July 2011
As Ellen Brady stepped off the bus she breathed in the clear country air. Coming from the town, albeit the edge of town, from the ever expanding council estate which had sprung up in the sixties, she loved the smells and the greenness of the trees and hedges guarding the lane which led her to the big house. Hill Top was its rightful name but known locally as the big house. It was a large Georgian pile built of the stone the Master's ancestors had gouged from the quarry and had been the mainstay of their wealth and was still worked today although cement was the most profitable commodity derived from it.
Ellen walked on down the lane hearing the rustling of creatures scampering in the ditches, the birds singing in the trees and thought how lucky she was to have had this job for the last ten years which was so far removed from her every day mundane life, even if she was only a cleaner. As she turned into the long uphill drive she was nearly knocked off her feet by the red sports car that swept past her seemingly unaware that she was there. What was master Robert doing going at the rate of knots reserved for a race track she wondered. The approach to the house was steep but leveled out to form a huge parking area in front of the imposing pillared entrance and Ellen had a shock to see a lot of cars there. What were the police doing there and an ambulance; oh my God what can have happened. A police officer stopped her as she was about to open the gate for access to the back of the house. 'Excuse me madam what is your business here'
'I'm the cleaner officer, what's going on?'
'There's been an unfortunate incident but I'm sure you'll hear all about it from the other staff.' Other staff being the cook and her husband the gardener as the master put his foot down about having a butler except when they had dinner parties or on other big occasions.
As soon as she opened the back door cook rushed to Ellen. 'Oh Ellen, you'll never believe it. It's the master; he's dead – drowned in the lake'
'How did that happen? asked Ellen sitting down at the table.
'Well according to the police he went out early this morning on his horse and for some reason went down to the lake. His horse must have been spooked or something and threw the master off. He landed face down in the water and as you know the edge of the lake is so muddy; he couldn't get up, it sort of sucked him down and he was drowned. The times I've said there should be a fence round it.' Ellen got up to put the kettle on although a good measure of gin would have been more welcome than tea.
'But Betty you can't fence the lake what with the fishing rights and all. How has Mrs Bigworth taken it; have you seen her? I know young Robert is here he nearly ran me down. I suppose he'll take over the business now and perhaps come and live here with his mother' Betty thought for a bit and said that Robert had no business sense all he was good at was escorting different young ladies around the county. Ellen wondered if she should start her cleaning duties, and why were the police there. Betty said it was because the death wasn't a natural one and there could have been foul play involved.
Eventually a bell sounded in the kitchen and both Betty and Ellen were summoned to the drawing room. Ellen looked round the room seeing it with different eyes perhaps as a guest might see it. It was a large airy room beautifully proportioned and quite minimal with two comfy sofas and three chairs plus a couple of straight backed chairs and a couple of side tables. Mrs Bigworth was seated on one of the sofas, a wet handkerchief twisted in her hands. Robert standing behind her. 'My husband is dead and the police are investigating so there'll be no cleaning today, Ellen, but perhaps you can help Betty with some food and tea for them.
'Yes ma'am of course and you have our heartfelt condolences, he was a good man and will be missed.'
'Thank you.' Ellen felt a lump come into her throat; what an awful way to go, she thought, but she mustn't waver or break down, there was work to be done. Eventually the house and grounds were cleared of all except Mrs Bigworth, Robert and the staff. The vet had been called out to tend the horse, but aside from a cut on his fetlock he was ok and cosily tucked up in the stables.
A sorrowful week later the police confirmed that it was a tragic accident; no suspicion of anything other than an accidental drowning. The funeral was arranged and Betty was kept busy in the kitchen, her husband Alf in the garden and grounds and, of course, Ellen in the house.
The day of the funeral arrived and Ellen had received a letter from the firm of solicitors acting for Mr Bigworth. She was to attend the reading of the will after the wake. Her hands and body shook as she read the letter. She knew that one day the truth would out and this was going to be the day.
Ellen dressed in black helped Betty after the guests had gone to clear the plates of uneaten food, collected glasses and teacups, trying to delay her entrance into the library which would come as a terrible shock to the family. Eventually she ventured to the library door took a deep breath and holding her head high she swept into the room. Mrs Bigworth and Robert looked up and Robert said, 'Not now Ellen, this is family business whatever it is will have to wait'.
The solicitor, James Hunt, put his hand up, 'Mrs Brady was requested to attend for the reasons I will clarify, so if you are ready I will begin.' Ellen sat up straight in the chair unaware of the curious glances between mother and son. It transpired that Robert was to inherit the business and run it with the help of the management team already in place. Mrs Bigworth was to stay in the house for as long as she wished and on her death it was to go to Robert, there was also a monetary grant for them both but not as much as they thought judging by the looks they gave one another. 'And now we move on to Mrs Ellen Brady.' The solicitor cleared his throat, loosened his collar with a finger and looked at Mrs Bigworth. 'I shall be as concise as your husband was when he wrote this will. Mrs Brady is to receive £250,000 a year until our son Thomas Arthur Brady reaches the age of twenty one.'
There was silence in the room then a huge roar from Robert 'Is this a joke? Her, the hired help? Our son! When did this happen.' He turned on Ellen. 'You had a son with my father, and you came into this house, were you still doing it under our noses, you bitch?'
'Robert, that's enough,' Mrs Bigworth interjected and, looking at Ellen, her mouth a thin line of compressed shock horror and anger, said 'When?'
Ellen raised her eyes to her soon to be ex-employer. 'I met Arthur one day thirteen years ago when I got lost and wandered into the big field by the lake. He was riding his horse and stopped to tell me I was trespassing on his land. I apologised, turned to go back but fell twisting my ankle. He got off his horse said I'd best get it looked at by a doctor. I went to get up but fell again so he told me to stay there until he could get the car round to take me, so I did. He drove me home, helped me onto the settee and left. Next day he came to visit to see how I was and things just happened from there. I loved him, I know it was no excuse but he liked my company too and when I found I was pregnant he was so kind even up to the birth and after, showering me with presents for the baby. But we never had sex again and he only took an interest in our son. He knew I needed to work, that's when he gave me the job of cleaner here and for that I will be eternally grateful. I know this is an awful shock for you and I shall miss this beautiful house but these things happen.'
Then Ellen thanked the solicitor and walked out, never to return to the big house on the hill.