Chapter 14: 14. WRH III: She will be there.
Soon, some footsteps were heard from the stairs and all eyes turned towards that direction. Mr and Mrs Holmes were seen walking towards the dining table, having small talks and laughing in-between. Maxwell was dejected because he didn't get any answer from Gerry, and he knew she couldn't answer now that his parents were around. Gerry looked towards him and mouthed later, and left. Maxwell felt a bit relieved. At least he was sure to get an answer, be it positive or negative.
The family started eating at the dining table. The rest of the staff had a different table at the kitchen where they could eat. Only the noise from cutleries touching plates could be heard as they enjoyed their meal. Maxwell and his parents talked about his birthday and other random stuffs till they were done.
As soon as they were done, the cleaners busied themselves with clearing the table and washing the dishes. Maxwell hurriedly left the table and went to the kitchen to look for Gerry, but he didn't find her there. He asked the cleaners and he was told to go to the changing room. He jogged his way there and knocked gently. He heard Gerry's voice to come in, and he found Gerry resting on the bed in the room.
Gerry sat up as soon as she saw Maxwell. She wasn't expecting it to him.
"Hey, little boy, what brings you here?" Gerry asked, pretending to have forgotten what transpired before breakfast.
"Um... About what I asked you..about Miriam coming for my birthday party..." His voice attenuated and met silence, all the while looking into Gerry's eyes eagerly awaiting her reply.
Gerry sighed inaudibly. She had given this a thought minutes ago. And she saw no need to prevent the kids from being together on Maxwell's happy day. She just hoped that Edith would not cause trouble when she saw that she brought her kids.
Edith did not want to have anything to do with people from the middle or lower classes, except, of course, when it's related to working in the mansion. And Gerry was much particular about it because of what happened some years back when one of the workers brought her kid and he touched, literally just touched one of her flower vases. She was seething with anger, with smoke literally puffing from her ears and nose. And the sort of words she used on the worker and her kid were so appalling to be repeated. She fired the worker, at the long run, without pay.
Gerry was very particular about her reputation. And she didn't want to stop working in the mansion because of, one, the high pay, and two, her respect for the noble boss, Robert Holmes, and lastly, her love for their children, Lois and Maxwell.
She wondered where Mr. Holmes saw Edith and finally got married to her. Maybe it was a marriage of convenience. Looking at the humble and jovial nature of Robert, and the polar opposite attitude of Edith, she could only wonder.
Maxwell's mild voice pulled her back from her thoughts, as she felt a light tug on her uniform.
"Mrs, Gerry, please, let her come. All my friends will be there, and she's my new friend. I don't want her to miss it, please."
"Okay okay, you don't have to look like that." Gerry said and pulled him to sit beside her on the bed. He looked like if she said no, he would just break down.
"But..."
"She will be there." Gerry cut him short, and Maxwell's eyes widened out of shock, and seconds later, a smile of relief broke onto his innocent face.
"Re..really?"
"Yes, I will bring her here on your birthday."
For some seconds, Maxwell felt speechless. Was he hearing right? He had prepared to persuade her for a long time till she understood him. Who would have thought Gerry would just accept it like this? When he saw Gerry nodding in affirmation, his joy knew no bounds.
Days soon turned into weeks and the day finally came. Both Maxwell and Miriam had been looking forward to this day. They both couldn't sleep in their respective homes. The night seemed very long for them.
Because Gerry was the cook for all the meals for the party, she was supposed to be there early in the morning, although the party would start later that day, around 4pm. And she had to go together with Miriam, because she couldn't come there alone. Miriam was so happy. At least she would get to see Maxwell and talk to him for some time before the party started. She was quick with her preparation and they soon left for the Holmes mansion.
They got there earlier than usual today, even before the clock striked 6am. Gerry had to prepare breakfast before she could start with the other preparations, hence the need to be there as early as possible.
Miriam was thinking all the way throughout the journey, whether Maxwell would like the gift she prepared for him. She had made a small white stuffed teddy with eyes stitched into small dots, and a cute smile with a gold-coloured thread, attached to a small silver ring to be used as key holder. Her late maternal grandmother used to teach her and do some with her, and so she was able to do it with the left over materials. She showed it to Gerry for approval and she was excited when she told her it was very beautiful. In fact, it took her close to two weeks to complete it, since she started working on it the next day after Maxwell told her about his birthday. She didn't have any hope of being able to attend the party, but she decided to make it and let her mom send it to Maxwell. Who would have thought she would be able to go? Gerry told her three days to the birthday that she would be attending, and she was super excited. It was then that she showed her gift to her mother.
They hurried their way into the changing room. Gerry changed into her uniform and was about to leave Miriam all by herself again when she was stopped by her small voice.
"Mom, I can really help with the preparation. I can do something to help rather than stay here doing nothing..." She trailed with pleading eyes. She, at least, wanted to see the kitchen. Gerry looked at her and sighed. She understood her behaviour, so she didn't want to push further.
"Alright, let's go. Just don't mess this dress up. You know I didn't bring any extra clothes for you to work with it..."
"Don't worry, mom. I brought these." She hurriedly yanked her backpack which was on her back all this while off her back , and whipped a white dress out of it. She also brought a white apron and cute white sandals. Gerry could only gape with wide eyes, in utter disbelief. This girl is really prepared, she thought. When did she pack all those things? And as if Miriam could read her thoughts, she said.
"I figured all the workers here wear white uniforms only, so I brought these." She beamed, and then pouted her cute lips and said, "The only thing I don't have is a white hair net."
Gerry chuckled and slightly pulled her cheeks. "Don't worry, I'll adjust one of these for you." She said, and took one of their own and adjusted it to fit her little head, packing all her long brown hair neatly into it. Soon they left for the kitchen.
"Okay. Let's work on breakfast first, after that you'll work on the cookies and cupcakes for the party." Gerry said as she opened the fridge to fetch the ingredients for breakfast. She placed a high stool near the sink for Miriam to stand on in order to reach the sink, just like they do at home, and gave her some fruits and vegetables.
"First wash these carefully."
"Yes, mom."
They got themselves busy with breakfast, and soon it was done. Miriam anxiously kept turning during the preparation. She was eager to see Maxwell. It was funny though, and she was too young to know that she already had a crush on Maxwell.
By the time they were done with breakfast, it was already 7:30am. Gerry excused herself to go to the washroom after they arranged the meal on the dining table. Miriam was left with the other workers in getting the kitchen ready for the other preparations. She was getting down from her high stool after washing her hands when she heard a familiar voice take her name.
"Miriam..." Maxwell called in a solemn voice.
Miriam turn abruptly to look at him, but lost her balance and slipped off the high stool.
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