"I think you did rather well for your first day".
Algee commented as he scrubbed down the kitchen counters.
He then proceeded to wipe out a cognac glass that looked very similar to the one her uncle had in his office.
"Isn't that my Uncle's?"
"What? The glass?
Yes it certainly looks like one.
It's very similar but it couldn't be part of that limited edition crystal set brandy glasses that your uncle specifically ordered from Waterford."
"Funny there's one missing from my uncle's study".
Noel cleverly pointed out.
"Aw yes, funny, funny, funny.
Very odd.
Most peculiar.
He must have misplaced it somehow.
You know perhaps he put it down somewhere here in the kitchen.
Oh perhaps it's in the library.
I'll have to keep my eye out for it".
"If you're going to use that you shouldn't leave it out to dry on the rack."
"Yes mother I'll try not to."
"I didn't know you had a problem with kleptomania."
"Oh stop.
I didn't steal it, I borrowed it and I just haven't gotten around to giving it back but it's not as if he's noticed.
Your uncle isn't very observant.
Perhaps you've noticed I'm very careful with breakable materials.
I hand wash all the wine glasses and I handle all the fine China and I haven't dropped a single one.
I have a very gentle touch and have a very firm grip."
"Even on your third glass of cognac?"
"After my third glass I usually put it down on, slowly."
"After you spill it all over the sofa and your knock off Armani suit".
"You really should get out more.
Get a hobby.
Something that doesn't include studying the wrinkles on my face."
"Why do you have a new one I don't know about?
Would it help if I watch your bags instead?"
"Funny, How about I watch yours instead since you're the new insomnia poster child these days?"
"You know you're probably right cause you don't really have very much roughage around the eyes.
So you're safe."
"I'm safe but you're not, I live here remember, so if you see anything that's out of place keep in mind it's not stealing if it's in your own home".
"I'll have to tell my Uncle that one.
He thought you'd bring a fresh new kind of humor to stand up comedy since not very people hear from the overworked Butler. Plus British comedy has always been all the rage.
In fact you'd probably recite a few of your one liners and they'll swear it's Shakespeare".
"Oh that's the perks of being British.
Every word ends up being absolutely hilarious or it's absolutely poetic.
It's a blessing and at times it's a curse.
I mean you're out and about ordering from a French menu everyone is impressed but whenever you go to a club or a bar no one takes you seriously cause they either think you're being snobby or you're having a go at them.
I had woman stare at me for half an hour and she asked if I was from Michigan.
One woman was actually close and guessed New England.
The weirdest guess was when someone thought I was from Nova Scotia."
"See you have plenty of brilliant material to work with already.
Although I wouldn't invite my uncle to your first show".
"Does it look like I want to be homeless right now?
I could be fired and I want to retire eventually and even if he still keeps me in this house I can't retire on love alone.
Of course thanks to your help I may not be overworked any longer."
"That reminds me did I say anything I shouldn't have last night?"
"No not that I know of.
You were your usual sweet and endearing self you've always been.
You said you loved me to which i responded with the feeling is mutual."
"So it's nothing that I would regret.
"No not unless you count the part where you said you wanted us to go out again sometime".
"Oh yes I remember that.
You know I meant it.
I did have splendid time.
I wouldn't mind doing it again".
"So you said and don't worry there's more where that came from.
That is to say that won't be the last time I'll be your chaperone.
Although last night was sort of a trial run."
"Did you pass?"
"One would think so.
It certainly seems I have with your Uncle's seal of approval and your lack of objections.
So yes I won this round of course you won a little something as well".
"Oh splendid.
What did I win?"
"Me. You won me as your new and official chaperone."
"No cash prize this time."
"No I believe that's your uncle's department not mine.
Do you think I would wear knock off Armani's if I could just pay you up front?"
"Well you did pay that Taxi Driver".
"That particular Taxi Driver was cheap otherwise I wouldn't have never paid him in the first place."
"Oh so you're cheapskate and a klepto.
Multi talented are we".
"You have no idea.
In the mean time when you're finished psychoanalyzing me could you be a dear and dry the dishes?"
"You have a dishwasher".
"True but your uncle forbade me use the drying option, so I have to hand dry all the dishes.
Some nonsense about climate change and being green.
Conserve water conserve the planet, you know the motto.
It blew up all over the place about 10 years ago.
Sebastian was really into it and somehow he got his father into it as well.
Amazingly he still abides by it.
I promise you this will be the last thing you'll have to do".
"Alright.
Hand me the towel".
She retrieved the scratchy yellow dish towel from his firmly gripped grasp.
Her finger ever so slightly brushed over his partly outstretched hand as she went to grab for the towel.
Algernon hardly noticed but Noel felt a surge of electrifying energy rush through her.
"So do you regret becoming my assistant yet?"
Algernon stepped aside so as to allow her access to the dish rack that was right beside the sink.
"Regret.
I've never heard of such a thing.
Why that's not even in my vocabulary.
Why would I regret helping you anyway?
You happen to be my best friend.
You're like a second Uncle to me.
A second Uncle that's slightly older then my first one".
"Oh don't try to flatter me.
You could have gone with just plain old.
After all I have no shame.
It's not as if I'm getting any younger.
Let me guess you might have mentioned something of that effect to your uncle...in his office".
"How did you know?"
"I heard you over the intercom.
In fact I heard the entire thing.
I know it was meant to be private but you know me when I see a door marked do not disturb and I just can't resist but to go inside."
"Wait you haven't been sneaking into my room have you?"
She smiled disbelievingly.
"Oh heavens no.
I wouldn't dream of it.
I save my snooping through keyholes for your Uncle's study and perhaps I've snooped into some your cousins rooms but that was only to confiscate Sebastian's playboy magazines so I could hide them in other places around the house.
The only time I've ever entered your room was merely to tidy things up a bit, change the sheets, retrieve the laundry basket and such.
I never went in there to pry.
I didn't go in there looking for money in your sock drawers, or try to unlock your diary or search your room for loose floor boards.
I'll have you know it was a rarity for me to ever venture inside your room, you always kept it surprisingly tidy unlike your other uncle's spoiled children.
You always made your bed, folded your clothes and hung them up afterwards.
You brought in your dishes when you were done with them and I don't know how you managed to keep your floor absolutely spotless.
Floors don't shine like that unless you wax them.
It's almost like you were trying to make up for something.
I wonder were you ever hiding anything?"
Algernon's voice went from smooth to apprehensive and then went back to smooth again.
"Oh you mean me Making up for the fact my mother never loved me and my father cared very little for me and that I blamed myself for the whole thing.
I was a very insecure child.
I wanted to be perfect for everyone.
I didn't want anyone to complain about me.
I feared that people find me to be annoying or bothersome.
What I feared most was to be a burden in this place like I was at home.
So yes I was clean, I was tidy, I was kind and I was courteous.
I minded my manners, I showed everyone the respect they deserved and I was generous with my time, I was always eager to listen and I tried to be empathetic towards everyone in this household.
So if I was hiding anything it was probably to hide that fact that I was screaming inside.
If you excuse me, I'm rather tired, I'd very much like to retire for the day."
She literally ran off from the kitchen to her room.
