Page 37
Story: The Deception
L iving as a servant opened Lydia’s eyes in many ways. The room she shared with Edith was tiny; being on the top floor of the house, it was also quite hot. There was a very small window, which let in very little air; the air it did let in was typical of London in the summer – hot and smoky.
Her bed was iron, with one straw-filled mattress and a thin pillow. Edith swore that her own mattress was infested with bed bugs, and indeed, Edith seemed to do a good deal of scratching, but so far Lydia had been spared that particular problem.
The uniform she had been given to wear was a lightweight cotton; the colour, a medium grey, could not flatter anyone’s complexion. This cotton was fine in the summer; would they be given warmer clothing in the winter? Lydia suspected not.
She ate her meals downstairs with the rest of the staff.
The food was good, which Lydia appreciated.
She had always had a hearty appetite, and the immense amount of work she did every day sharpened it.
Intent on not being found wanting, she continued her practice of keeping her head down and her mouth shut.
She would never forget the nights she had spent huddled in a London doorway; she knew she had been incredibly fortunate to have had a kind young lady take an interest in her, and she would do nothing to jeopardize her position.
Downstairs, Mr. Durston reigned supreme. When he entered or left a room, the other servants rose immediately. At dinner each night, he handed out reprimands to anyone he felt deserved one.
“Jack, I noticed that you did not step aside on the staircase when you encountered Mrs. Hodges. Remember that you are always to step aside to let persons of higher rank pass, and that includes servants who are higher than you.”
“Doris, Mrs. Hodges tells me that you found Miss Emily’s glove and returned it to her. In the future, you should give any items that you find to Letty, Nancy or Beatrice, not directly to the lady.”
“Lydia, I have been told that you have been seen smiling at Miss Alice; do not do so, it smacks of familiarity! Keep your head down, girl.”
“Alfred, I have seen you looking at Lydia. I will tolerate no more of that nonsense, I tell you, or I shall have you dismissed without a character.”
The correct response, Lydia soon learnt, was to say, “Yes, Mr. Durston,” and nothing more.
Mr. Durston did not, of course, reprimand Mrs. Hodges, Letty, Nancy or Beatrice; the first three of those kept their eyes down during the nightly admonishments, but Beatrice, nasty thing, would smirk at whoever Mr. Durston selected as his target that night.
Cook was also excluded from scoldings, perhaps because Mr. Durston feared her revenge.
She was as temperamental as any great French chef, and kept everyone at a distance.
Lydia, remembering the meal she had been given immediately upon her arrival, made it a point to thank Cook every day for her delicious food; she generally received nothing more than a quick nod of Cook’s head in response.
Lydia required no further acknowledgement; the food was one of the few things she liked about her new situation and she thought it only right to indicate some appreciation.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37 (Reading here)
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64