Some strands of the family turned their back on Agatha since they now have nothing to gain, but my mother and a handful of others continued to visit, sucking up and feigning friendship in the vain hope she’ll leave them a portion of her wealth in her final Will & Testament.
Mother told me that whilst father may have believed he’d left us plenty when he passed away (contracted typhoid on an overseas business trip, didn’t return), the money is fast running out and the way it’s looking, there won’t be enough to fund my higher education. I countered by suggesting that she spent less money on luxurious clothes & jewellery and spent less time wining and dining in expensive restaurants.
Mother’s retort was that we’re the sort of people who do wear expensive clothes and do dine in the best restaurants and that father would be turning in his grave if we were anything less. “If you don’t go to Agatha’s, then someone else will and they’ll get everything and you’ll get nothing.” she told me. “Is that what you want?”
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.
Throughout my years of servitude, I’ve become acquainted with some of the servants who work in the town. Unlike me, they seldom live-in and enjoy one or two half days each week. They only work evenings if their masters’ are entertaining, so more often than not their day is over by 6.00 or 7.00pm. It’s all variable though. Some have to provide their own uniform and have to wear the old fashioned and impractical floor length frock & apron. Some are beaten or worse. Some are laced to twenty-six inches whilst a handful don’t even have to wear a corset. Whilst I’m bitterly aware that this last four years could have been a whole lot better had I not been put into servitude, I’m also aware that things could have been whole lot worse.
I’ve often thought about what I’d do should I have left before Aunt Agatha passed. I’m too old to apply for an apprenticeship. My incomplete education puts roles such as junior clerk or accountant beyond my reach and having no money with which to continue my education, I’d be looking at either manual labour or skivvying… or the workhouse. I’ve certainly got the skills to continue as a domestic but I can’t imagine anyone but Aunt Agatha employing a young man to undertake what is generally considered woman’s work.
“Mother’s simply got to pay for my place at university.” I tell myself as I enjoy the fresh air and panoramic view. I’ve certainly kept my part of the bargain so surely mother will keep hers. The problem with Mother is the goalposts keep moving. One really cannot rely on anything she says, which is probably why Agatha made her sign such a binding contract in the first place. What’s most worrying is the fact that my mother is well within her rights to make me sign an equally binding contract of I’ve any chance of securing my inheritance.
We enter the solicitors’ offices and take a seat. The executor introduces himself and spits out some legal formalities before opening the envelope that contains Great Aunt Agatha’s final Will & Testament. It’s very predictable. The manor house goes to Mother who puts on a well rehearsed yet clearly fake performance in which she feigns shock and surprise. This act is followed by yet more pretence, now she’s almost humbled to tears by Aunt Agatha’s kindness. Who she’s performing to I’ve no idea… there’s only me, her and the executor present.. “…The contents of the house shall be auctioned and the proceeds donated to charity.” the Executor continues.
Mother is perplexed to hear this. “A charity?” she sneered