Maid for Bristow

Sadie

Clutching my resume to my chest, I speedwalk down the sidewalk.

Two days ago I was contacted about a cleaning postition at the illustrious Bristow house, for the Britow family. Everyone in the city knows them. They are most known for their wines and imports.

It’s been so long since I applied for the position, I almost forgot about it.

The tall gates appear infront of me before I know it.

I press my resume closer to my chest, thankful for the bright red folder protecting the single piece of paper from my vicious grip. I had to fudge some references and experience, but who doesn’t. I need a job more than anything. My dwindling funds can only hold for a few more days, a week if I try hard.

Also, I’m crashing on a friend of a friend of a friend’s couch which is a less than safe environment. I barely sleep at night. But hopefully I won’t have to worry about that much longer because this job (if I get it) comes with a room in the ‘servants quarters’. That’s how big this house is… and how rich these people are.

Movement at the edge of my vision pulls me from my thoughts.

A man steps out of a hidden door in the gate, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

He’s tall and wide. Curly brown hair, swept to the side to reveal his handsome face. He’s dressed in stylish khakis and a dark blue button down that hugs his muscles.

He doesn’t notice me as I peruse him. It’s not until he has a cigarette dangling from his lips that he sees me.

“Oh, I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” His voice is low and husky, like thunder rolling in the distance.

He looks from me to the mansion and back again, “You going in or not?” He asks, leaning against the gate.

“How do you know I’m supposed to go in there?” I ask, “I could be admiring the architecture.”

He smiles brightly, two dimples popping out in his cheeks. “I happen to know the family is looking for a new maid,” he pauses, taking a drag of his cigarette, “…and you look nervous.”

My shoulder’s tense up, “Is it that obvious?” I tuck my hair behind my hair shyly.

Mystery man steps forward, “Yeah. But don’t worry as long as you behave properly they’ll love you.”

His eyes twinkle in the afternoon light.

“Do you work here?” I ask, glancing down at his expensive shirt.

He takes another hit, looking up at the house again, “You could say that.”

“What do you do?”

He turns back to me, waving a hand, “Various things.”

“For how long?” If he’s worked here long then that says a lot about how much they tolerate. Here he is in the middle of the day, smoking right in front of their house.

He lets out a long breath, “Sometimes it feels like forever.”

I laugh, my shoulders relaxing a bit. “I get that. I uh…worked at a place like this before.” I gulp thickly as memories flood my mind, “I know these kind of people.”

He hums an acknowledgment, finishing his cigarette and flicking it away. “You should get in there.” He says, pushing himself off the wall, “Wouldn’t want to be late.”

My nerves come rushing back. I can’t lose this opportunity. What if someone recognizes me? What if I make a fool out of myself and they throw me out?

“They’ll like me right?” I ask, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

Mystery man turns, his eyes twinkling, “Why are you asking me? I just met you.”

I shrug a shoulder, “You’re here.”

His face turns serious, “I’ll try to put in a good word for you. If I can.”

A wide smiles speads across my face and before I can stop myself, I lunge for the man. Wrapping my arms tightly around him. He’s warm and hard, yet welcoming.

Once I realize what I’ve just done I pull back, “Oh my god. I’m s-so s-sorry.” I stammer, “I was just so excited. I promise I’m not weird.”

His lips are turned up in a small smile, almost a smirk as he listens to me ramble.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He waves a hand.

“I should get going.” I gesture to the house, “Thanks again.”

I push open the gate before he says anything, making my way to the side of the house like the lady on the phone instructed me to. I follow her directions and find a small sunken door. It’s clearly used all the time evident by it’s clean frame and polished handle and knocker.

I use said knocking and a few moments later the door opens to reveal a sickly looking man. He’s dressed in a clean pair of slacks, a button down shirt, and shiny dress shoes, all black. He also has on a vest and tie. The vest is grey and the tie is striped of black and grey.

His expression is blank, clearly perfected pver the years. I hope he isn’t as mean as he looks. But I know better than anyone that appearances mean nothing about who someone is.

“Hi, I’m Sadie Spring here to interview for the maid position.” I say my rehersed line like I perfected on the way here.

“Yes,” The man says with a nod. “Come in.”

He widens to the door for me to step through. I enter a long hallway and follow the man down into a kitchen. It’s small but somehow has so many counters.

I continue to follow him to a room off the kitchen. He opens the door widely. “Ms Lin will be conducting your interview. She will be here momentarily. Please take a seat.”

