February was a cold month with icy north winds and today a slight fall of snow covered the ground. Thick snow still lay on the hills around the city of Bristol and each day snow threatened from a dark, murky sky.

Clare was on her way to an interview for an interesting job with a modern progressive company. The job advertised was for a Personal Assistant to the Senior Partner in a firm of Accountants. She had attended several interviews lately, but with no luck so far. Life was for living and that included somewhere to work with a happy atmosphere. 'Imagine staying two years in an office like mine,' she thought, 'I must be mad.'

Clare had called her mother the previous evening and told her about the interview.

"Go and knock their socks off!" Kathy said.

"Well, I'll do my best" Clare replied. "I'm not getting my hopes up, though, I'll only get disappointed."

"Oh, you'll be fine, just you wait and see. Be careful in the snow, I nearly fell over today." Her mother rambled on about trivial things and then suddenly said,

"Something today made me think about the Hardings. I often do and I wonder what happened to them all. Pam always sent a Christmas card until she died, but then I didn't hear from them again. I wonder if Ray is still around?"

"I think of them sometimes too, mum, but that was a long time ago, almost another lifetime."

That morning, Hal said to Clare "You look very attractive, sweetheart. I hope the interview goes well. I do so want you to be happy. Give me a ring later on will you and let me know?"

"All right, but I expect I'll have to wait a few days for an answer."

"Well, you never know, do you?" Hal replied. He gave her a kiss, a tender, loving kiss and left for work wearing his trainers with his suit and she had to fetch him in and make him change into shoes. He often did ridiculous things, but she loved him for it. Of course, there was also the usual bellow up the stairs in his incredibly deep voice, "Clare, have you seen my car keys?" This happened most mornings and they were always in the same place, but Hal never seemed to remember. "I'll come and find them for you," she called and went down stairs, found the keys and handed them to him. He gave her another kiss and left for the University. She laughed as she watched him leave. As her mother had once remarked, he was like the absent-minded professor. There was certainly never a dull moment with Hal around and Clare adored him.

She caught the bus into town. She had decided to wear a white top beneath a navy suit, trying at least to look the part. On top she wore her dark red winter coat. Several men on the bus threw looks in her direction, but she hid behind a book, reading to help pass the time. She was beginning to feel nervous.

There was nothing Clare hated more than interviews. She always felt she said stupid things and got tied up in knots. It was awful and she was awful. She didn't know how to "sell" herself as they put it, why did you have to sell yourself? Surely people took you on face value? Her CV said it all. She had good experience and her references were excellent. What more could they possibly want?

She shivered, partly from the cold and partly from fear. 'Oh well', she thought, 'either I'll get the job or I won't.' She said a silent prayer. "Lord, please help me. I do so need another job. Help me to trust you. I'm sure you know what's best." Clare paused. "And please don't let me say anything stupid, you know what I'm like."

Clare found the impressive eight storey building where the company of Dixon and Halfpenny was situated. She noted the companies occupying the other floors, which were Accountants, Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Solicitors. As Clare climbed the steps to the entrance, a bitter wind bit into her face and nipped at her ears. She shivered and was grateful for her thick winter coat. She pushed open the first set of glass doors, then another pair of swing doors and arrived at Reception.

The large Reception area was smart and airy with a cream coloured marble floor and attractive tubs of large, green plants. The Reception desk was in front of her and in the far left hand corner were doors marked 'Emergency Exit' and 'Car Park'. Next to them was a flight of stairs partly hidden by two lifts side by side and then on the adjoining wall, to the left of the Reception desk were doors marked 'Dixon and Halfpenny - Accountants'.

As Clare walked up to the desk a woman rose to her feet.

"Good morning, can I help you?" she asked.

"Hello. I'm Clare Porter. I have a 9.30 interview with Dixon and Halfpenny."

"I'll let them know." said the Receptionist, picking up a telephone. "If you'd like to wait over there they shouldn't be long."

Clare took off her coat and sat down in one of the black leather chairs situated along the front glass wall. At that moment, a handsome man walked into the lift and she just caught sight of him as the doors of the lift closed. He didn't see her, as he was looking down at his feet. He looked like Alan... Alan Harding... surely not!

Clare was startled, but barely had time to gather her thoughts together as seconds later an attractive black woman wearing a trouser suit walked up to her.

"Clare Porter?" she asked.

Clare stood up and picked up her coat and bag. She had butterflies in her stomach, now.

"Yes, I'm here for the interview."

"I'm Angela." said the woman. She smiled at Clare, as they shook hands.

"I work for Bob Dixon. Come this way, they're waiting for you". She looked at Clare. "There's no need to be nervous, Clare, Bob Dixon will be interviewing you. He's a lovely man, I'm sure you'll like him. Mr Halfpenny will be sitting in too, as he's the Partner needing a new P.A. His has just retired."

Clare smiled, Halfpenny, it was a fitting name for an Accountant. As if she'd read her mind, Angela said quietly "It's a ridiculous name for an Accountant, don't you think? But please don't tell him I said so!" They smiled about it and it helped to steady Clare's nerves.