Channel 4 Learning


MAGGIE:      I walked to Pockerley Manor today to be interviewed by Mrs Willoughby. It is a very grand house and my heart was thumping as I walked up the drive. Mrs Willoughby saw me in a huge room. She said that Miss Bates had given me a good reference. I was ever so nervous, but I have been offered a position as junior maid. I was that surprised I almost forgot to curtsey!
When Mrs Higgins explained my duties to me in the kitchen, I couldn't help feeling downhearted. I will have to get up at half past five every morning! Then I had an even nastier surprise. Who should be in the kitchen but my old enemy, Susan Bailey!  I fear she will do her best to be unkind.

SUSAN:        Well, well, well! Look what the cat's brort in. Maggie Johnson's come for a job here and bin taken on as Junior Maid. Mrs Higgins wants me to see how I can best 'help her with her duties'. Certainly Miss Higgins. Delighted to help out, and if i can't help to make her life a misery, my name's not Susan Bailey.

MRS HIGGINS:       Met the junior maid and explained her duties to her. She's a little scrap of a thing, and I thought I saw her jaw drop when I mentioned the 5.30 start, but she seems keen to make a go of it. By a stroke of good fortune, it turns out that she and Susan were at school together. It is always good to have a friend when you start a new job.

MRS WILLOUGHBY:       Interviewed a young girl for the post of Junior Maid. The teacher woman has given her excellent references so this Maggie Johnson should do well enough. She was certainly very keen to be accepted. She nearly fell flat on her face when curtseying to me on the way out!