Chapter 2
The kitchen was huge. Abby felt a little out of place as she looked around at the shiny counters and spotless floors. Everything looked perfect, like something from a magazine. She spotted the list Mr. Edward had mentioned on the counter.
The tasks were written in neat handwriting:
1. Dust the living room and library.
2. Vacuum the rugs in the main hall.
3. Organize the pantry.
Abby nodded to herself. "Okay, let's do this," she whispered.
She started in the living room. It was massive, with tall windows that let in so much light and furniture that looked too expensive to sit on. She picked up a dusting cloth and got to work, moving carefully so she wouldn't break anything.
When she got to the bookshelves, she paused. There were rows and rows of books. Some looked old, with worn covers, while others were shiny and new. Abby ran her fingers over the spines, wondering if anyone had read all of them. She shook her head and kept cleaning.
Next was the library. It wasn't as big as the living room, but it still felt fancy. The shelves stretched to the ceiling, and the room smelled like polished wood and old paper. Abby dusted every corner, her arms starting to ache. By the time she finished, she was tired but proud of how clean everything looked.
After the library, she grabbed the vacuum for the main hall. The rugs were thick and soft, and it took a lot of effort to move the vacuum over them. She kept glancing around, half-expecting Mr. Edward to show up and inspect her work. But he didn't.
The last thing on the list was the pantry.
Abby opened the door and stared. The shelves were full—cans, jars, and boxes were stacked everywhere. It wasn't messy, but it wasn't organized either. Some things were out of place, and she could tell it hadn't been sorted in a while.
She rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She grouped the canned goods together, lined up the jars neatly, and moved the snacks to their own shelf. It was slow and careful work, but Abby didn't mind. She liked seeing it all come together.
Just as she was stepping back to admire her work, a voice made her jump.
"You must be the new girl."
Abby turned quickly to see an older woman standing in the doorway. She had gray hair tied back in a bun and a warm smile on her face.
"Yes," Abby said, her voice a little shaky. "I'm Abby."
The woman nodded. "I'm Mrs. Rose. I've been here a long time. Mr. Edward asked me to check on you."
Abby felt nervous but managed a small smile. "I'm almost done with the list," she said.
Mrs. Rose walked into the pantry and looked around. She gave a nod of approval. "You've done a good job," she said. "Not everyone gets it right on their first day."
"Thank you," Abby said, feeling a little relief.
"Mr. Edward likes things done properly," Mrs. Rose said. "He can be strict, but he's fair. Keep working hard, and you'll do fine here."
Abby nodded quickly. "I'll do my best."
Mrs. Rose smiled. "Good. Now, why don't you take a break? There's tea in the kitchen, and I baked cookies this morning. You've earned it."
Abby hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure? I don't mind doing more."
Mrs. Rose laughed softly. "Take a break, dear. There's still plenty of work tomorrow."
Abby followed her back into the kitchen, where a pot of tea and a plate of cookies were waiting. She poured herself a cup and took a cookie.
As she sat down and took a bite, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt like maybe, just maybe, she could really make this work.
After finishing her tea, Abby washed the cup and placed it carefully on the counter. The kitchen felt so quiet now, almost too quiet. She glanced at the clock—it wasn't even noon yet.
She looked at the list again. Living room, library, rugs, and pantry—all done. She sighed, feeling a little lighter. At least the first part of her day had gone okay.
Then she heard footsteps. Her heart skipped, and she quickly straightened up, folding the list in her hands.
Mr. Edward walked in. He looked the same as before—calm but serious. His sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on her.
"Did you finish everything?" he asked, his voice even.
"Yes, sir," Abby said, hoping she didn't sound nervous.
He walked over to the pantry and opened the door. Abby felt her stomach tighten as he looked over the shelves. He didn't say anything for a while, and the silence felt heavy.
Finally, he closed the door and gave a short nod. "Good work," he said simply.
"Thank you, sir," Abby said, letting out a quiet breath.
"There's more to learn," he continued. "Mrs. Rose will go over the routine with you tomorrow. For now, help her with dinner preparations."
"Yes, sir," Abby said quickly, eager to show she was ready to work.
Mr. Edward gave her one last look before walking out of the kitchen. His footsteps faded down the hall, leaving Abby standing there feeling a mix of relief and nerves.
A little while later, Mrs. Rose came back into the kitchen. She had an apron tied around her waist and was smiling warmly.
"Ready to help with dinner?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Abby replied, standing up straighter.
Mrs. Rose handed her a cutting board and a knife. "Start with the vegetables," she said. "We're making roasted chicken tonight."
Abby nodded and got to work. She wasn't great at cooking, but she could chop vegetables just fine. She focused on cutting them evenly, trying not to mess up.
As they worked, Mrs. Rose started chatting. "Dinner is always at seven," she said. "Mr. Edward likes things done on time. After dinner, we clean up the kitchen, and then you're free for the night."
Abby nodded, listening carefully. She didn't want to miss anything important.
"Do you like cooking?" Mrs. Rose asked after a moment.
"I don't mind it," Abby said honestly. "I haven't done much, but I'm okay with simple stuff."
Mrs. Rose chuckled. "That's all you need to know for now. Follow directions, and you'll be fine."
By the time the chicken was in the oven, the vegetables were ready, and the table was set, Abby felt a little more at ease. The kitchen smelled amazing, and everything looked neat and organized.
"You did well today," Mrs. Rose said, giving Abby a kind smile.
"Thank you," Abby replied, feeling shy but happy.
She wiped down the counters while Mrs. Rose put the finishing touches on the food. Abby couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. The day had been busy and a little overwhelming, but she'd gotten through it.
When everything was ready, Abby stepped back to look at the table. It was perfect—the plates, the silverware, everything in its place. She glanced at the clock. Dinner would be served soon, and her first day was almost over.
"You'll get the hang of things," Mrs. Rose said, untying her apron. "It might feel like a lot now, but it'll get easier."
Abby nodded. "I hope so," she said, smiling a little.
Mrs. Rose smiled back. "It will. You're off to a good start."
As Abby finished cleaning up, she let herself relax a little. Today had been better than she expected. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, she felt like she was in the right place.