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My week's notice was up before I knew it and by that Friday I was walking around the house that I had known for so long, but would never be welcome in again. I was going to miss helping out around here. Although I had never truly been part of the family, I felt more at home here than in any other job that I had worked in. But Eloise was leaving, so it was only right I left too.
Throughout the week, the house had been a flurry of activity, trying to get ready for Eloise's engagement party. It had been a relief to escape to the entertainment area to finish decorating. I had left Eloise a secret message within my painting so that, although we couldn't be together, she would always remember me when she visited. Part of me hoped that she would see it during her engagement party that night. Maybe she would change her mind and come and find me instead of marrying him. But other than that, the building had been decorated to Mr. and Mrs. Peters' exact specifications and I was proud that it would be my last work for them.
By five o'clock I picked up my last weeks pay from Mr. Peters. It was a sombre affair, but I think that he was conflicted. Part of him was going to miss my regular appearance around the grounds, but the other part of him was probably glad that I was leaving and that he no longer had to worry about my relationship with Eloise. I didn't get to see her before I left but I hadn't expected to. I knew it would be too painful to know that we were separating for good. So instead I was sure that she was busying herself by getting ready for her party.
As I walked away from the place that had been my second home for so long, I knew, deep down, that I would be back to see the old place and check how the family was getting on before long.
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As I finished my page, I felt genuine grief for Eddie. To leave a woman and job just because her parents didn't think he was good enough was heartbreaking. I truly had no idea what he was going to do now. The story was a mystery to me.
As tempted as I was to keep reading and find out how Eddie coped with being unemployed and single, Mike was going to be over soon. I dragged myself from the couch and headed for the shower to make myself more presentable. I walked down to Tesco to buy some fresh food for dinner. The afternoon was warm, much warmer than my flat had been, so I decided on cooking a chicken salad for Mike when he got back from football.
