It had been a year since Phillipa Thamesman had taken up the housemaid's post advertised in the Daily Herald. The summer of 1890 was one to remember, from euphoric daydreams materialising to untimely reunions, the events of July and August solidifie...
The atmosphere at Calendar Hall wasn't as carefree as it had been when I first joined the staff - with the new baby, and the presence of Lady Grenford, us servants had so much more on our hands. The day of little William's christening was one to remember, though, as busy as it was, somehow we still managed to host a charming event, some of us having much more fun than others.
I spent most of the morning completing chores around the house, heaven knows where Hetty was throughout all of this! By ten o'clock I'd done it all alone; the fireplaces, handing out post, perfuming Lady Grenford's room, you name it. I understood why Agnes couldn't help me, she was far too busy with Sheila and Mrs Whittock preparing the menu for the christening. Eventually, I made it back down to the kitchens, I'd finished everything I needed to do upstairs.
"Mrs Whittock decided to have a clear out this morning so we had no ingredients to make anything! Agnes rushed down the the village to buy things earlier, so we're in a slightly better position now," Sheila told me, running around the kitchen with a ceramic bowl in her arms, "But if this meringue doesn't sort itself out soon, we're all done for!"
"It's been an eventful morning to say the least! Go up to Master Edwin and collect his tray of tea, will 'ya, Phillipa." Agnes said.
"All right, good luck with the cooking."
"Well, the Lord loves a trier" Brody chimed in, she'd just walked into the kitchen. I just nodded at her and walked out. I heard her having a go at Sheila, no surprises there. I made it to the library in due course, pushed the door open and saw Master Edwin sat in the darkness; his blinds were closed.
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"Good morning, Master Edwin" I walked over to the table with the tray of tea on and I picked it up.
"Could you open the shutters for me, please?" he asked.
I sighed quietly, "Sorry, I'm not allowed, Master Edwin." This seemed like Lady Grenfords's doing.
"If I can't explore the garden, I can at least look at it. I used to explore with my father. He knows all about insects and trees. Lots of things. Then perhaps you could do me a favour? Pop this little fellow back in his house near the folly." he said, showing me a beetle in a glass jar.
I frowned slightly, "I'm sorry, sir, I can't do that either, sir."
"Well, if you see Gideon, or Jack, would you tell them I have a job for them?"
"I will, sir. If I see them." I left the library, disheartened by Master Edwin's room. I arrived at the kitchen just as Sheila's meringues we're going in the oven, I washed the teapot and cup and placed them to dry on the metal drying rack next to the sink. The girls were cutting vegetables for the grand lunch.
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