“No, Cook. It’s just me, Brigitte.” Tall, green eyed and lovely, she ordinarily burst through the back door, whipped off her helmet and looked for something sweet to eat. Today, her voice was quiet and strained. Even her motorcycle seemed to be quieter.
“Brigitte! I didn’t hear you drive up on that motorcycle of yours. How lovely to see you. Where have you been? Come, the coffee’s just finished dripping and I was just about to set down with my tea. Have you had breakfast? Miss Em will be down in a few minutes.” While she talked, she had set places for Brigitte and Miss Em. Brigitte had little to do but pour herself some coffee and stay out of Cook’s way. She wasn’t feeling very sociable but she loved Cook. What she had to discuss with Miss Em had coloured her mood. Her sleep had been off for the last week. Maybe it would be good to sit with Cook before she talked with her boss. She didn’t know she was coming so having breakfast together may be a good way to start.
~~~~~
When Emelina read Brigitte’s email, she knew that something was up. It was short and terse, asking only for a meeting. She didn’t say she was coming in to work, just wanted a meeting. Emelina was up a bit earlier on the scheduled day, having another meeting in town with the accountant later that morning. Mr. Winston had contacted her about his final updated drafts of the documents Emelina had requested. Hoping her meeting with Brigitte wouldn’t take long, she went downstairs ready to go to town as soon as she was done.
“Good morning, Cook.”…… “Oh…Brigitte..you’re here already.” Seeing her, head down, at the table, Emelina was suddenly uncomfortable. “Are you all right?”
Cook caught the tension in the room. “Breakfast’s ready, ladies. You know my rules…no business talk at the table - especially the breakfast table.” The tension in the room eased only slightly out of respect and caring for Cook. Cook - always ready with firm but kind words and something to eat. She served up bacon and scrambled eggs, toast from her home-baked bread, fresh tomatoes from the garden and a jar of apple jelly.
“Good morning, Miss Emelina.” Brigitte smiled uneasily “I just about called you Mrs. Beaufort but you’re Mrs. Crawford now.” She helped herself to breakfast and ate silently, only glancing up occasionally if she was spoken to.
“This is silly, Brigitte. Whatever is wrong?” Emelina had finished her breakfast and was watching the young woman she’d known for almost five years. Her caretaker for most of those years when she was grieving and totally lost. Losing Michael had been devastating for her. Finding the new relationship with Jeremy had been a surprise and a blessing. When the pandemic forced she and her sister Dez together, and all the staff had been lost to her, Emelina woke up to such a different life. When Brigitte had returned after weeks away, there was no longer any need for a caretaker. Emelina was so grateful that Brigitte was interested and excited when her job changed to one of Personal Assistant. Which made this meeting even more awkward. Brigitte’s sad demeanour suggested that she wouldn’t like what Brigitte had to say.
“Can we walk, Miss Em? I don’t want to sit in an office or even upstairs in the living room. We can have privacy out there. If we walk the far side of the track, even Samuel wouldn’t hear our conversation.” Emelina nodded at Cook and rose from the table, stacking their plates. “Just leave those, Miss Em. I’ll take care of it.”
“Let’s go, Brigitte. You do look like you need some fresh air. Are you sure you’re all right? Here’s a tissue.” Brigitte had tried desperately not to cry, but her eyes had their own ideas, tears bubbling at the edges of her eyelids.
~~~~~
The two women were silent until they reached the track. Brigitte could hold it in no longer. “Miss Em. I am so sorry. I will be leaving you and the Estate.” Her tears flowed fast. “Oh, Brigitte. Why? Is there not enough work for you out here? Your care and your patience got me through so much. And then this last many months, helping me become almost a real business woman……….. I just don’t know what to say.” Emelina was stunned. “Miss Em, I’ll still be here for another month. School doesn’t start until September.” Seeing her employer so shaken by her news, Brigitte’s tears immediately dried up. “You’re going to school?” Emelina sounded dazed.
“Yes, Miss. Being your Personal Assistant was so interesting - the business part of it. I’ve decided that I’m still pretty young, I’ve already done a lot of travel and my years out here have been fantastic. I’ll miss all of you.” Her words were stumbling over themselves, finally freed from the worries of the past weeks. “It’s only a Business Admin Degree and maybe I’ll be able to come back sometime and help you out….that’s if you would want me to.”
“Of course, I would want you to. I was just stunned with your news, but so glad for you. You can come back here whenever you want, even if it’s just for a visit.” Emelina was so relieved even though she would miss Brigitte terribly. She had often wondered why a woman so young would stay out on an Estate with a woman who treated her so terribly. Finally, she seemed to have found some direction. “Let’s take that walk.” She took Brigitte’s hand and the two women set out to walk the running track. “Tell me all about which school you’re going to, when it starts, do you need anything……..”
“There is love in holding and there is love in letting go.”
~ Elizabeth Berg, The Year of Pleasures
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