by Judi Curtin
‘Sorry,’ said Maeve. ‘You know her better than I do, and if you say she didn’t do it, then I believe you. At least it’s all over now, though.’
‘That’s the trouble. It might not be over at all.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Someone tried to make Johanna look like a thief, and they might do it again. Lady Mary is very kind and gentle, but if that happens, she will make Johanna leave Lissadell, and then …’
Maeve didn’t argue with me, and knowing she thought I was right didn’t make me feel any better.
‘So how can we help her?’
‘All we can do is keep an eye on Johanna’s room, in case anyone else goes in there.’
‘We can take turns,’ said Maeve. ‘We’ll be like characters in a Sherlock Holmes story.’
‘That’s the trouble,’ I sighed. ‘This isn’t a story, and neither of us can spend our days hanging around the servants’ rooms. I spend most of my time cleaning upstairs, and you’re at Ardeevin more often than not.’
‘So what are we going to do?’
‘All we can do is hope and pray that nothing happens. If Johanna has to leave, then Nellie …’
I couldn’t even finish the sentence. The thought of Johanna leaving Lissadell and Nellie, was too sad.
* * *
‘Ouch!’ I cried. ‘That’s the second time I’ve stuck the needle into my finger.’
‘You poor thing,’ said Johanna. ‘Do you want me to bandage it?’
‘Thank you, but I think I’ll live,’ I said, smiling. Often Johanna acted as if she were my big sister too. Sometimes it annoyed me, but mostly it was very sweet.
It was a few weeks after the incident with the locket, and everyone was beginning to relax a little. Johanna had got into the habit of coming into our room for a while before bed, and I found myself looking forward to these quiet moments with the two sisters
‘How is the dress coming along?’ asked Nellie.
‘Sewing on velvet is harder than I expected,’ I said. ‘But I think I’m getting the hang of it now.’
I spread the half-made dress on the bed beside me and stroked the soft red fabric.
‘That’s beautiful,’ said Nellie.
‘I agree,’ I said. ‘But the green is even nicer. It reminds me of a forest on a sunny day, so that’s the one I love the most.
‘So how did you decide which colour to give each sister?’ asked Johanna.
‘Anne is older, so she is getting the nicer one – the green,’ I said.
‘But that’s not fair,’ said Nellie. I smiled. Nellie was getting used to the idea of being a little sister again.
‘Actually it is fair,’ I said. ‘Because when Anne gets too big for the green dress, it will be passed on to Winnie – she will have a chance to wear both.’
‘That’s clever,’ said Nellie.
I picked up my sewing again, and Johanna opened one of Maeve’s song books.
‘Here,’ she said to Nellie. ‘Let’s try this one.’
Nellie read the words with only a little help from her sister, and then the two of them began to sing softly. I closed my eyes and listened to their beautiful singing. I knew these were special moments I would remember for the rest of my life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘Where were you, Johanna?’ said Nellie sleepily a few days later. ‘Lily and I were almost asleep.’
‘Sorry,’ said Johanna, pulling off her shoes and throwing herself onto Nellie’s bed. ‘Lady Mary went away to visit her sister this afternoon. She asked me to tidy her wardrobes while she is gone, so I decided to make a start. That woman has so many clothes I could be working for a week and never be done.’
‘I’m too tired now for reading or singing,’ said Nellie. ‘Do you mind if we put the light out and chat for a while?’
No one argued with this, so when the light was out, Johanna snuggled under Nellie’s covers, and I listened as they talked about their plans for their next day off together.
I was almost asleep when the door opened and I could see Isabelle’s head peeping in.
‘Lily, Nellie,’ she whispered into the darkness. ‘Have you seen Johanna anywhere? She’s not in her room.’
I could hear Johanna sitting up in bed. ‘I’m here,’ she said. ‘What do you want?’
Isabelle opened the door fully, and in the light from the corridor I could see her worried face.
‘Mrs Bailey wants to see you in her office immediately,’ she said.
Now I sat up too. ‘What could be so urgent that it can’t wait till morning?’ I said.
‘No idea,’ said Isabelle. ‘Sorry.’
