I'm Virtually Yours

By Jennifer Bohnet

Need a virtual PA? Then Polly Jones is your girl!

Polly Jones is taken aback when a new client asks her to investigate the Robertson family business in Devon, after all, a ‘virtual assistant’ doesn’t usually leave their home office! But she needs the work – and less proximity to an endless supply of tea and biscuits can only be a good thing right? So she sets off, with energetic puppy Rosie close by her side.

Polly’s new job isn’t quite in her comfort zone… Arriving in the small fishing village where everyone knows everyone’s business, any upsides (all those yummy scones and clotted cream) of course have their downside – she’s completely forgotten to pack her sea legs, and the temptingly handsome Will Robertson is making her job difficult at every turn.

It’s so much easier to keep things strictly professional in the virtual world – but with no e-mail to hide behind Polly must admit that Will’s smile is incredibly, deliciously distracting…

Praise for Jennifer Bohnet

'…it was such a lovely, sweet read that I didn’t want to end!' – Chick Lit Reviews

'What a sweet romance, set by the seaside, starring appealing characters, namely likeable Polly, mysterious Daniel and hunky Will. An intriguing plot with a satisfying ending.' – The Virtual Bookcase

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Dec 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781472074263

Jennifer Bohnet

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women's fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Daniel Franklyn’s e-mail arrived late Thursday afternoon just as Polly was about to stop work for the day.

Hi. I need a VA for 7—12 days in the West Country starting Monday. Interested? DF.

Irritated, Polly looked at the computer screen. Of course she was interested in taking on a new client and more work but didn’t ‘DF’, whoever he was, understand the whole point of a Virtual Assistant was that they didn’t have to be physically present to do the work? She could stay right here in Carmarthen and do the work in her office.

Briskly Polly typed her reply:

Dear DF, am interested in being your VA but question the necessity of going to the West Country — particularly at such short notice. Have attached my business brochure detailing the services I offer and my charges. Regards, Polly Jones.

Polly sighed, looking across at the growing pile of bills on her desk. Electricity, rent and car tax were currently top of the pile. She knew without looking, too, that her not very generous redundancy money in the bank was on its last double figure. She could definitely have used the extra money ‘DF’ would have paid this month.

You wait, Poll, Marty, her best friend since forever, had said only last night. Virtual Assistants are just taking off. I reckon you’ve chosen the best time to go it alone. A couple of months from now and you’ll be so busy you’ll be looking to employ someone to help you with all the work.

Polly hadn’t bothered pointing out that she hadn’t had much choice but to go it alone. When the national travel firm she’d managed a local branch for had made her redundant in a cost cutting cull, she hadn’t fancied working at the local chicken processing factory, the only opportunity the JobCentre appeared to be able to offer her. Instead, she’d taken a deep breath and decided to use the redundancy money to become her own boss.

I’m beginning to think my life is jinxed at the moment. Losing my job, no social life to speak of, ‘Virtually Yours’ taking longer than I thought to bring in the business. Polly had shaken her head. Can’t help but think I’ve done everything all wrong. Nearly 28 and I’m still struggling to get things right.

Don’t be daft, Marty said. You’ve got loads of things right. This is just a bit of a blip. You’ll see.

Ever the optimist, Polly had laughed. Let’s hope you’re right.

Deep down she knew it took time to establish any sort of new business, especially in these hard economic times. She’d only set up ‘Virtually Yours’ eleven weeks ago, dreaming of instant success. Which of course hadn’t happened.

Lots of enquiries and promises of future work but so far she hadn’t exactly been rushed off her feet. She’d even started sneaking looks at the Sits Vac in the local paper for office work. Signing up with the local temping agency for a few hours’ work each week was beginning to look like a good idea — although the thought of being a lowly typist again didn’t appeal one bit.

A new client account today would certainly have been a boost to her current regular batch of three, but she doubted that Daniel Franklyn would bother to respond now she’d queried the need to go haring off down to the West Country.

Her mobile rang as she was about to log off and close down her computer. She didn’t recognise the number showing on the small screen, or the voice.

Hi. Daniel Franklyn here. I know it’s unusual for VAs to travel but this is a special case. I really need someone to represent me in the West Country for the next week or so.

It’s very short notice, Polly said. I do have other work commitments, she added, crossing her fingers. Not that many and nothing she couldn’t work on from the depths of, Where exactly in the West Country?

Devon. Down near Dartmouth. I’ll obviously pay all expenses plus a bonus at the end of the job. You’ll have full powers to act on my behalf. Be my proxy. With luck it will take less than a fortnight to tie things up. If I could do it myself I would. Unfortunately I’ve been delayed.

What exactly do you want me to do down there? Why can’t I do it from here? Polly asked. Sorry I didn’t catch that — your voice keeps disappearing.

I want you to check out a boat business for me before I commit to investing in it. You’ll need to look at the books, talk to the workers, generally get the feel of the place. Suss out whether I’d be putting my money into a going concern.

Err — I wouldn’t have to actually go on board any boats, would I? I’m not good on boats. The actual word was ‘terrified’ but Polly didn’t think Daniel Franklyn needed to know that.

No, Daniel answered shortly, his transatlantic accent cutting through her protests. You can stay on terra firma at all times.

It’s a lot of responsibility to give a VA you don’t know, Polly said. Are you sure you don’t have a business contact down there who can act on your behalf?

My lawyers are doing all the checks they can but I want a more personal view of everything. You’ve got a Business Management qualification haven’t you? So you’re more than capable of assessing this company for me. So do you want the job? Yes or no? You come highly recommended but you’re not the only VA around you know.

No, Polly thought silently, I’m not. But I’m probably the only one free enough to drop everything to go and work in Devon for however long it takes.

On the other hand though, it did sound like a dream assignment and one, if she did a good job of course, that would help spread her reputation out into the big wide world. Fleetingly she wondered who had recommended her to Daniel Franklyn.

OK, she said taking a deep breath and coming to a decision. I’ll drive down this Sunday. E-mail me all the info so I can familiarise myself with things before I go. Oh, and as I’ve not worked for you before, I’d appreciate some money before I start accumulating too many expenses like petrol and hotel bills.

Sure thing, Daniel said. I’ll transfer some dollars to the lawyers tonight. He named a three-figure sum that took Polly’s breath away. Whoever Daniel Franklyn was, he certainly didn’t appear to be short of money.

That should cover things for the first few days, he added. Just one more thing. If anyone asks, you are working for a company called Worldsend Enterprises. My name is not to be mentioned. Got that?

Before Polly could ask Why not? Daniel continued.

Book yourself into the best hotel the town has to offer — I hear The Royal has a great spa. Right, got to go. Something’s come up. I’ll be in touch.