Maud

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

“My word,” says Miss Pond. “You truly are a jumpy little cricket. I suspect your diet. Too many sweets.”

“Miss Pond, I will not warn you again about surprising me on the construction site.”

“Oh, but this is purely for your benefit. I know the firm is in need of an expert seamstress, and so I present my sister, Maud.”

“Hello,” says Maud. “Pleased to meet you, I’m sure.”

“Maud has a full command of all hand and machine techniques, plain and fancy, as well as measuring and cutting out.”

“Swell.”

“I also know a great deal about tropical fruit,” says Maud.

“Okay.”

“And civil engineering,” says Maud.

“Okay.”

“Both ancient and modern,” says Maud.

“Admirable.”

“Yes, well, you can have a lovely long fireside chat about Roman aqueducts another day. Maud has a club meeting and I, of course, have to see how much remains in the till after this latest spending spree on the new rooms.”

“Okay.”

“When shall I report to the workroom, sir?” says Maud. “I’d be perfectly willing to assist in the arrangements and installations.”

“I’ll give you a wing. Ring. I’ll give you a ring, early next week.”

“Splendid,” says Maud.

“Welcome aboard, Miss…a moment–are you also Miss Pond?”

“Missis,” says Maud. “Puddle.”

“Mrs Puddle.”

“Yes,” says Maud.

“Maud Puddle.”

“That’s right sir,” says Maud.

“Welcome aboard, Mrs Puddle. I look forward to illuminating conversations, both shallow and deep.”

“I see what you are doing,” says Miss Pond. “And nobody is impressed.”