THREE YEARS LATER
“Sorry, Martin,” Isabel said, pushing the mop harder across the floor. Her back ached, but she kept her head down. “I’ll finish in five minutes.”
“You said that ten minutes ago,” Martin snapped from behind the counter. “You think this place cleans itself?”
She bit her lip and nodded. “I know. I’m almost done.”
“You’re always almost done,” he muttered, wiping his hands on a rag. “You’re lucky I even keep you here, Isabel. Other cleaners don’t need babysitting.”
She forced a weak smile. “Thank you for keeping me here.”
Martin gave a short laugh. “Don’t sound so grateful, just be faster next time.”
She wrung out the mop and leaned it against the bucket. “Can I go now? I’ll be back early tomorrow.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said, waving a hand. “You better head home fast. You’
