He opened the door of the carriage she’d just left.
‘Another work-related lecture, Miss Cardew. Victoria is off to see her family in the morning, so your aunt will appreciate your early return.’
The whistle and scream of the train about to leave blew away some of his words. Elenor caught he would return Christmas Eve.
Confused by the fact Victoria was leaving her aunt alone and had not mentioned she had any intentions of visiting her family before Christmas, Elenor did not wait to see him off, although she had a sneaking suspicion he might have liked the attention. She took a quick walk home and went down the side entrance to the kitchen with the intention of making a hot drink before she went to bed.
To her surprise as she switched on the light, Victoria sat at the kitchen table in her nightwear. The woman never moved as Elenor walked up to her.
‘Gracious Victoria, you startled me. Are you unwell?’
Victoria shrugged her shoulders but didn’t give an answer.
‘Why are you home so soon, Elenor?’
Her voice sounded tired and Elenor sensed a hint of sadness.
‘I’ve just bumped into George. He said he is off on another trip, and you are to visit your family tomorrow. Is that right, you are leaving my aunt unattended? Were you taking Rose with you?’
Victoria rose from her seat. ‘How come you are back so soon?’
‘That’s my business. I can appreciate you wanting to visit your family, but my aunt needs support.’
She waited for Victoria to explain her decision to leave her aunt, but Victoria appeared distracted by other thoughts.
‘Victoria?’
‘I have no choice, George insists. I must be away for two days. I explained to your aunt I would leave everything in readiness for her, and she agreed. After all, I am her housekeeper, not her nurse.’
Elenor pushed her cup to one side.
‘It is not up to George when my aunt is to be left unattended. We call you housekeeper, but you know your post means caring for my aunt in all areas. Leaving her for two days is simply unacceptable. You can go because I am here, but understand I am not happy about the situation. I’m off to bed. I hope your family visit is more successful than mine. Goodnight.’
Elenor left the kitchen in a state of agitation. As she snuggled under the comfort of her eiderdown her anger towards George heightened.
The following day, Victoria sought out Elenor.
‘I apologise for last night, but I do have to return home.’
Elenor stared at her.
‘It is not up to George to suggest things which threaten my aunt’s well-being. I take it Rose is at school?’
Victoria nodded and stepped out into the drizzling rain.
‘Yes. A friend will bring her home.’
‘I’m surprised you are not taking her with you. All this to-ing and fro-ing by you and George needs to be addressed. It is happening more often than not lately.’
‘Rose needs to stay here.’
Picking up a basket, Victoria walked away, not waiting to continue the conversation.
Elenor sensed a change in the woman and stared out onto the garden. She couldn’t wait for spring when the flowers poked through the soil bringing promises of warmer days.
Setting up a tray for her aunt, she thought of how life might be if Victoria or George didn’t live with them. Thinking ahead, Elenor pondered on an idea. As George earned his own money and appeared to only spend it on trips away, Elenor might suggest they find a place of their own and ask Victoria to become a daily help rather than a live-in housekeeper. Then she remembered Rose. The girl lit up her life, and Elenor would miss her. She tucked the thought to the back of her mind and took the tray upstairs.
‘Good morning, Aunt. How are you this morning? Curtains open or closed?’
‘Good morning Elenor. Open. Why are you back so early?’
Elenor set the tray on her aunt’s lap.
Elenor relayed to her aunt about the upset in Summercourt. Her aunt finished eating and pushed the tray away.
‘Consider this your home now. You are surprisingly better behaved than I’d been led to believe. I enjoy your company.’
Selecting clothes from the wardrobe and drawers, it unnerved Elenor that her aunt appeared to not realise they may not have many years left together and Elenor’s future would need to be one of independence.
‘It is reassuring Aunt, thank you. I am an independent sort, so will seek employment for the future. There will be a time …’
‘Yes, yes. Come along, I do not want to stay in my nightgown all day.’
They spent the day talking about family members Elenor had never heard of, and Maude reminisced about when she had been the same age as Elenor.
‘You are very much like me. Fierce and independent.’
‘That is a compliment, Aunt.’
‘Ah, but you have the traits of your mother too. Quiet and loving. You have the qualities I would have wished for in a daughter.’
Elenor remembered the affection between the Canadian relatives and walked over to her aunt. She placed her arms around her neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
By four o’clock the calm of the house had disappeared. Rose burst through the door bringing with her the damp fresh air.
‘Elenor. I missed you!’
She raced over and hugged Elenor’s body.
‘Gracious, I was only gone for a day,’ Elenor said with a laugh. She wiped her floured hands on a cloth and bent down to Rose.
‘Let’s get this damp coat off you and we can chat about your day. Sit at the table and I’ll make you a warm milk. My aunt is snoozing, so we’ll stay in here.’
The easy atmosphere gave Elenor comfort.
‘It is nice when Mummy and Daddy aren’t here,’ Rose said.
‘Rose. I’m not sure you mean that. It is different. I might not be as strict when they are home, but you will not get away with things while they are away, young lady,’ Elenor said but she was in silent agreement. The place had a calm feel, a natural rhythm.
‘Are you looking forward to Christmas? I am,’ Rose said.
‘Of course, who doesn’t like Christmas? This will be a special one for me,’ Elenor said.
‘Why?’
‘Because of you and my aunt. And your parents.’
‘Mine will be special ’cos of you. Can I go and read in the study?’
‘Yes, but don’t disturb my aunt.’
Rose scrambled down from the table and placed her cup in the sink. Elenor watched her leave and knew she loved the child. Her parents would have to stay.
Christmas Eve arrived and the smells from the kitchen wafted around the house. Elenor’s mouth watered in anticipation.
‘It is such an exciting time of the year, Victoria. We never celebrated after my mother died, and never with other members of the