Entering the room, the man closes the door immediately and I find a chair in front of a small desk. I sit, placing my resume in my lap with my hands folded over it.

As I wait, I mentally go over my resume, making sure I remember the lies I put down. Silently hopeing this Ms. Lin doesn’t dig too deeply.

After about five minutes, the door swings open revealing an older woman, maybe her late fifties, early sixties.

She as a grim face and minimal wrinkles. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun allowing me to see the entire shape of her head. Her clothes are nice and modest. A knee high skirt and long sleeved blazer with…shoulder pads?

“You must me Sadie Spring.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Remembering what I saw in an interview etiquette video, I stand up and offer her my hand.

She takes it with a twitch in the corner of her mouth. After a moment we drop hands and Ms Lin takes her seat behind the desk, I follow her lead.

“I noticed from the resume you sent that you don’t have much experience.” Ms. Lin begins, folding her hands in the desk.

“That’s correct.” I nod.

“Why is that?”

I gulp thickly, “I was loyal to my previous positions for as long as I was able.”

“So why did you leave?” Her lips tighten into a thin line.

“Downsizing. The last family wanted something smaller, and I was the expendable one.” My palms begin to sweat as the words fly out of my mouth.

Ms Lin nods once, “Yes, I’ve heard that some families like this one are downsizing. But I can assure you the Bristow’s will never dismiss staff on account of downsizing.” She emphasizes the word in disgust.

“Now for some preliminary questions.”

I nod.

“Do you have any issues signing an NDA?” She asks.

“No, ma’am.”

“Have you ever been in trouble with the law?”

“No.”

“You will be needed to take residence in the staff quarter, will this be a problem?”

“Not at all.”

“Do you have any outside obligations? Boyfriend, girlfriend, children, pets?”

I shake my head, “No. Nothing.”

Ms. Lin nods. “You will do well here. All we need is the lady of the house’s approval and you can move in.”

Excitement shoots through me. But I force myself to remain calm.

“Now for a few rules.”

I nod.

“Whenever entering the house, you must use the side door. Never the main door. Do not venture into the main part of the house unless it is to do your job. Never talk back to the family. If you have any issues please bring it to me and I will handle it if I see fit. You must follow the schedule exactly. Mrs. Bristow and I have created a schedule that works for eveyone. Never stray. Any quesions?”

“I met someone outside earlier.” I say, “I never caught his name, but he was tall-“

Ms. Lin holds up her hand, silencing me. “You will meet everyone in the house in due time. I’m sure you’ll find him then.”

“On that note,” She continues, “iIf you wish to seek out a romantic relationship with another member of staff, it is imperative that it not affect your duties. With that said, one more rule is that no relationship will be had with any member of the family. If it be romantic or sexual in nature, you will be dismissed immediately.”

I gulp and nod. There is no way I’m getting involved with a rich boy.

Ms. Lin stands, “I will take you to meet Mrs. Bristow now. Follow me, do not fall behind.”

Ms. Lin walks surprisingly fast. I have trouble keeping up, but I do.

We go up a small staircase that leads to the main house. It’s beautiful compared to the basement. It’s hard to believe how differnt the two places are even though they are a floor apart.

The Bristow house is filled with architecture that would make even the common man weep. It’s filled with paintings and crown moulding. Columns and sconces. Carved wood on the walls that I know will be difficult to clean.

We stop in a door way to a georgous sitting room. The colour palette it white and gold, but somehow they’ve made it warm and welcoming.

“Mrs. Bristow?” Ms. Lin says softly, catching the attention of the beautiful blonde woman sitting on at the bay window.

Mrs. Bristow smiles, stands, and comes towards us.

I stand straighter and put on a pleasant smile.

“This is Sadie Spring, she is interviewing for the maid position. Her experience is limited but sturdy. I think she would make an excellent addition to the staff.” I feel my cheeks heat from the praise, however brief it is.

Mrs. Bristow nods, her smile still present. “If you think she is the best candidate then I welcome her.”

“I hope you will like it here.” Mrs. Bristow says to me.

“I’m sure I will. Thank you for this opportunity, ma’am.”

Heavy footsteps sound behind me, alerting us all of a new presence.

“Oh here comes my son.” Mrs. Bristow says, her eyes falling to the person entering the room.

I turn and my jaw drops.

“Sadie, this is my son Myles.”

Also my mystery man from the gate.