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- Herausgeber: The O'Brien Press
- Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021
The further adventures of Lily: life as a maid in Lissadell House is always interesting, but with her friendship with Maeve under strain, a war in Europe starting and uncertainly about her future, she needs all her wits about her! This latest installment in the popular series also sees Lily finally on her way to realising her dream of becoming a teacher. Nellie's older sister, Johanna, starts walking out with Harry the footman, and is extremely worried when he enlists and goes off to fight in World War I. He send letters to the girls from the front and tells them all about the Christmas Day truce in 1914 … but then a telegram comes. Harry is missing, presumed dead. Will he return to Lissadell, safe and sound? Meanwhile, when Isabelle, the children's nurse, becomes unwell Lady Mary asks Lily to work with the Michael and Hugh Gore Booth in the afternoons until they are ready to go away to boarding school. On a visit home, Lily meets the Master, who tells her that Miss O'Brien is courting a young man – and if she marries, there will be an opening for a Junior Assistant Mistress in the school. He assures her that her current level of education will be enough, and that once she is old enough, he'd be happy to appoint her.
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Praise for the ‘Lissadell’ series
‘A thoroughly enjoyable read and sure to become a favourite in Irish households.’
Children’s Books Ireland
‘This historical setting, giving an insight into social-class division, makes the Lissadell series among her most accomplished yet.’
Evening Echo
Dedication
For Dan, Brian, Ellen and Annie.
Contents
Summer 1914
Chapter One
‘Hurry up, Lily,’ said Maeve, as she pulled off her pretty silk shoes, hitched up her dress and ran towards the sea. ‘I bet the water’s beautiful.’
‘Wait for me,’ I said. ‘There’s a knot in my laces.’ Finally I managed to struggle out of my heavy leather boots, and laid them on the sand. Next to Maeve’s shoes they looked old and ugly, and for a second I felt ashamed. Then I lifted my head high and told myself I was being foolish. I had a good honest job at Lissadell, and just because I was a servant, and Maeve was a member of the family who owned the house, that didn’t make her better than me. 6
I took a second to enjoy the feeling of the warm sand under my feet, then I pulled off my housemaid’s cap and ran to the water, to my friend, to the best moments of my day.
‘I wish I’d brought my swimming costume, don’t you?’ said Maeve as we paddled.
‘I don’t have one. Years ago, before my daddy died, he took my whole family to Rosses Point for a day, and Mam let me wear an old petticoat of hers to swim in. I’m too big for that kind of thing now though.’
‘Oh,’ said Maeve, looking embarrassed. ‘I’ve got two costumes – you can borrow one next time if you like.’
‘Thank you.’ Maeve was always generous.
It was a gorgeous sunny day. A gentle breeze tossed my hair, and a flock of seagulls screeched and squawked over our heads while Maeve and I chatted.
‘Tell me the news of your sisters,’ she said.
Maeve loved hearing stories about Winnie and Anne, even though she had her own sweet cousins 7at Lissadell – Michael, Hugh, Bridget, Brian and little baby Rosaleen. She laughed when I told her how Winnie was afraid of the tiny little puppy who strayed into our garden one day.
‘Oh, how I love the sea,’ I sighed, as the water rippled over my skin. ‘When I’m a teacher, I’m going to work by the seaside, and every single day I’ll go for a paddle after school, even if I’m very old like twenty-five or something.’
‘When I grow up, I’m going to live in Dublin,’ said Maeve. ‘So I can be near Mother. The two of us will take trips to the seaside, and we shall be so happy together.’
‘That sounds lovely.’
Maeve’s mam lived in Dublin, and her daddy was somewhere in Europe, and I knew she missed them very much. Now she lived at Ardeevin with her grandmother, Gaga, but she spent lots of time at Lissadell House with her Uncle Josslyn and Aunt Mary and their children. She had many good things 8in her life, but I knew she was often lonely.
We paddled until our toes went white from the cold. Then we sat on a rock, and we each used one of my stockings to dry our feet.
We walked along the path, away from the sea. As always, I stopped for a moment and looked at Lissadell House – so dark and huge. I remembered the first time I’d seen it, almost a year earlier. Back then I was so young and scared, but now I marched towards it, a little older, and not scared any more.
