No one offered any assistance in clearing up once wake was over. I was left to clear up all on my own, which was no small task. There’s still plenty of uncles, aunts and respective cousins who could pitch in, but no… it seems that such a menial task is beneath them. I asked my sister if she’d do the decent thing and assist me, but she declined saying “We’ve got a maid for that.”
“Not now she’s in the ground.” I replied. “I’m not clearing up because I have to.” I told her. “I’m doing it because it needs doing.”
“Good for you.” she shrugged before swanning off.
The following day, I woke up at the usual time but didn’t get up. I must have wallowed in my bed for an hour before washing and dressing myself. It was luxury… just laying there, not having to get up and tend the fires & ranges and prepare breakfast. I fixed myself some tea and toast at around 8.00am. Mother emerged at around 10.00am. “Why are you dressed like that?” she asked. I’m wearing my sage green Sunday dress since it’s the only thing I have that isn’t a domestic dress.
“Because I’m not the maid any more.” I replied.
“Technically… no.” mother retorted. “…however the house does need a domestic, and no one knows the place better than you.” she says. “We could get you a new uniform, something more suited to a manservant or valet.”
“When I wanted a suit for the funeral, you refused and I had to wear a dress… now you’re offering to buy me a new uniform in order for me to play manservant?” I retorted. “Really mother… you are beyond belief sometimes.”
Mother looked me up and down, from my mint green shoes and ivory stockings to my sage green dress and painted face. “It you who’s beyond belief Peter.” she said. “Don’t forget who the sole beneficiary is…. if you want to share in my wealth then you’re going to have to play by the rules. My rules.”
I gulped. It’s not the first time she’s hinted at the possibility of me remaining in servitude. “But you’ll be rich mother… you can hire a hundred maids if you want. You don’t need me any more.”
“I could but… good maids are hard to come by these days and servitude suits you. I like having you around. You’re loyal and obedient.”
“Loyalty and obedience were part of my terms of service Mother.” I replied. “As of yesterday, those contractual obligations are no longer applicable.”
“That maybe so Peter, but when Agatha’s estate is transferred into my name, I can draw up a new contract, and just as Agatha did with me, I can stipulate any conditions of inheritance I like.” Mother stated. “You wouldn’t want Mabel and Bertie to get everything would you?”
“You wouldn’t do that.” I claimed. I reminded her of the sacrifice I’ve made, that I’d given up my university fund, given over four years of my life, my formative years. “Doesn’t all I’ve done count for anything?” I asked.
“Of course it does Peter… I’m very grateful for all you’ve done.” she claimed, placing her hand on her heart. “All I’m saying is… it’s a large house and I’m going to need help running it, especially when Mabel and Bertrand move in.”
“Like I say, hire a maid.” I shrugged.
“That’s what I’m trying to do.” my mother retorted. “You’ll be part of the family too… you wouldn’t be working every hour that god sends, and you won’t have to stay in that grubby little room any more, and when I’ve had some indoor bathrooms fitted, you won’t be emptying chamber pots and maybe we could hire someone else to help you with the laundry and cleaning.” she claimed. “At least think about it.” she said.
I took myself off for a morning stroll. Mother was doing my head in and I needed some fresh air and some clarity. I can’t believe that she threatened to disinherit me if I didn’t agree to stay on as the housemaid, but maybe that was little more than an idle threat. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if I had ‘normal’ hours such as 7.00am – 7.00pm and had every Sunday afternoon off, received more than my meagre monthly allowance and slept in a proper bedroom.
