|
Selena rang the bell of the big
Manor House and waited patiently. After a moment, the door opened and she was
ushered inside by a thin tall man with a severe countenance. He took her to a
small sitting room saying in mild tones which belied his appearance - "Do take a
seat miss. I will let my lady know of your arrival." Selena sat down on one of
the easy chairs placed near the window overlooking the garden. She noticed that
the room though being small and square in shape was tastefully furnished. The
curtains, carpet and upholstery were all in light shades of pink and blue. The
round table in the middle of the room has a big bowl of pink and white roses.
Just then the door opened and he
same man asked her to follow him. She was led to an impressive drawing room
where Lady Augusta sat on an armchair. She was dressed in formal clothes and her
small beady eyes surveyed Selena thoroughly. "Thank you Brett. Come in dear. Sit
near me and tell me all about you." Selena came and sat near her and said "Well,
my lady, my parents died recently in a car accident and our home was mortgaged.
Since I could not afford to keep it, I've sold it and am staying at the 'Jolly
Inn' for the present. Since we were a middle class family, I do not have much
bank balance and am just a graduate. I have no relatives whatsoever and so have
decided to work for my living. I saw your ad in the local paper that you were
looking for a paid, live-in companion, I thought of meeting you. I do not have
any references as I have never worked before, but am willing to do whatever I
can."
Lady Augusta listened to Selena
solemnly saying at the end "Well my dear, you look like a good enough girl.
Since I live alone I just want someone with me as a live-in companion who can
keep me entertained in my old age by reading the daily newspaper, magazines and
novels, looking after my personal mail, answering letters and so on and so
forth. You can stay in the manor in one of the bedrooms near mine. Your salary
won't be much but you will get special treats and gifts throughout the year on
special days. If you want you can take a day off every week to rest, relax or
spend time with your friends. Any other day of the week if there is something
special lined up for you, you may ask my permission to go out or do whatever you
want to do." "Thank you Lady Augusta. Do you want me to shift here today?" "Yes
go and get your things from the inn. I'll ask Brett to drive you there after we
have had a cup of tea." Lady Augusta rang the bell kept on a side table next to
her chair and almost immediately Brett arrived. "You wanted me my lady?" "Yes
Brett, please ask Betty to get us some tea and then you can take Miss Anderson
to the Jolly Inn to get her things. She will be staying at the Manor as my
companion." "Very good my lady. Welcome Miss Anderson to the Manor." He smiled
at her brilliantly which softened his severe features and made Selena feel good
about herself.
|
|
Selena had had a wonderful life
with her loving parents. Though they did not have all the luxuries of life, they
had the more important things like love, loyalty and generosity. Her father had
been a noted writer whose earnings were not always up to the mark but neither
Selena nor her mother ever felt they were in need of the best things money could
buy. Her mother supplemented the household budget by stitching clothes for the
ladies living nearby. She used to make lovely simple skirts, tops, blouses as
well as nighties and maxies.
Selena was quite happy staying
with her parents and helping out in the household chores. Suddenly one fine day,
her parents had gone to the market, never to come back to their only daughter.
Selena had been stricken with grief but was thankful that her father's lawyer
Mr. Simmons had helped in sorting out the legal matters. The small house with
all the furniture had been sold and whatever came out of the deal was kept in
the bank as Selena's only major saving. There wasn't much in her parents joint
account which was handed over to her since she was the nominee and Selena
herself had saved up some cash from odd jobs done for neighbours during her
growing up years as well as from her regular pocket money.
|
Selena settled down at the Manor
quite comfortably. She was allotted a medium sized room with an attached bath
and a small closed balcony. Selena made this into her own private sitting room
where she could sit and relax while doing some mending of clothes when required
or read a book. She also loved doing embroidery and currently was making a bed
spread with embroidered scenery. There were 2 easy chairs with blue cushions and
a small Coffee Table in the balcony.
Brett got all her 5 bags to her
room. There was a big trunk too which had a few of her parents knick - knacks
and other small decoration pieces as well as Selena's few teddy bears and dolls
of her childhood Birthday gifts. She had also brought the framed photographs
from her old house as well as her father's book for keepsakes. Clothes, shoes
etc which belonged to her parents, Selena had given away in Charity. Her mother
had made 2 chocolate cakes which she had collected from the fridge and together
with it cookies, biscuits and muffins made lovingly by her mother and stocked in
the larder for her darling daughter's sweet tooth also had pride of place in the
trunk.
Selena had also kept a few useful
utensils from the kitchen as well as the expensive China and the few pieces of
Silver. Some jewellery belonging to her mother were kept in a trinket box which
Selena decided to wear on special occasions. "You can rest tonight miss.
Tomorrow my wife Betty will help you unpack and settle down. Freshen up and come
downstairs to the drawing room. Dinner is at 8:30." "Thankyou Brett, I'll do
that" smiled Selena as he closed the door behind him.
Selena thanked God for providing
a roof over her head and vowed to make the best of things. She missed her
previous life very badly but believed that life had to go on. She knew she would
be happy at the Manor and kept busy so that she won't have time to grieve over
her sudden loss too much.
Dinner was eaten in the dining
room waited upon by Brett himself. Lady Augusta was dressed for dinner in her
silks and Chiffon and Selena had changed from her formal jacket and skirt to a
long printed cotton frock. There was Mushroom Soup, Chicken a-la Kiev, and
Caramel Custard. Everything was very tasty and Selena ate with relish. After
coffee in the drawing room, served by Betty, Lady Augusta asked her to read the
Charles Dickens book lying near her, if Selena was not too tired. "No my lady, I
am not at all tired and its always a pleasure to read a good book." After a few
chapters, both the ladies decided to retire for the night. "You can spend the
morning settling your luggage Selena after you have had breakfast with me in the
patio. Come down at 8 o'clock" "Good night my lady," smiled Selena and left the
room. She was quite tired by now. She lay down on her comfortable bed and
started thinking of all that had happened in the last few days. After about 10
minutes, she fell into a deep peaceful sleep.
Next morning Selena went to the
patio where Betty had already laid the breakfast table. They had cornflakes,
eggs and toast, juice and coffee. The whole morning went in unpacking and with
Betty's help most of her belongings were stored in the two big cupboards drawers
in the cabinet, a bookshelf and a small almirah with a lock and key where Selena
kept her jewelry and silver. "Thanks Betty, you have been such a gem I couldn't
have settled half of my belongings by myself. You are so kind." "It's a pleasure
to have you in the Manor miss and if you need anything you just have to ask me,"
smiled Betty as she kept the last of the photo frame on the dressing table.
By now it was time for lunch
which was eaten in the drawing room. "Were you able to unpack and settle your
things Selena?" asked her ladyship after lunch. "Yes my lady, I've done most of
it. Betty was a real help." "Good you will be able to settle down in a few days
and I hope you will be happy while you are here." "I'm quite sure I will thank
you."
Selena's Legacy Continued - Part 2
Contributing Story
Teller::
Amita
enjoys writing about her
experiences as well as short stories for children and poems. Contact her at :
amita17149@hotmail.com
For more
short
stories, visit Content Writing
Services India
Liked this short story? Share your comments -
info@writershideout.net |
