Daisy in the Mansion Read online




  Contents

  1 A Sudden Departure

  2 The Lap of Luxury

  3 Making Mischief

  4 Meeting Annie

  5 A Shopping Spree

  6 Midnight Adventure

  7 Truly Terrible

  8 The Great Escape

  9 Something Suspicious

  10 An Important Mission

  11 Something Unexpected

  When Dad lost his job in the country, Daisy and her little sister had to leave behind everything they knew and move to Melbourne to live with evil Aunty May. Though Daisy made friends with Mabel and Elsie, a pair of twins, life in Fitzroy was awful. Aunty May threw Daisy out on the street and plotted to send Flora away to a posh school in Sydney. Daisy ended up living in a slum at Dudley Flats, where she was taken by the police to live at Melbourne Orphanage.

  She hasn’t heard from Dad since they left the farm, though Daisy thought for a second that she saw him when she and her friend Edith escaped the orphanage to go to the Melbourne Cup. But then she was caught by the police at the races, and now she’s back scrubbing floors as punishment for running away. That’s just what Daisy is doing when the Superintendent calls her into his office . . .

  DAISY staggered backwards in shock and accidentally banged her head against the timber-panelled wall of the Superintendent’s office.

  What did Miss McCracken mean? How could these strangers be her new parents?

  ‘Oh, my dear girl, are you all right?’ The woman sitting in front of Mr Geoffery’s huge mahogany desk stood up and stepped toward Daisy, her peach silk dress swishing softly. ‘I’m Mrs Bailey,’ she said, and stroked Daisy’s cheek with one gloved hand. ‘Are you all right, dear? You look white as a ghost!’

  She has such blue eyes, Daisy thought, like the cornflowers we had on the farm.

  ‘I’m afraid we’ve shocked you, dear,’ the woman said, and gave Daisy a warm smile.

  ‘It’s just, well, I . . .’ Daisy mumbled, too confused to think.

  ‘Oh, she’s all right,’ Miss McCracken said. ‘She’s got a hard head, that one.’

  Daisy rubbed the back of her head and felt the lump that was swelling under her hair. No one can adopt me! she thought. I have a family. There must be some mistake. She carefully touched her fingertips to her head again.

  Mrs Bailey gave Daisy a pat on the hand, then sat down beside a man in a dark blue suit. ‘This is my husband, dear,’ she said, ‘Mr Bailey.’

  The man smiled at her and Daisy nodded back in a daze. Longs days and nights of chores in the orphanage had left her dizzy with tiredness, and now the added confusion of being called into Mr Geoffery’s office was making her head spin.

  All Daisy could see of the Superintendent was his pink shining head, with greasy strands of black hair slicked across it, bobbing back and forth as he scratched away at some forms.

  This is ridiculous, Daisy thought to herself. She opened her mouth to say so when Mr Geoffery finally stopped writing and looked up.

  ‘Right then,’ he said, and looked at the couple with his pale, watery eyes. ‘Everything is in order. The girl is, as you see,’ he waved vaguely in Daisy’s direction, ‘as fit and healthy as they come. I’m sure she’ll serve your purposes nicely.’

  Daisy’s mouth dropped open. She tried to speak but no sound came out. She blinked hard several times and shook her head, but still her voice wouldn’t work.

  ‘For goodness sake, child, shut your mouth and stop staring like a demented codfish,’ Miss McCracken snapped. ‘Or these nice people will choose another girl in a second.’

  ‘Thank you, Miss McCracken,’ Mr Geoffery said and wiped his palm slowly across his shiny head. ‘You can go now.’

  Miss McCracken pursed her lips, but said nothing as she left the room.

  ‘You can’t adopt me!’ Daisy finally blurted out.

  ‘Is that so?’ Mr Geoffery said. He laced his long, white fingers in front of him. ‘And why is that?’

  ‘Because I have a family,’ Daisy cried. ‘I have Dad, and my sister, Flora.’

  ‘Many children here have families.’ Mr Geoffery cracked his knuckles loudly. ‘But when those families no longer want them, they leave them here.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure your family still want you, dear,’ Mrs Bailey said. ‘They may not have been able to afford to keep you, what with so many people out of work and times so terribly hard now.’ She gave the Superintendent a disappointed look. ‘But we can take care of you now.’

  ‘I beg your pardon,’ Mr Geoffery simpered, ‘I didn’t wish to upset you. Of course we’re only too happy to do what we can for the Bailey family . . .’

