Wildflower Girl by Marita Conlon-Mckenna Page A

don’t you come and work at Goldman’s with me?’ Sarah pleaded. ‘We’d be together.’
    Peggy shook her head. Sarah had told her how crowded and cramped the factory was and about her nasty supervisor, and anyway it wasn’t worth the extra money she’d get as that would all go on food and lodgings.
    ‘You know me and sewing,’ she said to Sarah, laughing. ‘I’d never manage.’
    At the end of the week Mrs Halligan told Peggy she had found a new job for her.
    ‘It’s in a fine house a few miles outside the city.’
    ‘Will I be the only maid?’ Peggy asked.
    ‘No. They have a few other staff, so you won’t be lonely and this time there’ll be no nonsense. It’s a very respectable family called the Rowans that you’ll be working for.’
    ‘When will I be starting?’
    ‘I’ll take you there tomorrow. The housekeeper is an acquaintance of mine from way back,’ said Mrs Halligan.
    Sarah hugged her when she heard the good news.
    ‘I’m delighted for you, Peggy, you deserve it! We’ll both have good jobs. We’ll be well on our way to making our fortune, just wait and see!’
    Peggy tried to smile. But she was really anxious about the new job and leaving Sarah and the safety of Number 49 behind.

CHAPTER 13

A Good Capable Girl
    IT WAS A SWELTERING DAY . Peggy O’Driscoll stood in the driveway staring in amazement at the enormous house with rounded columns at the front and bright painted shutters on each window.

    ‘Oh, it’s beautiful,’ she whispered.
    ‘Close your mouth, Peggy, or you’ll swallow the flies,’ joked Mags Halligan.
    The two of them had managed to get a ride in a pony and trap to the suburb of Greenbay. On one side of the curved avenue magnificent mansions stood surrounded by lawns and gardens, each one different, yet beautiful and visible from the road – unlike grand houses at home, Peggy recalled.
    Rushton was like a Roman temple. The garden was ablaze with a myriad of summer flowers.
    ‘Oh, Mrs Halligan, I know I’ll be happy living in such a wonderful house!’ sighed Peggy.
    Mrs Halligan stopped suddenly and turned to face her. ‘Peggy, this is a society house in a society town. Look at the gardens, go on, have a look around you. Oh yes! you may look at all these beautiful flowers, lilies, roses and orchids, admire them … but do notdare to touch or pick them. You and I are from a different world – it’s buttercups and daisies we were raised to. You’ve got sense in that pretty head of yours, so use it. Be polite and good-mannered – it’s what they like – but keep your spirit and dreams secret. A good capable girl is what they want and that’s what they’ll get.’
    Peggy understood what Mags was trying to tell her. Her stomach was in a knot and she felt sick with nerves. Mags knocked on the door. It was opened by a tall middle-aged woman who showed them into a sunny drawing-room. They all sat down and the tall woman, who was Mrs Madden, the housekeeper, began to chat to Mrs Halligan.
    ‘Is she strong and willing to work?’ Peggy blushed. ‘She seems a good type of girl, but has she any kitchen experience?’
    Half-afraid, Peggy began to tell the housekeeper about Castletaggart and the shop in Market Lane, and about helping Eily and the aunts.
    The woman nodded and then turned to Mrs Halligan and began to discuss conditions and pay, an hour to attend Sunday Mass and time off. Peggy listened attentively to what they were saying. Then the mistress of the house came in. Mrs Madden introduced them to Mrs Elizabeth Rowan.
    ‘Well, Mrs Madden, have we got ourselves a new kitchen maid?’ enquired Mrs Rowan.
    Peggy blazed red from toes to ears.
    The housekeeper nodded her head. ‘Yes.’
    Mrs Rowan turned to talk to Peggy. She had marvellous wavy brown hair and a gentle face.
    ‘Well, Peggy, welcome to Rushton. I hope you’ll be happy in service here.’
    When Mrs Rowan smiled Peggy couldn’t help but notice how small and even her teeth were, almost a