Nellie lit the gaslight, and I watched as Johanna straightened her apron and cap and put on her shoes. She looked worried. I knew all four of us were thinking the same thing, though none of us dared to say it.
‘I’ll go with you,’ said Nellie.
‘There’s no need,’ said Johanna. ‘I haven’t done anything wrong. You stay there in bed and I’ll be back in a minute.’
Johanna hurried from the room, and Isabelle sat on the edge of my bed. Nellie sat in her own bed looking looked pale and worried.
‘Do you think …?’ she began.
‘I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,’ I said, not feeling sure at all.
As the long minutes passed, I was glad that Isabelle had stayed with us. Something big was happening, and I didn’t know if I could handle it without her. No one talked as we waited. Nellie was picking at the edge of her blanket, and I knew she was going to ruin it, but that didn’t seem important.
And then Johanna came back.
* * *
Johanna was sobbing so much, it was difficult to understand what she was saying. Her shoulders shook as she hugged Nellie fiercely. Isabelle and I stood helplessly next to them. We didn’t need to hear the words to know what had happened.
When Johanna was calmer she let go of her sister and told us everything.
‘When the valet went to lay out Sir Josslyn’s dressing table tonight, he saw that his best silver comb was missing. He told Mr Kilgallon, and he and Mrs Bailey went to my bedroom while I was upstairs in Lady Mary’s room.’
I closed my eyes, and wanted to block my ears too. I was afraid to hear the next words.
‘They searched under my bed,’ said Johanna. ‘And they found the comb in my old biscuit box – but I didn’t put it there. I never touched it. I’ve never even seen it. They must think I’m so stupid. They warned me I had no more chances, so why would I steal something and hide it in my own room, in the very place they were going to look first?’
Tears rolled down Nellie’s pale cheeks, but she didn’t say anything. Isabelle held my hand, but she too was silent.
‘I believe you, Johanna.’ I said. ‘But now what’s going to …?’ I didn’t know how to finish my question.
‘Mrs Bailey said I have to go,’ she said. ‘I have been dismissed, and I must leave Lissadell.’
‘Now? You’re leaving now? In the dark?’ I said. ‘Mrs Bailey can’t!’
Johanna shook her head. ‘She said I may sleep here for one last night, but I have to go after breakfast in the morning. She said I will be paid what I am owed. She thinks she is being fair and generous, even though she is being so wrong, and so cruel!’
‘We’ll have to talk to her,’ I said. ‘We’ll have to make her understand.’
‘I tried,’ said Johanna as tears came to her eyes again. ‘I tried and tried, but she won’t listen to me. I know I’m lucky she didn’t call the police but … I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t take the stupid comb.’
I jumped out of bed, and began to pull on my uniform. ‘We can’t let this happen,’ I said. ‘Someone else has done this, and you can’t be punished for it. I’ll go and talk to Lady Mary. She’ll listen to me. She won’t let this happen.’
‘But Lady Mary is away, remember?’ said Isabelle. ‘And who knows when she will be back.’
&nb
sp; ‘Maeve,’ I said. ‘I’ll talk to Maeve – she will know what to do.’
‘I have to go back to the night nursery, in case the children wake up,’ said Isabelle. ‘I will walk as far as Miss Maeve’s room with you.’
* * *
When I woke Maeve she didn’t delay. As she followed me down the back stairs I began to feel a bit hopeful. Mrs Bailey liked Maeve, and was usually prepared to break all kinds of rules for her. Surely she would listen to her now.
When Maeve knocked on the door of Mrs Bailey’s office, I waited in the corridor out of sight.
‘Come,’ said Mrs Bailey in a tired voice.
Maeve went into the room and I could hear as Mrs Bailey stood up from her desk, clearly surprised to have a member of the family appear in the middle of the night, barefoot and dressed only in her nightgown and a fine satin wrap.
‘What is it, Miss Maeve?’ she said. ‘Are you unwell? Has there been an accident?’
‘It’s about Johanna,’ said Maeve. ‘I don’t think she took Uncle Joss’s comb, or Aunt Mary’s locket.’
‘Dear girl,’ said Mrs Bailey. ‘Those things were found in her bedroom.’
