Fragile Blossoms by Dodie Hamilton Page B

is put out by the arrival of a newcomer, but who has seen and heard enough not to complain, knocked on the door.
    ‘Is Susan Dudley to share my room? And the work, madam, are we to share that? Only with a bump in front I can’t see her bendin’ over a stove.’
    Maggie exaggerates. The bump is not so big Susan can’t bend. ’You shall keep your place as kitchen maid and you’ll help Mrs Mac when needed.’
    ‘And what will Susan Dudley do?’
    ‘She’ll do as she’s bid.’
    Julia settled it thus with Mrs Mac. ‘I am happy with the way Matty has taken to you. Are you willing to take on the post of nanny and help in his general welfare? Susan Dudley can take on the role of parlour maid.’ Mrs Mac’s face lengthened until Julia continued. ‘A personal maid is a diminished role. If the tea-shop is to happen I must manage my own makings. Early to bed and earlier to rise I shall need a right-hand man not a maid. I shall need you, Maud.’
    Mrs Mac grabbed Julia’s hand. ‘I’ll do it, madam! I’ll be your right-hand. I’ll be nanny to Master Matthew and I shall cook too. I never said before but I am a good cook. My almond tarts and chocolate éclairs have been called melt-in-mouth. I’ll make a batch. You see! You can taste for yourself.’
    Maud went to bed wreathed in smiles. Julia allowed herself a smile. Kitchen politics be damned! Stefan would be proud of me, as would Owen, and for that matter Luke Roberts. No! That name ringing in her head and a sturdy bolt is shot across her heart. She must not think of him. It hurts too much.
    It is difficult to forget. The impassioned plea, and effect it had, felt like the cutting of a honey-coated knife, sharp and yet so sweet. He makes no attempt to repeat his vow even so it’s difficult seeing him about the house. The refurbishment complete Julia thought she’d no need to employ him but now the kitchen is in need of extra shelves, and the Roberts men are as good as many at their trade and better than most.
    *
    Julia took the linen sheets from the trunk. Mrs Mac shook them out. ‘What do you plan to do with them, madam? They’re too big for beds.’
    ‘I’m going to make table linen. I can get three or four cloths per sheet, a good many napkins, and keep the lace edging for cake stands.’
    ‘Won’t paper frills be better? The linen will get awful sticky.’
    ‘I know it will but starched they will look so much nicer.’
    ‘It’s extra work.’
    ‘Even so we’ll do it. If we are to gain the right reputation we need to do it right, good food, excellent service, starched table linen and the best silver. Did you see the Georgian tea service? Maggie’s made an excellent job polishing.’
    ‘She has her uses.’
    ‘How does she get along with Susan?’
    ‘She tried swanking about a bit but Susan soon put a stop to that. She might be little but she’ll not take truck from that quarter.’
    ‘Susan will need to stick up for herself. It’s a harsh world for a mother alone.’
    ‘Do you know anything about her, madam, how she came to be in trouble?’
    ‘No and I won’t ask, and neither shall you! You have been so helpful to me, Maud. I would hate us not to agree on the need for kindliness.’
    Throat working Mrs McLaughlin looked overcome and was a while answering. Then she swallowed. ‘What shall we do when the baby comes?’
    ‘We’ll manage.’
    The truth is Mrs Mac is fast becoming a jewel in the projected crown. ‘Madam, I’ve been thinking about supplies and reckon Joe Lyons must buy in. They have to. They can’t feed everyone with food cooked on the premises. They haven’t time. We can bake cakes and the like, and, we could buy from local wives. It would be good for business and sure to get them rallying round.’
    ‘I was hoping local wives would be our customers.’
    ‘Oh no! No use depending on them as customers. There’ll be a few that will like the occasional outing especially at the beginning but housewives won’t fill the