Chapter
06
At the next morning, Meg and the children went to buy a couple of furniture for the new house. Soon they have found new beds, one sofa and two armchairs. The seller promised Meg to deliver everything at Monday afternoon.
After this they decided to go to the house to clean up there and bring some of their things already over there. Meg unlocked the front door and all three entered the house “Finally at home." said Andy. "Yes,” nodded Meg "That sounds great, doesn’t it?” Sam also smiled “Yes, this house special.” Meg went through the living room and opened the terrace door. "The view of the ocean is wonderful." Meg said "Let us start with cleaning. Afterward, we still can go to the beach." Enthusiastic the children agreed. Sam started to wipe dust, Andy vacuumed and Meg cleaned the windows.
When
Meg just cleaned the glass of the terrace door, she heard a voice behind herself.
"It looks like, as I have got new neighbours." Meg turned around and
looked into the blue eyes from her new boss. "Oh hello Mr. Evans.” She
greeted him. "Hello, Miss Cummings. As I see you have found a new home.”
“Yes," Meg nodded "we were really lucky. But didn't you just say
something of new neighbours? Do you live around here too?" Ben nodded and
pointed on the big, sand stone House next to Meg’s house “Yes, this is my
house.” At this moment, Andy and Sam came run downstairs "Aunt Meg, aunt
Meg we are ready. Can we go to the beach now?” Andy asked Andy without paying
attention to the visitor. "Andy, where are your manners?” Meg asked “As
you can see, we have a guest.” Meg turned around to Ben “Sorry, but the
children are just so excited about the house. This are Andrew and Samantha.”
Ben has noticed, that the children called Meg aunt “Nice to meet you." he
said. “Who are you?” Sam asked with a shy smile. "Sam, this is Mr.
Evans. He is my new boss and also our neighbour." Meg introduced Ben.
"Hello Mr. Evans.” said Sam and held out her hand. Ben shook Sam’s hand
“Nice to meet you, but you can just call me Ben. “Me too?” Andy wanted to
know now. Ben nodded “Of course.” "Cool. I like you." Andy said.
Ben laughed. "Please excuse the two. Usually they don’t behave so.” Meg
was a little bit embraced. "But why? The two are very nice. Anyway we are
neighbours." Ben said. “What now, aunt Meg? Can we go to the beach now?”
asked Andy impatiently. Meg smiled at her nephew “Yes we will go at once, a
promise is a promise." “Good.” Andy smiled over his whole face "I
just wished, we could already sleep here in the house today." Sam
sighed. Ben listened "Is something wrong with the house?” “With the
house is everything all right, we just don’t have any beds here yet. They will
be delivered at Monday.” Meg explained "And until then, we live in the
hotel" “I understand,” Ben said “I have a few airbeds and if you like,
you are welcome to borrow them.” “Cool, can we do that, aunt Meg?” Andy
immediately wondered. Meg hesitated for a moment. She didn't know so properly if
she should accept the offer or not “I don't know," she said hesitantly.
"Please aunt Meg, I wouldn't like to sleep in this boring hotel once again."
Andy begged. Meg also was tired of the hotel life. She looked at Ben “I think,
we will accept your offer.” “Good," Ben looked at his watch "I
will bring you the airbeds later. Unfortunately, I have an appointment now. See
you later." "Thank you very much. See you later.” Meg said “Have a
good day.” “Thanks and have fun at the beach.” Ben smiled and left. “He
is nice.” Sam noticed, after Ben left. “Yes you are right, he is very nice.”
Meg agreed “What do you think, if we go back now to the hotel and get our
bathing suits?” “That’s a great idea. For what we still wait?" Andy
asked and left already the house. Meg locked the terrace door and followed then
Andy and Sam outside. She had the feeling, that she would feel very well here in
When
Ben entered the Java Web, he sang quietly to himself. Mark must tried it twice
to talk to him. “Earth to Ben,” Mark said “where do you were so long?”
Ben looked at his young friend and employees “I am sorry Mark, but I just had
to welcome my new neighbours." Without waiting for Mark's answer Ben went
into his office. Mark watched Ben and smiled. So cheerful and relaxed he
hadn’t Ben seen for a long time. Actually not since the car accident of
Ben’s wife Maria and that was more than three years ago.
Chapter
07
At 9:00am on Monday, Meg entered the office. Her new boss, Ben Evans, was already there. “Good morning, Mr. Evans.” Meg greeted her boss. Ben looked up from his work and smiled “Good morning. Please call me Ben. We aren’t so formal here and we will spend the most time of the day together.” Meg smiled back "Good Ben, I am Meg. Where shall I start?” “I have placed a few files on your desk. I would like, that you put the data in your computer and print me the table then. I have made a list for you, where you will find the programs." Meg nodded “Okay, I will start at once. Shall I cook us some coffee for us first?” Ben pointed on the coffee machine in the foyer “The coffee is already done. We are handing it always so, that the one, who took the last cup, starts the machine again.” Meg couldn’t help, but smile “Good, then I will start with my work.” Meg left Ben’s office and just wanted to close the door behind herself, when Ben stopped her “Please let the door open. I guess in the first few days, it will be easier for us, just in case if you have some questions.” Meg nodded “Okay Ben.” Then she went over into the foyer and sat down behind her desk.
