Raven

Raven

By

Bridgitte Lesley

Version 1

Published by

Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

Raven

Copyright © 2011 Bridgitte Lesley

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

* * * * *

Raven

* * * * *

CHAPTER 1

Pearl sat in the little cubicle sipping her coffee. She listened to the goings on in the little pub. Oh Tanya! Have you heard the news? Tanya scoffed. And he thinks a housekeeper is going to help. Those kids were never any good. Just like their father you know. Absolute washouts! Mary gasped. How can you talk about your own children like that! Mary. They are his. They are him through and through. I had his children. I carried them for nine months. But they were never mine. Kenneth has no manners. He never says a nice thing to me. Never says a thing. He greets when I get there. And greets when I leave. William is just like his father. Downright rude. And Amelia. Because she is the only girl in the family she thinks she can get away with murder. They might be mine but I do not like any of them. The less I see of them the better. I might pop in from time to time. But that is for a different reason. You can’t still be claiming alimony! Tanya looked at Mary. And why on earth not? Because you are earning a salary! It has absolutely nothing to do with you Mary. You were married for five years Tanya. You left them. How can you still claim something that is not rightfully yours? Four years. Four years too many. He pays. So what. That is wrong and you know it. Heard this story many times. Mary give it up as a bad job. I really don’t care.

Grace walked over. So Stewart might have a new housekeeper then. Tanya shook her head. He needs more than a housekeeper. He needs a nanny. That man will never get ahead. Never. I was the one that guided him. I was the one that told him what to do. Without me he is lost. They all looked at Tanya. Who told him to plant the grapes? Me. Who told him to get those chickens in? Me. Oh and what about the orange trees? Me. That man is going nowhere and he is getting there fast. And those kids will be the same. Absolute losers! Grace shook her head.

Anyhow. News has it that Stewart is looking for a housekeeper. And he may have found one. The agency is raving about her. And how would you know Grace? Because Stewart spoke to Kennedy. He said that the lady in question is very experienced. Tanya roared with laughter. Experienced! What? With a mop and bucket! No Tanya. Experienced in every aspect of running a household. From the groceries to the cleaning. Something that you are not good at! And would that be the groceries or the cleaning? Tanya you know jolly well you are useless when it comes to a budget. And cleaning? Did your home ever gleam? I am no one’s maid! You didn’t even change your little one’s nappy when it was dirty! Oh please!

Grace walked up to Pearl. Can I get you anything else Ma’am? A toasted chicken mayonnaise please. Grace smiled and nodded. Never seen you in here before. Are you moving in to town? I might. Still contemplating. Grace smiled. And what is the deciding factor? Pearl nodded. I would like to get a feel for the town. See if I will emjoy small town living. Well. I love it. Sure everyone likes to know the business of everyone else. And if you can live with that then you will be okay. Pearl nodded. I guess it would take some getting used to. Grace smiled and nodded. The people in this town are really nice. Well there are a few that are a little. Uhm. Odd. Pearl smiled and nodded. I will get that sandwich for you. Thank you.

Tanya looked over. And who is that then? Mary shook her head. I don’t know. But she is beautiful. Look at her hair. Isn’t it gorgeous. Yes if you go in for the Indian kind of look. A plait down to your arse and no makeup. And the fake tan. I guess she got lost between here and her teepee.

Pearl took a deep breath. She got up slowly and walked over to where Tanya was sitting. She leaned across the table and looked in Tanya’s eyes. I have had about enough of you than I can take. My tan sweetheart. Is not fake. My hair sweetheart. Is natural and it is mine. One more little jibe out of you and I will take my hunting knife out and I will use it in the most artistic Indian way ever. Do you get my drift? Tanya stared. Mary looked away. Mouth full of teeth. Now listen nicely sweetheart. You open your mouth one more time and say anything about me and I will get really artistic! In an Indian sort of way. You can be my guineau pig! Got it sweetheart? I. I. Is that a yes or a no sweetheart? Because I does not work for me. Yes Ma’am. Pearl straightened up and nodded. We have an understanding then. Read a little of the Indian history and you will realize that the Indians love to scalp the whities. Tanya nodded and looked at Pearl with huge eyes. Yes Ma’am. Let me put you at ease though. I am not Indian. My bottom, my dear, is not an arse either. Not every word has to contain four letters now does it? No Ma’am. Pearl nodded.

Pearl walked back to her cubicle and sat down. It was suddenly quiet. She picked up her glass of wine. She heard the laughter and smiled to herself. Mary chuckled. Well that will serve you right. Oh shut up Mary! Takes a stranger to put you in your place. Tanya scoffed. Oh people who pass through think they can mouth it off. And she thinks I am scared. Grace walked over. Oh you might like to know. The young lady in question might be settling. Here? Grace nodded. Oh! Mary smiled and looked at Grace.

Grace walked over with the toasted sandwich and the huge portion of chips. Thank you Ma’am. Grace. Pearl smiled and nodded. She spoke quietly. I am so sorry. Grace leaned forward and whispered. About time someone put that in its place. She had it coming. Pearl smiled and nodded. And the portion of chips? Because I like your face. Your tan. And your hair. And so right about the bottom. I prefer the word bottom. Pearl grimaced. Did I go too far? Oh keep it up sweetheart! I like you! Pearl roared with laughter. Grace smiled as she walked off.

