Maria knew she'd feel at home when she saw the mountains. But it was the vast expanse of lake that thrilled her. It stretched to endless true blue yards of glossy waves, smooth serenity among the bustle of chatter and music. Elsa had hired a huge vessel to transport the party as they cruised leisurely along, those who wanted to become customers and those who had just come for the ride and wanted nothing more than to sip champagne looking alluring amongst the backdrop of the mountains. Max and his current devotee were first to take advantage but not before he'd cornered Maria on the mainland. He'd spotted Elsa and her charge as they'd stepped off the train at St Gallen. No amount of coaxing had made her divulge anything more about her new friend so he waited patiently, not bothering to try to imagine anything about her. He liked having little expectation. When things went right, it was all the sweeter a victory. He rushed forward to embrace Elsa (gorgeous in a tweed travelling suit), introduce his latest decoration and then turned to her companion who was looking around her in utter delight. The sweet little thing was holding a broad sunhat and wearing a dress made up of orange, pink and green stripes. Most original. His companion quietly expressed that it was the ugliest dress he'd ever seen and Max had to keep a deadpan face as he shushed him. He was determined to make Maria very welcome.
'Your welcoming party is here, delighted to meet you my dear. Gustav, would you be so kind as to order a porter for the luggage? Wonderful. Elsa, you look divine. Maria, I hope we shall become great friends.'
He linked arms with a woman on either side and propelled them towards the waiting car. Maria's simple travelling bag was tucked comfortably in among the Baroness's suitcase and off they went, Maria practically hanging out of the side in delight. The view was stupendous. She couldn't have imagined it any better. Gustav was being polite, Max was positively ecstatic and the Baroness was starting to relax. On the journey there, she had seemed a little languid again but now she was perking up and starting to sparkle.
Maria had been overjoyed to receive a phone call to ask her if she wanted to take another weekend away. They had kept the call short and to the point, knowing that the landlady was in prime position to snoop but Maria had been elated. Frau Schmidt had raised her eyebrows at the thought of Maria taking more time off so soon. Nevertheless she couldn't begrudge her; Maria was her best employee and had not taken any time off since she had started. She was young, now was the time to have fun.
'I wouldn't wear your play clothes to travel in. Bodensee is an exclusive place, especially if you are travelling with the likes of Baroness Schrader. You should make yourself a new dress' she instructed. She felt maternal towards the young woman, having been informed of her background before she came to work there. 'I will see what I can find today at the haberdashers for you.'
Slim pickings for the local store were clearing out its stock for a grand reopening for the next month. Frau Schmidt had picked over the leftovers and set aside any idea of finery, what would Maria want to wear to a lake town? The Baroness couldn't expect her to be as stylishly dressed for the circle she was going to run in. In any case, Frau Schmidt disapproved of the classes mixing. She wasn't sure that this social experiment was going to work. She gave up and chose a stack of garish fabric and added in some white buttons. As expected, Maria loved what was chosen and had got to work on the dress right away, singing merrily as the machine clattered. Her employer considered her fondly as she penned her letter to the Reverend Mother with the latest report. Maria was adjusting well to the outside life and her sudden social life was going to cause her strife when deciding if she were to re-join the abbey. Frau Schmidt was determined to support Maria in whatever decision she made although she did wonder what kind of influence the Baroness had to make Maria suddenly want to go off adventuring. She'd heard about the Baroness in passing, nothing damning, the gossip being that she was a wealthy widow, her husband had died three years ago of a heart attack and she had started up a business venture in perfume. Upmarket stuff, made to appeal to her crowd but she was respected for taking such an unusual action for a woman in her position.
Frau Schmidt debated on whether to mention the Baroness and then decided to keep it brief. It may well be that this friendship was destined to last only the spring and summer and then fade away. So, to wait and see.