Norah watched as the girls all dutifully washed their hands in a porcelain bowl on a wooden table in the corner of the room and then sat expectantly at another table covered with a white linen cloth. Two maids dressed formally in uniform carried in trays laden with dainty sandwiches and cakes and set them down. After grace had been said, they politely helped themselves each to a sandwich. A fourth place had been set for Norah and, although she wasn't very hungry, she also helped herself to a cucumber sandwich with the crusts removed. Throughout the meal, Lady Collingworth chatted amiably with her daughters, occasionally reminding them of their manners but mostly discussing their normal routines. Norah realised that this was for her benefit and, by the time tea was finished, she felt she had a clearer understanding of her position in the household. Whilst everything felt very new and strange compared to the life she'd been used to, her spirits were high and she was looking forward to the challenges facing her.
The girls’ bedtime routine reminded Norah of her own whilst her mother had been alive; they washed and changed into their nightdresses and then snuggled on the sofa in the nursery ready for their bedtime story. There was a large selection of books on the shelf and each of the girls took it in turns to choose the story she was to read. Tonight, it was Margaret’s turn and she immediately pointed to a thick, hardbacked book of Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
‘Which one would you like me to read?’ Norah asked.
Margaret remained silent, still unsure of her new nanny, but her sister answered for her.
‘Rapunzel, except Margaret always calls it Wapunzel,’ Anne said helpfully.
‘She always chooses that one. It’s her favourite,’ chimed in Mary, still cuddling Barclay the teddy.
It was Norah’s first time reading aloud a bedtime story and she began a little nervously. However, the children did not appear to notice and she soon relaxed, reading the characters’ speech in different voices. They particularly enjoyed the witchy cackle she used for Rumplestiltskin and when the story was finished, there were immediate appeals for another.
‘Not tonight,’ Norah smiled. ‘It’s bedtime. Come on. I want you each to show me your bedrooms.’
They went to Margaret’s room first. When she was beneath the covers, her mother kissed her forehead. ‘Sleep tight, pumpkin,’ she murmured and blew out the lamp by her bed. ‘She doesn’t always settle so quickly but it’s late for her. She normally goes to bed at least an hour before the others,’ Lady Collingworth whispered.
Soon the other girls were also tucked in for the night and Lady Collingworth directed one of the housemaids, a pretty but sullen looking girl by the name of Rose, to show Norah back to her room, which was, she soon realised, just along the corridor from where the girls were sleeping.
‘So, you’re on hand should the children need you in the night,’ Rose explained.
‘Is there anything else I should know?’ Norah asked.
‘You’ll learn soon enough,’ Rose replied cryptically as she headed for the door. Then she stopped and turned back with a sigh. ‘They usually wake up around seven o’clock. It's your job to have them washed and dressed ready for breakfast in the dining room with Lord and Lady Collingworth at eight o’clock. They eat their other meals in the nursery.’
‘Thank you, Rose. I wouldn’t have wanted to be late on my first morning,’ Norah smiled gratefully. ‘Sleep well,’ she called out to the maid’s retreating back but received no response.
Norah returned to her room and started to unpack. It was the first time she'd ever slept in a room away from Willow Farm and it felt strange to be arranging her clothes in unfamiliar surroundings. However, as she laid out her nightdress on the bed and placed her framed photograph of her mother and father, taken on one of her mother’s better days in the garden shortly after she had received her camera, on the dresser, she felt optimistic about the immediate future. The children and Lady Collingworth could not have been more welcoming, she decided, and Collingworth Hall and its surroundings were truly beautiful. For the first time since the death of her father, she had people other than herself to look after and the challenge was a welcome distraction from the grief of the past months. Maybe things would turn out alright after all.
◆◆◆
Chapter 9
Norah - January- June 1927
Dear Arthur,
I cannot believe three months have already passed since I left Chalkham. The time has positively flown, probably because my days are so busy.
Firstly, let me reassure you that I am well and enjoying my life here in Collingworth. I have fallen on my feet because the children I look after are a complete delight. They are a family of three girls, aged eight, six and four, and lovelier children you couldn’t wish to meet. All are sweet natured and well-behaved but the best thing is their enthusiasm. It doesn’t matter what I plan for us to do, they are always interested and excited. I think they take after their mother. Lady Collingworth is so kind and always appreciative of my bumbling efforts. Often, she will join us in the afternoons when we may be painting or, on sunny days, out on a nature walk and she gives the children her wholehearted attention. No wonder they adore her.
They are less demonstrative with their father and, to tell you the truth, I think we are all a little bit afraid of him, even Lady Collingworth! He is a large, stout, dour man in his late forties and he does not appear to tolerate children very well. Indeed, it is most fortunate that his girls restrain their natural impulsiveness when we all have breakfast together as he does not like to be disturbed from his newspaper.
Let me tell you a little bit
