My name is Jan and I'm 41 years old. I've been faithfully married for 16 years and have got 2 kids. Now that they're getting older, I've started working as a home help, going to people's houses and doing whatever needs to be done. For a long time this was your usual range of everyday chores but recently things changed.
A friend of mine works for Social Services and sometimes recommends me to clients of hers. She rang one day to tell me that she had a new referral who she thought could do with my services. As it happened, I'd just lost one of my regulars so I was pleased to get a replacement so quickly. We're not exactly hard up but a little extra money always helps with the unexpected bills. My friend gave me the man's number and told me he was expecting to hear from me. "He seems very nice," she added. She's normally a good judge of character so it was reassuring to hear that.
I was a bit nervous when I phoned Mr Thompson but within a couple of minutes we were chatting easily. I found out a bit about him. He wouldn't give his age but did mention he was receiving his pension and said he needed someone who could lend a hand with things around the house. I told him that my late afternoon booking had become free and he said that would be fine, so we arranged for me to start the next Monday.
Because of the kind of work I do, I tend to wear quite practical clothes, normally jeans and a sweatshirt. It's not exactly glamorous but that's not what I'm there for. That said, I still like to look presentable and make an effort with my hair and a bit of make-up. Despite having hit the "big 4-0" I'm in pretty good shape. My 36C chest hasn't gone south yet! Being 5'5" and curvy I've managed to maintain a consistent short but shapely figure while some of my friends have gone from tall and thin to tall and not so thin. I think I scrub up all right.
That first Monday I arrived in good time and rang the doorbell. A man who looked to be in his late 60s answered and I asked, "Mr Thompson?"
"You must be Jan," he said and welcomed me in. It was a neat 3 bedroom semi and I was impressed that a man of his years kept it so well. He explained that he wanted it to stay this neat and that's where he hoped I'd be able to help. He took me for a quick tour of the place, pointing out little bits of work he was planning to have done.
"This is one thing you've got to be careful about," he told me, pointing at the washbasin in the bathroom. "The water pressure is very odd. I don't know if it's the washers or something in the pipe but sometimes there's barely a dribble and at other times it's like Niagara Falls, except going upwards!"
I took careful note and we moved on, ending up in the kitchen. Over a cup of tea, we chatted a bit more and I felt glad that I'd be working for Mr Thompson.
****
During the next few weeks, I settled into the routine and became familiar with the house and the chores I was expected to carry out. Everything was going smoothly until one day Mr Thompson told me he'd joined the local chess club and that he was due to attend his first meeting with them that evening. He explained that he wanted to be able to wash and get ready to go out, so would it be okay if I finished early? I agreed and wished him good luck with his game later on. I got on with my usual chores and was on my last, vacuuming the lounge carpet, when the 'bag full' light came on. As I removed the bag, a giant rip appeared in the side, along with a mountain of dust from inside it, all over the carpet I'd just been cleaning. I swore and then went to find Mr Thompson.
He was upstairs, getting ready for his shower. I explained what had happened and suggested that if he didn't mind I'd stay on and sort the vacuum cleaner out while he had his shower. He said it was fine as long as I let myself out while he was otherwise occupied in the bathroom.
Well, a change of bag later and I was cleaning the lounge carpet for the second time. Finally, I'd finished and was putting the cleaner away when I heard an almighty crash upstairs. I rushed up there.
"Mr Thompson! Are you all right?" I banged on the bathroom door but there was no answer. I hesitated for a minute, wondering what to do. "Mr Thompson?" I called again, before deciding I had to brave it and go in.
Fortunately, he hadn't locked the door and I opened it slowly, not sure what I'd find. As I looked in, I saw Mr Thompson must have slipped in the shower. Not being used to seeing naked men other than my husband, I was a little embarrassed but luckily the way he'd fallen kept his modesty intact. I turned the water off and grabbed a towel to cover him, then went to phone an ambulance.
****
A week later, I heard from my friend at Social Services that Mr Thompson was back home but had been told he had to stay in bed until he'd recovered from his fall. I was glad that he hadn't suffered any serious injuries but I knew he'd need some extra help at home. I arranged for someone to cover for me so that I could extend my time at Mr Thompson's by getting there earlier. I was given a key to his house and was due to visit the next day.
"Jan? Is that you?" called Mr Thompson, as he heard the front door open.
"Yes, hello. Would you like a cup of tea?" I shouted up the stairs. I was already in the kitchen when I heard him answer yes. A couple of minutes later I was chatting to him upstairs and chiding him for not being more careful. He took it with good humour.
"Being stuck in bed has made me notice a few things that need doing in here. Would you care to spend your extra time sorting them out?"
"Sure, what do you want done?" I asked.
"Nothing exciting, I'm afraid. It's all the things I can't quite manage anymore, like those high shelves and cleaning the wall behind them once the things are taken off them."
He pointed and I saw what he was referring to. There was a real assortment of odds and ends plus a pretty grotty looking wall behind it showing through which I knew would need a bit of energy.
"No time like the present. Have you finished your tea?" He nodded, so I took the mug and went to rinse it out in the bathroom washbasin. As I turned on the tap, something happened. It was like being hit by a water cannon. I was drenched and grappled to stop the flow.
"Jan, are you all right?" Mr Thompson shouted, anxiously.
"Yes, just a bit wet." I appeared in the bedroom, soaked to the skin.
"You can't stay like that. I tell you what, check in the spare bedroom drawers. My daughter's got some clothes there. I don't know what she's left but they'll be dry at least."
I dried myself off and went to see what was in the drawers. I quickly found a white blouse that looked like it'd fit me but no amount of hunting revealed any jeans. In fact the nearest thing I could find was a button-up denim skirt. I tried it on and it wasn't a perfect fit but it would do. As I caught myself in the mirror, I realised that some of the buttons were missing. Good thing I'd shaved my legs recently, I thought.