no previous experience of being in service.’
‘That is so, Your Ladyship. I’ve just left school.’
‘A strange time of year to leave. I hope you weren’t expelled?’
‘Oh, no, Your Ladyship. It was because my … my mother died recently.’
Anna saw Lady Ashcroft raise an eyebrow. ‘I’m truly sorry to hear that. And what of your father?’
Anna felt the sweat break out down her back. ‘My father says it’s time that I made my own way in the world.’
‘And you thought that entering service would provide you with a roof over your head as well as a job?’
Oh dear, this wasn’t going well, was it? Lady Ashcroft was too astute for her. ‘Partly,’ she admitted, since she had nothing to lose. ‘But I should welcome the opportunity to work for aristocracy. And I’m a hard worker and quick to learn.’
She noticed that twitch of Her Ladyship’s mouth again. ‘Well, you’re well-spoken and seem intelligent. What were you studying at school?’
‘English, French and Geography, Your Ladyship.’
‘Hmm. Useful subjects.’ Prudence Ashcroft paused to consider. ‘Well, Miss Millington, I like the way you conduct yourself. This is a small, intimate residence, so the quality of each member of staff is of extreme importance here, which is why I wanted to interview you myself. But I believe we can offer you a month’s trial, would you not agree, Mrs Davenport?’
Anna lifted her eyes to the austere woman in black who pursed her lips in disdain.
‘Yes, Lady Ashcroft,’ was all she said.
‘Well.’ Prudence’s face finally slid into a half smile as sherose to her feet. ‘I will leave you with Mrs Davenport who will explain your duties in more detail.’
‘Thank you, Your Ladyship.’
Anna dipped her knee again as her new employer crossed the room. Oh, goodness, should she open the door for her? She leapt forward and did so anyway, her heart bouncing in her chest like a rubber ball.
‘Thank you, Miss Millington. We have the makings of a good one here, I believe, Mrs Davenport.’
Anna felt the other woman’s eyes boring into her back as she softly closed the door. Oh, Lord. She gritted her teeth and turned back into the room.
Chapter Five
Anna caught her breath at the timid knock on the front door. She had been hastily packing her little square case, though she had precious little to take with her. Underwear, socks, two nighties and her slippers. She had dressed in her working outfit, the same as she had for her interview – serge blue skirt, white blouse and navy cardigan. She would have no further need of her school gymslip, but the Aertex gym shirt, white shirts and grey pullover could be useful. Add to that two summer dresses, a twin set, a pair of slacks and a pair of white sandals, and it amounted to the sum total of her wardrobe.
She had just been about to put in her few books, when the noise downstairs had startled her. Oh, no. Her dad hadn’t come back from work, had he? Forgotten his flask and sandwiches or something? If he were to find her packing, it would be unthinkable. But then Anna melted with relief. Even if he had come back and had forgotten his key, hewould rap on the door like a bull in a china shop. So, it wouldn’t be him. But Anna had a good idea who it was.
She was right.
‘I waited till your dad were safely out o’ the way. I just ’ad to say goodbye again. Didn’t seem right, saying it last night. Only I’ve got to dash or I’ll be late for work.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad you called!’ Anna’s nerves were on edge, but while seeing Ethel, if only for a few moments, boosted her courage, it also filled her with sadness. ‘I feel awful, just sliding away and not telling anyone except you.’
‘Needs must.’ Ethel nodded in that matter of fact way she had. ‘An’ I promise I’ll not tell a soul where you’m gone. Not even my mum an’ dad. Or Maud an’ Pam, cuz they’m bound to come asking for you some time. I’ll just tell ’em I doesn’t know
‘That is so, Your Ladyship. I’ve just left school.’
‘A strange time of year to leave. I hope you weren’t expelled?’
‘Oh, no, Your Ladyship. It was because my … my mother died recently.’
Anna saw Lady Ashcroft raise an eyebrow. ‘I’m truly sorry to hear that. And what of your father?’
Anna felt the sweat break out down her back. ‘My father says it’s time that I made my own way in the world.’
‘And you thought that entering service would provide you with a roof over your head as well as a job?’
Oh dear, this wasn’t going well, was it? Lady Ashcroft was too astute for her. ‘Partly,’ she admitted, since she had nothing to lose. ‘But I should welcome the opportunity to work for aristocracy. And I’m a hard worker and quick to learn.’
She noticed that twitch of Her Ladyship’s mouth again. ‘Well, you’re well-spoken and seem intelligent. What were you studying at school?’
‘English, French and Geography, Your Ladyship.’
‘Hmm. Useful subjects.’ Prudence Ashcroft paused to consider. ‘Well, Miss Millington, I like the way you conduct yourself. This is a small, intimate residence, so the quality of each member of staff is of extreme importance here, which is why I wanted to interview you myself. But I believe we can offer you a month’s trial, would you not agree, Mrs Davenport?’
Anna lifted her eyes to the austere woman in black who pursed her lips in disdain.
‘Yes, Lady Ashcroft,’ was all she said.
‘Well.’ Prudence’s face finally slid into a half smile as sherose to her feet. ‘I will leave you with Mrs Davenport who will explain your duties in more detail.’
‘Thank you, Your Ladyship.’
Anna dipped her knee again as her new employer crossed the room. Oh, goodness, should she open the door for her? She leapt forward and did so anyway, her heart bouncing in her chest like a rubber ball.
‘Thank you, Miss Millington. We have the makings of a good one here, I believe, Mrs Davenport.’
Anna felt the other woman’s eyes boring into her back as she softly closed the door. Oh, Lord. She gritted her teeth and turned back into the room.
Chapter Five
Anna caught her breath at the timid knock on the front door. She had been hastily packing her little square case, though she had precious little to take with her. Underwear, socks, two nighties and her slippers. She had dressed in her working outfit, the same as she had for her interview – serge blue skirt, white blouse and navy cardigan. She would have no further need of her school gymslip, but the Aertex gym shirt, white shirts and grey pullover could be useful. Add to that two summer dresses, a twin set, a pair of slacks and a pair of white sandals, and it amounted to the sum total of her wardrobe.
She had just been about to put in her few books, when the noise downstairs had startled her. Oh, no. Her dad hadn’t come back from work, had he? Forgotten his flask and sandwiches or something? If he were to find her packing, it would be unthinkable. But then Anna melted with relief. Even if he had come back and had forgotten his key, hewould rap on the door like a bull in a china shop. So, it wouldn’t be him. But Anna had a good idea who it was.
She was right.
‘I waited till your dad were safely out o’ the way. I just ’ad to say goodbye again. Didn’t seem right, saying it last night. Only I’ve got to dash or I’ll be late for work.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad you called!’ Anna’s nerves were on edge, but while seeing Ethel, if only for a few moments, boosted her courage, it also filled her with sadness. ‘I feel awful, just sliding away and not telling anyone except you.’
‘Needs must.’ Ethel nodded in that matter of fact way she had. ‘An’ I promise I’ll not tell a soul where you’m gone. Not even my mum an’ dad. Or Maud an’ Pam, cuz they’m bound to come asking for you some time. I’ll just tell ’em I doesn’t know
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