Steam

Chapter 11

Tears stung his eyes as he sped off down to the kitchen. Pip kept his head down and moved briskly to avoid anyone. He was furious at Thomas. He felt Victoria's pain. Was he a complete and utter idiot? He had the love of the finest woman in London yet he showed no signs of care or adoration towards her! Though she had glared at him, Pip had seen the tears began to well up behind her eyelashes, and he assumed that was why she did not spare a second to slap him also, for fear of bursting in to tears right there.

He was so angry; his cheeks were wet now as he stormed through the empty corridors towards the kitchen. The tears blurred his vision and he stumbled a few times over lumps in the carpet. He could feel himself about to break down too. He burst through the kitchen doors, to the shock of the kitchen maid Jessica and the two house maids Rebecca and Amy. Jessica dropped a pan in shock and it clattered noisily on the concrete floor. She looked stunned, as did the other two.

"Pip? Are you alright?" She asked meekly.

She didn't receive an answer as he was already almost out the door to the rose gardens.

She glanced over at Amy and Rebecca, who looked equally concerned. They were folding washing on the other side of the room.

Jessica was a short, but beautiful fourteen-year-old with stunning long blonde hair that flowed right down her back. Her eyes were a brilliant blue and her smile sent tingles down the stable boy's spine. She was light-hearted and friendly, making friends with almost everyone. She was always full of bright ideas, and was ready to help whenever she was needed.

Amy was also small, but with shorter, mousy brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves. She was always smiling and giggling and never failed to cheer people up on even the worst of days. She was a laughing person, always joking around. Other than that, she loved to write. It didn't really matter what; stories, diary entries, recipes. Anything at all. When she wasn't working in the house, she could almost always be found in her room with her head stuck in her note book.

Finally, Rebecca was tall and broad shouldered , at fourteen she was womanly and caring, and reminded all the house staff of a doting mother. Her hair was striking blonde that complimented her blue eyes perfectly. She was warm hearted and was kind to all those she encountered. She always put others first and stuck by her friends loyally.

The three girls had been employed by Mr.Crowley three years before, when they were only ten years old, from a nearby workhouse. By some lucky twist of fate, the three of them had been best friends in the work house and then were employed to work together. They were all orphaned very young and grew up together in the harsh conditions of the workhouse. They were the perfect trio, and each complimented the others with what skills and personalities they had.

"D'ya think he's alright?" Jess asked the other two, as she leant over to pick up the pan and placed it gently back on the side.

Amy turned around, still folding a shirt. She was tired having been up early to start her work.

"I hope so. Poor thing looked terrible..." She paused, brushing her hair from her face, "Then thinking about it, did you hear the ruckus down in master Prescott's office? I think that it could'a been somethin' to do with that"

Rebecca and Jess nodded in agreement, not quite knowing what to say on the matter.

"I'd go out and see if he was okay, but I've got all this washing to finish for master Crowley by this evening. Oh I do hope he's alright. I've never seen him like that before.." Rebecca sighed, still folding in a meticulous manner.

"Tell you what, how 'bout, I go out and see him once I've finished these dishes, I've only got a few bits left. By the looks of it you two've got a fair bit left to do! Once I've seen him, I'll come and give you both a hand; you look like you could do with it!" Jess laughed, following the agreement of the other two.

They continued their jobs in silence, each wondering about Pip and what could possibly be the matter with him.