The Wards' Mystery

Chapter 5

Guests were a rare and often an unexpected sight at the Wards' manor. Their arrival was the only thing that could disturb its perfect order. Madam Brown's tasks escalated from demanding to plainly ridiculous. Maids were asked to sweep the clean floor, change the fresh flowers and clean their own chambers that guests would never see.

The casualties of this chaos were usually minor like bruised toes and broken glasses. This time however, the cook burned his right hand, and Madam Brown had to take most of the servants to the kitchen, leaving me and Jay to set the table. One of the tasks Jay could actually excel at. However, as soon as Madam Brown left the dining room, Jay threw herself on the closest chair and sighed so dramatically that Daina could not bring herself to disturb her. Still she could not help but feel a small satisfaction at Jay's misery.

"I have got some interesting news to share," Jay said.

Daina glanced at the doorway pondering how much time they had before Madam Brown checked on them. Knowing her, not too much.

"You were the only one lied to. Everyone knows that children have disappeared. The authorities know too. They just do not care. Not that I am surprised," Jay continued.

"So they are looking for them? But why all the lies then?" Daina asked with evident surprise. In any different situation the lack of honorifics would annoy Jay tremendously. This time, however, the exhaustion left no room for even the simplest of emotions.

"They did not want to worry you and, yes, they did look for them. The coachman and the gardener volunteered to ask about Milly in town. The pharmacist confirmed that Milly bought the mandrake pills for Mr. Ward and was on her way back to the manor." Jay took off her shoes and started massaging her feet. "Paul went to the pastures for Mr. Ward's horse and did not return. No wonder Madam Brown did not let you leave the manor." Jay's toes cracked loudly. She grumbled something incomprehensive, and wondered out loud if all Daina's days looked like this. Daina reassured that today's day was more of an exception and urged her to continue.

"After everyone retired to their chambers Ada was still cleaning the kitchen. And in the morning — puff." Jay opened her fist in front of her face. "Gone."

For a while the only sound in the room was the clatter of the plates against the table. Jay put her shoes back on and looked out of the window. There she saw a silhouette of a man afar off. The man was trimming the hedges by the main gate.

"Tell me what are your thoughts regarding the gardener?" Jay asked.

"Mr. Badcock? He seems nice. Made Ada a toy wooden horse," replied Daina.

"He started working here about the same time the disappearances started, did he not?"

"He did, but it might be just a coincidence. Now I'd really appreciate some help, m'lady. Madam Brown can be back any minute." There was an urgency in Daina's voice.

"Do not worry yourself so much, darling. Guests are always late. You have plenty of time," Jay said without taking her eyes off the gardener.

"Guests may be late, but the dinner may not." Daina turned to Jay with hands on her hips.

"You are doing a great job and I do not want to ruin it..." Jay finally turned away from the window, stretched her hands up and closed her eyes. But her rest was cut short.

"Daina, we need your help in the kitchen." Madam Brown's voice came from the corridor. Jay jumped up, reached for the closest glass and nearly dropped it to the floor. There seemed to be something akin to a triumphant grin on Daina's face, as she dashed out of the dining room. A thought that this child enjoyed her suffering lingered in Jay's mind for a brief moment.

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