  ‘Yes, thank you, Mr Geoffery,’ Mr Bailey cut in. He rose to shake the Superintendent’s hand. Daisy saw that he was very tall and lean. His suit had fine pinstripes running down it and he wore shiny black shoes.

  ‘Of course, I’m sure you’d like to get the girl settled,’ Mr Geoffery said.

  ‘Come now, Daisy,’ Mr Bailey said. ‘We can talk about this family business more at the house.’ He smiled. Daisy liked how his eyes crinkled up at the edges. He looks kind, she thought. Not that it matters, she quickly added. I have a wonderful father and I do not need a new one.

  ‘Well, the paperwork’s signed,’ Mr Geoffery was saying as he ushered the group out. ‘She’s officially your daughter now.’

  ‘One moment,’ Mrs Bailey said. ‘Couldn’t we take Daisy on a trial basis first in case her family shows up?’

  Daisy’s heart leapt with hope and she gave Mrs Bailey a grateful look.

  ‘Err . . . well, it is highly irregular,’ Mr Geoffery began, but then he looked at Mrs Bailey’s face and saw her sad expression. ‘However, I’m sure we could make an exception,’ he added and picked up his pen again.

  ‘Excellent,’ Mr Bailey said. ‘So it’s settled. Daisy will come with us now, and if all goes well you can file the adoption papers in a month.’ He gave Daisy another smile. ‘But if your family turn up, we won’t stand in your way.’ He rubbed his hands in satisfaction.

  Thank goodness, Daisy thought with relief.

  In the hall, Miss McCracken joined Mr Geoffery in bustling them all out the door.

  ‘Do let us know if there’s anything else we can ever help you with,’ Mr Geoffery said. ‘It’s always a pleasure to deal with such quality people.’

  Daisy’s thoughts whirled like autumn leaves caught in the wind. What if Dad comes while I’m gone? No one will know where I am, and then what? What if Flora thinks I’ve abandoned her?

  And then another awful thought struck her. She struggled against Miss McCracken’s solid frame to see back into the hall. ‘Wait!’ she cried. ‘I have to say goodbye to Edith!’

  ‘I’ll give her a message,’ Miss McCracken sneered.

  Within seconds, Daisy was on the front doorstep. It was all happening so quickly.

  Mr Bailey took his wife’s arm and steered her toward a sleek black car. ‘Here we are, Daisy,’ he called.

  A driver in a cap and jacket held the door open for the Baileys. ‘Good afternoon, Miss,’ he said, and tipped his hat to Daisy.

  ‘Hello,’ Daisy replied. She took a last look at the orphanage and reluctantly climbed into the car to sit facing Mrs Bailey.

  ‘You ladies comfortable?’ Mr Bailey asked, and twisted around to give them a smile.

  Daisy’s stomach lurched with nerves as the car engine started and they drove slowly away. She leaned her cheek against the window and tried to collect her muddled thoughts as she watched the orphanage disappear. Don’t worry, Edith, I’ll be back soon, she thought. I’ll find a way.

  HALF an hour later, the car wound around a long gravel driveway lined with rows of tall, thin pine trees.


  ‘This is your new home, Daisy,’ Mrs Bailey said, and leant forward to squeeze Daisy’s hand. ‘I do hope you like it.’

  It’s not my home, Daisy thought, and in an instant her sadness melted away, replaced by a flash of anger. Why couldn’t anyone understand that? She felt her cheeks grow hot. I’m sure I’ll hate it, she thought.

  She craned to see through the windscreen and soon an enormous brick mansion came into sight. ‘Oh my,’ Daisy breathed, then immediately clamped her mouth closed. I mustn’t let them know I like anything, she thought. I don’t want them to think I’m going to stay.

  But she couldn’t help but be impressed by the imposing house with its many rooflines, gable windows and pretty red-patterned bricks. Several chimneys dotted the roof. And it looks like someone has been cutting the grass and hedges with nail scissors, they’re so perfect, Daisy thought.

  The car pulled up to the front entrance and the driver hurried to open the door.

  ‘I’ll see you ladies at dinner,’ Mr Bailey called as he strode toward the house. ‘I have some business to attend to this afternoon.’

  ‘Certainly, my love,’ Mrs Bailey answered, and then turned to Daisy. ‘Mr Bailey normally works in the city, but he also has an office at home. We’re about half an hour from Melbourne here in Malvern.’

  Daisy simply nodded, wishing Mrs Bailey wasn’t so nice. It didn’t make the situation any easier.

