Lindsey turned to see June at the door, a bucket of cleaning supplies in her hand.
“I was just looking for a snack.” She held up the block of chocolate.
“Do you want something more substantial? I can make you anything you want.”
“No, it’s fine.” Lindsey hesitated. “But I could use some company.”
June put down the bucket and leaned against the bench across from Lindsey. “This place feels empty without her, doesn’t it? She’s like the lifeblood of this house.”
“She is.” Lindsey held out the block of chocolate to June, who broke off a small square.
“I’m glad the two of you found each other,” June said. “Lord knows Camilla could use someone to take care of her.”
“Are we talking about the same person? Camilla doesn’t exactly need taking care of.”
“That’s not what I meant.” June pulled up a chair and sat down. “I have no doubt that if Camilla went bankrupt tomorrow, and if all of her friends disappeared, she’d still find a way to single-handedly claw her way back up to where she is now. She doesn’t need anyone else to survive. But it’s a very lonely existence when all you do is survive.”
That much was true. Lindsey had been living like that ever since the accident. Sleepwalking her way through each day, lost in a fog of anxiety and listlessness.
That was, until she met Camilla.
“I guess you’re right,” Lindsey said. “You seem to know Camilla pretty well.”
June reached over to break off another piece of chocolate. “I’ve known her for 20 years. Her parents hired me, but after they passed away, Camilla kept me on and promoted me to head housekeeper. I’ve worked for her every day since then.”
“Every day?”
“Well, I take the occasional vacation. Camilla tries to make me take more, but it’s hard for me to leave this place. I have a connection to it. Camilla might be the lifeblood of the house, but I’m the brain.”
“Keeping this place running seems like a lot of work,” Lindsey said.
“It is. But the job comes with a lot of perks. Like the pay. I’m not even fifty, and I have enough money to retire tomorrow and never work again. Plus, Camilla’s been taking care of my parents. They both have health problems, so they need round the clock care. Camilla pays for them to live in a world-class care facility.”
“Wow, that’s generous of her.”
“Are you that surprised?” June said. “I thought you’d have her figured out by now.”
“What do you mean?” Lindsey asked.
“Well, we both know how prickly Camilla can be on the outside, but she’s got a good heart. She shows her love by helping out others, usually in the most outrageous of ways. And not just with money. She’ll march into your life, fix all your problems, and make sure all your needs are taken care of, whether you want her to or not.”
Yep. That was Camilla all over.
“That’s why she needs someone like you,” June said. “Someone who will let her pretend that she’s your rock when in reality, you’re the one who will quietly be there for her without letting her know it.”
Lindsey rested her chin on her hands. It was true that Camilla seemed happiest when she was making other people happy. And whenever Camilla was unwell or felt stressed, all she wanted was to hold Lindsey and smother her with affection like Lindsey was the one who needed comforting.
June stood up and tucked her chair neatly under the kitchen island. “I better get back to work. This house has to be spotless when Camilla gets back. You know how your Mistress gets when things aren’t up to her standards.” She reached over to take one last piece of chocolate. “At least she doesn’t make me write lines.”
Heat rose up Lindsey’s face. As June left the room, Lindsey buried her head in her hands. She shouldn’t have been surprised that June was so sharp. She’d have to be to have survived in this house with Camilla for 20 years.
Lindsey grabbed the rest of the chocolate and made her way back up the stairs. When she reached the top, she paused. Instead of going toward Camilla’s rooms, Lindsey went back to her old bedroom. She felt a little more comfortable there. And she knew she wouldn’t feel welcome in Camilla’s rooms until she’d dealt with the problem that was causing her guilt.
She flopped down on her bed and put in her headphones, blasting some music through them. Being in a little cocoon of sound usually helped take her mind off things. Lindsey shut her eyes. Before she knew it, she was drifting off to sleep.
Lindsey woke with a start. Her phone was buzzing on her chest and the room was pitch black. She yawned. How long had she been asleep for?
Lindsey sat up and answered her phone. “Hey, Faith.”