‘Now what will we do?’ asked Maeve as we walked. ‘Maybe Albert could take us for a drive? Or we could go to my room and play dress-up, or we could…’
‘I’d love to do both of those things, but I can’t. I should have been back at work ages ago, and if I don’t hurry up, Mrs Bailey will make a fuss.’
It didn’t matter how nice the weather was – I wasn’t supposed to be on the beach in the middle of the afternoon. I was supposed to be helping my friend Nellie to clean the drawing room. When Maeve and 9I first became friends, she used to tell the housekeeper that she needed me to pose for a painting – which wasn’t really true at all. I’m not sure if Mrs Bailey ever believed her, but the servants felt sorry for Maeve, so she never made a fuss. Nowadays, Maeve didn’t even bother to pretend – she just showed up and smiled and Mrs Bailey would shake her head at me and warn me not to be away for too long.
‘Sorry, Lily,’ said Maeve. ‘I forgot you had to go back to work. Are you very cross with me?’
I had been cross with her, but now she was smiling so sweetly, I couldn’t keep it up.
‘No,’ I said.
‘So we’re still friends?’
‘Of course we are. Always!’
Now she smiled even more. She took my hand and together we skipped along the path.
* * *
I managed to avoid Mrs Bailey as I gathered my mop 10and bucket and hurried to the drawing room. Nellie was on her knees dusting under the dresser, but she looked up and smiled when she saw me.
‘Did you have a nice time with Maeve? Was the water very cold? Have you got sand in your stockings? I really hate that.’
I smiled back at her, realising how lucky I was to have Nellie as a friend. Other girls would feel jealous of my friendship with Maeve, and resent having to start on the rooms without me. Nellie wasn’t like that though. She always wanted me to have a nice time.
‘It was lovely,’ I said as I knelt down beside her and began to work. ‘The water was a little bit cold, but––’
Just then Lady Mary came into the room. Nellie and I put down our dusters and stood with our hands clasped in front of us, the way we had been taught.
‘Ah, there you are, Lily,’ said Lady Mary. ‘I was wondering how you are getting along with your little project for the Home Industries show? Didn’t you say you are going to make a blouse for your mother?’11
I put my head down. Lady Mary was very kind. She always asked about my family and encouraged me with my sewing.
‘I … I haven’t got started on it yet, Lady Mary,’ I said.
‘Why ever not?’ she said. ‘The show isn’t too far away now, and if you do your best work, I’m sure you have a very good chance of winning a prize.’
‘I …’
‘Had you forgotten all about it?’
‘No … it’s just that …’
How could I begin to explain to this fine lady?
How could she ever understand my life?
Of course I haven’t forgotten about the home industries show – the prize for the best garment is three whole shillings! If I had three shillings, I’d buy cream for Mam’s sore hands – and maybe I could get some ribbons for my little sisters, and a few marbles for my brothers. But where am I supposed to find the time to sew that perfect garment? Mrs Bailey has me working all the hours – when Nellie 12and I get to bed, we’re usually asleep within minutes – on Friday I’m in the sewing school and on Saturdays when it’s my day off I travel home to see Mam and help her with jobs – and Maeve is always asking me to spend time with her, and I like that but it doesn’t leave me with much time for sewing and…
‘Well?’ Lady Mary didn’t look cross – she looked disappointed, which was far worse. But then, as she stared at me, it was almost as if she understood.
‘I know you work very hard, Lily,’ she said gently. ‘But if you can find the time at all, don’t forget you can take fabric and whatever else you need from the cupboard under the attic stairs.’
‘Thank you, Lady Mary,’ I said. ‘You’re very kind.’
* * *
That evening, Nellie came with me as I went to the fabric cupboard.
‘Oh my!’ she said when I opened the door. ‘This is 13a real treasure trove. You’re so lucky, Lily.’
‘Would you like to sew something too?’ I said. ‘I’m sure Lady Mary would let you…’
‘Not me,’ she laughed. ‘My stitches aren’t neat like yours. I can mend sheets, but that’s about all. If I put something in the Home Industries show I’d be the laugh of the whole estate.’
‘If anyone laughs at you, I’ll thump them,’ I said, but I didn’t argue. Nellie had many great talents, but sewing wasn’t one of them.
The two of us leaned in and touched the stacks of fabric – so soft and cool under our fingers.
