1st March
Dear Mum,
You do realise there is more to this job offer than meets the eye? Even if I felt enthusiastic about the prospect of being a privileged teenager’s menial aide, it’s obvious that the real motivation behind Framley-Waters’ generous pay package is finding someone to spy on his daughter while she’s away from home.
Of course the pay is tempting, and the hours good too. You’re right that I want to raise money for travelling, but this all seems too convenient, too easy. As much as I’m tired of corporate restructuring and being told to make people coffee, this doesn’t exactly sound like a step up, even if the pay is better.
I promise I’ll think it over, but my instinctive answer is no.
Give my love to Pippo.
Love,
Hatty.
8th March
Dear Mum,
My boss is an absolute pig. Making leery comments as he gets me to run around for him. I’m handing in my notice this week. Are you sure that Framley-Waters doesn’t care for references? I’m tempted to leave a steaming pile of manure on the man’s desk.
I’m not going to promise to do it forever. And I’ll fudge any of these “reports” he wants me to write. But maybe it’s meant to be after all.
Love,
Hatty.
20th March
Dear Mum,
I’ve picked a surname – “Lowks”. It sounds like a folksy sort of name but it’s just short for “low-key”!
I’m looking forward to having more time to think.
Mum – were you ever disappointed I didn’t follow in your footsteps? I was a little worried that’s why you wanted me for this job. But I think I’ve always known that your line of work wasn’t for me.
In fact, I find myself questioning why I’ve not followed the ambitions I had when I was young. Perhaps I’ll try writing a novel again. You said you loved my stories. You can read anything I write even if no one else wants to!
I’ve got a little flat in Barkmouth. I say “little” but it’s a palace compared to the flat I had in London.
I’ll let you know how settling in goes.
Love,
Hatty.
9th April
Dear Mum,
You weren’t wrong. I would only question your use of the word “headstrong” – it seems like a word that we use to defer to the privileged. A less euphemistic word for Olive Framley-Waters would be “spoiled”.
She does seem to expect that I’ll just pick things up around her – I was going to say ‘like a toddler’ but toddlers tend to enjoy their independence. She’s like a cat, maybe. Except not as cute.
She’s feeling very full of herself, too, because she’s got a job “reading fortunes” which sounds like she’s already decided on a career as a con-artist. How on earth am I meant to spin that for her father? You said I should try to avoid him calling her back home. That she needs to be able to make mistakes.
In happier news, I went for a walk the other day and watched the waves crash against the cliffs. I wrote an opening paragraph. No idea if it’s any good yet.
Love,
Hatty.
25th May
Dear Mum,
I sent my first three chapters to an agent in Colington and he’s asked me to come up this weekend. Do you fancy meeting me there? I’ve told Olive – and her father – that I have a sick elderly relative to visit. (You never told him how we were related, did you? If you did, please make something up if he asks.)
It’ll be a relief to get away from being a simple country girl, and from Olive’s freaky disappearing lizard. I also feel that she needs to learn how to tidy up some mess herself, both literally and metaphorically. I do think some people are miserable because they’ve had things so easy that they have no idea how to take responsibility and fix things themselves.
Love,
Hatty.
5th June
Dear Mum,
Olive was suspicious about the hamper of course but your plan worked – she immediately went out with her aunt to have a picnic. Obviously I won’t mention that in the report. Did you know that her aunt lived around here? I don’t know why I’m asking… I know you’ll never tell me! But I bet you did know, Mum, which makes it even funnier that Olive’s father was furious that I was leaving her without supervision!
I’ve had another message from the literary agent. He’s extremely positive about the novel as it’s going and the agency are negotiating with publishers for an advance. Exciting! You’d better have someone else lined up for Olive, just in case I become an overnight sensation.
Love,
Hatty.
20th August
Dear Mum,
A letter won’t be enough. Olive is in a heap.
You need to come. Her young friend is devastated too. He comes over sometimes and begs to see her and she won’t see him. He thinks she’s angry at him, or she hates him. But it’s obvious to me that she cares about him a great deal and she’s scared she’ll hurt him.
I know I said she was spoiled and needed to learn to do things for herself. But after weeks of watching her, I’ve realised what probably should’ve been obvious. Being spoiled isn’t just about being given too much. It’s being given too much of the wrong things. And not enough of the right things. You can’t be loved too much, can you?
Her friend Lucy and her aunt have tried. But she needs you.
I should probably admit that I was – am – a bit jealous. I worried that, given I’d never taken to magic, you saw Olive as a kind of surrogate daughter. Maybe even that you’d sent me to be her maid to make a point. That’s not a kind suggestion I know. But Olive needs someone who loves her like a daughter now. And I think you’re a better parent than her parents, obviously.
Please come. Maybe we can pretend we don’t know each other. Or maybe it’s time for her to learn I’m her mentor’s daughter. Either way, I’ll go along with it – but hurry down.
Love,
Hatty.
Helen Speaks 
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