Oh dear me. What a day this has been. Mrs Williams, the cook has been shouting her orders at me all day. “Beatrice do this, Beatrice do that,” all day long. Still, at least the other servants appreciate me. My steak and kidney pudding went down a real treat with them today.
I shall make beef stew and dumplings tomorrow, they always enjoy that.
Young Sarah the scullery maid did make me jump today. Heavens forbid I thought I would die of fright when she dropped a saucepan on the stone floor. I called her a ‘STUPID GIRL’ and I must admit I feel a bit guilty now. She is a very good worker and I suppose she does not have a very good life. She cleans and washes up all day long and she is not as stupid, as I know she can read and write very well. Better than me the truth to be had as I have seen her writing and it is very neat and tidy.
At least I get opportunities to try out my cooking talents. I cook for the servants, prepare the pastry for Mrs Williams, cook the vegetables and all sorts of thing really. I love to cook, it makes me feel happy. Hopefully one day I will be the cook. What a grand day that will be. I will be respected by all. I will get to speak and confer with the housekeeper or Lady of the house; I shall make lists and do all the ordering of provisions. Yes, I will feel very important.
Tomorrow will be a busy day as Mr and Mrs Seymour have ten guests coming to dinner. It will be all hands on deck and I will have to work very hard. I expect none of us will get to bed before eleven o’clock tomorrow. Mrs Williams will be cooking roast beef and vegetables and plum pudding and I will be cooking the soups and pastries.
Sarah will be busy. Let’s hope she will not drop the saucepan again. I noticed that Tom the butcher’s son smiled at her today. I get the idea that he is smitten with her. He asked me the other day how old she is. I told him it was none of his business and to leave the sixteen year old scullery maids alone. That made him smile.
I am three years older than Sarah. I was the scullery maid before her so I know how hard it is. It’s still hard but not quite so bad now. I know what’s it’s like to scrub the stone floors and scour the dishes, cutlery and pans. I still do but not so much. I am busy in the kitchen helping cook a lot of the time. The extra money comes in useful as well.
The weather has taken a change and this room has a chill in the air. It brings thoughts of Christmas and that will bring extra work in the household.
Now, I must bring my thoughts to a close and get some sleep as I am very tired and I have a busy day ahead.
