Our office cleaner used to come round in the mornings, until about three months ago, when a different cleaner started. The new cleaner comes at night. Anne, formerly our morning cleaner, now works on a different part of our floor. She still bases herself in our kitchen. I used to dread making tea whilst she was in there because she'd inevitably start a boring conversation. She's harmless, but cursed with not being very charismatic.
I clicked the kettle on, and heard Anne's voice behind me.
"I miss all you guys. They've got me cleaning somewhere else now. I really do miss you all. You're all so nice."
She was wet around the eyes. She went on to name three or four people that had, she said, been especially supportive when she'd had a bad day once. Who was it? Take a guess.
My heart sank. As I poured the milk into the teas, she mopped up each spilled drop almost before it fell. I looked at her, smiled and walked out. I had to walk out, because I was disgusted. Every single person that she named had been savagely rude about Anne behind her back.
"Has that cleaner been? Not that you could tell..."
"It's disgusting, I don't know how she dares leave it like that."
"She's useless..."
"...lazy."
"...stupid."
"I'm going to do it again when she goes."
Robbie arrived at his desk as I came out with the trayful, so I took his cup and went back to the kitchen.
"I miss all you guys. I really do. Everyone's so lovely."
I bit my lip, and smiled. And inside I boiled.
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