The place was empty when she opened the door into the servants’ house. They must be in the main house for the lunch she thought. She went to the kitchen and put down the plastic bag for a much-needed cup of cold water from the refrigerator after walking under the hot sun  across the garden. She gulped it down her throat shamelessly as there were noone watching, or so she thought. The sound of the kitchen door suddenly opening made her nearly choke and turning around, she saw it was Mary coming into the kitchen.

“Oh ah , sorry about this ..” stuttered Malee upon seeing Mary.

“Its ok. George explained everything. But next time, please inform me if he follows you outside.” said Mary, stopping Malee from finishing her apology with the water still dripping from her mouth. Malee could only nod as Mary went on with pulling drawers around the kitchen as if she was looking for something.

“Something missing?” asked Malee.

“Yes, there is a bottle of pepper we bought last month. The bottle at the main house was dropped on the floor.” said Mary, still looking around. Malee understood the bottle having dropped on the floor could not be used for the family anymore. That was how the standard were.

“It is at the top cupboard. Here, let me get it for you.” said Malee as she opened the top cupboard door behind her to take out a bottle of pepper and gave it to Mary.

“Thanks. I must be getting old.” said Mary as she disappeared back to the main house.