Page 24 of The Cottage at Brambleton Hall

‘Yes . . . Mm . . . We don’t question their decisions.’

Magnus sipped his tea. Valerie slipping into the role had not been his idea. She was useful – indispensable, even – as an assistant, but in his opinion, she was not housekeeper material. Besides, she came with complications. Unfortunate relations, as Sir called them. Particularly the nephew – someone neither of them discussed at length, but both understood well enough to keep away from the house.

Valerie took a sip of tea. ‘We’ve been managing perfectly well these last weeks . . .’

Magnus took out his pocket watch ‘Drink up Valerie, Miss Jenkins will be in shortly, we should be in the kitchen to meet her.’

They finished their tea in silence.

The back door slammed shut. Magnus tutted softly. Miss Jenkins – always in a rush.

She came in quickly, already jabbering as if it was her job to entertain the house. Miss Jenkins stopped when she saw them, then smiled.

‘Oh . . . hello! I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’m Sammy.’

She virtually jogged across the room, tossing her bag down on the counter, right hand extended.

Valerie moved just as quickly, picking up the bag and placing it on a chair.

‘Not there,’ Valerie said. ‘Food preparation surface. Hygiene.’

Miss Jenkins flushed but recovered it into a laugh. ‘Of course, sorry.’

Magnus set his cup down. ‘Miss Jenkins,’ he said, ‘this is Valerie Morgan. Valerie . . . Miss Jenkins.’

Sammy flashed that smile again, always eager this woman; he couldn’t fault her for effort.

‘Yes . . . sorry. I’m Miss Jenkins here. And you’re Valerie. Is it Val?’

‘No.’ Valerie turned back to the teapot. ‘Valerie.’

Miss Jenkins smiled again. ‘Right. Valerie. I’m so pleased to meet you. I hope we will be friends. I’m still finding my feet.’

Too keen, Magnus thought. There was a tendency to press forward when stillness would serve better. She would need to learn the house did not respond well to being hurried.

Valerie lifted the pot. ‘Another, Mr Magnus?’

‘Yes, please.’

Valerie poured, without looking up, and added a dash of milk.

Miss Jenkins remained standing, as though unsure whether to sit or move on. She started gushing again – questions about suppliers, timings – rattling out another before Valerie had finished answering the last.

It would settle. Valerie knew the work. Miss Jenkins would learn. There was no reason for friction if roles were clearly defined.

He took another sip, then let his gaze drift briefly, to the door. The cellar waited. Inventory long overdue.

Up here, things would sort themselves out.

Sammy tied an apron at her waist, fingers fumbling. She tugged the knot tight. Well, that could have gone better. Time to turn this around. Most people softened once they got to know her.

Magnus finished his tea. ‘Miss Jenkins,’ he said, rising, ‘Valerie will be your guide for today. I’ll be in the cellar if anyone needs me.’

He set the cup neatly back in its saucer.

‘Mr Magnus,’ Valerie said.

The door closed firmly behind him.