Oh, my apologies.... I must have dozed off!

**Blinks sleepily seated in comfy chair beside roaring fire**

I have had a most relaxing couple of months.

Milady wasn't too pleased to have me based so far from the castle, and so I let my lease go at the house I was renting. Milady has provided me with a cottage in the Castle grounds, and I'm staggering distance from the jetty from which I can fish. I've been allowed a holiday from my normal duties, and have just been looking after the castle while Milady has seen to the establishment of several properties in various parts of the mainland. I've yet to visit the beach front property, but am looking forward to getting sand between my toes and going for a paddle.

My vacation came to an abrupt end on Wednesday though when Milady returned having received a message from Master Rafe. He announced that the sale on the Town House had been concluded and that the contents were to be cleared ready for the new owner to take possession as soon as possible. Alice was sent to fetch me.

The door to my cottage banged shut as Alice made her way inside. I opened one eye and saw her lovely face looking at me with a most excited expression. I knew something was out of the ordinary, as she would have usually amused herself with novel ways to get my attention.... cold tea and biscuit crumbs being utilised in various ways. I thought she was going to burst as she hopped from one foot to the other.

"Yes Alice?"

"I'M GOING TO SCHOOL!!"

I winced at the volume of her voice, but couldn't help but smile at the delight evident upon her face. "Oh?" I replied.

"Mistress wants to see you." And she proceeded to 'shoo' me out of the chair and the warmth of the cottage into the hall of the castle.

Milady was sitting in one of the loveseats reading a sheath of papers. As I gazed upon her I was amazed at the change in her. Were it possible to believe, I'd say she was even more beautiful than when I'd last seen her. Her smile was dazzling, and in no time I was simpering like an idiot. Gosh, but I'd missed her.

Milady briefed me on the locations of the new properties and asked me to tour them and make sure that all was as it should be. But my first task was to clear the Town House in Southend. It seems that the new owner was establishing a Maid's School, and that Milady had agreed to be a patron. Now I could see why Alice was so excited.

I made my way to Southend and quickly ensured that everything was packed so as not to delay the new owner in any way. I then made my way back to the castle to put everything into storage. As I catalogued the items and stored them away I was glad to be working once again. Had I spent too much longer relaxing, I might have found it much too difficult to return to my duties once again.

I walked up from the vaults to the main hall, and found the sheath of papers Milady had been reading earlier. I picked them up and made my way to deposit them in the library. There were several details about the new school, and so I had a closer look. I was most impressed with the work involved, and decided that perhaps I should pay Miss Easterman a visit very soon.

http://maidschool.blogspot.com/