The hotel lobby was sparsely populated. From my seat in the bar I could see all the comings and goings through the entrance. I glanced at my phone. The large numbers emblazoned on the screen read 11:59. I hoped Miss Jones was not going to be late. Firstly, because I abhorred lateness and secondly because this was the ninth, and final interview in three days and I wanted it over. The previous eight candidates were beginning to blur into one another with their well-rehearsed answers and pitch perfect references. Any one of them would make a most efficient secretary and picking one would be as painful as interviewing them all. The digits on my phone switched over to twelve at exactly the same time that a young, smartly dressed brunette walked through the revolving doors and headed my way. I stood up as she neared and offered my hand. She shook it with a surprisingly firm grasp for someone with such small delicate hands herself.
"You must be Miss Jones?" I proffered.
"Oh yes I am. But you can call me Holly." She smiled beguilingly at me.
"Well Miss Holly...I mean Holly...Miss Jones. Please take a seat." I was visibly shaken by her informality. This would not do. I offered her a drink as I had all candidates. They normally arrived nervous with dry throats and a sparkling water or orange juice settled them a little.
"Oooh, ok then. A gin and tonic please." She requested with alarming confidence.
I strode to the bar as I had done on previous occasions but this time having to remember to place one foot in front of the other. Her drinks order had startled me. I was still trying to recover my composure when I returned from the bar. She smiled at me again as I placed the drink in front of her. I opened a folder and began reading but out of the corner of my eye I watched as she raised the glass to her perfectly formed lips and sipped the drink.
"Hmm," she started. "Tanqueray. That's nice. Not my favourite but nice." She began running her finger around the rim of the glass which was now lightly stained with her deep red lipstick. I started with my list of questions about her previous employment, experiences, qualifications but I am not sure I actually heard many of the answers. She had uncrossed her legs and leant forward to listen intently to me. He skirt, which was perfectly respectable for an interview had risen up slightly and it was impossible not to catch a glimpse of her stockings and suspenders. I caught way more than a glimpse.
Her answers to my questions were, as far as I can recall, impeccable. Her credentials were sound but her demeanour was somewhat quirky. I asked if she had anything else to add or ask me.
"One thing that you should know." She looked me straight in the eye. "I do what I am told. Exactly as I am told. I don't answer back. I take instructions well. You can rely on that." I gulped.
"Then you need to come up to my room." I said light heartedly. She briefly looked away. But then glanced back at me coyly.