Free The Workhouse Girl by Dilly Court

much you enjoyed your visit to the theatre, even though it very nearly turned into a disaster, but we won’t speak of that.’
    â€˜I’m safe now that the Triggs have gone. They won’t want me any more.’
    â€˜We must hope not, but that’s not what I intended to say.’ Miss Parfitt clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. ‘I’m putting this very badly and it’s so simple. Your very kind employer has bought tickets for the show tomorrow evening at Wilton’s music hall. He’s treating you and Nettie, Mrs Burgess, Dorcas and myself, and just in case that evil man is lurking in the shadows, Mr Arbuthnot has arranged for one of the sugar bakers to escort us.’
    Forgetting that she was supposed to behave with decorum during classes, Sarah danced up and down clapping her hands. ‘May I be excused so that I can tell Nettie?’
    Miss Parfitt put the book down. ‘Of course you may, and when you return we’ll read another chapter of
The Old Curiosity Shop
by Mr Dickens.’
    â€˜I can’t wait to find out what happens to Little Nell,’ Sarah said, hesitating. ‘But I must tell Nettie about our Christmas treat. I never had one before and I don’t suppose she has either.’
    â€˜I understand. Hurry along, and perhaps Cook would be kind enough to let us have a cup of tea and some of her delicious gingerbread. It’s nearly Christmas.’
    The next evening Sarah and Nettie put on the dresses that Miss Gant had made for them to wear on Sundays and special occasions. Nettie’s gown in blue and crimson tartan was worn over a small crinoline and just skimmed the tops of her high buttoned boots. Sarah’s was identical, but shorter.
    â€˜I never had anything so grand,’ Nettie said, executing a twirl and almost knocking the milk jug off the kitchen table.
    â€˜You’re supposed to be a young lady,’ Cook said severely. ‘If you don’t act like one I’ll ask Miss Gant to make your skirt shorter, like Sarah’s.’
    Sarah glanced down at her beautiful dress and frowned. ‘Why do I have to wear short skirts like a little nipper?’
    â€˜Because you are just a nipper.’ Dorcas tweaked the bow on Sarah’s bonnet. ‘You’re not ten yet and Nettie’s had her twelfth birthday, although she acts like a six-year-old at times.’
    Nettie opened her mouth as if to argue but Cook held up her hand. ‘That was the doorbell. Run up and answer it, Nettie. It’ll be Miss Parfitt, I expect.’
    Nettie flew up the stairs, taking two at a time and almost tripping over her skirts as she ran. Moments later she reappeared, her face shining with excitement. ‘Miss Parfitt’s here and Franz, the head sugar baker.’
    â€˜Mr Beckman to you, miss,’ Dorcas said, pursing her lips.
    Nettie shrugged her thin shoulders. ‘Anyway, the mistress says come upstairs, all of you, including Betty.’
    â€˜Are you sure that’s what she said?’ Cook turned to glare at Betty who had covered her face with her apron and was uttering a sound like a braying jackass. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t mean you, you stupid girl.’
    â€˜Madam said everyone; even her.’ Nettie shot a disdainful look at Betty. ‘Madam said we should all partake of a little Christmas cheer before going out into the cold night.’
    â€˜Oh lawks!’ Betty screeched through the folds of material. ‘I never had no Christmas cheer.’
    Cook seized her trusty umbrella and hooked the apron from Betty’s grasp. ‘You may come upstairs, but only if you promise not to say a word.’
    Betty’s eyes widened until they seemed in danger of popping out of her head. Sarah could see that she was frightened and she held out her hand. ‘Come with me. I’ll take you upstairs.’
    Dorcas pushed past her, tut-tutting. ‘Leave the silly thing down here