by Jackie J
Chapter 3
Life being Mrs Burtonshaw’s maid is
certainly different to being Mistress of the household. I chuckle at the
thought, feeding the laundry through the mangle, lucky Miss Williams. Counting
the few days I worked alone, before Mrs Burtonshaw’s arrival, it will be three
weeks of being aproned tomorrow. It still amuses me thinking of Miss Williams,
not of myself but of the privileged Mistress of the household. A harmless deceitful pretence, and initially
a difficult delusion to accept. The deceit is encouraged by Mrs Burtonshaw,
often referencing Miss Williams to her maid. Compliments and admonishments in
equal measure, Miss Williams would not be happy with this or that. Miss
Williams would be most pleased to see you have done this or that. I was fine
working alone but with the routines of the rota and Mrs Burtonshaw’s
organisation and strict control of me, there is little time to consider other
than my life a maid.
Shortly after it was confirmed that Linda’s absence would be extended, and Mrs Burtonshaw noticing the discomfort of Linda’s shoes that I wore, Mrs Burtonshaw acquired a pair of low -heeled boots that I now wear. Heavy yes, but comfortable and practical for a working maid. I have given up on trying to protect my hands and nails, I know they are a mess, but why wouldn’t they be? The chipped nails are now cut short, and the palms of my hands display calloused skin. I used to spend literally hours brushing my hair, now, I am quite practiced at balling my hair atop of my head and with wearing the mop cap during my waking hours, so there is little point in wasting time on that.
