A Moment to Remember by Dee Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

speaking up for themselves.
    ‘I do envy you,’ said Jane. ‘you must have led such an exciting life.’
    Milly didn’t tell her about the bad times.
    When the family went for their evening meal, Milly sat with Betty in the kitchen.
    ‘You’ve settled in very well, young lady,’ said Betty as she dished up another delicious supper.
    Milly wanted to ask if she could stay a bit longer but decided against that just yet.
    ‘Now what about this aunt of yours? I’ve asked all the traders and they don’t know a Doris. You sure she works round here?’
    ‘Me brother Billy found a letter and he said the postmark was Southwark.’
    ‘There’s a lot of big houses round this way, or she might have just posted it here.’
    ‘S’pose so.’
    ‘Don’t look so down. I’m sure we’ll find her one day.’
    At this moment Milly wasn’t so sure she wanted to.
     
    A week later Milly was busy helping to prepare the vegetables for the evening meal, when Mrs Green came in. She quickly stood up.
    ‘Sit down, Milly.
    Milly felt her legs turn to jelly. She looked at Betty, who glanced quickly away.
    Mrs Green smiled and sat at the table. ‘Don’t look so worried. I just wanted to enquire if you’ve heard anything about your aunt.’
    ‘No. I’m sorry. Betty’s asked all the men who call but they ain’t heard of a Doris.’
    ‘What are you going to do?’
    Milly looked down at her hands. ‘I dunno. Do you want me to go?’
    ‘Good heavens, no. I’ve never seen Jane so happy. No, what I’ve come to ask is whether you would like to stay here till you have news of your aunt. I’m sure Betty is keeping you busy.’
    Betty smiled. ‘I can always find her jobs to do.’
    ‘And is Milly good at what she does?’
    ‘I’ve got no complaints, and Elsie said she is very willing.’
    ‘That’s all I wanted to hear. Milly, as you know, it’s Jane’s birthday next week, and we shall be having a lot of young ladies here. Now, I shall want you to take their coats and put them into Jane’s room.
    ‘Betty, when we’ve got over the birthday, we must discuss Easter. Richard will be here, of course, so there will be extra work. And Milly, Jane will have more free time, so I hope you’ll be able to keep her amused. Do you think you could manage to take her out sometimes, just round the outside of the house and in the garden? She needs some fresh air every day. Walton will go to her family for a few days and she will teach you how to control the wheelchair before she goes.’
    Although she was disappointed at not joining Jane’s birthday party, Milly wanted to jump up and throw her arms round this lady. This was the best news she could have heard. She was going to be here for Easter and spend more time with Jane. She couldn’t believe her luck, and she hoped she’d never find Auntie Doris.

    The day of the party arrived, and Jane looked lovely in her new dress and hair ribbon.
    ‘I wish you could come in to the party,’ said Jane. ‘I told Mama that you’re not a servant, you’re my friend, but she was worried that you might feel a little intimidated by her friends’ daughters.’
    In many ways Mrs Green was right. When Milly took the young ladies’ coats, they looked her up and down and she knew they were laughing at her as they walked into the drawing room.
    When she got into the kitchen she said to Betty, ‘They look like a right lot of stuck-up cows.’
    ‘Milly, kindly watch your language.’
    Milly blushed and looked at her feet. ‘I’m sorry, but they do.’
    Although Betty wanted to agree with her, she knew that wouldn’t do. She’d heard some of the things these so-called young ladies said when she’d gone into the room to take the tea trolley away.
     
    The week before Easter, Richard came home. He was tall and had a mop of unruly thick fair hair and eyes the same colour as his sister’s.
    Milly opened the door when he first arrived, and looking at her he enquired, ‘Who are you?’
    Milly curtsied and