into Nadine’s beautiful eyes.
“Good morning, Nadine. It was Nadine wasn’t it?”
The girl’s face lit up. “Yes, but Mum always called me
Naddie.”
“May I call you Naddie?”
Emma filled her glass with more orange juice. She always
used the extra hour to enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel – thank goodness it
was part of her arrangement. She studied the little girl, who was holding on to
her oversized doll, which was wearing the same outfit as Nadine – pink t-shirt
imprinted with ‘My beautiful Princess’, a denim skirt with a Barbie on it
surrounded by lots of pink hearts in all sizes, pink shiny sandals and the brown
hair done up in a pony tail.
“Where are your grandparents, Naddie?”
“Still in the room. Talking on the phone. Grandmother is
always on the phone,” little Nadine added.
“Do you think you’re allowed to have a bit of breakfast with
me?”
Nadine nodded overenthusiastically and sat down opposite
Emma.
“Do they know where you are?”
The little head moved up and down and with her eyes wide
open she said, “Told Grandpa.”
“I like your outfit,” Emma said while she took another glass
and filled it with juice.
Nadine took one of the rolls. “Mum’s friend gave it to me
for my birthday.”
“I take it you like Barbie.”
“Yes!” And that was literally the keyword to get Nadine started.
She was bubbling with information about Barbie and which Barbie she had at
home, which one she would like to have, about Ken and not to forget all the
Barbie movies. Emma felt a bit overwhelmed by all these details but enjoyed
listening to her new friend, when she all of sudden heard Teresa’s firm voice.
“Nadine!”
Nadine’s face suddenly lost its spark when she saw her grandmother.
“My apologies,” Teresa stopped in front of Emma. She
hesitated. “Emma, wasn’t it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I do apologies for Nadine. I have no idea where she has her
manners from ...”
“Ma’am, there’s no need to apologise. I really enjoyed her
company.”
But Teresa had already grabbed Nadine by the wrist and
pulled her off the seat. Then she turned to Emma again.
“Say Emma, I need someone to look after Nadine this
afternoon. Who would be the best one to contact here in the hotel to organise
this for me?”
Emma was a bit stumped by this question. She stared at
Teresa Gibbs and was a bit intimidated by her. Mrs Gibbs glared like her old
English teacher from fifth grade with the hair that probably used to be black
and had now faded into grey tied up in a bun, her face reading like a map of
time with every line a memory of her life, her grey eyes dulled with age,
lifeless and hollow, and her mouth tight as if a nice word had never crossed
these lips. Not to mention her clothes, which Emma thought, would be older than
Emma herself.
“Well I suppose the
reception, which will be me in about fifteen minutes.”
“Can I leave that in your capable hands to organise this?”
“Well ... I suppose ... I mean ... that’s a new one for me,
but I suppose, yes.”
Teresa grew impatient. “Emma, is that a yes or no?”
“It’s a yes ma’am,” Emma replied slightly embarrassed but
yet with more confidence this time, even though she had no idea how to handle
this request.
“Thanks, Emma. I would need someone between one and
two-thirty.” And with that she left. Emma quickly gave a little wave to Nadine
before she was out of her sight.
She finished her breakfast, returned her dishes to the
kitchen and made her way to the reception area where she caught up with
Jacqueline before she took over from her at the reception. It seemed like a
quiet morning as she glanced over to the hotel lobby. The spacious entrance lit
up with crystal chandeliers in contrast to the contemporary colours of the
sand-coloured marble floor and the walnut panelling on the walls. Again, Emma gazed
envious at the chocolate brown coloured furnishings which were according to
Management strategically selected and
arranged to allow a visual play of light and space. She loved that slogan.
It had so many words, but really didn’t say anything at all.
Nightshifts at the reception were usually done by Jacqueline,
who tried to study Business Management during the day.
“Hey, Jacqui?”
Jacqui turned towards Emma. “Hmm?”
“How do I get a babysitter for this afternoon?”
Jacqui just stared at Emma and slowly lifted her eyebrows.
“A babysitter?”
“Yes, for Room 502. They need a babysitter for their
granddaughter.”
“Geez, Em, you’ve just given me a fright.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right – as if.”
Emma followed Jacqui as she went over to the office and
reached for a drawer and removed a little folder.
“You should find all the details in here. But good luck. I’m
not sure whether they can provide anybody on such short notice.”
“Great!” Emma said wryly.
Jacqui padded Emma’s arm. “You’ll be right. Jack should be
here any minute and he can give you a hand.”
Emma took the folder and quickly flicked through it. “Thanks
Jacqui,” she mumbled, but when she lifted her head she saw Jack standing in
front of her – and almost dropped the folder it gave her such a fright.
“Geez, Jack! You’ve scared the crap out of me.”
“A hand with what?”
“I need a babysitter.”
Jack raised his eyebrows and a smile tugged at the corner of
his mouth. “No worries. I look after you.”
