On Sunday - Part 1

The next day was a Sunday and just like it was the routine for every family in the parish, we got up early for the church service.

I had missed the feeling associated with Sunday mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

The rush of every Sunday morning brought back nostalgia for my childhood. I was part-time happy and exhausted already because I knew it was going to be a long day of hellos, and the evenings, were the main point of weariness. Virtually every family in the parish would visit and expect a visit in return.

I had awoken earliest when I heard the bustle of the housekeeper and her maids. She was throwing instructions at them supervising both the early morning clean-up and cooking at the kitchen. I watched from my window as they went about in the compound and then proceeded downstairs to see how efficient they worked.

She stood strict in her authority as she directed them.

"It is not properly cleaned" She pointed at the spot on the hall's floors to the two girls brushing with their might.

"Yes, Mrs. Williams"

They took no liberty of looking up at her and went ahead to do as she said.

"Mrs Williams"

A head peeked out from the kitchen corridor. It was miss church.

She turned to her.

The porridge is done"

She nodded and took a look at the floors and the girls who were cleaning hastily with squeezed brows, she stated another order and turned towards the kitchen but, in the process, she caught me on the stairs.

She stopped and bowed in a good morning salute and I did the same, without another look she strode off.

The girls began to murmur the instant she left. They stood displeased with her.

"What kind of human is she? Must everything be perfect?"

"Be careful what you say," the other whispered. "You might get yourself fired"

She sighed. "But her behavior is completely outlandish, all she knows is the work not even a form of cordiality in her," she said as she got up with her bucket heading outside.

"Have you ever seen her smile before?"

The other chuckled. "Maybe only in our dreams."

It happened to be that not everyone was fond of her. I turned away back to my room to prepare.

Before 6:00 am I was down in the breakfast room, and thus the first person to arrive.

She stood with the maids ordering how to set everything.

"Welcome sir,"

I offered a nod taking a look at the table before I sat. The good smell of the meals wafted into my nostrils.

"Were you a professional culinarian before, Mrs Williams?"

She looked up from the plate she was arranging as she paused.

"No,"

She tore her eyes away ordering Miss church to get a cup nearer to a plate at the end.

"But I cooked a variety of food in the past to know much"

"Very well then,"

That was the end of our little chat before the others trooped in.

At 6:30 am, everyone was outside in their Sunday dresses marching to the carriages by the shade.

As it was Mama's strict rule, every servant of the household must attend church as well. So, the whole servants of the house had prepared.

There were three carriages in total at the compound.

Dennis, his children,(as he was not comfortable in leaving them at the house), mother, and aunt boarded the biggest and newest barouche, and the servants the other, Because I opted out. I was going with the horse that had been recently purchased.

I helped Mother and Aunt into the carriage and then stood holding the reigns of the horse watching as the servants boarded theirs.

Miss Curtis came after miss church walking delicately in the second-hand dress and fancy bonnet she must have bought in the downtown market. I was sure of it.

She bowed when she sighted me with a shy smile and a former nod I gave.

The poor young man, John, stood offering his hand to her but she was fixed looking elsewhere which was.… me. Unfortunately, she refused his hand when she saw it and tried to mount herself but regrettably, she slipped, and her beautiful dress ended up being torn by the end of the carriage.

The horror on her face was massive and she was in the beak of crying but she tried hard to comport herself. Poor thing. I looked away so as not to worsen it for her.

My eyes were at the door, where was she?

"What else are you waiting for son?" Aunt asked from the window.

"Isn't the steward coming?" I inquired.

"Oh that, unfortunately, she doesn't go with us," Mother answered.

My brows creased. "Why?"

"I can't say I know, but it's just her preference."

"And you're alright with it?"

I looked back at the house.

"Don't bother yourself Eugene, come to church." She said at last as they rode away.

Soon, the servant's carriage passed through as well.

I was tempted to go back and know what she could be doing alone in the house every Sunday, but I decided against it.

I mounted the equine and turned to look back at the manor. The curtain of the upper room was moving and it indicated Someone was peeking out of the window, the moment I turned the curtains drew close.

Strange.