Ripon, North Yorkshire

2006

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…"

Daisy stared at the four coffins in front of her, and she felt like was trapped inside a cocoon, unable to move, to feel, to think. Two weeks ago, her parents left her with her Aunt Beryl, who was one of her two godmothers. Mummy went to university with her, and her other godmother, Aunt Elsie, currently the headmistress in Downton Comprehensive, the village where they both live in. Uncle Charles, Aunt Elsie's husband managed the Robinson family affairs—Mummy went to University of Hull with Aunt Elsie and Aunt Beryl, so Uncle Charles was highly recommended by a doting Aunt Elsie.

Daisy was always convinced that her family didn't love her. Well, except her father. Mummy took care that she knew she wasn't wanted, her words constantly hitting and hurting Daisy like a battering ram. Her father took care that she was involved in everything, including that skiing trip in Val d'Isere which she didn't want to join. She remembered the disappointment on Daddy's face when she said no, then the relief when she was about to say yes, and again the disappointment when Mummy announced her plan to "dump" Daisy with Aunt Beryl and Aunt Elsie.

Women that Daisy secretly loved more than she loved her mother.

She tried to love her own mother, but it was an exercise in futility, and by the time Daisy was in Year Eight, she had well given up, and had grown accustomed to her father coming only by himself to her Speech Days at school. It was obvious to Daisy that her mother didn't want her around—she was packed off to Ripon Grammar, and was only taken home during Christmas (her half-terms were spent with Aunt Beryl's or Aunt Elsie's), or Easter holidays. Sometimes Dad took her out to lunch occasionally, tried to help make her feel grown up.

He was the only anchor in her world, and now, he was also gone.

And right now, Daisy didn't know what to do. Aunt Elsie had her arm around her shoulder—a very comforting gesture. Uncle Charlie nodded at her encouragingly. He had arranged her parents' affairs quickly and seamlessly—Aunt Elsie always averred that efficiency was her husband's middle name. What Daisy didn't know, however, was that she had become the sole heiress to her father's billions.

Long before he died, Ted Robinson, Daisy's father raked in millions with his computer software that had several product lines—from business and accounting to kids' learning. His popular product lines were the interactive GSCE programs as well as the ones for A-Levels. He had earned so much that year after year he earned millions and millions more—that it had accumulated into billions. Now, Charles Carson thought, what would happen to Robinson's Solutions? He talked to the Chief Operating Officer, who was approaching his sixties, and they were considering being bought out—a conglomerate. Provided, of course, Ted's daughter would allow it. As Daisy was a minor, Charles thought that he had his work cut out for him. He would probably speak to Daisy about it—for even with her tender age, she had a very mature outlook on the world. His wife, Elsie, called Daisy an 'old soul'. Charles had arranged with Beryl—according to Ted Robinson's will that the young girl stay with the fiery tempered, red-haired woman. Elsie was greatly fond of her dark-haired goddaughter, and would have wanted the young girl to stay with her, but she had her hands full with her own niece, Ivy. Ivy was popular with the boys, and sadly, not with her teachers. Sure, Ivy made good marks, but for some reason, the teachers didn't like her. Another thing Elsie feared was that the girls would clash. So she was glad when Daisy would stay at Beryl's, as per instruction in Ted Robinson's will.

The funeral goers were invited to a lunch at the Robinson house. Numbly, Daisy invited them in the dining room. A light buffet lunch was offered, and Daisy noted wryly that the guests ate the lunch with gusto. Mrs. May Bird, the family cook-housekeeper persistently persuaded Daisy to eat at least the potatoes.

"You have to eat, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything."

"I can't. I don't even feel hungry." Daisy shook her head wildly.

"Please, sweetpea." Daisy sighed. After all, Mrs. Bird's cordon bleus were manna from heaven, and she would miss it a lot. The cook had gotten employment at a school within Yorkshire, so Daisy thought to get the address.

"I've got a plate saved in the kitchen. You can stay there if you feel like being alone."

"All right, Mrs. B. I'll go."

"That's a good girl."

Beryl caught sight of the Robinson's family cook-housekeeper. She hadn't expected to get along well with May Bird, what with the slightly combative stance she had on their first meeting. But food, cooking and Daisy became their common ground, they made their truce, and their working relationship seemed to bear the seeds of a beautiful friendship.

"She's eating now, Miss Patmore. Our Daisy just needed a bit of persuasion." May Bird said, putting her hand on the pint-sized, fiery haired woman's shoulder. "Good," Beryl replied. "Thank you ever so much for supervising the packing. I couldn't imagine Daisy's had a lot of things. What would happen to this house?"

"Mr. Carson told me that as provided in Mr. Robinson's will, Daisy will have this house. For the time being, until Daisy turns of age, this house shall be leased to a family who just moved from London. When Daisy is of age, she'll decide if she wants to live in here. Or sell it."

"I doubt Daisy would want to live here. She never seemed to look forward coming back here when she was in school or from holidays with me or Mrs. Carson. This house is full of ghosts."

May Bird nodded emphatically. "I couldn't agree more, Miss Patmore. Are the voul au vents to your liking?"

"Oh yes," Beryl nodded enthusiastically. "It was perfect for the chicken al a king. That was first rate cooking, Mrs. Bird. Where will you be situated?"

"Well, I've applied for the position of cook in Downton Comprehensive. The school cafeteria, yes."

"Ah, that's good news. The cafeteria's gone to the dogs when Gladys Denker took over. The chicken croquettes tasted of cardboard! My word! Such rubbish, and the parents allow it! I can't for the life of me understand why."

"I haven't told Daisy yet where I'll be."

"Oh, don't, it'll be a lovely surprise, I'm sure." Beryl winked at May, who grinned back conspiratorially. "See you around, Mrs. Bird."

Since Daisy's things were already in her new home, Daisy asked for a few minutes.

"I just want to see my room for the last time," Daisy whispered to her red-haired godmother.

Daisy went up the stairs to see her bedroom. Everything had been cleared, stored, and packed away. Every item from her bedroom was moved to her room in Aunt Beryl's home, including the bed, the bookshelves, the desk—everything, except a silver photograph frame, standing by the window. Daisy walked closer to the French windows, where the frame was placed. It was of her and her father, when she was six years old. She was sitting on her father's lap, and both were grinning madly. Both of them were sitting on the doorstep of their old home—a fairly modest, two-story red-brick house in Harrogate, before her father raked in millions. Before her father—at her mother's insistence—bought the palatial monstrosity they now lived in. Daisy took the framed photograph, and put it in her bag.

She left the room, closing the door behind her.

I'm going to start a new life, and I can't wait.