With nimble fingers Meg started to type on the keyboard of her computer. It didn’t take long time and she has finished the files on her desk. Then she printed the tables for Ben and brought them over into his office. She went over to his desk and placed the papers on it. Ben looked up from his work “Are you already done?” Meg smiled and nodded “Yes, what shall I do next?” Ben handed her a small tape recorder “Here I have dictated a few letters a on it, can you please type them for me?” “Of course.” Meg said and left Ben’s office again.
She was hardly sitting back behind her desk, when the elevator doors slipped off and a young woman with long red hair stormed into the foyer. Without looking at Meg, she wanted to enter Ben’s office. “Just a moment please, Miss. You can’t just go in there.” Surprised that someone tried to stop her, the young woman turned around to Meg “Who says that? Till now, Ben always had time for me.” “That may be,” Meg answered with a smile “but would you please wait here, until I have told Mr. Evans that you are here.” “Who do you think, who are you, you…” the young woman started outrage, but Ben interrupted her “My new assistant. And I ask you, to hold on what Miss Cummings says to you in the future.” Ben stood in the door and has crossed his arms in front of his chest “Where is the fire today, Annie?” Annie tried to enter Ben’s office, but since he didn’t move, she had to stop in front of him “Ben you have to come with me.” Ben looked sceptical at Annie “And where?” “I have an important date tonight and I don’t have anything to wear for it. I need you as my purchase adviser.” Ben shook his head “I am sorry Annie, but I have to work. It’s impossible, that I go shopping with you now.” “But Ben…” Annie started. “No buts, I don’t have time for such things.” Determined Ben pushed Annie in the direction of the elevator “I am afraid, you have look for someone else for this.” The elevator door opened and with a gentle shove, Ben transported Annie into the elevator “And Annie, the next time, when you would like to talk with me, please make an appointment with Miss Cummings.” Before Annie could answer, the elevator doors closed. Obviously relieved Ben turned around to Meg “So and now it’s time for the lunch break. Come on Meg, I will invite you.” Meg looked up from her work “But Ben, you don’t have to.” “No,” smiled Ben “but I would like it.” Meg smiled back “Okay, I have to admit, that I am hungry.” Ben closed the door to his office “Then let’s go.”
A
short time later, Ben and Meg entered the Java Web. Mark greeted them with a
smile. “Hello Meg, Hi Ben, nice to see you.” “Hello Mark.” Meg smiled.
“Mark would you please bring us two glasses iced tea and tell Paul, he shall
make two of his special sandwiches for me.” “Okay boss.” Mark nodded and
returned behind the bar. “Boss?” surprised Meg looked at Ben. “Well, I own
the Java Web and the Deep. That’s a night club.” “Wow, then you must be
really busy.” “It’s okay,” Ben smiled “thanks to Mark, the café and
nightclub almost run alone. He is my right hand here.” “Well, but I don’t
think, you have much time left for your private life.” Meg said. “For that,
I don’t need much time.” Ben answered quiet. Before Meg could say something
more, Mark returned with their orders. “Thanks Mark.” Ben said and nodded at
Meg “I hope you will like it.” Meg took the sandwich in her hand and took a
bite “Mmm, I love it.” “I am glad.” Ben smiled and both enjoyed the
lunch.
Chapter
08
The
next few weeks, Meg and the children settled down in
With Ben, Meg and the children have built a friendship too. When Ben wasn’t working, he often showed up at their place. Soon he noticed that Andy loved to play computer games and so Ben made an agreement with the children. When Ben was at home and the terrace door was open, they children could at any time step in and play with the computer.
Annie
was standing on the terrace of her house and watched Ben, Meg, Sam and Andy
playing soccer on the beach. It seemed that they had a lot of fun.
Annie’s face got red from anger by this view and when her aunt Bette entered
the terrace she noticed at once that Annie was in a bad mood. “Hey Poopsie,
what happened, to bring you in such a bad mood?” “A bitch from
At
the beach
Ben sat down in the sand “I need a break.” “Good idea.” Meg agreed “I have earlier made fresh iced tea. Who is thirsty?” “Me!” the both children said at once. “I could use some refreshment too.” Ben added. “Okay, then let’s go back into the house.” Meg said and started to walk toward the house. She didn’t need to tell it to the children, they started to run off at once. Ben got up and after a few steps, he reached Meg “The children are full of energy.” “Who tell you that?” Meg sighed “Did I already thank you for spending so much time with them?” Ben smiled “You don’t need to do that. I like it.” “But you must honestly tell me, if it's too much for you.” “You don’t need to worry about that.” Ben answered.
By the time, when they arrived by the house, the kids already got the glasses out of the cupboard and the jug with the iced tea from the refrigerator. Meg still got a few ice cubes from the freezer and filled the glasses. Then she handed each child a glass “Here but please drink slowly, its cold.” We will, aunt Meg.” Sam nodded. Meg handed Ben a glass too. He took a sip and looked then at Meg “Have you already planed something for dinner?” Meg shook her head “Not really. Maybe I will cook some Spaghetti or so.” “What would it be like with a barbecue?” Ben suggested. “Oh yeah.” Andy was at once enthusiastic “Let’s have a barbecue.” Meg laughed and looked at Ben “How could I say no now?” Ben put his empty glass down and looked at his watch “Okay, then it’s settled. Be over in two hours at my place and you will get the best barbecue.”