Whispers by Rosie Goodwin

herself and read a little more of Martha’s journal. In no time at all she was propped up against her headboard with the book open to the next page and soon everything else faded away as she became lost in the girl’s story.
    4 August
    Today Grace and Bertie were married in St Theobald and St Chad’s Church in Caldecote. I had expected it to be a happy day, a day for rejoicing, but for some reason it turned out to be almost like any other day . . .
    The day of the wedding finally dawned and as Martha woke, a feeling of excitement coursed through her. She had her Sunday best green dress laid out across the chair and as she looked towards it she smiled. Once they had seen to the Master’s breakfast they would be free to get ready, and she could hardly wait to see Grace in the gown she had fashioned from the length of blue silk. After pouring some water from the jug into the bowl she washed hastily and pulled on her drab work clothes. There was no point in wearing her best dress until the chores were done. The night before, she had washed her hair in water and vinegar, and after rubbing it with an old towel she had sat at the bedroom window and brushed it until it shone in the breeze that was wafting in.
    Once she had secured it with a ribbon she skipped downstairs in a happy frame of mind just in time to see Bertie coming out of the Master’s study, his mouth set in a grim line.
    ‘So, the big day is finally here then?’ Martha smiled tentatively as Bertie appeared to look straight through her.
    ‘Aye, I suppose it is,’ he muttered eventually then he turned and walked away as Martha chewed on her lip. The Master had obviously said something to upset him, although she had no idea what it might be. Surely Bertie should have been in a happier frame of mind on his wedding day? Shrugging, she moved on to the kitchen where she knew Grace and Granny would already be working.
    On entering the room she saw Granny flipping bacon and kidneys in a large cast-iron pan on the range and Grace laying the Master’s tray. Lately, if he didn’t have guests, the Master preferred to take his breakfast in his room, which Martha had noticed Grace didn’t seem at all happy about. But then it was a special day, so surely even Grace wouldn’t mind waiting on him today?
    ‘I just saw Bertie coming out of the Master’s study, so he’s obviously up and about. He’ll probably have the tray in his study this morning,’ she chirped cheerfully. ‘And I have to say Bertie didn’t look none too pleased, so I don’t know what the Master’s said to upset him.’
    ‘Hold your tongue, girl, else I’ll box yer ears fer yer,’ Granny snapped.
    Martha sighed. What was wrong with everyone today? It seemed that they’d all got out of the wrong side of the bed.
    After fetching the large milk jug from the pantry she helped the two women prepare the rest of the meal in silence before slipping through the back door. Once outside she headed for the meadow where she quickly picked a bunch of wild flowers then carried them back to the kitchen and held them out to her granny.
    ‘I thought these might be nice for Grace to carry as her bouquet,’ she said quietly.
    The old woman’s faded grey eyes softened as she looked at her young granddaughter. It wasn’t her fault, after all, that there was trouble on, and happen she’d been a bit hard on her.
    ‘They’re lovely.’ She forced a smile. ‘An’ I reckon I’ve got a length o’ blue ribbon up in me room to tie ’em with. They’ll look a treat wi’ Grace’s dress.’
    Slightly happier, Martha asked, ‘And where is Grace?’
    ‘Gone up to her room to get ready. She might be glad of a bit of help.’
    Martha frowned. ‘But shouldn’t we be preparing the bridal meal for when we get back before we get dressed?’
    ‘There’ll be no bridal meal,’ Granny said shortly. ‘The Master’s informed us that he has guests comin’ again tonight, so soon as the service is over we’ll have to