The Hunt for Jack the Ripper (The Phantomhive Diaries #1)

4. Sebastian Michaelis

Everything was ruined. The young master was going to be displeased if he found out Baldroy burnt tonight's dinner. And destroyed the kitchen yet again. If I didn't fix this right away, everything would be ruined. I would have to act quickly. So much to do with so little time. I had not even begun trimming down the weeds from the garden or even finished cleaning the dining room.

Sebastian handed Baldroy a broomstick. The least he could do was clean up after himself.

"While I figure out how to get dinner ready before our guest arrives, you're going to clean up all of this mess," Sebastian said harshly. "Understood?"

"Okay, okay," Baldroy said as he rubbed his head where Sebastian struck him many times. "I said I was sorry."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. Like I haven't heard that before.

Niall was still standing there dumbfounded. "How can a cook burn an entire kitchen? Aren't cooks supposed to be professionals?"

"Perhaps you should return to work, Niall," I told him. "Your boss wouldn't be happy to hear that you're still here and not making other deliveries."

Niall nodded in agreement. "Right. See you tomorrow with the morning paper then?"

"Hopefully, you'll be on time this time. But that would be asking too much. Now, go on, off you go."

The boy nodded once more before leaving the mansion.

Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed in frustration. "What am I to do now?"

At that very moment, Tanaka wheeled his way into the kitchen. When he saw the mess, his face fell into a mix of shock and disappointment. Shocked, but at the same time not surprised Baldroy would do this.

"Let me guess, he used a flamethrower," the old man said.

"Unfortunately, yes," Sebastian said.

"I said I was sorry," Baldroy kept repeating.

Tanaka sighed. "Such a shame. I was hoping to make myself some tea if I'm going to swallow that disgusting medicine the doctors gave me."

"Ah, yes, of course. I almost forgot," Sebastian said, "The most important part of the day. Making sure you are taken care of, just as the master ordered."

"As if I can't do it myself," Tanaka muttered.

Sebastian went to the cupboards to retrieve Tanaka's teacup. He knew the young master was never going to let him live it down if Tanaka didn't take his pain medication every six hours or so. Sebastian took out Tanaka's favourite green yunomi teacup.

"Honestly, Baldroy," Sebastian said with a sigh. "Why can't you behave like -."

Sebastian paused for a moment and stared at Tanaka's teacup. An idea suddenly occurred to him. But he might need Tanaka's help for this one. He knew it might be asking too much from the old man but at this rate, he didn't have much of a choice.

He looked towards the old man. "Tanaka, if it's not too much to ask, how did you receive guests when resources are scarce?"

Tanaka could only smile. "Oh I'd thought you'd never ask. First we'll need whatever meat we have in cold storage. Then, we'll need rice, onions and green garnish."

Sebastian nodded. "Right. You can help Baldroy prepare tonight's dinner. If he follows the instructions exactly," he said this while glaring at Baldroy. The cook could only look at him with wide eyes.

"Finally," Tanaka sighed in relief. "I was getting bored doing nothing all morning."

"Very well," Sebastian said and placed his hands on his hips. "Now that just leaves the garden. We can always turn it into a Japanese rock garden for the time being until we get a groundskeeper. But I may need some help..." He thought for a moment and then sighed. I'm an idiot. "I'll go get Niall." He then left the kitchen to chase after the delivery boy before he could leave. "Niall, get back here!"