As he said he would, Father spoke to Caroline formally referred to as Mrs Wells by her employees about Vivian working in the inn and her stay in one of the rooms.
Mrs Wells wondered what exactly they would gain by her working there. It didn't seem like they needed the money –she herself earned a lot of coins from hosting them. 'So what could it be?'
Father's next statement was enough to confirm her suspicions.
"You need not worry about paying her." He said dismissively.
Mrs Wells stared at his obscure features from behind her desk. Though she couldn't tell what he looked like as he still had his cloak on, his gruff voice and husky appearance were enough to make her nervous and unable to speak a word. She just couldn't shake off the chilly feeling she got whenever they were close.
"If I may ask, why this sudden request, what do you intend to gain from this? It is improbable to think this is an act of charity." Mrs Wells voiced out. Despite her reservations about them, she couldn't just accept this. It all seemed odd.
"Indeed, this is no act of charity. We have seen something that has piqued our interest in this inn of yours and would like to check it out, that's if you don't mind." Father spoke calmly sitting up on the armchair.
"This 'thing' you speak of,..." Mrs Wells began but was stopped mid-sentence by Father.
"I assure you, it is nothing of monetary value and is utterly worthless to you." He spoke.
Anyone would have easily thought his words were a lie, and so did Mrs Wells for a second. After giving it a little thought, she believed his words might have been the truth.
For one, if it was something valuable, why let her know about it when they want it for themselves? Also, rather than having one of them stay behind, they could just stay at the inn for a few days, take whatever it is they wanted and leave.
This did make Ms Wells wonder what the said 'something special' was. She was tempted to ask but it didn't seem they would disclose that information.
"It would be best if you don't know what we're after." Father gave a slight smile as if reading her thoughts which made Mrs Wells move uncomfortably in her chair. She could somewhat see his face due to it being daytime.
Since what they were after was of no value to her, she accepted their request. In a way, it was her only option. She couldn't exactly say 'no' to the man in front of her.
With that settled, Father walked out of Mrs Wells office leaving her to gather her thoughts.
****
"I can't believe I will have to work here." Vivian stood peeking through the now open window and cursing beneath her breath. She understood how important this was to them, but still, she couldn't help but feel disheartened about the situation she would be put in.
She looked behind to see who had walked into the room as she heard the creaking sound of the opening door. She was met with the faces of every member of the Purgatory, or the 'Regulars' as they were referred to at the inn. Father exclusive, she hadn't seen the rest all morning.
She gave a subtle inclination of the head upon seeing them. They were six in total, Vivian inclusive.
"Vivian, we would be leaving soon. We believe you will not disappoint in the task handed to you." A middle-aged woman, Bethany, spoke with firmness staring at Vivian with critical eyes.
"Francis must have told you already, you will just be observing her, nothing more." She continued. "You must not reveal yourself and keep a low profile."
Of course, Vivian already knew this but they were making sure it sinks in. They couldn't have anything going wrong.
"Remember Vivian, if our hunch is correct, this creature will be very dangerous. You would be here alone, so, do be careful." A gentle voice was heard from beside Bethany. It was Michael, another member.
As soon as they were done speaking and dishing out words of advice. Vivian met with Mrs Wells who immediately showed her the room she would be staying in. She had as well explained to her what her duties would be.
As the Purgatory set to leave, Father spoke to Ms Wells one last time.
"Caroline, I trust that she will be okay here. She must not be harmed in any way, understood ?" He spoke softly but his coarse tone and the sternness in his voice were enough to let Mrs Wells know this was a warning. Vivian had to be safe.
"Understood." She nodded and the Purgatory left, leaving behind Vivian.
While Mrs Wells had been busy with the 'Regulars' upstairs, her workers had begun work downstairs.
Olive had been the first to arrive like every other day and had immediately gone to work. Soon after, the others arrived. They had to be at work early so they could finish their work on time before the patrons trooped in.
Susan and Olive were to scrub the floors and stairs. And for this they needed water. Olive left Susan to carry on with the sweeping while she went to get water from the town's well.
"Hello Missy." James called out as he got the ingredients ready to begin cooking. Olive waved at him as she got a pail from the storage room and left through the back door.
