A Wise Child by Elizabeth Murphy

Author:Elizabeth Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788634786
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-04-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

When Nellie next visited Meg she was surprised to hear that Bobby was negotiating to exchange houses with an elderly couple who lived in a six-roomed house.

‘He heard about these people that wanted a similar house and he went to see them right away,’ Meg said. ‘I’ve been to see their house and it’s real nice, Nell. Three bedrooms, a kitchen, back kitchen and parlour and a big yard at the back with a shed.’

‘But won’t it be a lot more rent?’ Nellie said. ‘I thought you were settled here.’

‘We can manage the extra rent,’ Meg said. ‘Bob got narked about this lot next door complaining and he’s not as easy going as he used to be, you know, Nell.’

‘I’ve noticed that,’ Nellie exclaimed. ‘He never used to fall out with anyone and he’d always give way to people, but he’s changed.’

‘He’s gone a bit – a bit harder,’ Meg said. ‘Not in a bad way, Nell. Not with me, but he stands up for himself more now. Says what he thinks to the boss but they don’t seem to mind. Anyhow, he says he won’t put up with this lot next door and we’ll move somewhere.’

‘And do you think you’ll get this house?’ Nellie asked.

‘The people are coming to see this one tonight and if it suits them we’ll go to see the two landlords. I want to get it settled before the baby’s born, Nell. It’s in Masefield Street off Peel Road so we still won’t be far away from you.’

‘If there’s anything I can do, Meg, I will,’ Nellie promised. ‘You don’t want to be doing any lifting and packing. I can do anything like that for you.’

Only three weeks later everything had been arranged and true to her word Nellie went to help them to move.

The removal took place on one of the days when Nellie was due at Merton Road and she intended to ask the housekeeper for the morning off but the cook advised against it.

‘If you ask she’ll say no,’ she said. ‘I’ll tell her I’ve had a message that you’re not well but you hope to be in tomorrow. That’s the best way.’

Nellie agreed. She hated her job and only the fact that it meant she could save made her continue with it. Except for the cook the servants had changed several times since she started there.

‘Nobody’ll stop with this one but she knows better than to try anything on with me,’ the cook told Nellie. ‘The mistress would turn in her grave if she seen the way her house was run now. She was a lovely lady… The master just doesn’t care now since she died, as long as the house is kept decent.’

‘He doesn’t do no entertaining, does he?’ Nellie said.

‘No heart for it,’ the cook said. ‘This one’s trying to worm her way in but the day she gets her knees under his table is the day I leave. Not that she will. She’s only a servant as far as he’s concerned, for all her airs and graces.

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