Bathing is not just a way to cleanse. It can be a quiet time to repossess your body and your mind. You find your true self in the silences.
Miss Lily, 1914
SOPHIE
Green had laid out her nightdress, a new one in eau-de-nil silk; and her bath was already steaming, scented with roses. The fire burned in the fireplace, wood, not coal, and a luxury.
‘Green, you are a treasure. I adore the nightdress.’ She had forgotten the enormous security of having someone wait for you each night, of letting someone unbutton your dress as you stood childlike and being tended.
‘I took the liberty of buying new undergarments too, Miss Sophie. You did tell me the clothing allowance was,’ Green permitted herself a hint of a smile, ‘unlimited. You will need more formal dresses for the ship. I will ensure that they are waiting for you there.’
‘As I said, a treasure. It is possible though we may not make the Rosanna.’
‘I will order the trunks to be stored, and released to the ship on my telegram.’
‘A triple treasure. Please order whatever you need for yourself too, before we leave.’ Green must have travelled extensively with Miss Lily, but her clothes would be pre-war, and probably worn too.
‘Thank you, Miss Sophie.’
‘And do yourself proud. Dresses for your day off and evening dresses for aboard ship. You won’t want to dine in uniform.’
Green smiled. ‘I wouldn’t want to stand out from the other maids. But a few pretty dresses . . .’
‘As many and as pretty as you like.’ She added casually, ‘I imagine that when you travelled with Jones and Miss Lily, you had a first-class cabin too.’
Green hesitated. ‘Sometimes. I would not want you to think I was presuming, Miss Sophie . . .’
‘Presume away. I won’t be the one making the bookings. We may have to take what we can get — maybe we’ll all be in steerage. But make sure you have the right clothes for first class too. By the way, I was too tired to thank you last night. I hope there was no trouble resigning from your last job. Please let me reimburse you if you had to forfeit wages.’
‘If you will excuse me saying so, Miss Sophie, it was a pleasure to tell the lazy chit I worked for to get out of bed and fetch her own chocolate creams. She had as much need of an experienced lady’s maid as I have of a third leg.’ Green considered. ‘Though a third leg would be useful when the other two get tired.’
Sophie laughed. ‘Feel free to tell me whenever I need to get my own chocolate creams. Good night, Green — I can take care of myself from here.’
‘Are you sure, Miss Sophie?’
‘It’s been more than four years since I’ve had the gift of a maid. I am not quite as helpless as I once was. Oh, if you are buying hats for me, choose at least three for yourself. You will need them in Australia.’
‘I know. I have been there before, miss. Good night, miss.’
So, thought Sophie, as she slid into the gloriously scented water and reached for the perfumed soap. Nigel . . . or Miss Lily . . . had perhaps visited Australia too. Perhaps one day Green would tell her, or Nigel, when she wrote to him. Dear Nigel . . .
No regrets, she said to herself. You are going to find Dolphie and Hannelore, then you are going home.