She walked past Jeffrey who was busy splitting wood. The damp morning air leaving chills on her skin.
Meanwhile Susan had eventually gone up the main stairs to finish up her cleaning. Moving past the doors to the rooms, she was careful she made next to no noise. She hurriedly rounded up her cleaning and moved in the direction of the stairs.
She was stopped in her tracks at the sight of a man who stood outside a room and gave the door a few knocks.
"That's the 'regulars' room." Susan rubbed her palms together recalling the feeling she got when she last went in there.
'The regulars must be in there. Also, who goes around knocking on the doors so early in the morning? Should I warn him not to disturb them ?' Susan stood nonplussed.
She stood a considerable distance from the man and was not sure he could see her. Knowing the customers they had, she would rather not approach the strange man.
She saw the door open and the man was let in.
'Oh, he must have known them for him to be let in. Or maybe he was one of them.' She sighed in relief thanking the gods she didn't go close to that man. Just being in the room they slept comfortably gave her chills, she didn't want to imagine standing next to them.
She then returned to her duties. It was almost sunrise and Olive had just made her last trip for water and had returned to the inn. James had been preparing breakfast and seemed to be done with a few orders.
Both ladies set off to serve those whose orders were prepared. Having been told by Jeffrey, who exactly made what order, it was easy for them to serve them in the dining room.
"I really rethink my decision to work here most times." Susan spoke her mind. She was loud enough for Olive to hear her as they walked back to the kitchen, which was actually what she wanted. She knew that Olive also disliked working there.
"If people could be a bit more decent." She looked back to the man she just served.
It was true Olive had her problems with the place, but she would still pick the inn over staying in her cave all day. When she came to this town, she found it quite hard to get a job. She desired to keep herself busy and this was the only place she could work.
This reason was somewhat similar to that of Susan's. Turning to look at her, Olive opened her mouth to say something but refrained from doing so. They returned to the kitchen.
"Where are the others ?" Mrs Wells voice from the kitchen. Both ladies then walked a bit faster. Vivian had walked in first and Olive after.
They were met with Mrs Wells and a young lady next to her. Seeing her, Olive could only think of one thing
'She looks familiar.'
Olive couldn't stop staring at her that she had completely ignored Ms Wells presence.
"Are you listening, Olive ?!" Ms Wells hissed snapping her out of her thoughts.
"I deeply apologize ma'am, I must have blanked out." Olive said, her head lowered. Slowly lifting her head she looked at the young woman one more time and then at Mrs Wells.
"This is Vivian.." Mrs Wells introduced the lady who stood next to her. "She is our newest employee. Her job here is quite simple. Let's say, you both now have extra help." She glanced at Olive and Susan.
"I have explained to her already what she would be doing. If she has any questions, I'm sure she can ask you lot." Ms Wells smiled and without saying much after, she left.
'An extra hand is quite helpful.' Susan couldn't help but think in glee. While she was overly excited, Olive was thinking about something entirely different.
'She looks like her.' The realization finally hit her. She hadn't come across the young woman before, instead she looked like someone whom Olive once knew.
While the two girls were in thought, Jeffrey and James had already gone forward to introduce themselves to Vivian. Both ladies eventually moved from where they stood with Susan moving over to Vivian and Olive doing the opposite.
"You are welcome to the inn Vivian. I am Susan and conceivably the happiest one to have you here." Susan welcomed Vivian and almost gave her a hug but stopped midway.
"And that's Olive." She pointed towards the direction of the maiden with shiny black hair. Upon hearing her name, Olive looked at who had said her name. She had a tray in her hand. It was the last order for the morning. After her glance, she left without a word.
"Never mind her attitude, she's always like that." Susan spoke trying to ease the discomfort Vivian felt from Olive's gaze.
When everyone was done talking, they quickly went back to work. From preparing the baths for their customers to cleaning up after them. Everyone was busy and Vivian seemed to find it the most difficult. Well, it was her first day after all. She only hoped 'Susan' was worth it all.
Just at that moment, her eyes locked with a man who seemed to have just walked in.