A beep came from the coms device indicating channel 8.
Switching to that channel and forcing her voice to sound calm, answered.
“Yes”
“As you are now aware Miss Faileas, a situation has arisen that I think that we both would rather have completely avoided.”
“Yeah”
“I would advise you not to panic, but, for the time being, I think it best that you join me down in the kitchen, where we might ascertain a solution.”
“Should I leave my room?” She looked nervously toward the door to the hallway, “What if he should see or hear me?”
“I should think that at this time he will notice very little, given that his express wish was to sleep, and from the look of him, he’ll be out for a good while yet.”
Jessica could feel herself getting flustered, though she tried to keep her voice steady, “yes, yes of course, I’ll be down momentarily.”
“Good”
Quietly she slipped to the door that a few minutes ago had very nearly led to her discovery.
She had felt certain that he had seen her, and so had stood with her back to the door, not daring to breathe, feeling her heart beating so erratically that it had made her feel quite queasy, all the while listening to the sound of his footsteps as the passed by, lingered at the next door, before continuing on to their own door and then disappearing as the door shut behind them.
She tiptoed into and down the corridor, fighting the urge to turn and go to his door.  It wasn’t until she reached the bottom of the stairs that she allowed herself to breathe again.
Ms Moore was sat at the smaller table in the kitchen that was usually used for food preparation.  She nodded for Jessica to join her, pouring her tea as she sat.
Eloise was nowhere to be seen, probably sent on an errand to keep the kitchen empty for a while.
As if reading her thoughts, Ms Moore said, “Ms Staines has just gone into the local village with Mr Barnes to get a few items for dinner, so we have a good half an hour before we are interrupted.”
“I think that Mr Jacobs will be in his room until dinner at the earliest, tomorrow morning if not.  During this time I think that it would be wisest if we moved your sleeping quarters to the bedroom just off the back corridor,” she motioned to a small door leading out of the kitchen, “it’s quite a bit less comfortable I’m afraid, but for the time being it’ll be the most appropriate course of action.”
“I see,” said Jessica, “and, thank you, however, I think it is now more than ever imperative that my presence is elsewhere, if we were to meet again it would complicate things beyond reasonable need, I’m sure you understand.”
Ms Moore frowned, “Am I to understand, in that case, that you wish to dissolve our former agreement?”
Jessica nodded her head, “I’m afraid so, I shall seek to find employment in a place closer to that of where I used to live.  Will it cause you much trouble to release me from this position?”
“No, barely any at all, Miss Faileas.  However,” she continued before she could say anything, “I will not release you from the position or our arrangement.”
Jessica registered this information with a great deal of shock and she made no attempt at all to conceal it.
Ms Moore raised her hand to hold her judgment, “Don’t get me wrong, Miss Faileas, I fully comprehend the delicacy of the situation, but once I enter an agreement I never break it off before it is due.  I do have a way in which we could avoid any unnecessary confrontations and discomfort.”
“You will continue to work under the conditions of our arrangement and with my help and a little input from everyone else we shall conceal your identity from Mr Jacobs.”
Finally finding her tongue, Jessica spoke up, “I see that that may work, until he hears my voice or sees my face!”
“He will barely be aware of your presence, save knowing that a girl was hired to fulfil the position of handmaid to his new bride.  When he tells me that there will be no bride coming to the house I will tell him that you will be working until the end of a two week contract.  In the meantime, the likeliness is that he will want to avoid meeting you as you would remind him of, well, you, giving me the window to easily keep you well clear of one another.”
Seeing the massive amount of unease that rested upon the young woman’s shoulders she went on to say, “Considering the assignment of clearing your name that you have set for yourself, might I venture to say you have greater tasks ahead of you than avoiding one man for two weeks, and that this experience might see you better for it.”
“You mean, like practice” said Jessica, feeling that whatever the outcome, she would not be able to escape her predicament or her agreement with Ms Moore.
Where else had she to go?  Who else would she be able to feel comforting in enlisting their help?