Tanya got up. Good night everyone. See you tomorrow. Pearl cut her toasted sandwich with her knife and fork. Tanya stopped at her cubicle. Walk on by sweetheart. Walk on by. Tanya walked off without saying a word. Pearl’s cell phone rang out and she got up and walked outside. Scott. Miss Scott? Yes? We have confirmation. Mister Bass has agreed to the terms that you have set out. He has agreed to your salary as well. Accommodation? Yes. The little cottage is available for your use. And I start when? He has asked that you start as soon as you can. I am in town. I can start tomorrow if need be. Please advise him that I will be starting on Monday. Yes Ma’am. Thank you. She cut the call and walked back inside.

Pearl sat down and carried on eating. Grace walked over and smiled. So. How long will it take for you to make that decision? Pearl smiled and nodded. Well the toasted sandwich was a factor. But the portion of chips was the deciding factor. You are staying! Pearl chuckled and nodded. Yes Ma’am. And I am a creature of habit. What day is it? Friday. Expect me every Friday for supper. Grace roared with laughter. I like what I am hearing. Now. Accommodation. I need three nights’ accommodation. Friday. Okay that is today. Saturday and Sunday night. Any suggestions? Got a room for you. Like the sounds of that. Cost? Grace smiled and looked at Pearl. She gave the rate per evening. Pearl nodded and fiddled in her bag. She took out the cash and handed it to Grace. Grace looked at the cash that Pearl put in her hand. Up front? Square. She nodded. Straight up the stairs. Room three. All yours. Pearl smiled and nodded. Grace walked off and smiled. She shook her head.

Pearl finished her meal and sipped the last of her wine. The bill please Grace. Grace smiled. She walked over and leaned right over. Breakfast is included. Now that you missed. See you at seven for breakfast. Pearl smiled and nodded. Kind of like you Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly? Grace Kelly. Fancied her a whole bunch! Beauty inside and beauty outside. And no I am not hitting on you. I am as straight as an arrow. But I did like good old Grace. Grace chuckled as Pearl walked off and up the stairs.

Grace smiled and walked over to Mary. Be careful Grace. No Mary. That there is one hell of a woman. She gives compliments where they are due. She paid up front for her room. And I really like the way she put Tanya in her place. You don’t get women like that anymore. And she doesn’t look older than twenty one. She doesn’t throw her weight around but shows that she means business. Mary smiled and nodded. She did put Tanya in her place. Nicely. Yes she did. Is there anyone else in this town that has ever done that? Male or female? No. I guess you are right. Grace smiled. And she is here to stay. Darn I like this town! Mary grinned and nodded.

CHAPTER 2

Stewart sat at the table in the kitchen. He looked at Kenneth, William and Amelia. If Miss Scott does accept the position she will be keeping house for us. Kenneth nodded. What does that mean Dad? That means that this house will be clean. The meals will be cooked. And everything will be in place. Amelia nodded. And what is so special about this woman then? What is so special is that she is the only one that has actually considered accepting the position. She is the only one that has even contemplated taking over the budgeting, the housekeeping and the meals. William nodded. And now you are waiting for her. Yes I am waiting for the agency to confirm. It is very difficult to get anyone to actually take a job like that out here. There is no one in town that I want in this house. They all nodded.

But there are a few odd requests. Miss Scott has laid out a few requests. I have accepted them. And if she accepts the position they are to be adhered to. Strictly adhered to. They all looked at Stewart. There is to be no interference. She communicates via notes or messages. She leaves them in the kitchen. There is no one on one contact. They all looked at Stewart. Kenneth shook his head. But why? Amelia smiled. Clever. Very clever. She doesn’t want to get to know the family. Which means that if something goes wrong there are no hard feelings. I actually agree with that. It sounds harsh but she is right. Stewart smiled and nodded.

The other thing is that I have offered her the cottage. Kenneth nodded. Which makes sense. But there are to be no visits. She is not family or friend. She works for us and needs to be treated that way. Amelia smiled. Gosh that is drastic. Does she have something against us? Or has she been hurt at some stage or another? But then. That is very professional. You don’t want your staff on your doorstep and vice versa. They all nodded.

She will be in daily. But she will not be here when we are here. For example breakfast. She will come in and make the breakfast. We will serve ourselves. When we have all left she will come in to the house. Do what she does. And leave. Breakfast, lunch and supper will be ready. They all stared at Stewart. I didn’t make any requests. That is what they said. And that is Monday to Sunday. Every single day. If we are going to be entertaining we need to leave a note with the additional number of guests. Amelia smiled and nodded. And when is she off Dad? Four times a year. For one week. The Monday to the Friday. Which is twenty days a year. William nodded. Dad you are getting a bargain. Can we afford this?

William I think so. I will make sure that I can. She will be doing the budgeting for the household. She doesn’t want the money but she stipulates that whatever is on the list has to be purchased. But she has stated that whatever we are spending at the moment will be reduced dramatically. Amelia smiled and nodded. What happens if someone has to come home during the day? I didn’t think about that. William nodded. Then we agree that if we come home we go over to the offices down the way. They all nodded.

Amelia smiled. I kind of like this idea. We will be the only ranch with a housekeeper. Stewart smiled and nodded. Don’t let it go to your head. Amelia chuckled and nodded. Dad that was a wise decision. Have you told them that you want her? I have. They are going to get hold of her this evening. Stewart’s phone rang. Stewart Bass. Mister Bass we have been in contact with Miss Scott. Oh good. Has she accepted? Mister Bass. She has accepted. But. The terms that she has laid out. Ma’am I accept those. Then she will be starting on Monday morning. She has asked that you leave the cottage open as she will be moving in on Monday. Thank you. She has asked that you channel her salary straight through to her account. Not through the agency. Agreed. Mister Bass I think you have made the right decision. Abide by her terms and you will have peace and harmony. Sounds crazy that the employer has to abide by the rules. Sir she has her reasons. I agree. Thank you. He cut his call and looked at everyone.