I push myself upright, glancing around. It can’t be long after dawn. The kitchen looks pink in the early morning light, long shadows slowly retreating around us to reveal the wooden units, the giant aga cooker against the far wall. “Morning.”
Ellen purses her lips. “You can use the washroom to… freshen up. You have a busy day ahead.”
Right. Day one of… around seven thousand. Give or take.
I nod woodenly. I’m still aching as I scramble to my feet and make my way to the bathroom, Ellen’s eyes on my back. I wash up as best I can, swilling my mouth with water several times over before I take a breath and make my way back.
Ellen is pulling ingredients from the large refrigerator, stacking them up on the wooden counter. My stomach growls at all the food, and she glances at me. “I’m Ellen, in case you missed it last night. I’m the housekeeper. There’s also a maid, Clara, who you’ll meet tomorrow. She travels in for a few days each week to help out.”
I nod, standing awkwardly. “I’m Stasi.”
“I think the whole world knows who you are.” Ellen’s voice is a little shorter as she gestures me towards a tall stool. “Sit, and I’ll run through our routine.”
One wholehourlater, I’m trying to wrap my head around the sheer list of tasks I’m apparently expected to do, courtesy of Silas. “And this is… every day?”
Ellen nods. “You get a slightly different schedule on a Sunday.”
I stare down at the list Ellen hands me. Up at dawn. Stoking the fire, helping with breakfast. Then to cleaning. Floors, windows, light fittings, even door hinges. Bathrooms. Bedding. Washing. Day after day, the same thing. Even things that don’t need to be done every day.
And that doesn’t include thechickens.
I feel a little light-headed as I blink up at Ellen. “Do I… get to eat?”
The edge of her lip curls up, just a little. “Meals will be provided to you.”
Well, that’s a significant improvement.
Carefully, I fold up the list. Ellen taps her fingers on the counter. “Any questions?”
Slowly, I shake my head. “It all seems pretty self-explanatory. Where do I find the equipment?”
“I’ll show you.” Ellen regards me for a moment longer. “No questions at all?”
“Uh…,” I glance down. “The chains?”
My hope fades away when Ellen shakes her head. “Maybe in a day or two. They were very clear.”
I swallow. I bet they were.
Blowing out a breath, I nod. “Alright. Um. Would it be possible to have a toothbrush?”
Ellen looks startled. “You don’t have one?”
I spread my hands out ruefully. “Do I look like I have a toothbrush? Or a change of clothes? Anything at all? I came straight from a cell.”
Ellen glances at the state of my clothes. She grimaces. “I’m sure we can arrange something. I’ll speak to them. A toothbrush at least should be fine.”
They can’t argue with that, right? It’s not like I wouldn’t get a toothbrush in prison.
AndI’d get underwear.
I open my mouth to ask, but Ellen is already crossing to the steps. “Follow me, and we’ll get started.”
Sighing, I slide off the stool. I’ll ask later.
Ellen leads me through the house. The floors feel familiar beneath my feet, the same marks and scuffs embedded in the wood as there were ten years ago.
Memories. So many damn memories that my throat threatens to close up, and I have to push them away as Ellen pulls open a large cupboard. “You’ll find most of what you need in here. If there’s anything else, you can come and find me. I’ll get you when it’s time for breakfast. Start down here, and then you can go upstairs once everyone is up.”
