I couldn’t help but whistle as I approached the manor, then quickly stifled the sound because I was supposed to be on my best behaviour – and good valets don’t whistle when they approach their new master’s home.
I quickly trotted forward up the imposing drive, pebbles shifting underfoot, and rang the heavy doorbell. A rhythmic bell began to toll deep within the bowels of the manse, and – after several minutes – a slightly-flustered man half-wearing a suit opened the door.
‘Yes?’ he asked, poshly. ‘Well, don’t just stand there, what is it?’
‘I had an appointment, sir,’ I said, cordially. ‘An interview?’
‘An interview?’ he frowned. ‘My valet hasn’t mentioned such a thing to me. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him for some time…’
‘Uh,’ I cleared my throat politely. ‘I’m here to interview for the valet position, sir.’
‘Oh,’ his frown deepened. ‘I see. That would explain it. Hurry along in then, I haven’t all day.’
I quickly slipped past him and into the foyer – and my jaw absolutely dropped at the first thing I saw.
‘Quite a sight, eh?’ the man chuckled, clearly used to this reaction.
‘My apologies, sir, I—’
‘No need, no need,’ he waved away my stammering. ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Finest staircase in the West, if I do say so myself.’
‘The glass,’ I whispered. ‘Is it…’
‘Oh, yes,’ he nodded. ‘Had it made custom. Found a company in Melbourne that specialises in glass balustrades and had them design it. Of course, I had their biggest rival build and install it – competitive discount, as it were.’
‘Of course,’ I nodded blankly.
‘Come, let me show you the rooms,’ he said, beckoning me.
‘Sir?’
‘Do you want the job or not?’ he asked brusquely. ‘Follow me.’
I did – and quickly. The other glasswork in his home seemed to have been treated to a more standard residential glazing, but were no less impressive.
‘Have you seen my hat?’ he asked, stopping suddenly.
‘Um… no, sir,’ I said. ‘I’ve literally never seen you hat.’
‘Quite,’ he frowned. ‘Well, you must correct that immediately.’
‘Sir?’
‘Go on,’ he gestured. ‘Find it. Quickly.’