Betsy Spalding had started work at Smallwood Hall when just thirteen years old as a tweeny maid; being an extremely hard worker and showing loyalty of the highest degree, it wasn't long before she became a valued member of the serving staff. Before coming to the Hall was a part of her life which she wanted to forget, the workhouse didn't provide the kind of memories anyone in their right mind would want to remember. Since then Smallwood Hall had become her home and the people in it her family. Oh, the things she could tell about how life had been here when she was a girl, like having to hide with your face to the wall if you happened to meet a member of the family whilst doing your work, and under no circumstances should you make eye contact with them; that could mean dismissal. Things had changed since Lord Smallwood had returned with his young bride following the death of his father. His mother had become a recluse and taken to her bed for several months, thereafter, Lady Margaret had taken an interest in the running of the house.
It was at this time that Lady Margaret had discovered that the Housekeeper had been helping herself to the home farm produce and had been selling it in the village. Needless to say, she was sent packing, without a reference which would make it hard for her to get another job of a similar nature, and Lady Margaret had asked Betsy to take on the role of Cook / Housekeeper.
Now, some twenty-five years later, Betsy was still here with only a quarter of the number of servants that originally helped run this place.
"Times are certainly changing," she thought to herself, "most of the servants now come in daily. Like young Jenny who started yesterday. Nice girl, I think she'll fit in just fine."
Jenny's second day was about to begin and she made her way across the yard towards to open kitchen door.
"Rosie! Take that bucket outside, right now, before somebody falls over it! What's wrong with you girl, have you no common sense?"
"Poor Rosie," thought Jenny to herself, "What's she done this time I wonder".
On entering the kitchen she found Rosie on the floor surrounded by water and cook holding a large copper cooking pot with Rosie's bucket blocking her path to the stove.
"Just in time Jenny, move that bucket will you? This pot is breaking my arms and if I don't put it down soon we'll all be swimming in carrots and onions as well as dirty water. I don't know why I put up with you Rosie!"
Jenny picked up the bucket. She knew why Betsy put up with Rosie, she was very fond of her really, in fact Betsy was one of the kindest people she had ever met. All right, so she was a bit formidable sometimes, well maybe a lot of the time, but she never expected anyone to do more than she did, just to keep pace with her was enough. "Problem was," thought Jenny, "Betsy was a workhorse which meant everyone else had to be also."
"Here Rosie, let me help you, we'll soon have this mess cleared up between us."
"Right," called Betsy, sleeves rolled up and hands on her ample hips, "in five minutes I want everybody in the servants hall. Mr Jameson will be along to speak to us about tomorrow. Rosie, go and fetch Elsie from the scullery will you please and be quick about it."
Rosie was off like a scalded cat and then back again within seconds. "Well! where is she?"
"Couldn't find her, she ain't in't scullery mum."
"What do you mean "she ain't in't scullery mum?" She'd better be or I'll want to know why." Betsy went along to the scullery herself this time and popped her head around the door. "Well, well, and what do you two think you're up to?"
Elsie looked down at her feet rather sheepishly.
"Get along to the Servant's Hall. Now! Not you young man, I want a word with you." Elsie ran off leaving the two of them alone.
"Billy," said Betsy in her most stern manner, "you know the rules in this house, the servants are not allowed to fraternise. I shall be informing Mr Jameson of your behaviour and it will be up to him to decide what should be done about you. In the meantime stay away from my kitchen staff"
"Come on Mrs Spalding, it was only one little kiss."
"Yes," snarled Betsy, "and we all know where that can lead, don't we? Now you go and tell Mr Jameson that we're waiting for him in the servant's hall. Go-on, move yourself boy."
Betsy returned to the servants hall and made straight for Elsie. "You should be more careful girl. I've told you before, keep away from that Billy, he's up to no good. You don't want to end up in the workhouse do you? You know what happened to Maggie and it'll happen to you too if you're not careful." Elsie looked down, chin on her chest, "I'm sorry mum, really I am."
"Well I'm sure Maggie's also feeling sorry - but it's a bit too late for that now - so you take heed young lady, is that clear?" "Yes, mum." "Good!"
Everyone was seated around the table waiting and Jenny whispered to Rosie, "What happened to Maggie then?"
"She got scarlet fever", said Rosie nodding her head and tapping her nose with her finger.
"Well she couldn't help that could she?"
"The scarlet fever she got was wearing a uniform. Couldn't leave them soldiers alone with their smart red tunics and shiny buttons couldn't our Maggie. In the end she left here in the family way and we ain't heard anythin' since. If she knows", indicating towards Betsy,"she ain't tellin' us."
When Mr Jameson arrived he took his place at the head of the table. Betsy, as was fitting to her station, sat to his right with the remaining servants, depending on their position in the "below stairs hierarchy", filling up the remaining seats, and at the lower end of the table sat Rosie and Jenny.
Mr Jameson started to speak. "Both Mrs Spalding and myself have called you together to inform you about the arrangements for tomorrow. As usual, extra staff will be brought up from the village to help out, but we will all have certain duties to carry out, and I can't stress how very important it is that you do exactly what is expected of you. Unfortunately, we have two upstairs maids ill at the moment and we can't risk them coming into contact with the guests, so tomorrow morning Jenny, you will help Mrs Spalding in the kitchen but after your own lunch I would like you to change into a maids uniform and help James with the guests as they start to arrive. Some are staying overnight, in which case you will show them to their rooms and along with James you will wait on them as and when required."
"Oh! but Mr Jameson, I don't ......"
"It was at the recommendation of her ladyship that I allow you to act - temporarily I might add - as an upstairs maid. I have to admit I have my doubts but her ladyship was adamant, so no arguments if you please."
"No sir", said Jenny, now quite flushed by the whole episode.
"The other upstairs maid - again temporary - is to be you Elsie. And Rosie, will you please keep out of sight girl, I don't want our guests tripping over you. Your job will be to make sure cook has everything she needs. Mrs Spalding will give the rest of you details for any other duties you may be called upon to carry out in addition to your usual ones." Then turning to Betsy, "I'll leave you now Mrs Spalding, unless there's anything else?"
"Yes, there is one thing Mr. Jameson, but I think it best if I speak to you privately," and they left the room together.
"Oh dear! It looks like she's tellin' him about Billy and Elsie."
Betsy returned and gave everyone instructions and they dispersed. Jenny started to unload all the copper cookware from the shelves on to a trolley, she had the job of cleaning and buffing until you could see your face in them. This would be followed by washing all the best china and putting it ready for Mr Jameson who would be taking personal responsibility for the silverware. The table tomorrow would be really spectacular.
"Rosie," called Betsy, "you can help Jenny today."
Jenny's heart missed a beat. She didn't think Rosie and china would mix very well somehow. Nevertheless, she decided she'd just have to keep her and the china apart.
"Come on Rosie, you can help me push these into the scullery and we'll make a start."
The rest of the day passed quickly and, thankfully for Jenny, without any breakages. Rosie was fast becoming attached to Jenny and began following her about like a devoted puppy, so much so that Jenny was quite relieved when it was time for her to go home.
She made her farewells and set off home across the yard and on towards Back Lane when a rather grand black coach made its way towards the front entrance where Lord Smallwood was waiting to greet it. Jenny stopped and watched from behind the hedge and saw a very stern elderly lady alight from the coach with the aid of an immaculately liveried footman. She was followed by a tall handsome man, "About fifty", thought Jenny. "My aren't they the grand ones? Must be very special guests to have his lordship meeting them personally like that."
Jenny didn't realise just how much impact these two people would have on the lives of two of the village inhabitants.