The New Maid

Chapter 3

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of the Downton Abbey series. Also, I apologize in advance for any typos or grammatical errors. I just write this story for fun. I hope you will enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoy writing it!

_________________________

At 6 o'clock Katherine woke up. She dressed herself and went upstairs, to her ladyship's dressing room, to pick out the dresses, shoes, jewellery and accessories for that day. She chose several dresses, for the morning time, luncheon, teatime and dinner. She then took the dresses and shoes from the day before and took them downstairs to clean them.

At around 8 o'clock her ladyship awoke and Katherine brought her breakfast. Tea, milk, toast and jam were served in very elegant china on a mahogany tray.

"Thank you, Turner." Lady Grantham said as she received the breakfast tray.

"I also got you the Daily Sketch, Milady." Katherine said as she laid it on the bedside table.

"Thank you very much. Are you enjoying your time here so far?" she asked

"I certainly do, Milady."

"I am glad to hear." She said and smiled at her. "You may go now."

Katherine simply nodded and went downstairs again. It was around half past 8 when she could have her own breakfast. Because of the various times the servants start working, breakfast wasn't always hold with the whole staff together. For example, Mr Carson had already had breakfast earlier this morning and was now serving the family's breakfast upstairs.

"Good morning." She said as she walked into the servants' hall.

"Morning." Jimmy said as he put down his cup of tea and gave her a smile.

She sat down opposite him, next to Mr Barrow.

"You must ne hungry, Miss Turner." He said as he looked at her.

"What makes you think so?" She asked as she grabbed a slice of toast.

"Since you couldn't finish dinner last night." He said and drank some of his tea.

"Thomas, really, stop teasing her like that." Jimmy said.

"He is quite right, really." Katherine answered. "Thank you, Daisy." She said to the kitchen maid as she poured her a cup of tea.

"So, what are you up to today?" Thomas asked.

"I need to go into the village today, to collect some of the fabrics for her ladyship that she ordered." Katherine answered.

"Oh, I will come with you then." Jimmy said. "I need to collect his lordship's shoes."

"That's very nice." Katherine answered and smiled.

"Mr Barrow," Alfred said as he appeared in the doorway. "You are required upstairs."

He quickly drunk the last bit of his tea and followed Alfred upstairs.

"What time are you planning on going into the village?" Jimmy asked her.

"I think just after lunch time. I need to change her ladyship soon, then I will start cleaning her clothes, change her for luncheon and then we can go into the village quickly. I have to make sure to be back in time for tea."

"We can manage that." Jimmy said. "Now if you will excuse me, I still need to polish some silver." He seemed rather annoyed by the thought of it. "Piles and piles of silverware.." he said and sighed.