Winifred couldn’t hesitate to chime in, “Poor lads. You’ll need to delay your holiday in France then.”
Rose next jerked her head to the left signaling to Maggie to continue on and move ahead.
“Never fear, sister darling. David has already booked the six of us for mid-June.”
Winifred’s smile widened in anticipation, “So where does the invasion tour run this time?”
Maggie hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips again, closed her eyes and stepped forward to properly serve Lieutenant Walls from his left. Rose continued to track the developing calamity as she floated around the corner of the table arriving just in time to confirm Maggie’ predicament.
“Land at Brest, then Paris, then on to St. Tropez.”
It was clear to Rose that Walls had been waiting in ambush and would pounce at his first opportunity.
“I trust that you’ll stay out of mischief this time. No more cables from the constabulary in Marseilles,” Lord Knowles intoned.
The assault began when Walls deliberately dropped his table napkin and then leaned to his left. He then slipped his hand down below the edge of the ivory lace tablecloth to begin a slow exploration under Maggie’s skirt and up between her legs. Oblivious to the dilemma, Winifred continued her commentary on the prospective tour, “Yes that will be the challenge for the lot of you. Tell me who all will be attending this excursion?”
Chester looked down and blushed slightly, “Oh just the regular “Company of Irreverants” - Lester Fox, Ainsley, Laughton and Nelson Griggs.”
“Ainsley, Griggs and the two of you!” Laughed Winifred, “Oh, my darling boy, that confirms it. You’ll all be in the brig before the first week-end.”
Rose stopped dead in her tracks and starred helplessly at the scene now unveiling before her. It became evident that catastrophe was about to follow in a matter of seconds. Maggie stood frozen, inhaled briefly and for a moment it appeared that she would collapse where she stood. David Walls leaned closer to her cheek and whispered, “Now, tell me sweet, did you wear those lovely garters just for me?”
That casual humiliation triggered an explosion that tore across the room. Maggie instantly swung hard to her right and crashed the heavy platter directly into the side of Walls’ head with such force that he flew from his chair. A tidal wave of trout and ‘Sauce Breton’ surfed across the table forcing every person at that corner, except David, to leap to his feet, leaving no one unscathed.
Winifred screamed as though she was shot. Lord Knowles bellowed repeatedly, “What the Hell, what the bloody Hell?” as he frantically wiped the spray from his uniform chest.
A stunned Mrs. Charlton pleaded, “Oh dear me!” and immediately began to try to swab her cheek and sleeve.
Chester paused looked down at his own chest then grinned and laughed aloud, “Dead shot, dear girl, bang on!”
Rose dropped her tray on the edge of the table and ran toward Maggie’s side. Maggie, now beside herself with rage, reached across Walls’ place setting, grabbed his wine glass and poured it directly on his head. “How about a little “Chardonnay Nouveau” to help settle your trout, Lieutenant, sir!” She then tossed the glass across the table and turned to meet Rose in a near collision.
Walls remained where he fell - covered entirely in fish, sauce and wine, the largest of the remaining trout having landed squarely in his lap. Rose tried to pull Maggie away as Walls stood up and replaced his chair. His eyes narrowed in a cold rage and his nostrils flared violently, “You horrible, wicked little bitch,” he screamed. “You should be shot for this,” he raised his hand to strike her just as Rose stepped between them.
Lord Knowles immediately intervened to take command of the situation. “That will be quite enough, Mr. Walls!” David blanched, lowered his hand. He turned to his host, nodded and began to wipe clean his face and tunic.
The remainder of the household raced into action like an ambulance brigade attending to its victims. At the far end of the table Lady Barbara appeared to have expired and was quickly attended by Captain Richards, followed closely by a party comprised of Mrs. Beechly and two of the younger female guests. “My God. Oh dear God!” Barbara moaned again and again. Rose grabbed Maggie by the arm and pushed her through the service door into the anti-chamber. Maggie was now weeping and screaming hysterically, “He shoved his hand up my skirt, nearly into my knickers! That filthy pig - that awful filthy pig!”
Rose was certain that Maggie’s hysterics would be heard next door and tried her best to quiet her down. “Shush, there now, Luv. It’ll be alright - you just calm down and everything will be alright, you’ll see.”
His Lordship then charged through the service door still wiping his sleeve and dragging Mr. Williams in tow. “Williams, I want her out of here this minute - not tomorrow, not next week, immediately!” he shouted pointing directly into Maggie’s face. He then steamed straight ahead to stand over her, “Young woman,” he roared, “I don’t know what game you’re playing here but I assure you that you will never work in service in any house of quality in all of England. I shall see to that personally!”
Lord Knowles then stormed back out through the service door, which continued to swing violently, long after he’d passed. Williams jumped in to continue the foray by grabbing Maggie’s left arm, “Right then, you, get below and pack your things. I want you on the livery and out of here within the hour.” He turned the two junior kitchen maids and continued his regimental orders, “Daisy, you and Ida go out there and clean up that mess out there and get ready to continue serving the remainder of this dinner.” Maggie bit her lip and trailed Rose’s tug down the back stairs.
Forty minutes later Maggie stood at the kitchen door assembling the last of her coat and luggage. She had two bags at her feet - one a large flowered rucksack and another smaller leather case. Lily was helping her with her coat when Rose rushed in and began to hug Maggie tightly. “Oh, God, it’s just so dreadfully unfair, so horribly unfair!” She kissed Maggie on the cheek and stepped back to grasp her by the shoulders, “Never mind, you’ll be all right, you’ll get past this.” Rose then pushed a small roll of bills into her hand, “Sorry Luv, but it’s all I’ve got just now. Its only three pounds but it should help you get through for a while.”
Lily intervened quietly, “You best get back upstairs quickly Rosie or it’ll be the two of you on the road tonight.”
“I’ll come find you as quick as I can, hopefully my day off.” Rose then disappeared through the hallway to the stairs.
“Tell me, Luv, have you somewhere safe to go?” Lily queried,
“No, nowhere, there’s no one of my family left.”
Lily stepped forward and whispered, “Try the Black Swan in town. Tell Mrs. Peters that you want a quiet room at the back. You’ll remember her from the garden festival. She was the judge who voted against Lady Barbara.”
She then quietly retrieved a small packet from her apron pocket and pressed into Maggie’s left hand. “It’s only another few pounds - it’s a pittance of what you deserve. I will come to town on Saturday, try to meet me at Mr. Jameson’s - you know the dry grocer, at around noon. He’s a very good friend, we sing in the church choir together and he might be able to help us out.”
“Thank-you Mrs. Quayle, you’re most kind. It’s as if you’re the only family I’ve got at all, “ Maggie blubbered.
Lily reached up and hugged her close, “There, there child, it’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
Maggie returned the kiss just as Mrs. Beechly charged in and began to fume at Lily. “Mrs. Quayle you will return to your duties in the kitchen immediately and you, young woman will leave these premises this minute.”
“God bless you, child,” Lily whispered as they separated.