Ettie replaced the dress and went to the bed. She sat on its soft surface and sighed. Could a bed possibly be so comfortable? A smile came to her lips, but soon disappeared as she thought of the children. What pitiful conditions were they suffering, while she was enjoying this luxury?
Quickly she jumped up, full of guilt. Her heart began to ache again as it had when leaving the orphanage for the last time. Then suddenly voices drifted in from the street outside. She wandered to the window. Two men were quarrelling in the middle of the street. Both seemed unsteady as they shouted and pushed each other.
Ettie lifted the window an inch. She listened, but had no clue as to what they were yelling. In no time at all they had collapsed to their knees, punching each other’s dirty face. A crowd gathered, cheering them on. Ettie had never seen men fighting before. A man’s nose splashed blood all over the other and two women stepped forward. They were dressed in long, dirty skirts and blouses that Ettie thought were so skimpy they were about to drop off. One of them raised her booted foot and kicked the man’s bottom. He went sprawling, rolling into a pile of dung.
Everyone began laughing.
Ettie couldn’t resist a chuckle. If this was to be a daily pantomime, as Lucas had suggested, then she would have no complaint at all.
Ettie heard the faint peal of the gong and hurried downstairs.
‘Good evening,’ Lucas said as he met Ettie in the passage. He balanced a fat brown cigar between his fingers. Stubbing it gently into a glass dish on a shelf, he sighed.
‘Unlike Mama, Clara does not like me to smoke in the house. But I am allowed to enjoy a few minutes of excellence before a meal. I am sorry if the smell offends you.’
Ettie inhaled the distinctive smell of the extinguished cigar. ‘Not at all, Sir. I find it quite pleasant.’
‘Very good, very good!’ Lucas held out his hand. ‘Come this way.’
Ettie followed Lucas into the dining room and past the magnificent portrait of Mrs Benjamin.
Ettie noted there were now many books and papers scattered around. A small table bore a variety of unwashed glasses, cups and saucers. A half-eaten sandwich remained on the top of the cupboard. Clearly the Benjamins needed a maid!
Clara was already seated. ‘Do join us,’ she said, pointing to the chair opposite.
Ettie sat down. Clara had changed into a beautiful deep blue gown with dainty ruffles around the neckline. In her hair she had clipped a sparkling slide. Ettie studied with embarrassment her dowdy shift. What would the Benjamins think of her appearance?
Nothing was said however and Lucas uncorked a bottle. He poured three generous glasses of wine.
‘I’m sorry to say that since our maid left us, we have had become slovenly.’
‘Do you cook, Ettie?’ Clara asked as Lucas left for the kitchen.
‘Yes,’ replied Ettie. ‘The nuns taught me.’
‘Oh, how wonderful!’ Clara exclaimed. ‘Perhaps we could impose on you one day?’
‘I shall start immediately,’ Ettie replied. ‘I helped in the convent kitchens from when I was small.’
‘My dear, was it a happy life?’
Ettie smiled. ‘Yes, indeed it was.’
‘There is a church at the far end of Silver Street,’ Clara continued. ‘Please feel free to worship there on Sundays.’
Ettie knew then she would be very happy with this couple.
‘Right-ho, my dears,’ said a voice behind them. Lucas strode in, a napkin over his arm. ‘Are you ready?’
Ettie found herself waiting expectantly as a tray was brought from the kitchen. Although the tureens were made of good quality, she saw it had been many months since they were polished.
Lucas removed a cover. Three lean slices of colourless fish appeared. The next tureen contained diced carrots and mashed potatoes.
‘Smells delicious,’ said Clara with rather a forced smile.
Lucas produced three slightly chipped dinner plates and a pair of tongs. Very soon a toast was proposed.
‘To our new family member,’ cried Lucas, raising his glass of wine. ‘Welcome again Ettie!’
She blushed. How wonderful it was to be part of a family again!
Lucas nodded to her glass. ‘I hope the wine is to your liking?’
Ettie took a sip. Somehow she managed not to wrinkle her nose. ‘It’s very nice,’ she managed, wondering which knife and fork she should use. Quickly she copied her hosts.
Hunger overcame the bitter, sour tang of the fish and the insipid flavour of the mash. She was so ravenous she ate every scrap. Whilst Clara left most of hers!
Chapter 10
Ettie had cleared all the dirty dishes and washed them, returning them to the cupboards when Lucas strode into the kitchen.
‘I shall roll up my sleeves and help you this very moment,’ he told her.
‘No, Sir,’ Ettie replied. ’But thank you all the same.’
‘I fear you may work your fingers to the bone.’
Ettie smiled. ‘No, Sir. My bones are quite strong.’
Lucas chuckled. ‘Very well then, but come sit with us for a few minutes before we retire to bed.’
Ettie took off her apron and followed Lucas to the drawing room.
She sat in a comfortable chair by Clara.
‘Tell us a little about yourself,’ Clara said, curious.
Ettie tried to answer honestly. She described the nuns and the convent she had grown up in and all the orphans who had joined her there over the years. Her life seemed to be of great interest to the couple and Clara had expressed her dismay when she heard of the careless farmer.
‘Those poor babies!’ she exclaimed. ‘If only we were rich, Lucas. We could look after them.’
‘Now, now my dear,’ consoled Lucas, patting her hand. ‘You have a very soft heart. But we can’t help the whole world.’
Clara smiled sadly. ‘I am overjoyed that we found you, Ettie. Before you were sent off to the wilds. We saw the advertisement for the employ of a maid in the newspaper and Lucas applied immediately.’
This came as a shock to Ettie. She had been advertised on the pages of a newspaper? Sister Patrick had
