006 :: Delivery
The young woman and Simon had been standing at the door for nearly five minutes. Simon opened his Skroll. He flicked through a few screens. Looked at the door. Looked at his Skroll. Tapped it. Simon sighed. Frustrated. The door opened.
Hi. I assume this is Naomi. (Peter)
Naomi quietly smiled at the man at the door. The agency had told her nothing about her employer. They never do. The au pairs are expected to get on with it. There are millions of people where she came from who want to be au pairs.
The man at the door looked friendly. He was not white. There are rich Asians in London but it is unusual for one to have an au pair. He was young. He was short. Not much taller than her. He was slight in build. He wore a kimono. He smiled at Simon.
Yes. Sorry for being a little bit late. Unavoidable really. You know how it can get at the borders. The bloydits keep trying it. Anyway. As we are late can I ask you to sign for her without the usual formalities. I am in a bit of a rush. (ATS Agency B13)
You mean no tour. No questionnaire. (Peter)
Yes. Yes. Nothing ever goes wrong anyway. Not at this point. (ATS Agency B13)
I do not mind. If anything does go wrong they will look back. (Peter)
I know. It will only reflect on me. (ATS Agency B13)
Naomi was smiling at Peter as he spoke. His voice was kind. More polite than Simon. He took out his Skroll. It was not as smart as Simons. It was a dull black. It was thicker. Smaller when opened. Peter held out his hand to her.
Hi. I am Peter. (Peter)
Naomi looked at Simon. He looked bored. She looked at Peter. He was still holding out his hand to her. She lifted her hand to his. They touched. The first human contact since saying goodbye to her sister. She melted a little with the touch. Her shoulders relaxed. Her smile was more genuine.
Say gin lease. (Unregistered Migrant)
He spoke slowly.
Peter. (Peter)
Peter. (Unregistered Migrant)
Yes. How good is your English. (Peter)
Say gin lease (Unregistered Migrant)
Peter smiled at her. She responded with a smile.
Welcome Naomi. (Peter)
Nay who me. (Unregistered Migrant)
Naomi. (Peter)
Peter held out a hand to indicate her.
Naomi. (Unregistered Migrant)
Naomi pointed her finger at her chest.
Yes. Your name is Naomi. You need to sign. (Peter)
Peter made a biometrics sign. He held up the thumb of his right hand. Naomi nodded. She understood. This was her new name. This was her new job. Her new employer. She had to please him. Do the tasks he gave her. Keep him happy.
Peter pointed at Simon. He was holding out his Skroll. Naomi took out her iPass. She tapped Simon's Skroll. She was recorded. She was delivered. She was now an au pair.
Thank you. I hope you are happy here. You can contact us should you have any difficulties. You have our details. (ATS Agency B13)
She smiled at him. Simon turned back to Peter.
Thank you. Let the masters know they can contact us should there be any problems at all. (ATS Agency B13)
Will do. (Peter)
Bye now. (ATS Agency B13)
Bye. (Peter)
007 :: An Entrance Hall
Peter gestured for Naomi to step into the...