  ‘Now,’ Mrs Bailey continued, ‘I think a good long bath and some fresh clothes are in order, don’t you?’

  A hot bath sounds perfectly delicious, Daisy thought, aware that every muscle in her body ached from her long days of scrubbing and cleaning. But I shouldn’t let her know I want one, should I?

  So she simply stared at Mrs Bailey for a few long seconds, then shrugged.

  Surprise flickered across Mrs Bailey’s face. And a plan slipped into Daisy’s mind.

  Maybe if I can just stay silent, they’ll get sick of me and send me back! she thought. That’s what I’ll do.

  Mrs Bailey smiled. ‘A bath it is then,’ she said, and led Daisy into the house.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Bailey.’ A maid rushed to take her fur and hat.

  ‘Hello, Lizzie. How is everything?’ Mrs Bailey asked.

  ‘Oh, it’s all just dandy, ma’am, though that telephone rang and rang all morning.’

  Mrs Bailey sighed. ‘Lizzie, do you remember we talked about the telephone?’

  ‘Ummm . . . yes, I think so,’ Lizzie said, and plucked at the flowers on Mrs Bailey’s hat nervously.

  ‘Don’t do that, dear,’ Mrs Bailey said, and took the hat out of Lizzie’s hand. ‘We talked about the telephone last week, Lizzie.’

  Daisy could see that Mrs Bailey was trying to remain patient.

  ‘Oh, yes, that’s right.’ Lizzie gave her a beaming smile that showed a mouth of crooked teeth. ‘You said that when it made that sound I should pick it up and . . . oh.’ She bit her lip. ‘Oh dear, I’m ever so sorry.’ She put her hand to her mouth and giggled. ‘I was supposed to talk into it, wasn’t I? Ooooh, I’m such a gooseberry.’ She slapped her hand against her head.

  She must be new, Daisy thought. It doesn’t sound like she’s very good.

  ‘Never mind,’ Mrs Bailey said. ‘Did the butcher’s boy come?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’ Lizzie nodded enthusiastically. ‘And Cook told him to bring an extra joint tomorrow, like you asked.’

  ‘Very good,’ Mrs Bailey said and beckoned to Daisy. ‘Come through, dear.’

  Daisy stepped into a large main room beyond the hall. The walls were covered in gleaming timber, which shone like golden syrup. Fine, thick rugs covered the floors and crystal chandeliers sent sparkles of light dancing through the room like dozens of dazzling butterflies. A piano stood at one end of the room with its top open. There were bookcases filled with books, a fireplace with a large painting in a gilt frame above it and deep couches with plump cushions. Look at those amazing books! She could see rows of leather-bound novels, two shelves filled with an encyclopedia set, their spines stamped in gold lettering, and a huge black dictionary that looked like it would hold every word in the world.

  Everything looked so warm and cosy after the bare, shabby orphanage cottage. I could just imagine curling up with one of those books in front of the fire, Daisy thought.

  But no, she reminded herself sharply. Who cared if these people were rich? Nice as they seemed, they weren’t family, and she wasn’t staying. She’d be silent and sullen, and then they wouldn’t want her after all.

  ‘Lizzie, this is Daisy. We’re going to adopt her . . . Well, we hope so anyway,’ Mrs Bailey said, interrupting Daisy’s thoughts. ‘Would you see to it that she has a lovely long bath, a hair wash, and could you find her something to wear?’ She looked Daisy up and down with a frown. ‘Of course, the clothes will be terribly small but hopefully they’ll do for today.’ She rested one hand on Daisy’s shoulder.

  What does she mean, they’re going to be small? Daisy wondered, staring stonily at the ground. Were they after someone younger? Oh well, I won’t need any clothes anyway, she thought. Seeing as I won’t be staying long.

  ‘Lizzie will bring you down to my sitting room when she’s finished,’ Mrs Bailey said.

  Daisy ignored her and walked off behind Lizzie without a word. It felt so rude and ungrateful. Well, thought Daisy, if that’s what it takes, that’s what I’ll have to be.

  ‘Here we are, then,’ Lizzie said, stepping into a large, tiled bathroom. A huge bathtub stood in the middle of the room. It’s got little gold feet, Daisy noticed.

  ‘Did you ever see such a grand looking washroom?’ Lizzie said. ‘Look, they even have little soaps with a B on them.’

  Daisy nodded. She seems as new here as me, she thought.

