Pearl nodded, still not saying anything.
‘I’m charging ten pounds per week, which includes everything… so there will be no expenses on top of the rent.’
Pearl nodded, showing no reaction.
‘So, what do you think?’
‘Well, it’s smaller than I had hoped. But it’s very fresh and clean. My only worry would be that we’ll be sort of on top of each other, unless we come to some arrangement.’
‘Yes, I agree. Do you want to take your coat off and we can discuss how we can make it work?’
Pearl took off her coat and beret, and Jane put them both on a hook in the hallway. When she returned, Pearl was sitting on one of the breakfast stools. Jane put the kettle on and took out two cups and saucers, milk and sugar and a small teapot.
‘What work do you do?’ Pearl asked.
Jane hesitated, then said that she was a detective with the Metropolitan Police.
‘Oh, gosh… Now I understand why you were so officious about seeing my identification. Do you wear a uniform?’
‘No, I’m plain-clothes now.’
‘Oh, that must be exciting.’
‘It is. And you work at Madame Tussauds?’ Jane asked, as she filled the teapot with boiling water.
‘Yes. I’ve been there for a few years now. I run the ticket office and sometimes do the tours when we’re very busy. We’re always busy, but in the summer it can be exhausting, especially during the school holidays.’
Pearl was wearing a neat blouse and pleated skirt. She had on rather sensible lace-up shoes, but Jane presumed this was due to her having to be on her feet most of the day if she was doing tours. She had a nice soft voice, with a slight accent.
‘Where are you from?’
‘Originally Southport in Lancashire, but I came to London about eight years ago, to study at the polytechnic. I never finished the course though. It was economics and I didn’t sort of fit in. Money was short so I did a few part-time jobs. Eventually I called it quits and worked as a receptionist for a couple of companies, whilst doing a secretarial course. Then I went for the job I’m in now. I never meant it to become full-time but I really enjoyed it, so I’ve worked my way up and it looks like I’ll be staying put.’
They chatted while they waited for the tea to brew, establishing that neither had boyfriends, and that Pearl was an only child.
Pearl watched as Jane poured their tea, then helped herself to milk and sugar.
‘You wanted to see my references. I’ve brought a few letters, including one from my present employer, and one from the landlady where I’ve been living for the past two years. I’ve got to move out as she’s sold her house and they’ve already exchanged contracts… So, she wants me to leave as soon as possible.’
Jane smiled as Pearl handed her a stack of papers in a large envelope. She began to sift through them as they drank their tea. She carefully read the letter from her landlady, which said that Pearl had been a pleasure to have as a tenant, and confirmed that she had always paid the rent on time. The landlady had also given her phone number should further information be requested.
The letter from Madame Tussaud’s was equally commendable. Signed authenticated copies of Pearl’s wage slips confirmed she was paid every week.
‘I’m impressed.’ Jane said, passing everything back to Pearl.
‘I have to be methodical in my work, so I’ve tried to give you everything you might need.’ Pearl neatly refolded the letters and placed them back in the large manila envelope.
‘I noticed that you don’t have a television,’ she added. ‘I’ve got a small portable set, if I could bring that… but I don’t have too many personal belongings. As I said, I visit my parents regularly and as I’ve got to wear a uniform to work I don’t have too many clothes. I’m rather careful as you can probably detect, but I’ve sort of been forming a plan for my future, which is why I really wanted to rent the room from you, as it’s well within my budget.’
Jane cocked her head to one side. ‘Can I ask what you’re planning?’
‘I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I’ve got a cousin who lives in Sydney… it will obviously be a couple of years before I’ve saved enough to take a year out, but that’s what I’m working towards.’
‘I’ve never been travelling,’ Jane said, pouring herself another cup of tea.
‘I’d like to go backpacking… you know, really have time out. But it will be costly as I won’t be able to get a visa to work there. So it will be a lengthy holiday. I haven’t been on a proper holiday for as long as I can remember. Southport is such a lovely seaside place, so when I have my week’s holiday that’s where I go, and it doesn’t cost anything more than the train fare.’
Jane lifted the teapot to ask Pearl if she would like another cup, but she shook her head.
‘Are you seeing other people who are interested in renting the room?’
‘I have had a few people applying, but I’ve been very caught up with work,’ Jane lied, hoping she didn’t sound too eager.
‘Well, I’ll really need to know quite soon. I could move in this weekend.’
Jane took her cup to the sink, and ran the water to rinse it out.
‘Pearl, you seem to be perfect… but I really need to have a think about it. And whilst you’re here we should discuss a few things that we need to agree upon before I make any decision.’
‘Oh. I really thought I’d sort of covered everything you’d need to know about me.’ Pearl looked downcast.
‘You’ve been thorough, and I really appreciate it. But when you first came into the flat you said that it was rather small, and that we’d need to agree on how we can live together and not get on top of each other.’
‘Oh yes, I completely agree with that. It’s always best to get things out in the open at the very start, and not let them build up and become awkward.’
‘Obviously, I’ll have to ask for a deposit, as well as a month’s rent in advance.’
‘Yes, I’m happy with that… how much is the deposit?’
Jane thought about what Stanley had said about unpaid rent. ‘Just a week’s advance is fine. Is ten pounds OK?.’
Pearl nodded. The sharp sides of her well-cut hair curved into her cheeks as she leaned forwards. She wore very little make-up, and had pretty, slanting, greenish eyes. Her nose was rather hooked and she had a wide mouth with small, neat, white teeth.
‘I’ve never rented or shared a flat with anyone before,’ added Jane, ‘so I’m rather inexperienced about putting together a list of “dos and don’ts”… but I think we need to discuss it before we finalise anything.’
‘Absolutely. I can give you a cheque for the deposit, and if you want I can have my rent paid directly into your account every month… whatever method you prefer.’
Jane picked up Pearl’s cup and saucer and put them into the sink beside her own.
‘I don’t want any boyfriends staying overnight. I’m willing for you to have friends visit, or perhaps have dinner, but I don’t want anyone staying. It’s obviously a very small flat and I think it would be too inconvenient.’
Pearl cocked her head to one side and gave a slight smile. ‘Does that also include you not having any men staying over?’
‘Yes, it does. Also, we’ll need a bathroom rota as there’s nothing worse than wanting to get off to work and finding the bathroom is occupied.’
Jane continued listing everything she could think of, and was now jotting down details in a notepad. Pearl was very amenable to all her requests, and suggested getting a joint ‘flat’ diary so everything could be organised on a day-to-day basis.
Jane made a few more notes and finally they discussed cooking and how they would arrange their meals. Jane said she would call Pearl the following evening with her decision as she wanted to sleep on everything they had talked about. Pearl was clearly disappointed, but said she would wait for Jane to make contact. By the time Jane had cleared the kitchen and got into her nightdress it was after nine. Jane felt guilty about not calling her parents and was just about to dial their number when the phone rang and it was her father.