‘This pink one,’ said Nellie. ‘No this green one – or maybe the yellow one with the stripes. What’s your Mam’s favourite colour?’
‘She likes blue,’ I said, reaching in and pulling out a piece of cotton. We each took two corners and held the fabric out to the light. It was fine and soft and the colour of the sky on the best day of the year.
‘That’s the one,’ sighed Nellie. ‘It’s beautiful.’14
‘You’re right,’ I said. ‘I can put a small frill on the neck, and puff out the sleeves, like on Lady Mary’s blouses. Mam won’t like anything too fancy, but I think I could get away with a few little things.’
As we folded the fabric and went downstairs for our supper, I couldn’t help feeling excited. I was going to make the blouse. I was going to win the home industries show. And Mam was going to be the finest lady in our village!
Chapter Two
The door to the little room off the kitchen was open, and I slipped inside. Harry, one of the footmen, was ironing the newspapers.
‘Hello, Lily,’ he said. ‘How are you today? Are you a teacher yet?’
‘Not quite yet,’ I said, laughing. ‘Maybe next week.’
Harry, like all my friends, knew that my great ambition was to be a teacher. Sometimes I feared this would never happen, but Harry always encouraged me. Harry always believed in me.
‘I’ve been wondering why you iron the papers.’ I said. ‘They’re barely wrinkled at all.’
‘It’s not only about the wrinkles,’ he said. ‘The iron dries the ink too, so Sir Josslyn doesn’t get his fingers dirty.’
‘It’s a lot of work for you, though,’ I said. 16
‘True – but I don’t mind – and anyway, it means I can keep up with all the latest news.’
‘What’s happening out there?’
Now his face went serious. ‘It’s not good, Lily. Not good at all.’
‘Is it Countess Markievicz again?’
Maeve’s mother, Countess Markievicz, was always getting into trouble. She was often mentioned in the newspaper for going on marches, and some of the servants said that once she was even arrested!
‘No, it’s not the Countess,’ he said. ‘There’s bad things happening in Europe, Lily.’
‘Like what?’ his serious face was making me nervous.
‘Remember I told you about Archduke Franz Ferdinand being shot?’
I did. I felt sorry for the man – being shot can’t be very nice – but I still couldn’t see why that mattered to me. People on our own island were dying all the time. 17
‘But I’d never even heard of him,’ I said. ‘Or the place he was shot. Is it still in the newspapers?’
‘Well, it’s complicated to explain, but that set off a series of events, and now things are very tense in Germany and Russia. There could be a war coming.’
‘War isn’t nice – but Germany and Russia are so far away – how will that make any difference to us here at Lissadell?’
‘If Great Britain gets involved, it could change life here too.’
‘And do you think that will happen?’
‘The Irish Volunteers will be a distraction, but who knows?’
I listened to adults talking all the time so I knew that lots of people believed Ireland should be free. I knew lots of people were prepared to fight for that freedom, but this talk of war with other countries was very frightening.
‘Ah, now, Lily,’ said Harry. ‘I shouldn’t be making you worry. I’m sure it will all blow over soon. 18Nobody wants…’
I heard footsteps in the passageway behind me, but I knew it wasn’t the firm march of Mrs Bailey’s feet, so I didn’t bother to turn around. Then I noticed that Harry’s face had gone red.
‘Who was that?’ I asked. ‘And why are you smiling?’
‘No one,’ he said, still smiling that funny smile.
Now I was really interested, but when I peeped out, there was no one to be seen.
‘Harry?’ I said, but now his blush had faded, and he was busy ironing the last page of the last newspaper.
‘Time for me to go,’ he said, putting the iron down. ‘Sir Josslyn won’t be happy if the papers are out of date before I get them upstairs.’
‘Harry?’ I said again, but he gathered up the newspapers, winked, and walked around me and out the door. Very strange.
* * *
19My room was in the basement of the house. It was small with just two beds, two lockers and a press. It was cosy though, with a gas light, and a fireplace for cold winter nights. Nellie was in bed reading when I got there that night.
‘At last I’ve got all the pieces for Mam’s blouse cut out,’ I said. ‘It took much longer than I expected.’
‘It’s going to be lovely,’ she said.
‘It had better be – as everyone’s being so helpful. Mrs Bailey let me use the servant’s dining table for the cutting, Lady Mary gave me thread and needles and buttons, and Johanna gave me this lovely cotton bag to keep everything in.’
