MAGGIE:          Jane the head parlour maid was ill, so I helped Mrs Willoughby dress in the morning. As I was lacing up her corset, she asked me if I had seen her garnet brooch which has gone missing. She also asked me to wait at the table that night. By the evening, I had forgotten all about her valuable brooch. I was that busy getting dinner ready. We all were.

I waited on table all right, but when it came to serving the coffee, Susan was up to her usual mean, spiteful tricks and made me spill it all over myself. At the end of the meal there was so much food left over we had to throw it all away. The waste! It's all wrong! Think what me Mam would give to eat a meal like that.

SUSAN:        Had some fun this evening. Maggie and I were waiting on the dinner party gests, and I managed to knock her elbow as she was pouring out the coffee. It went all over her and some of it even went on Mrs Willoughbys dress. Perfect! Maggie was in a real state and i, of course, made sure that I looked very concerned.

MRS HIGGINS:         Mrs Willoughby has lost a brooch. I hope it appears again soon. I don't like it when jewelry goes missing. In my experience, that means trouble. Mrs Willoughby herself seemed more angry about Jane being ill. She's a decent enough mistress most of the time, but I don't think she realises how hard my girls work for her. No wonder they fall ill!

MRS WILLOUGHBY:        Jane was ill - and on the day of a dinner party. So tiresome of her! The Johnson girl had to help out in the evening. She did well until she spilt the coffee. I was very sharp with her. That sort of thing does so spoil the tone of the evening. Mr. Atkinson accompanied me on the piano after dinner. Sang 'Home Sweet Home'. Though I say it myself, I was in very good voice.