Ruined

First Looks

( Hey, sorry this chapter is dialogue-y and informational - I know some people don't like that sort of thing but it's needed. I've always been the weirdo who likes it, but I promise I'll get to the juicy bit soon ;) )

Eleanor's grey eyes moved between the cook and the maid, as if she were watching a particularly confusing tennis match. 

Eva suddenly snapped to attention, as if waking from a dream. 

"Come, Eleanor. Let me show you your room - you're sharing it with me,"

Eva made no mention of what the cook had said, so neither did Eleanor. She simply stood and followed her to the end of the dining room. 

On the left, was a doorway leading into what she guessed was the common room that Miss Pattison had referred to earlier. It had two armchairs in it, and a darned sofa that looked like it was taken from a downstairs room generations ago. There was a small table, and on it rested a deck of cards. Eleanor's Papa had taught her brother to play cards before, but she'd never quite grasped it. Was it common knowledge here? Would she look silly for not knowing how to play?

She dismissed the thoughts from her mind; how irrelevant they were! 

To the side of the sofa was a basket full of wool and knitting needles. She could also see the embroidering and sewing needles stuck in balls of cloth. That was more her expertise. 

Afternoon light flowed into the room via the large window on the wall.

It was all quite lovely. From the conversation she had overhead but twenty minutes ago, this was supposed to be the butler's private room. 

She was glad it wasn't. 

Opposite to the staircase leading into the servant's dining room were two others doors, stood but 6 feet apart. 

"The one on the left leads to the female quarters, the one on the right is for the men. Be sure to remember that. People in corridors belonging to the opposite gender are disgracefully dismissed," Eva said, the warning clear in her voice and on her face.

Through the correct door was a long,  dark corridor, lit only by a narrow window at the very end. The wooden floor was uncovered by any rug or carpet and the walls were gloomy. There were so many doors leading off from the hallway, it felt like a maze. Eva stopped at the first one to speak.

"Now, my lucky child, you have joined service at a very good time for us. We have just had these new bells installed, and they're marvellous. You pull a rope in one room and a bell rings in our dining room. Did you notice all those bells with the labels under them?"

She hadn't. 

"It's not really your job to respond to them though, it's Mary, Mr Johnston and Mrs Pickins more than anything. On some days, you may have to bring tea if it's requested, but you'll get the list of your duties soon. It's quite complicated, but it becomes second nature after a month of so. Do you understand so far or am I going too fast?"

"Chrystal clear, M- Eva. It's a hard habit to break, isn't it? This first name thing?"

"As before, you get used to it," Eva said, smiling.

Eleanor still thinks Eva looks even more beautiful with a smile on her lips. 

"This door we are outside of now leads to Mrs Pickins' study, where us chambermaids report every Saturday afternoon after lunch so she can check us - uniforms and the such. If there's any extra duties, they're sorted out then. You can also chat to her there if you're worried about anything - she's a good soul. She's very down-to-earth, so never normally asks us to serve her like a housekeeper would in other households, but if she's very busy, she'll ring the bell she has in her office, and it's going to be your job to report to her. Can you do that?"