  ‘I’ll get the bath going and fill it up with this lovely smelly stuff,’ Lizzie said. She sat on the edge of the bath to turn on the taps, then added fragrant liquid. A cloud of bubbles rose on the surface of the water.

  ‘Have you worked here for long?’ Daisy asked. Surely it wouldn’t matter if she chatted to the maid? Keeping quiet was awfully dull.

  ‘Oh no, I’m quite the new girl, too. It’s only been a few weeks and I ain’t done this work before, but the Baileys needed a new maid and when they heard I was living in a park, practically starving to death, they gave me the job.’ She opened a cupboard and took out several thick white towels. ‘Isn’t that just the kindest thing?’ Lizzie said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ‘Plucked me from the streets to live in their grand house without so much as a reference.’ She started to undo Daisy’s plaits. ‘I’d heard the Baileys might adopt,’ Lizzie said. ‘You’re a very lucky girl.’

  ‘I don’t feel lucky,’ Daisy said. ‘You see, I have a family. I just don’t know where my dad is right now.’

  Lizzie shook her head. ‘There’s a lot of that going on these days,’ she said. ‘Seems like the world has gone crazy with so many poor souls hungry and out of work. I had a job at a boot factory, then they shut down and bang, like that,’ she clapped her hands loudly, ‘I was stuck; nowhere to live, no money for food, and no future.’

  ‘How terrible,’ Daisy said, thinking back to her time at Dudley Flats. The world really had gone crazy.

  ‘Never mind,’ Lizzie said. ‘Now you just slip in there and imagine you’re a glorious mermaid.’ She walked to the door. ‘I’ll come back and give your hair a good wash. I think I saw something nasty crawling around.’ She gave a dramatic shudder as she closed the door behind her.

  She’s a real character, Daisy thought with a smile. She dipped her toe in the tub and felt the delicious warmth of the water. She climbed slowly in and let her tired body relax in the deep, soothing bath. Her racing thoughts finally slowed and she let the heat calm her aching muscles.

  Oh, I just want to stay in here forever, she thought. She held her breath and submerged, letting her hair flow around her head. My goodness, I could get used to this.
/>   ‘Oh dear,’ Lizzie said as she came back into the bathroom. ‘I think I left you in there way too long – you’re all wrinkly,’ she laughed.

  ‘Goodness,’ Daisy, said. ‘I think I was almost asleep, I was so relaxed.’

  She sat happily as Lizzie shampooed and combed her hair, and when it was dry Daisy even agreed to let her curl it with some hot tongs. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to be prettied up a bit while she was here? Then she could tell Mabel and Elsie all about it. The twins loved posh things.

  ‘I’ll just pop in a ribbon to hold the curls back from your face,’ Lizzie said, and tied a deep green velvet ribbon around Daisy’s head.

  ‘Uhuh,’ Daisy said, feeling dreamy and more relaxed than she could ever remember. She lifted an arm to her nose. Her skin smelt of flowers and was so clean she almost didn’t recognise it.

  ‘All right, let’s get you dressed, then,’ Lizzie said. She helped Daisy slip into an emerald silk dress with layers of lace and petticoats.

  ‘Oh my,’ Daisy sighed as Lizzie fought to button the dress. ‘It’s the most divinely beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘Shame it’s two sizes too small,’ Lizzie muttered as she strained with the buttons. ‘It’s just lucky you’re all skin and bones, otherwise we’d never get it on.’

  ‘Did the Baileys want someone younger? Is that why they bought it so small?’

  ‘No, it belongs to . . . Oh, well, it’s not for me to say. There, that’s the last one,’ she said, doing up the final button and standing back to admire Daisy, ‘I hope you can breathe. Take a look at yourself.’ Lizzie turned Daisy around to face a large mirror.

  ‘Oh . . .’ Tears filled Daisy’s eyes. Her hair fell in soft curls, the dress floated around her knees in a cloud of lace and her eyes seemed to glow brighter. ‘I look like the queen of a faraway land.’ Daisy sighed happily. She imagined sitting on a velvet throne, a diamond-encrusted crown on her head. What would Flora say if she saw me like this? she wondered.

  Suddenly her face crumpled as she stared at herself in the fancy dress and posh hairdo. Flora would think I’ve forgotten her and become part of a new, rich family, that’s what, she thought. And what about Mabel and Elsie? Wherever they were, the twins were probably hungry and still wearing one shoe each because they didn’t have the money for a full pair. Guilt bubbled up in Daisy’s stomach. Oh, this whole thing was so confusing.