His knee started to jitter up and down with nerves whilst waiting, clenching and unclenching his sweaty palms, nibbling on a thumb nail.

'Should have said if you were hungry.'

The female cockney accent startled Ste out of his nerve induced daydream.

'Anyone would think you hadn't eaten for a week the way you were bitin those nails.'

The middle aged woman smiled at him then, one that reached her eyes, informing Ste that she was just messing with him.

'I'm Mrs Roscoe, head house keeper, you must be Mr Hay.'

'Err yeah..' Ste nodded. 'You can call me Ste though.'

'Well Ste, nice to meet you. Was just bringin some tea in for you all before the family arrive.'

The thought of meeting the family instantly made the butterflies return in the pit of his stomach, the older woman must have noticed the worry etched on his brow as her expression turned to one of concern.

'Oh there's no need to worry love, if you've been invited in to the house, well….you're basically in.'

'Right…well, thanks.'

Ste tried to muster up a small smile in return, anxiety still bubbling away.

A bell started ringing so Mrs Roscoe suddenly had to dash, leaving Ste once again in the silence, the only company being the steady ticking of a mantelpiece clock and the steaming of the tea in the china pot, now placed on a small table in front of him.

Ste thought he'd make himself useful and start pouring out the tea, the porcelain looked expensive with gold leaf decorating the rim of each cup.

'Oh Ste..'

Shit! Cheryl had appeared from the door, startling Ste enough to knock over the teacup he was pouring in to, hot tea flowing straight on to the ebony wood of the table and on to the antique looking carpet.

'Oh my god! Oh my god! Cheryl I'm so sorry! I…I'll pay for everythin' Ste cried out as he jumped up to try and mop the spillage with an old handkerchief from his pocket, it was all he had.

Cheryl tried to help him but was looking slightly awkward as she glanced back up to the doorway. Ste followed her gaze, making him redden further in embarrassment. There were now two elegantly dressed gentleman observing the fiasco before them, clearly the rest of the family. Ste knew his chances had been blown there and then, talk about making a first impression.

'THERESA' The older man bellowed, 'Cheryl leave it, you're a lady, Theresa will come and clean it up.'

'Yes daddy.'

Cheryl reluctantly gave Ste back his handkerchief, withdrawing to go and stand back by her father.

A young blonde girl soon rushed in, bowl of water in hand and some muslin cloths. She blushed at the younger of the two men as she bustled in, straightening out her apron before getting on her hands and knees to mop up the mess Ste had made. Ste stood up then, becoming acutely aware of being in the way. With all of the commotion he hadn't even properly taken notice of the rest of Cheryl's family, he felt embarrassed to do so, but knew it would be rude of him if he didn't at least acknowledge them by introducing himself.

As he straightened himself up, brushing down his trousers, he realised the older man was ogling the young maid who was scrubbing at the carpet. He had a light grey suit on with matching waistcoat and cravat, the buttons of the waistcoat strained across his protruding stomach, Ste could tell that the man obviously ate well, and drank well if the rosyness of his cheeks were anything to go by, they mirrored the crimson stain that his own father always wore.

A very patriarchal stance this man had, Ste could tell that he demanded the attention of every room that he went in, however his assertiveness felt uneasy. Maybe it was the expensive dress mixed with the unshaven face Ste thought, it gave him an air of un-cleanliness.

The man held a smirk on his face as he watched the girl on the floor, Ste remembered the man calling for Theresa or someone? So he assumed that this must be her. She seemed pretty enough, however the way the man looked at her like a piece of meat, along with the fact that he was probably old enough to be her grandfather sent a shiver down Ste's spine. He instantly broke eye contact when he realised that the man was now looking at him, watching him. As he jerked his head away, he accidentally made eye contact with the other man in the room, however this time, he couldn't drop his stare.

There was something unusually attractive about this man, Ste didn't spend his time appreciating the male form, yet there was something about this man that demanded your attention, but in a different way to his father's. Ste assumed they were father and son anyway, they certainly had similarities, the serious frowns, the dark eyes that alluded to seeing perhaps more of the world than your average person. Rather than the stubbly beard of his father though, this man was completely clean shaven, apart from the moustache protruding from his top lip. Moustache's were extremely fashionable, although Ste had only ever really associated them with the older generation. This man was still relatively young though, late twenties Ste guessed, but he wore the moustache as though he was born with it. It just suited him, gave him a mysterious edge that drew you in. Ste felt mesmerised by this man, he didn't know why, but he didn't want to look away. The other man held his gaze as though he felt the same. Ste unconsciously let his eyes travel up and down the stranger for a few seconds, noticing that he was in a suit much similar to his father's, however it was of a darker grey material and he wore no cravat. The top buttons of his shirt had been loosened, just enough to allow a peek of chest hair, and if the strain of the material was anything to go by, unlike his father's chubby form, this strain suggested a muscular physique underneath the expensive attire. Ste felt himself go hot under the collar, suddenly felt as though the neck of his shirt was growing tighter. He coughed to clear his head and made sure the next person he looked at was Cheryl who gave him a reassuring smile.

