Page 16 of Neighbors at War

'What’s happened?’ Helen asked as soon as the door closed behind the housekeeper.

Mrs Jeune grimaced. ‘Mrs Edwards has discovered that last evening one of the officers pushed a lit cigar into Lord Trent’s portrait and damaged it.’

Helen felt a pang of sadness. ‘No, but that’s such a beautiful painting. Why would they do that?’

‘I’ve no idea. What I do know is that there’s a right ruckus going on about it because no one has owned up yet.’ She glanced towards the door and lowered her voice. ‘Mrs Edwards is dreadfully upset. I think mostly because she feels responsible for keeping everything shipshape while her ladyship is away.’ She sighed heavily. ‘Her poor ladyship. She’ll be devastated when she sees what they’ve done.’

‘Rotten sods,’ Dulcie said.

Hearing the cursing, Mrs Jeune turned to her. ‘What are you doing eavesdropping when you should be working? And don’t dare use that language in my kitchen again, do you hear me?’

‘Sorry, Cook.’

Helen watched Dulcie skulk back to the scullery and took the opportunity to push Bobby’s pram out of the way. Having spent almost an hour playing in the gardens, he was now fast asleep and Helen hoped he’d stay that way for a while yet.’

‘Dratted girl,’ Cook mumbled. Then, turning to Helen, she said, ‘Better smarten yourself up. I’m told you’re needed in the dining room after all, and we don’t want to increase Mrs Edwards’ anger by you being late.’ She shot a look at Bobby. ‘I’ll watch over the little one.’

Helen had little choice but to comply. What other employers would allow her to bring her baby to work, after all?

‘Better go and put a brush through your hair and fetch a cap and clean apron.’

Helen ran from the kitchen to the side room to change into the correct outfit.

* * *

‘Who is this then?’ a fair-haired officer she hadn’t seen before asked when she carried the tray into the dining room.

Helen didn’t reply and willed her hands to stop shaking. She doubted she would ever get used to this part of her work.

The officer she had spoken to that morning stared at her, but Helen pretended not to notice, doing her best not to interact with them while still being respectful. It was a bit of a struggle. As she collected the crockery from the officers’ first course, she noticed two of them whispering. The younger one, who had commented on her when she walked in, reddened when she caught his eye.

Eager to leave the room, Helen quickly pushed in front of the other waitress and took the tray carrying the soup tureen and bowls from the dining room.

‘What’s the matter now?’ Mrs Jeune asked as she passed her on her way to the scullery. ‘If you’re worried about little un, there’s no need. He’s been as good as gold.’

Not wishing to be thought of as ungrateful, Helen shook her head. ‘I’m fine,’ she fibbed.

‘Good. Then hurry up and take this meat through.’

As Helen carried in the heavy joint of meat she recalled her conversation with Peggy. She needed to stop feeling frightened of these men and focus on finding out useful information for her friend. Feeling emboldened, she quickened her step towards the dining room.

Chapter Nine

PEGGY

A couple of days later, Peggy was working through her last few pages of dictation when there was a familiar knock on her office door. ‘Come in,’ she called, aware it was Tony. Losing her concentration, she misspelled a word. ‘Blast it.’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to distract you.’

‘It’s fine,’ she said, not wanting him to think it was his fault. ‘It’s good to see you.’

‘You seem out of sorts,’ he said, his head on one side. ‘Something troubling you?’

She explained about Helen not understanding German. ‘I don’t know why I ever assumed she might,’ Peggy admitted miserably. ‘Now I have a feeling I’ve made her feel inadequate in some way. I wish now I’d never said anything about her listening for snippets of information when she’s serving the officers.’

He frowned. ‘Could you teach her a few German words or phrases she can listen out for?’

‘Like what?’ she asked, intrigued.