"Wake up Harriet! Today you and Mathais have to meet the Asquiths!" There was a rush of hairpins, caps, dresses and aprons and I rushed downstairs to talk to Mrs. Brown who told Mathias (who had arrived with Jamie and a troublesome look on his face) and I to quickly eat our breakfasts before she showed us to the Asquiths' sitting room. When we entered the sitting room, I was dazzled by the purple panelled walls covered with gilded framed watercolour paintings and the plush, creamy-coloured armchairs. When my eyes had actually wandered over to the couple sitting in the room they were amazed – yet again. Lady Asquith looked so sleek in a sky blue and white chiffon gown while Lord Asquith sat, an imposing figure in his smart suit.
"Good morning Harriet, Mathias. Mrs. Brown has filled me in and it pleases me greatly to tell you that Mathias can stay here and work in our household," Lord Asquith nodded. "But you won't have the same position that you have been working as for the past day, due to the sudden di-". Lord Asquiths suddenly broke down and a small sob escaped him.
"What my husband is trying to say," Lady Asquith said patting his arm. "Is that Mr. James Lorelock has just been confirmed missing."
"He was like a son to me!" Lord Asquith cried.
"Does Clara know?" Mathias said responsibly, surprising me by taking charge.
"You're right. We should tell her then break it to the rest of the household," Lady Asquith said seriously
"Look. This is the most important meeting of this club thing you have ever attended. We have to find Jamie. His life may even depend upon it. To save him we need a plan of action," Mathias said gravely. Unexpectedly it was Lottie that spoke up.
"Don't you think that it is too much of a coincidence that two members of this household have disappeared in, like a month? Maybe if we find out what happened to Collins we'll find Jamie."
"I think you're right," nodded Clara determinedly, who had calmed down considerably since she had been told the news. She had been given paid leave until Jamie was found. "I'll talk to the Asquiths see if they know anything."
"I'll talk to the servants," I said keen to help.
"And me and Lottie and Millie, we'll read newspapers, meet up with people we know outside of the house." added Mathias.
"How is our investigation coming on?" Mathias asked, now the self-proclaimed leader since Jamie's disappearance.
"I haven't had the chance to talk to the Asquiths yet – they always seem to be out. But I am trying to find someone that can help us," Clara said her face pale under her freckles.
"I've talked to the kitchen maids, scullery maids, footmen, all those horse people, even the valet and lady's maid. the only thing I've learnt is that Collins, before he disappeared, said he was going out to meet an old friend," I contributed.
"Who told you that?" Lottie asked.
"A kitchen maid, Mary-" I replied before I was cut off by Lottie who was scribbling things down on some blotting paper Clara had 'borrowed' for her.
"Mary Jones?"
"Yes. She said that she saw Collins tell Mrs. Garcia that he was going out to meet an old friend, and when she asked who he leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Apparently, she paled. Putting what she said to me on my first day here it doesn't look to good for her." Seeing their looks of confusion, I added, "She told me not to mention Collins's name under this roof."
"So under suspects I'll put Mrs. Garcia..." Lottie murmured under her breath as she wrote the new information down. "Anything else?" she asked us all. We all nodded gravely. "So, it seems we need to watch Mrs. Garcia."
We watched the cook like hawks for the next week but if she was the guilty one, then she gave nothing away. It was time to take a bolder approach.
"Mrs. Garcia. What do you know about Collins?" I asked fiercely. "Tell us or we'll make you," Mathias added ominously.
"Why would I tell you?" Mrs. Garcia growled.
"Because I am asking you to!" Lord Asquith bawled, stepping into the kitchen.