'Daddy, Brendan, I'd like you to meet Ste Hay. He's the one I was telling you about, who helped me when I fell off my horse.'

'Ahh so you're my Cheryl's knight in shining armour are you boy?'

Ste noticed the sneer underlying the tone of the man's voice. It made him stutter, but before he could respond, Cheryl continued.

'He's here to apply for the new footman's position, I sent him a letter inviting him here, I think he would be perfect for the job daddy.'

She beamed up at her father who reciprocated the smile back at her, however when he briefly glanced at Ste, Ste couldn't help but notice the look of disgust aimed towards him. The other man, Brendan as Cheryl had called him, suddenly looked slightly awkward. Ste wondered whether he'd noticed the instant dislike his father had towards him because his eyes kept flicking back on to him, clenching and unclenching his hands.

'Ste, this is my father Seamus..'

'Lord Brady to you' Seamus interrupted, aiming his words at Ste who swallowed down the nervous lump in his throat.

Cheryl seemed oblivious as she continued, 'and this is my brother Brendan' she smiled, motioning towards the younger of the two men, still stood rather close to the doorway. Ste wondered if he was as eager as him to get the hell out of there. Brendan politely nodded at Ste, grunting a hello which he strained to hear.

'He's a bit shy when it comes to strangers is our Brendan' Cheryl chuckled, Brendan shot her a death stare in return.

'Shy?' Seamus boomed a false laugh, 'Brendan loves the attention, don't ye boy?' He pats him on the back as he says so, one that looks too heavy handed to Ste, especially as Brendan cowers slightly, before putting on what Ste thinks is a brave face.

'I've got business to attend to, I'll leave ye to it.' Suddenly Brendan is gone before Ste even has chance to blink, he doesn't even know Brendan, but something intrinsically makes him feel sorry for him.

Cheryl looks apologetically at Ste, obviously feeling bad for what she seems to deem rude of her brother.

Theresa is now stood next to Ste,

'Everything is clean now my Lord, would you like me to bring some more tea?'

'Yes please.' Seamus smiles sickeningly sweet at her, a smile which completely morphs his face. It looks unnatural on him, an emotion that Ste guesses he doesn't use very often.

Theresa curtseys and leaves the room.

'Take a seat.' Seamus signals for Ste to sit back down on the sofa he was perched on when he first arrived.

Ste nods and hastily takes a seat. Cheryl and Seamus sit down opposite him, ready to conduct some kind of interview, he rests his hands on his knees, making sure he can't ruin anything else while he's here.

'So what's your experience like?' Seamus asks, getting straight down to business.

Ste straightens himself up in his seat, trying to look professional.

'Well, I haven't exactly worked in such a large house before….sir' he hastily adds. 'But, I live on a farm and work on that every day so I'm not short on experience when it comes to maintenance…..I'm a hard worker.'

Seamus eyes him suspiciously but thankfully Cheryl jumps in to help him out.

'He's a good worker daddy, remember, I've seen the farm for myself. Ste does a grand job keeping it running.'

'I'm sure he does.' Seamus doesn't sound so convinced however.

'I'll do whatever you want me to do! I mean, I'm used to muckin out pigs int I so I'll do anythin.'

'I think you should give him a chance daddy.' Cheryl smiles sweetly.

'Give us a minute Steven….Cheryl?' Seamus signals for his daughter to leave the room with him for a minute.

Ste tries to act nonchalant, as though he's not going to be straining to hear their conversation as soon as they leave the room. Much to his dismay though the voices are muffled, unless he wants to risk sneaking up to the door to listen in, he hasn't got a chance of hearing what is currently being said about him.

Before he can make that decision the petite maid from earlier bustles in with a fresh pot of tea, one Ste will definitely not make a mess of this time.

'Here's your tea sir.' She says politely, 'is there anything else I can get you?'