‘I think someone else took them, and is trying to blame Johanna.’
‘All the other household staff have been here for quite a while – and everyone came with excellent references,’ said Mrs Bailey. ‘None of them would do anything like this, of that I am perfectly sure.’
‘I’m going to talk to Uncle Joss,’ said Maeve. ‘He’ll believe me, I know he will.’
‘I have already mentioned it to him,’ said Mrs Bailey. ‘He does not have time to interview everyone concerned, and he is happy to leave the matter in my hands. Lady Mary trusts me with the care of the household, and I cannot break that trust.’
‘But …’
‘I am sorry for Johanna, but as you know, there are many valuable things in this house, and it is my duty to protect them. I don’t like this part of my job, but that does not mean I can walk away from my responsibilities. The decision has been made, and it will not be changed.’
‘But Johanna didn’t do it,’ said Maeve. ‘I know she didn’t.’
‘I’m afraid this is what comes from being too friendly with the servants, Miss Maeve,’ she said. ‘You don’t understand how they are different to you.’
‘I understand that Johanna didn’t do anything.’
‘That girl comes from a very troubled background. She has never had nice, valuable things in her life, and I suppose she found it hard to resist. Life is cruel, and she is to be pitied, but she cannot stay here after tomorrow.’
‘What is she to do, and where is she to go?’
Now Mrs Bailey spoke in a gentler voice. ‘I’m afraid that cannot be my problem. I am truly sorry for the girl, which is why I am not calling the police. I will make sure she leaves with enough money to keep her for a little while. That is the best I can do. I suggest that you return to your bed, and allow me to handle things from here.’
Maeve was too well brought up to stamp her foot or shout, so she walked from the room and only closed it with the littlest of slams.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said to me. ‘There’s nothing I can do.’
* * *
When I got back to my room, Nellie and Johanna looked at me hopefully. They had trusted me to make everything right, but I hadn’t managed to do anything at all.
‘I did my best,’ I said. ‘But it didn’t work. Mrs Bailey has made up her mind, and there’s nothing we can do to change it. I’m sorry, Johanna.’
Nellie started to cry again. ‘I’ll go with you, JoJo,’ she said. ‘I can’t stay here without you.’
Now Johanna stood up tall. ‘You are not to do that, Nellie, do you hear me? I will be perfectly fine. I can find myself somewhere to stay in Sligo until I find a new position.’
‘But who will employ you without a letter of recommendation?’ asked Nellie.
It was a good question and I didn’t know the answer.
‘Something will work out,’ said Johanna bravely. ‘It always does. Now I had better go and pack my things.’
Nellie was still crying. ‘Will you come back and sleep here with me – one last time?’
‘Of course I will,’ said Johanna. As she wiped away a tear, I realised she was not at all as brave as she was pretending to be. She was putting on an act for Nellie. She was still trying to protect her little sister.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In the morning, though neither of had slept at all, Nellie and I had to get up as usual to clean all the downstairs rooms and the family dressing rooms. Johanna stayed in bed, as though this were one of her days off.
When I was fully dressed, Nellie was still slowly tying her boot laces.
‘Hurry up,’ I said. ‘We’re already late, and I know how you like to be on time in the mornings.’
‘This isn’t any old morning,’ said Nellie. ‘I didn’t want this morning to ever come, and now it has, and …’ Once again tears began to roll down her face.
‘Pull yourself together, Nellie,’ said Johanna. ‘And stop making a fuss about this.’
I could see that she was pretending to be cross, but Nellie quickly finished tying her boots and hurried to the door.
‘That’s a good girl,’ said Johanna. ‘You have a fine job here at Lissadell and you don’t want anything to spoil that.’
‘But what about you?’ asked Nellie.
‘To tell the truth, I was a little tired of being a lady’s maid,’ said Johanna. ‘Times are changing you know, and there are more things a young woman can do.’
I thought maybe Johanna could get a job as an actress, since she was doing such a good job convincing Nellie that she didn’t care about leaving Lissadell.
‘You won’t leave before …?’ asked Nellie.
