Ten Years Ago

Chapter 10 : The Ex-Maid

Incredible as ever . But this one had gained fame - had succeeded . She was a maid in her twenties - and suddenly after the tragedy she found her inner talent and became a painter . Painters are very common , but Wendy O'Sullivan was an artist . Artists are rare . She was pretty - just like her art .
'Gaining fame is such an amazing thing , isn't it , Miss O'Sullivan ?'said Lavingham .
'Yes . I found it very amazing . Life is such an intriguing thing , Miss Lavingham . Sometimes confusing , but we never know what will will really happen . It's odd , but surprising .'
'True .'
'Well , I was a maid who was of lower class and unnoticed . It's what I didn't really want . It was so unfair that Miss Lucinda had to die . She was an amazing woman , Miss Lucinda . Very pretty . They were a good looking family , especially Julian . He was younger than me , yet looked older . More of like , I looked younger . I was twenty one .'
'Hmm . Do tell me from the start .'
'Well , it was lovely early morning. But the later part was a total fuss . The family was arguing then , about the little one , Sarah . Miss Lucinda wanted to send her away - the Whittekars contradicted. It was rather odd . I was cleaning the windows then so I went out of the room , you know , to keep their privacy . I can't remember what they said exactly - but I think you know .
Well , then I went over to clean the windows from the other side of the house . I accidentally heard Mr.Julian talking to someone - I think that might've been his friend, Vanessa. I shouldn't have overheard - but I couldn't help it . You see , he was saying something against the Whittekars. That they were up to something. That they wanted money from Lucinda - to pay for their debts .'
Well , this piece of information was new .
'Lucinda suspected the Whittekars? But Vanessa Tucker told me that he barely told her anything!'
'Well, she might've lied . Because I only paid attention to the conversation because I heard the name of the Whittekars. They were their foster parents, after all . So it was queer . Then I thought it wasn't ethical to overhear people's conversations and steal their privacy . The voice was quite faint , I think they were talking outside the window, I was hearing their voice from the other one . I hid myself so that they wouldn't see me , and I saw Miss Tucker running away . She looked scared .
Then I saw Mr.Julian coming out of his room and going into the living room . He joined their argument. This man loved quarreling, very unlike most men . He somewhat enjoyed it . I didn't want to hear the argument , so I went to the verandah where no one was there . I took a deep breath and again entered the house . Well , I went back to cleaning the windows . The quarrel was over . I saw Miss Lucinda go back into her room in frustration . Mr.Julian almost followed her, but she closed the door . I actually got caught . He saw me . I pretended to get back to my work . I remember giving him a piteous look . I meant I pitied him . He didn't make any face . It was an odd circumstance for me . But he came near me and whispered "You have to get out of here . It's not safe ." and just went away . I didn't get a chance to say anything . He didn't want me to say anything . I was stunned .
'Then in the afternoon I saw Mrs.Whittekar bring tea to Miss Lucinda . I somewhat like wandering around houses - I had worked there for about two years . I never really had any family , you see . I had to work for a living , hadn't I ? It was hard those days . Later on I came to know of my talent . Went to a gallery and spotted a mistake in a great art . Gained fame . Queer , isn't it ?
Well , then at around one I served lunch . Miss Lucinda didn't come - she was quite busy . After that I think I saw someone else enter her room - oh , yes ! It was Mr.Whittekar ! I didn't care to hear what he was telling Miss Lucinda . Then at around half past two Miss Thompson ( she was the cook) asked me to deliver lunch to Miss Lucinda. I did so . When I went in she wasn't really doing any paper work , but sitting in frustration, I think . It's so amazing! I'm remembering all that happened on one day - ten years ago ! Brilliant! It's our vague memories - they do come back if you want them to .'
'Yes , indeed . You can remember anything when you're willing to do so .'
'Uh-huh . Well , then , I went out of her room . And we'll , I heard a sound at round half past five - and we discovered the body . I saw Mr.Julian with Miss Lucinda's dead body and screamed . He looked just plain. No emotion. It was so odd of him .And then the police were called . The doctor. They questioned me - where I was and that's all . I didn't really tell them the lot I told you . That I overheard Mr.Julian and his friend- that he told me to get out of the house . Not what I heard . I immediately left the job . I couldn't work there anymore - well, Julian warned me .'
'I perceive that you were recognized with a changed name - you call yourself now as Wendeline O'Sullivan, and then no one knew your surname - if was just Wendy .'
'True , Miss Lavingham. But my personality didn't change . I'm changed by appearance but not the interior part .'
'I see . I'm much obliged , Miss O'Sullivan.'
The artist chuckled .