At the mention of her sister’s name, Nellie looked up and smiled. They had once been in a workhouse, and lost track of each other for many years. Lady Mary, Maeve and I helped to bring them together, and now Johanna worked as a lady’s maid at Lissadell.
‘Is it all right if I sew for a few minutes before putting out the light?’ I asked. ‘I’m keen to get started.’ 20
‘Of course.’
I took out the first two pieces, threaded my needle and began to sew, using my best, tiniest stitches. I loved starting a new project, and felt I could sew all through the night. But Nellie and I had been up since six that morning, and before long we were yawning so much we had tears in our eyes. I put my sewing away, turned out the gas light, and was asleep in seconds.
* * *
Next day, Nellie and I were told to mend sheets, so we hurried along to the bright sunny room where we did the darning and other small jobs like that. I loved sewing, and it was a chance to sit down and chat, but poor Nellie wasn’t so happy.
‘Ouch!’ she said after only a few minutes. ‘I’ve stabbed myself again. These needles are dangerous weapons.’
Just then Johanna came in and sat beside her sister. 21‘You poor girl,’ she petted. ‘Is it bad?’
Nellie beamed. She didn’t care about pain when her beloved big sister was next to her, taking care of her.
Johanna was a few years older than Nellie and me, and sometimes she seemed like a real grown-up. She was funny, and always made Nellie and me laugh over silly things. When Johanna first came to Lissadell, I didn’t like her, but now all that had changed, and I loved her like a sister.
‘Can you sit with us for a few minutes, Johanna?’ asked Nellie.
‘I can sit with you for lots of minutes,’ smiled Johanna, opening the leather case she was carrying. ‘Lady Mary has asked me to polish her jewellery, and it’s going to take me ages.’
The three of us worked away, chatting about this and that. Then I remembered my conversation with Harry.
‘When I was in the dining room I heard Sir Josslyn 22and Lady Mary talking,’ said Nellie, when I’d told them what Harry had said. ‘They are worried too. I don’t like hearing about wars and things like that – it frightens me.’
‘It is scary,’ said Johanna. ‘But Harry is right to tell us. We should know what’s going on in the outside world.’
Something in Johanna’s voice made me look up. Was she blushing? Why was she smiling while talking about war?
I put down my sewing and watched her, trying to work out what was going on – and then I understood.
‘Johanna?’ I said.
‘What?’
‘Why has your face turned that pretty shade of pink?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said, turning even pinker than before.
‘Lily’s right,’ said Nellie. ‘You are pink – are you all right?’ 23
‘It’s a little warm in here,’ said Johanna.
I laughed. ‘That’s not it. Nellie and I are as pale as we ever were.’
‘Maybe I have a touch of fever,’ said Johanna.
‘Maybe you have,’ I laughed. ‘But I think that fever got worse when I mentioned Harry’s name.’
‘Johanna!’ said Nellie. ‘Are you and Harry…?’
‘Don’t be silly,’ said Johanna. ‘Harry and I sometimes chat together, that’s all. He’s interesting, and I like to hear what he says about the news.’
Nellie looked as if she believed her sister, but I wasn’t so sure. Mam often tells me that you can’t always believe the words people say, but their eyes can’t lie. Johanna’s eyes were sparkling, and telling me that there was definitely something going on between her and Harry. I wondered if Nellie would mind – her sister had been lost to her for so long, would she be sorry to share her now?
‘How’s your mam’s blouse coming along, Lily?’ asked Johanna. ‘It’s going to be lovely when it’s 24finished.’
I smiled, pretending I hadn’t noticed the way she changed the subject so quickly. Life at Lissadell House was boring sometimes, and a little bit of romance would be a nice distraction.
Chapter Three
Sometimes on Sundays, when there were no guests at the house, we were allowed to have two hours off in the afternoon. Servants at Lissadell worked hard, and this was a special treat.
After dinner, Nellie, Johanna and I left the servants’ dining hall together.
‘Two whole hours,’ sighed Nellie. ‘What are you going to do, Lily?’
‘I’m going to work on Mam’s blouse – I want to get lots done.’
Nellie turned to her sister. ‘Johanna, maybe you and I could…?’