‘No,’ said Johanna. ‘I won’t leave before you come down for breakfast. Mrs Bailey said I can have breakfast here, and that’s what I intend to do. Now hurry along, or you’ll be in trouble.’
* * *
I had to do most of the work that morning, as poor Nellie fumbled and tripped and dropped things.
‘What will I do without her?’ she repeated. ‘What will I do without my JoJo?’
‘I know it won’t be the same, I said. ‘But I will be here, and I will take care of you – and Johanna says she’ll only go to Sligo, and that isn’t so far at all, is it?’
But nothing I could say would make Nellie feel any better, so in the end we worked in silence. For the first time ever, I didn’t want breakfast time to come.
* * *
Johanna was alone in the dining hall. Her small suitcase was on the floor beside her, with her coat neatly folded on top of it. Cook came in with a giant bowl of porridge and placed it in front of Johanna.
‘I don’t know what Mrs Bailey is thinking of,’ she said, wiping away a tear. ‘We all know you’re as good a girl as ever worked here. Now eat up, and there’s a slice of pie to follow. I’ll make you up a little package for your journey too.’
Nellie and I sat down on either side of Johanna, but when our food came, neither of us felt like eating. Johanna ate all of her porridge as well as a huge piece of pie – I suppose it’s easier to eat when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.
Agnes, one of the kitchen maids came along to clear the plates.
‘I’m sorry to see you go,’ she said to Johanna. ‘I know you didn’t do it – and so do all of us kitchen maids – and we’re sorry we believed it at first.’
I sighed. Was Mrs Bailey the only one who didn’t believe Johanna? And why did she have to be the one with all the power to make her leave?
After that, the three of us sat in silence. Nellie lay her head on Johanna’s shoulder, and Johanna stroked her hair. It was time for Nellie and me to go back upstairs to clean the family bedrooms, but neither of us moved.
After a while, Isabelle came and joined us. ‘The little ones are playing in
the nursery,’ she said. ‘Nurse said she’d watch them so I can stay here with you for a little while.’
She was just another silent girl, but having her there made me feel a little bit better.
* * *
Before long, Mrs Bailey came into the room and handed Johanna an envelope.
‘This is what you are owed,’ she said. ‘And there’s a little extra to keep you going. I’ve also written down the name of a respectable boarding house in Sligo. Tell Mrs Fallon that I sent you. You will be safe there until you find another position.’
Johanna took the envelope, but she didn’t thank Mrs Bailey. She didn’t say a single word. She stood up, put on her coat, picked up her suitcase and walked towards the door.
If I had been in her position I would have kicked and screamed. I’d have hung on to the legs of the heavy dining table and they would have had to drag me away. Johanna was very quiet and dignified though, and I had to admire her.
Suddenly Nellie ran to her sister, crying and sobbing. ‘Don’t go, JoJo. Don’t go. Don’t leave me again. I’ll die if you leave me again!’
Tears came to Johanna’s eyes, but she kept walking. I looked at Mrs Bailey, and saw that she too was close to tears. She didn’t move though. She didn’t say that Johanna could stay.
I looked at my friends and thought my heart was going to break. Then, without planning it in any way, I stepped forward and spoke.
‘Don’t make Johanna leave, because …’
‘Because what?’ asked Mrs Bailey.
I took a long, deep breath. ‘Because I’m the one who stole the things.’
Johanna stopped walking and Nellie stopped crying and Isabelle’s mouth hung open in surprise. Everyone stared at me.
‘What are you saying, you foolish child?’ asked Mrs Bailey.
‘It was me,’ I said. ‘It was me all along. I am the one who stole Lady Mary’s locket and Sir Josslyn’s silver comb.’
‘And why on earth would you do such a thing?’
‘Because … because …’ I didn’t want to say the next words, afraid that Nellie and Johanna would hate me forever, but if I didn’t say them, I knew Mrs Bailey wouldn’t believe me. ‘Because I was jealous of Johanna. I was jealous of how Nellie loved her the best. I was jealous of how they spent their days off together. I was jealous of how they sang together and laughed together. I was jealous of everything, and I thought if Johanna wasn’t here, everything would be better for me – so that’s why I hid the things in her room. I was trying to get rid of her.’