A Christmas Wish

CHAPTER 7:AN OLD FRIEND

I went straight to the kitchens to find Mrs Bury. I longed to head for the ballroom and see exactly what I was dealing with, but David had told me to report to Mrs Bury immediately, and I really didn't want to anger him more. The pack house kitchens were a hive of activity. I looked around until I saw Mrs Bury over by the huge walk in refridgerator. I approached her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and when she saw that it was me she gave me a big smile and put down the container she was holding to hug me. "How I have missed you, child," she said as she held me. I didn't want her to ever let go. Mrs Bury had been the only grown up in my life who had shown me any affection as a child. I had often hid out in the kitchen from David when he was being cruel or when I needed a break from being ignored by my parents. Mrs Bury wasn't the head of the kitchen back then, but she still worked there as a cook. She had let me help with a few jobs and taught me how to cook.

After I had met Michael and moved to the Blood Moon pack, Mrs Bury and I had even exchanged letters. I had been thrilled when David had said that I was going to be working in the kitchens. He didn't know any of that, though. he hadn't put me here to be kind , he had done it as he thought that it was the most menial job. he thought that it was an insult to put me in the kitchens. I had gotten a tiny bit of joy from knowing that he had unknowingly done me a favour. "I missed you too," I told her. She led me to the small area where the kitchen staff could sit and take a break when needed. We sat down, and she reached over to take my hand. "I was told by the beta that you are going to be working here and that I should add you to the rota immediately and give you a uniform. What happened? Why are you back here? Has something happened to Michael?" she asked. I paused for a moment to take her questions in. I filled her in on what had happened to my life as quickly as possible. I was afraid that I wouldn't get through it without breaking down otherwise.

"My poor girl," she said, her voice heavy with sympathy. I didn't want to break down in front of the other kitchen staff, so I asked if I could step outside and get some air for a moment. Mrs. Bury nodded. "I didn't start you in the kitchens until tomorrow anyway. I told the beta that we were already fully staffed for today. I will get Charlie to pop your uniforn to you later. Which floor are you on?" she asked. I thanked her and explained that I was staying in the cabins. She looked surprised by this, but didn't make a big deal out of it and just nodded. I left through the back door and made my way across the gardens to the ballroom. It was a separate building, a big beautiful structure with huge windows and ornate doors. The last time that I could remember it being used was when Daisy announced her engagement. As I approached it, I tried to think of positive thoughts about my future here. As long as I kept my head down and didn't piss off David, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I'd be working for Mrs Bury and had Charlie to spend time with. I had my own space and privacy out in the cabin. I suppose things could be worse. I unlocked the small side door to the ballroom with the key Mrs Bury had given me. The musty smell hit me as soon as I opened the door. I coughed and gagged a little. Clearly, no one had aired the place out in years.

I regretted wearing this blouse, wishing I had opted for an old t-shirt and leggings instead. "Oh well, no point worrying about that now," I thought as I pulled it up over my mouth and nose and went inside. I left the door open to let some fresh air in. looking around, I gasped in horror. The ball was in two weeks, how the f**k was I meant to get this ready by then. It felt as though David was deliberately setting me up to fail so that he could punish me. I had half a mind right there and then to give in, to just run away and never look back. Where would I go though? David was right, I am no one. Lilly growled at me. "Enough of those thoughts! We are not no one. What's more we are going to get this place ship shape and sparkling and show that d**k of a brother of yours that we are better than him," she said. I wasn't sure that i totally believed it was possible to get this s**t hole ready in time, but there was no point arguing with Lilly. Instead I chuckled and got to work opening as many windows as possible. Airing it out had to the first priority.

There was a small kitchen attached to the ballroom, it was as bad as the rest of the place. I was pleased to at least discover that it had hot running water. I mind linked Mrs bury to ask about somme cleaning products and a bucket. I was happy to go and get them, but asked her to leave them by the back door for me. I was afraid that the smell of the ballroom would follow me, and didn't want to take it into the kitchens. I was back at the ballroom with the things Mrs Bury had left for me in no time. She was a wonderful woman. She had fetched me one of the pack house cleaning carts. It had a bucket, a mop and broom, bin bags, sponges, cloths, cleaning fluids and a vacumn cleaner. It was definately going to make the horrendous task ahead a little easier.