Before she could finish, Harry came over. Once again his face was pink, and when Johanna saw him, her face turned a matching colour.
‘Johanna?’ he said. ‘I wonder if, if… what I mean 26is… would you…?’
Watching him was funny, but I felt sorry for him too. Harry was always so confident, and now he was like a little schoolboy, in trouble for not doing his homework.
He tried again. ‘Johanna. I wonder if maybe you would like to…?’
I knew I’d have to help him. ‘Harry,’ I said. ‘We only have two hours off, and at this rate, you’re going to spend the whole time here in this passageway, not able to get to the end of your sentence.’
Nellie giggled, and Johanna poked me with her elbow, but I ignored her. I was only trying to help.
‘Just spit it out,’ I said. ‘It sounds as if you want to ask Johanna to do something with you?’
Harry nodded, his face now almost purple. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
‘So what do you want to do?’ I asked. With only two hours, there really weren’t many options. ‘Walk into the village? Walk around the garden? Walk 27along the beach?’
He nodded again, and I turned to Johanna. ‘It looks as if Harry wants to go for a walk on the beach with you.’
She still looked embarrassed, but she also had a huge smile on her face. She was so happy, and so beautiful, I wanted to throw my arms around her and give her a huge hug – but everyone was awkward enough already, so I stopped myself.
‘I’d like that, thank you, Harry,’ she said. Now he too looked as if he’d been given the best present in the world, before Johanna spoke again. ‘Oh, Nellie,’ she said. ‘You were going to say something. Did you want to…?’
And kind Nellie, whose favourite thing in the world was spending time with her sister, shook her head. ‘Oh, I was only going to ask … if you wanted to … come to our room tonight, so we could read together.’
‘Why don’t you come for a walk with Johanna and 28me, Nellie?’ said Harry, showing what a nice person he was. ‘And you too, Lily.’
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘But I’m going to my room to do my sewing.’
‘And I’m going with you, Lily,’ said Nellie. ‘I’ll sing to you while you work.’
And so Nellie and I went to our room, leaving Johanna and Harry to their romantic walk on the beach.
* * *
After our break, we had lots of work to do, so Nellie and I didn’t see Johanna. It was late that evening and we were already in bed when Johanna finally came to our room. She took off her shoes and slipped under the covers with her sister.
‘Tell us everything,’ I said sitting up. ‘I want to hear every single detail.’
‘There’s nothing to tell,’ said Johanna primly. ‘Harry and I had a lovely walk, and then we came back, and 29I’ve been helping Lady Mary to sort out her wardrobe ever since.’
‘What did you and Harry talk about?’ asked Nellie.
‘All kinds of things,’ sighed Johanna, with a small smile on her face. ‘We talked about his brother in England, and his daddy’s farm, and what’s happening in Europe. And sometimes we didn’t talk at all – and that didn’t matter – we only walked along – and it was lovely.’
‘And will you and Harry go walking again?’ I asked.
‘We might,’ said Johanna. ‘If you don’t mind, Nellie?’
‘Why would I mind?’ asked Nellie.
‘Because – well … because if I’m with Harry, then I’m not with you, and I don’t want you to be lonely.’
‘I was lonely when I didn’t know where you were, or even if you were alive. Now you’re here with me, and I don’t mind if you want to spend time with Harry.’
‘If you’re sure?’ said Johanna.
‘Of course I’m sure,’ said Nellie. ‘All I want is for 30you to be happy.’
Johanna kissed her little sister, then she tiptoed from the room, and we settled down to sleep.
* * *
After that, Harry and Johanna went on lots of walks. Soon they didn’t get all red and embarrassed when they were together – they just looked happy. I noticed that when one was talking, the other paid extra attention to what they were saying, as if their words were more valuable than anyone else’s. Watching them reminded me a bit of how my mam and daddy used to be, and it made me sad and happy at the same time.
Chapter Four
Nellie and I had to clean the butler’s office. Mr Kilgallon was very fussy about his things, and we were both a little bit scared of him, so we took a long time, making sure to put everything carefully back in its place.
‘I wonder what’s for dinner?’ said Nellie as we put our mops and buckets back in the store room. ‘I’m so hungry I think I might die if I don’t get it soon.’
I peeped around the door at the kitchen clock. ‘Please don’t die,’ I said. ‘You’ve only got ten minutes to wait.’
