“Yes, extremely.”
“If it works out, we’ll make the position full time, at three hundred fifty pounds per year. Will that work for you?”
Cameron tried to hide his jubilation, without much success, he feared. He felt ten feet tall. “That will be acceptable.”
“I can give you an office here, or you can work at home. Whichever you prefer.”
“I’ve never worked out of an office before.”
“Then you can work at home.”
“I think I’d like to try an office, actually.”An office in the theatre. He couldn’t stop smiling.
“That’s fine. You can do both for all I care, as long as you get the job done.”
“What about private commissions?”
“What you do on your own time is your business. As long as my work gets done, I don’t care how many private commissions you take. Shall we shake on it?”
Cameron shook Newland’s hand heartily. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Newland.”
“Just Newland is fine.”
“All right. I appreciate your confidence in me.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, around ten, and we’ll go over what I need for the new production. I assume you’ve read Midsummer?”
“Yes, but it was years ago.”
“Here.” Newland handed him a copy of the play. “Read through this tonight so you’re ready to discuss our musical needs in the morning.”
“I will. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at ten, then.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you out.”
“Thank you. Oh, by the way, I’m looking for a townhome to rent in the area. Are you aware of any that are available?”
“For just yourself?”
“No, actually. For myself, my mother, and my two sisters. My mother is widowed and they are my responsibility.”
“Yes, yes. I may have just the place, Price. I own a townhome not far from here. It has four bedrooms plus servants’ quarters. I think you will find it quite pleasant. I can take you there now if you like.”
“What are you asking for rent?”
“Five pounds per month.”
“That sounds reasonable. Yes, if you have time, I’d be obliged to see it now.”
The townhome was perfect, and Cameron paid Newland for two months rent. Although it was nearly six o’clock, he stopped at a transport company and arranged to have his household moved later in the week. Then he mounted Apollo and began the long ride home. It was ten o’clock when he reached the stable, and he still had to read through the Shakespeare play and get up early to be at the theatre by ten. He wouldn’t continue this commute. This would be the last night he spent in the cottage.
&
nbsp; His mother was waiting up for him. “Better luck today?”
Cameron scooped his mother into his arms and twirled her around. “Much better, Mum,” he said. “We are leaving this place. Pack up. A transport will be here in two days to move you and the girls to our new townhome in Bath.”
“What?”