'Errr no you're fine ta.' Ste isn't used to this kind of hospitality, although if this is where he's going to end up working he should probably start taking notes.

She nods, giving him a smile and leaves the room. Not long after, Cheryl and her dad are walking back in, Ste's heart jumps in to his throat. This will be when he finds out if his life's about to change forever. He gives them both a nervous smile.

'Cheryl's been singing ye praises out there.' Seamus tells Ste who blushes with the underlying compliment. 'Sees some real potential in ye.' He continues.

Ste risks a quick glance at Cheryl who is beaming at him, ushering her dad on to continue what he's meant to be telling Ste.

'So anyway lad, I'll cut to the chase. I'd like to offer ye the position…that's if ye still want it.' He then lets out a booming laugh, confusing Ste as to what's so funny.

'Well?' Cheryl looks at him expectantly, that's when he realises that he's so stunned by the whole situation that he hasn't actually given them an answer yet.

'Yeah, yeah, errm, course I'd love to, ermm that's great…thank you so much.' He feels dazed in the spotlight.

'Good to have ye on board.' Seamus claps him on the back, a bit too hard for Ste's liking, but he's not going to mention it when the man's just offered him a job way above his standards.

He's then grabbed by Cheryl who pulls him in to a suffocating hug.

'Oh Ste, I knew ye would be perfect' she gushes. 'Welcome to the family.'

Once he catches his breath he suddenly becomes aware that he should probably still be trying to make a good impression, just to keep them reassured that they've made the right decision. The last thing he would want is for Seamus to suddenly change his mind. Offer him a taste of his dreams, to then have it cruelly snatched away. No, that cannot be allowed to happen.

Trying to smooth out the creases in his suit that Cheryl's hug's just caused, he asks, 'so when would you like me to start?'

'As soon as possible.' Says Seamus, 'I'll leave you in the capable hands of my darling daughter.'

'Daddy's going to London on some business' Cheryl informs him, 'so I'm afraid he'll be away for a few days while you're getting settled, but I can still show you all you'll need to know. The staff are extremely friendly here, sure you'll settle right in.'

Ste tries to nod enthusiastically in all the right places, secretly pleased that he can start the job without the older gentleman breathing down his neck. Ste wants to work for the family, wants it more than anything, but something about the Lord makes him feel uncomfortable. He's sure it will pass.

'It might be easier though if I assign you to one gentleman to begin with' Cheryl continues, 'that way you can get to learn the needs of one person instead of trying to accommodate everyone whilst learning everything from scratch.'

'Yes please' Ste answers politely, 'if you think that will help?'

'Don't go too easy on him Cheryl, we don't want him getting too comfortable.'

Ste's taken aback by the comment, thinks Seamus is being serious and glances over to the older man who is now reclining in his arm chair, sipping on some tea. He winks at Ste, then laughs, signalling that it's all part of his sense of humour. Ste isn't convinced but knows when to laugh along.

'Aww stop teasing him daddy, you'll be fine Ste love. I tell you what….I'll assign you to my brother Brendan, I know you haven't seen much of him today but I'm sure the two of you will get on just fine.'

Seamus' booming voice interjects once more, 'Oh yes! I'm sure Brendan will be more than happy to have young Steven around.'

Ste suspects something in the tone of his voice but tries to brush it off.

'Brendan's a softy really.' Cheryl whispers, 'once you look past the tache.' She giggles.

Ste tries to awkwardly laugh along with her.

'I can start tomorrow?'

'That's great love.' Cheryl beams. 'Just bring all your essentials, everything else will be catered for you. I'll let Mrs Roscoe know so she can set a room up for you.'

'Sounds great' he smiles.

'Theresa!' Seamus calls.

The blonde suddenly appears.

'See Steven out.'

That was his queue to leave.

'Well…thank you for everything.' He quickly embraces Cheryl again, looking over to Seamus who waves a dismissive hand at him.

'See you tomorrow, I'll tell Brendan to expect you.'

Ste nods and follows Theresa out of the drawing room, through the beautifully tiled hallway, and out once more in to the countryside. He waves goodbye to the maid and heads home.

Nerves and excitement for the impending day mean he's home a lot quicker than usual, however this won't be home for much longer. Soon he will be footman in Finchley Hall, waiting hand on foot for the elusive Sir Brendan Brady. Ste doesn't know the man yet, but from the brief encounter earlier he knows that there's something about this man that he finds utterly intriguing.