Setting present day England:
I looked at the add in the paper one more time when I arrived at the house.
Looking for person with nursing and maid experience to care for 85 year old woman by the Name of Catharine Callow. Payment will be decided by work habits and qualifications. If interested call the number below
(555) 984-6699
I had already set up a meeting for the position. I looked at the address that I wrote down and checked the house. It was an old victorian style with a well groomed yard. I opened the gate and walked up the slender path to the front door. There was no door bell so I knocked lightly. I heard a scuffling noise and was soon greeted by a man who looked around my age. He was very pale and had silver eyes with flecks of red in them.
"I believe I talked to you on the phone." I said, remembering that I had actually spoken on the phone with a man when I was applying for the job.
"Yes, you must be Ms. Nightingale. Please come in." He ushered me in and I tried to keep my jaw from dropping to the ground. The house was enormous on the inside and I was in awe at how timely the furniture and inside was. I felt like I was brought back to the 1800's.
"Please follow me Ms. Nightingale." He walked down a long hallway until we reached a small door. He opened the door and I walked inside. Sitting at a small table in a wheel chair, was an elderly women.
"Please sit down." I walked over to a small chair adjacent from the women.
"Hello my name is Catherine Callow, I would prefer it if you called me Ms. Callow or Mam." I nodded.
"Yes Ms. Callow, my name is Eden Nightingale." I said, not trying to be timid.
"Well Ms. Nightingale what kind of training do you have?" She had a sweet voice, kind of like a grandmother.
"I worked at a hospital as a nurse, for a year. I have also had much experience tending to houses, my adopted mother would have me do all the house chores so that she didn't have to pay someone." I hated my adopted mother she only adopted me for the money that came along with me.
"So what happened to your family? If I may ask?" I had no problem talking about my past.
"When I was younger, around 10 years old, my parents and grandparents were all killed in a horrible car crash while they were driving home. I was left with all the inheritance being the only living relative in my family. When I turned 16 I used the money for college to study medicine. I loved working in the hospital, but it was all to busy for me. I prefer a quieter life. Away from the bustling city." She looked pleased with my answer and gave me a simple nod.
"And how old are you dear?"
"Well I skipped two grades in high school and went onto college when I was 16. I studied there for three years and then worked at the hospital for one year. I am turning 21 in about 2 months Mam."
"Well I believe I have heard enough. When can you start?" She said. I was very excited.
"Anytime Mam." I said in calm voice.
"Good, How about tomorrow?" I nodded and smiled politely at her.
"Gracen please grab Ms. Nightingale's uniform." She said looking at the young man.
"What relation is Gracen to you?" I asked.
"He is my son." She must have seen the look of shock on my face.
"All will be explained Ms. Nightingale. But for now, what do you think of the uniform?" Gracen walked over and I studied the petite little maid uniform. It had elbow length sleeves with white frills at the end. Around the bodes were corset strings to tighten the top. The skirt was a modest below the knee hem.
"Very modest and humble mam. Preferably to my liking."
"I am glad." She smiled sweetly and nodded her head gently. "Gracen please show Ms. Nightingale where her room will be."
"Excuse me mam?" I had not expected a room.
"Why of course. Tomorrow I will have Gracen help you move your things here. I hope it is perfectly fine with you?"
"Of course I believe this is actually going to be a wonderful place to live. I will have my things ready by tomorrow." She nodded and Gracen escorted me out of the room. As we walked through the hallways he pointed out the various rooms. He said that if I ever needed anything, his room was up the stairs and was the second door to the left. We slowly ascended the stairs and he pointed to his room as we pasted it. The house was bigger than I had originally thought. When we reached the end of the hall he opened a door and I looked inside.
"This will be your room. I hope it is to your liking?" He said in a low mumble. I walked in the room, The first thing I noticed was the size. The room was enormous and had a bed placed off to the side. There was a fire place with a small seating area. I walked over to the closet. It was a walk in closet with more space than I needed. I would not complain though, I mean who could. I looked on a few hangers and discovered several more uniforms, exactly like the one in my hands. After getting a look at the closet I walked to the bathroom. There was a large counter with a gold sink. The entire room looked like it was of gold and marble. There was large shower and a tub off to the left.
When Gracen finished showing me the rest of the home he escorted me to the door.
"Thank you very much for this job." I said politely and he waved me a-due.
I was ready for this new chapter in my life. I was excited.
