May 03, 2020: This post has been edited for typo's and some wording. This, and the previous episode, was to be a stand alone piece. Future episodes evolved when this writer created a sisterly bond between the characters from each piece. Please enjoy:
Deserted
Emelina was a stranger in a very strange land. It all looked the same, but felt very different. The wide expanse of green lawn. The gravelled driveway disappearing through two stately lines of trees. Emelina wondered at all the dust that hung in the air as though cars had passed over it far too quickly. Wandering back into her boudoir, she picked up the precious silver bell that her grandmother had passed on to her. Her face, waiting to be made up with creams and rouges, looked troubled. She passed her pearl handled brush over her hair, but would wait for her maid to come in and dress it properly. She rang her bell again. More vigorously and longer, calling out ‘Digby!’ All was silent as a tomb.
~~~~~
Digby, Emelina’s butler of thirty years had always been respectful and attentive to her every need. This was so unlike him. And where were her maids? She had appointments in the city with Important People. The chauffeur would be bringing the limousine around sharp at ten. Her dresser had not come in to help her with her clothes. Her hair was still unkempt ~ where was her hairstylist? The aroma of cook’s delicious toast was absent. And where was her morning tea!? Emelina was about to open the door of her bedroom when she saw a piece of paper on the floor at the door. Picking it up, she recognized Digby’s neat scroll. The envelope was addressed to Madame Beaufort. Curious, an emotion Emelina was not entirely familiar with, she opened the envelope. In an attempt to not damage her absolutely stunning nail polish, Emelina uttered a sharp cry! What was that? Is that blood? Instinctively her finger went into her mouth. Holding the envelope between her free fingers and thumb she pulled the note out with her other hand.
As Emelina read the note, her face drained of colour. A look of horror spread across her face. She walked slowly backwards from the door. Sitting with a very unladylike thump on an exquisite chair at her dressing table, she began to read. ‘Madame. It is with great disappointment that I tell you that I, and all other servants, will not be able to serve you for many weeks or months.We will all be returning to our various homes on the estate and will only be available by electronic means. We will not be returning until the city, provincial and federal dignitaries have deemed that it is safe to do so. The Invisible Menace is to be banished from the land before we can return.” Tears welled up in Emelina’s eyes. Removing her finger from her mouth, she picked up an embroidered linen handkerchief and dabbed her unmade-eyes She read on ‘This modest note will provide you with instructions for locating other instructions in the downstairs area of the house.’ Downstairs! Downstairs! How could this be? I haven’t even had my tea yet. Emelina was fuming. I can’t leave my room. I’m still in my dressing gown.
But there was nothing else for it. If Digby said all staff had left, then it must be true. But what if someone forced him to write this note and had kidnapped him. No, that can’t be. Rising from her chair, she returned to her bedroom door. Opened it just a crack. Listened. When she couldn’t hear anything she opened it wider. “Digby? Is anyone there?’ Silence. Emelina boldly stepped out in the hallway, her slippered feet matching the silence of her stately home. Sometime in the night someone had painted arrows on the floor, absolutely ruining the fabulous parquet. The arrows drew her onward till she found herself in a silent, empty kitchen. Small handwritten signs decorated the kitchen cupboards showing Emelina where the tea kettle and tea was. China and silver cutlery was set out on the long wooden table. The toaster, butter and, under cover, sliced bread sat beside each other. Ignoring the instructions (they were beginning to annoy her), she popped the bread in the toaster and set it to toast. Emelina’s demeanour changed. Pushing her hair back with both hands, she relaxed, surveyed the kitchen and made a plan. Curious, she dug through cupboards, the refrigerator and the freezer. As much food as possible had been prepared for her. Emelina actually laughed out loud and said : ‘Do these people think I don’t know my way around a kitchen? I guess not, after waiting on me for so long. They are such good people and really do care.’
~~~~
The End of the Story
Emelina went into Digby’s office and found his computer still on. Another sealed envelope revealed his password. She brought her casual clothes down to the Housekeepers room. Her plan? To take over the downstairs and find out what is going on in the world. She would contact Digby and the rest of the staff to thank them. She was still rather annoyed that they had deserted her, but not enough to be angry anymore. All her rusty kitchen skills from when she was young and foolish needed some real polish. Then she would call the Mayor and let him know their appointments (which were really dates) were cancelled. She would polish her computer skills as well. She’d learn about this Invisible Menace, as Digby called it, and see how she could help. Emelina sighed with satisfaction while she made herself a cup of tea.
“We are all dust passing through the air, the difference is,
some are flying high in the sky, while others are flying
low. But eventually, we all settle on the same ground.”
~ Anthony Liccione, poet
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