My apologies to all my reader for the inadvertant change of name half way though the last chapter. How or why that happened I know not. I have decided to stay with the new name of 'jasmine' as this is in keeping with the twist within this new chapter. I hope you will all forgive me.
*****
I woke the next morning feeling just a little jaded but was pleasantly surprised by the sound of activity from the kitchen. Looking at the clock told me there were ten minutes before my morning tea was due so I snuggled back under the covers. Beside me Sophia grunted and moulded herself into me. It wasn't long before I detected movement by the bed and looked up to see janice holding my customary tray. Thoughtfully this time she had included extra cups. I gently sat up trying not to disturb Sophia.
"Good morning, jasmine, and how are you this morning?"
"A little tired, Miss."
"We will all have a nice easy day. Nothing arduous for you I can assure you. Is Miss Tamsin awake yet?"
"No, Miss, I slipped out without waking her."
"Best leave her to sleep," I said, "as well as Miss Sophia." I glanced at the sleeping figure beside me and eased myself out of her arms and sat on the edge of the bed. Jasmine passed me my robe.
"Bring the tray downstairs," I told her, "I'll take my tea in the kitchen today." I walked out leaving her to follow behind me. At the kitchen table I slowly sipped my tea and inspected jasmine. Today she had finally worked out where I wanted her neckline.
"You have dressed correctly today, jasmine, well done."
"I wasn't sure if you would want it this way or as I wore it last night, Miss. I hope I acted correctly."
"As you are now will be fine. I was very pleased with you last night, you did everything I wished you to do and maybe a little more. I hope you didn't find it too taxing."
"Oh no, Miss, I enjoyed serving you and the other Misses."
At this moment Tamsin came in looking more than a little haggard closely followed by Sophia. Tamsin at least had chosen to put a robe on whereas Sophia, typically for her was still happily naked. They sat down in silence and jasmine poured them each a cup of tea. I got up, put some toast on as well as some boiling water ready to poach eggs. Breakfast is the one meal I am loathe to leave to someone else to prepare. It's a little quirk of mine. Eventually I handed out eggs on toast to my two guests with a third helping for myself. I put a fourth egg and a round of toast into a bowl and placed it on the floor next to my chair and motioned jasmine to kneel next to me. She could eat with us today as a reward for her good behaviour yesterday. One by one we finished and pushed out plates away. In a weak whisper Sophia muttered "Any chance of a coffee?" I looked down at jasmine who sprang to her feet and started to make a pot.
"Shall we go into the lounge?" I invited to Tamsin and Sophia. They followed me as I left the kitchen. In the lounge we flopped down onto the sofas until jasmine appeared with an elegant tray of coffee which she served before returning to the kitchen.
Tamsin sipped her coffee. "Fuck she's good," she said summoning up a grin, "last night she was ... wow! I might try and steal her off you."
"Just you dare try," I said, "I have plans for her."
Little did I know then the strange twist my plan would take.
Eventually Tamsin and Sophia, now more suitably dressed, called a taxi and left. I left jasmine to make some lunch of a simple salad while I lazed in the lounge. I did very little for the rest of the day and jasmine somehow kept herself busy doing I know not what. Towards the end of the day I called her in. She stood quietly in front of me.
"I was very pleased with you last night," I said, "you performed all your duties very well and I have a suspicion that you enjoyed doing so."
She blushed a deep red. "You can go early today and you will be paid extra for the effort you put in yesterday. You may go now."
Oddly she remained rooted to the floor and I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something else, jasmine?"
"May I ask a question please, Miss?" I nodded my assent. "Errr it's a bit awkward, Miss, but ... I have a friend. She is also looking for a post as a maid."
"Go on," I said beginning to become intrigued.
"She is the same age as me, Miss, but very timid. She's a hard worker that much I can promise you." A long hesitation followed before finally, "could she come and work for you, alongside or under me? She wouldn't want much in wages and it would be good training for her."
I sat quietly looking at jasmine. The idea of the pair of them tickled my fancy. What a sight to show off to visitors.
"Is she as pretty as you?"
"Most people would say so, Miss. Her name is maria. If you could just see her and talk with her, Miss."
"Bring her with you tomorrow," I said, "but I'm not promising anything, is that understood?
"Oh yes, Miss, Thank you so much, Miss."
With that I sent her on her way. I settled back with a glass of wine and contemplated the unexpected turn of events.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I woke the next morning a little later than usual to find jasmine already kneeling beside the bed, her hands neatly folded in her lap. I sat up and smiled at her.
"Good morning, Miss."
"Good morning, jasmine. Tea first I think then we can talk."
She obediently stood up and poured a cup of tea and brought it to me before kneeling once more. I sipped it quietly and could just detect the sounds of activity from downstairs.
"Is someone in the kitchen, jasmine?" I asked.
"My friend maria, Miss. She has come to meet you as I promised, Miss."
