On Tuesday he returns to Mrs Haverthwaite’s where she points out a few areas in which he could improve, all of which are in the bathroom. He needs to pay particular attention to areas such as the back of the loo, the back of the sink pedestal, and the soap dish. He tidies and vacuums the bedroom, cleans the bathroom and landing, balustrade, and banister, sweeps the stairs, mops the hallway and kitchen floors, cleans the utility room and downstairs loo, then tackles a stack of ironing. Once done, he loiters expectantly waiting for Mrs Haverthwaite to give him the money he’s earned. Mrs Haverthwaite compliments his efforts today and says she’ll see him again on Friday. Too shy and polite to ask for the money he’s earned, Daniel leaves hoping he’ll be paid for both days on Friday.

Wednesday and Thursday is spent knocking on doors and getting them slammed in his face. He doesn’t mind the fact that most people don’t have any odd jobs to offer him but they could at least be polite about it. He’d expect to be told to something off on the Foundry Estate, but such foul rejections from residents in the posh Highgrove suburb take him by surprise each and every time.

Daniel returns to Mrs Haverthwaite’s house in Plushton on Friday morning and puts every effort into the list of chores he’s given. He tidies the bedroom, cleans the bathroom, vacuums the landing, sweeps the stairs, and is halfway through dusting the hallway when there’s a knock at the door. “Would you get that please Daniel?” Mrs Haverthwaite hollers from her study. He opens the door to a woman in her twenties, about Daniel’s height with an Eastern European accent. She abruptly asks who he is and Daniel says he’s doing a few odd-jobs, before glancing and gulping at the feather duster in his hand. The woman hands him a garment carrier, saying she’s returning it to Mrs Haverthwaite. “Oh I’ll fetch her… one moment,” Daniel says.

“There’s no need.” the woman abruptly says. “I’m returning what is hers.” She puts the carrier into Daniel’s hands, turns on her heel, and strode away.

“Err… bye then,” Daniel mutters as she marches down the drive.

“Who was it?” Mrs Haverthwaite asked. Daniel described a woman about his own height and build with dark hair and a European accent. “Oh… that’ll be Jolanta.” Mrs Haverthwaite frowned.

“I did try to fetch you but she just gave me this and walked away,” Daniel said, holding the plastic garment bag. “She said it belongs to you.”

Mrs Haverthwaite took the bag, unzipped it, and sighed. “Jolanta was my cleaner but she left because she thinks I accused her of stealing.”

“Did she steal from you?” Daniel asked.

“I’d like to believe she didn’t but I’d mentioned a misplaced ring to her and she instantly got defensive and a moment later she’d quit.” Mrs Haverthwaite sighed and paused. “It didn’t cross my mind that she might have taken it… but her reaction when I asked if she’d seen it… well… I can’t help but wonder.”

“I see,” Daniel replied.

“This is her housekeeping uniform which I presume means she definitely won’t be returning.” Mrs Haverthwaite said. “But on the upside, you do have a more permanent position here Daniel.” she smiled.

“Thank you,” Daniel said. “I’d best get on,” he added as he reached up to a high shelf with the feather duster. After dusting, Daniel mops and dries the hallway floor before tending to the large sitting room, then cleaning the downstairs loo, kitchen, and utility room. Mrs Haverthwaite pays him sixty pounds in cash which is graciously received.