Her mind flittered to Ella, she would most likely be willing, but asking for such favours would only complicate matters, where as doing what needed to be done on her own would be easier on everyone, lonely, maybe, but necessary.
Maybe Ms Moore was right about needing practice; she would certainly need to keep a low profile if she was to get the chance to work out what was going on.
She experienced a nervous twinge in her stomach as she realised that a new name may be necessary and sensible, the last thing she wanted was to invite more ill repute on her name.
“I wouldn’t like to venture such a remark that may be odds with your character,” Ms Moore’s voice brought her back to the kitchen, “just that the experience may give you certain insight and help you make some otherwise difficult decisions further down the road.”
Jessica gave her a questioning look at the woman’s face, but, seeing that the expression seemed to be in earnest, decided against asking her, “what decisions do you think I’ll need to make?”
Instead she simply nodded, “alright, I’ll stay, I know it’ll be in the best interests of everyone; Mr Jacobs, yourself and my own to keep me out of sight so that both reputations and feelings may be spared.”  In her head she added, “It would be unfair on both David and myself to re-enter one another’s lives only to part again.  So much heartache in so little a time span couldn’t be good for anyone, and I certainly would never wish it on either of us.”
Out loud she asked, “what about everyone else, what will we tell them?”
“Just that you won’t be with us for long and considering the master’s now non-existent bride, they should understand.”
Jessica nodded her head and breathed in a deep sigh, “I’ll collect my belongings now before he wakes up, would you be kind enough to show me the room that I shall be moving into.”
Ms Moore took a sip of her tea before setting in down and rising to her feet.
Jessica followed her example and allowed herself to be led through the corridor, down to a rather ancient looking door that creaked loudly as it was pushed open.
The sight that greeted them was a far cry from the luxury that was her previous room.  The walls had been plainly white washed and the dust that covered two beds and a tiny bedside cabinet had clearly been untouched for more than a few years.
“This room hasn’t been used since its previous owner resided here,” Ms Moore informed her, running her finger the nearest bedpost, “you may want to open the windows and have a good dust and we’ll get some fresh sheets.  As you can see, there is only a small cabinet for your belongings, may I suggest that you use your suitcase to store your clothes and books, as well as any surplus, and keep it on the second bed.”
She turned to leave, but paused in the doorway, “I really am sorry for all that has happened to you Jessica, you have my most sincere sympathies.”
Not able to help the small smile that had formed on her lips, Jessica said, “Thank you, that means a lot to me, Jennifer, but I’d prefer Jess, it it’s all the same.”
Receiving a light nod she found herself alone again, in yet another new place.
After a rather rigorous dusting session, in which more than a coughs and sneezes escaped through the clouds, she made a beeline for her old room to collect her things.
Upon tiptoeing along the corridor, just to be safe, and reaching the room, she found that the door was ajar and somebody was audibly moving about inside.
Jessica’s breath caught in her chest, a million and one scenarios flashed through her mind as she peered through the crack in between the hinges of the door, her eyes searching the room.
A figure crossed her vision and Jessica was able to let her breath out.
She pushed the door open, causing Trevor to turn in surprise, “goodness, you gave me a start,” he said smiling at her as she entered, “Jennifer told me you’d be needin’ a hand in movin’ all your stuff down to that stuffy little room, though I don’t see why you’re choosin’ that cupboard over this place.”
Jessica sighed, “It’s just something I feel I have to adjust to.  I expect that I’ll be moving on to a place that treats its staff like staff and not guests, it’ll just be easier if I know what to expect.”  She paused momentarily, “plus it’ll keep me out of Mr Jacobs’ way, I think it’ll be easier for everyone if I didn’t start to slot into things, just to disturb them when I leave.”
Trevor nodded his head, “Yeah, that makes sense, and I guess it’s your decision an’ all,” he paused for effect, “but that place really is a little crap hole.”
Jessica’s giggle was unexpected but by no means unwelcome.  It felt good to laugh.  Over the past few days she had begun to suspect that she may never laugh again.  Maybe, if she could laugh after everything, then maybe the outlook wasn’t quite as dark as she had thought.