History

"A whistling woman, and a crowing hen!" Minnie heard this phrase so often in her youth, working in the bustling bakery owned by her father. He would chide her so, but always with a hearty laugh as she kneaded the umpteenth lump of soft floury dough. Minnie liked to whistle while she worked, but never in front of the customers. It wasn't proper for a young lady to whistle.

Growing up in the small town of West Malling, she had been quite content. Her brothers drove her to insanity, naturally. Matthew, Marcus and Michael. All M names. Her Father had a sense of humour at least. He was a kind man, and a good father. She had wanted for next to nothing. They weren't rich, but they weren't poor either. It was comfortable.

Her parents had afforded their 4 children a decent tutor. They could all read and write. Indeed, Minnie loved to read. Michael was the most contrary of the bunch, and tended towards more physical aspirations. He had notions of becoming a famous boxer. Minnie often laughed at him, considering he was as far through as a kipper. Muscles like knots on cotton. Cotton arms.

She missed them. Especially Matthew. He was her big brother and had the protective demeanour big brothers often did. He was kind, and intelligent. He was off in the world somewhere now. They would write to each other, but she heard from him less and less these days. Marcus, the mathematical one of the brood. He helped father nowadays with the bookkeeping. The shop was doing well, so much so that there was now a shop open in London itself.

Minnie was currently working in the bakery right here in London. She had of course been the Ladies Maid to the late Duchess of Buckingham. She had been a kind and wonderful mistress. Perhaps not as keen on the latest fashions as Minnie would have liked, but together they had made a good pair. She had been greatly saddened by the loss of the Duchess. Viscount Westcote had kindly allowed her to stay on the staff as a maid, but it wasn't what her heart wanted. There was a bond between a Lady and her Maid. A confidence. A trust. It was special.

So Minnie had come to London, helping out in the Bakery while she sought a new household to become a part of. Perhaps a Lady, or Baroness, maybe even another Duchess to serve. She was hoping against all hope to find a place as agreeable as Wotton house. Meanwhile, the bustle and busy'ness of London was ever an interesting and often adventurous place to be in. She was finding she liked it very much.