Emily?Margaret hadnt expected to see her ex-husbands sister standing on her doorstep. The girl was drenched, rainwater dripping from her long, tangled hair.
It started bucketing down on my way here. My clothes are soakedI need to dry them. May I come in?
Well very well, come in.Margaret knew Emily had come a long way: her house stood in a gated estate, tucked away on a quiet lane, a good fifteen-minute walk from the main gate. How Emily had found the addressor even slipped past the gatewas a mystery.
Could I trouble you for a cup of tea?Emily shook water from her cheek and wiped the smudged mascara beneath her eyes.
First, dry yourself.Margaret handed her a roll of kitchen towels. The polished oak floors couldnt bear moisture, and Emilys sodden trainers threatened the fresh renovation.
Thank you.
Now, tell mewhy have you come?
Im desperate for work.
And whats that to do with me? I dont lend money.
I know, Im not asking for a loan. I came to beg your help finding employment. Any job, truly! So long as it pays I know your new husband owns a string of hotels. Couldnt you ask him to take me on?
Have you any experience?
Yes!Emily nodded fervently.Ive worked in cafés.
Doing what?
As a manager well, nearly. I was hired as a waitress first, but I was practically due a promotion!
How long did you last?
Oh, a few months here and there. Two weeks at one place, a fortnight at another and I left the last one yesterday. The manager and I didnt see eye to eye.
Margaret stared at her in disbelief.
You do realise that sort of record wont impress anyone?
Why not? Three different cafés! Ive loads of experience!
Flitting from job to job doesnt recommend youquite the opposite.
Then what am I to do? I need the money!Emilys eyes welled up, and she began to weep.
What do you need it for? And why here, of all places?
Where else can I earn a proper wage? Back in our village, with barely two streets to its name?
Londons frightfully dear, rents are steep Where are you staying?
First with a friend, then my brother took me in, but he turfed me out. Hes got a new woman now, and she wouldnt have me underfoot.
Did she, indeed?Margarets lips thinned at the mention of her former husband.
Hes turned downright vile since meeting her! I only wanted to stay awhile, but that harpy drove me out! Margaret, pleaseyoure my only hope
I cant promise anything. I dont work myself, so Ive no influence over hiring.
But youre his wife! Surely you could sway him just ask if theres any position, anything at all
Ill mention it, but no guarantees. Hes away on business until the weekend.
Oh, thank you! I knew you were kind, not like that witch Margaret, love, might I stay the night? Look how its coming down! Itll be dark soon, and Ive not a penny for the journey back.
How did you get here?
Hitched a ride
Good heavens.Margaret hesitated. Sending the girl out alone in the dark seemed cruel. Though Emily was practically a stranger, pity won out, and she showed her to the guest room.Very well. But you must leave first thing. Ill not have lodgers.
Of course,Emily brightened at once. She sprawled on the bed, gazing at the crystal chandelier, the damask wallpaper, the heavy silk drapes.
“In our village, no one lives like this Margarets landed herself a rich husband, lucky thing. I ought to find one like thatthen all my troubles would be over!”Emily mused.
She fancied a glamorous post, meeting some wealthy bachelor, marrying welljust like in the novels. But she never considered that successful men seldom glance at girls like her. Or that a nineteen-year-old with no real experience wouldnt land a grand position.
That, precisely, was what Margarets husband, Charles, said upon returning from his trip.
Ive only one place for her.
What is it?
One she wont fancy.
She claims shell take anything,Margaret said.
Will she? Then have her come at half-six tomorrow. If shes truly keen, shes hired.
Emily found the sleek hotel offices easily enoughthough she arrived at nine, not six. The bus had broken down, she reasoned, so it wasnt her fault.
The building dazzled her.
Climbing the stairs, she daydreamedpicturing herself sweeping in as the directors wife, or at least his secretary.
For the occasion, shed squeezed into heels too high to walk in, a skirt too short, and a blouse more netting than fabric.
The heels caught in the grating; she nearly toppled twice. At last, she flung open a doorstraight into a security guard.
Where dyou think youre going?he eyed her dubiously.
To work!
Pass?
Havent got one.
Wrong door, then. Staff only.
People like me dont need passes.Emily tossed her head.And you wont be here long. Fancy not recognising the important ones!
The guard laughed. He nearly remarked that in that getup, she belonged on a street corner, not in an office. But he didnt get the chance.
Good morning, Mr. Charles,he snapped to attention.
Morning, Nigel,Charles greeted him, then noticed Emily and winced. He meant to have her removed, but
Here for work!Emily chirped.Im Emily. Your wifes friend.
Charles reddened. Hed not expected this spectaclenor to have it linked to Margaret.
Three hours late! Never mindcome along.He seized her elbow.And dont mention my wife. Youre no friend of hers. And for pitys sake, dress decently next time.
Too posh, am I?
No! You look like a tart!he hissed, steering her from prying eyes.
Ah, I seeyou dont want talk of me getting favours.Emily nodded sagely. Charles nearly choked.
Who promised you favours?
Margaret did. Have you a flat for staff? Somewhere nice? I thought I might lodge there
Dont lie! No one promised you a flat! At best, youll bunk with the other maids.
But since youre the boss
What? You expect a managerial role?
Or your assistant, perhaps?
My assistant holds three degrees and speaks five languages. What languages do you know?
Emily pondered.
Pig Latin.
What?
You knowadding -ay after each syllable.
Youre joking. Well, youll need humour where youre going.
When do I start?
Now. Go to the basement. Ask for Mrs. Higginsshell show you the ropes and give you your kit.
Brilliant!Emily envisioned a smart suit, like the ladies in films.
Youll be paid weekly. Commission-based.
How much?
Depends on your work. Do well, and theres a bonus.Charles scribbled a figure. Emilys face fell. Shed hoped for more. Still, she reasoned, this was her foot in the door. Once among the elite, shed snare a rich husband and never work again.
With this in mind, she descended to the basement. A woman in a starched apron awaited her.
Emily?
Thats me
This way.
Theres some mistakeEmily balked at the mops and buckets.I never applied to be a maid!
To be a maid, youd need training. Youre starting as a cleaners helper. Change. Those shoes wont do.
Mrs. Higgins thrust a mop, bucket, overalls, and galoshes at her.
But I
Today, youll scrub floors from basement to fifth. And mind the stairwells.
Emily opened her mouthbut the woman was already answering the phone.
Not a chance.
She dropped the mop and stormed off to find Charlesbut hed left for meetings.
Furious, she rang Margaret.
Are you having me on?
Whats happened?
Your husbands set me to scrubbing floors!
You said any job would do.
Not this
