Katharine feels like a nervous wreck as she finishes setting the table on her first day at work. She smiles a few minutes later.  Wow, she thought it is already right at 5:50 pm.  She rings the bell above the sink to let the others know everything is all set.

     As the bell rings, King Fredrick,Queen Natasha, Prince Robert, Princess Linda,and Andrew enter the kitchen. They all sit in their usual seats at the table. It seems there is an extra set of chairs which makes Katharine wonder who is to sit there.

    She does not have to wait long before Alice arrives and takes her place at the table as well. She at least knows who is to have one of the chairs.  

    "Who is the other chair for your Majesties?" Katharine inquiries. She is not sure how things go around her yet as she just started today and already suffers from first day jetters.

       Queen Natasha smiles at the young lady, and points to the chair. 

   The queen  explains, "Katie, dear do join us now for the meal. It is proper for even the cook to have a taste of her own cooking."

     Katie nods her head and sits between Alice and Andrew. She  feels rather awkward about it since it is all so new to her. Well, that and the fact that Andrew keeps laughing at her. She does want to know what is so funny. It is not as if she did anything particular funny.  At least not that she knows about anyway.

     The meal continues on with everyone taking turns talking in between bites.

    Once the food is cleared away and the leftover stored in the refrigerator, the queen speaks, "You need not worry about the dishes as this is Alice's job."

    Katie smiles,  "Oh, alright then, what may I do to assist her in this task?"

    The king chuckles, then clears his thoart, " Dear girl you do nothing for you have done enough already.  It is your job merely to see to it that we are fed and to ask Alice for anything if you feel the kitchen is not properly stocked with something you need."

     "I see, well then how was it?" Katie asks.

    "The supper was rather splendid idea,"  The king tells her.

    "I agree with my husband it was rather delicious," The queen adds.

    "I think the food was just what I needed after a long day," Prince Robert agrees.

    "I loved the way you presented it and how you made sure we each had a proper share of it,"  Princess Linda answers.

      "Yum, I must say, you are a good cook, a young one,but good,"  Andrew states.

         Katie appears to be pleased at the response and takes leave of the kitchen. She sits on back porch unsure what to make of things now.

         ....At King James Palace....

         King James is not sure what to think about Helen.  Sure the maid is pretty, but is she good at her job.  He sure hopes so as he hates to let go of her just yet. He smiles at the notion that perhaps she is just what he and his daughter needs to get them out of their sour moods.

         Helen awakens from her nap and  brushes her hair. She straightens her clothes the best she can and heads downstairs.  Sure she knows she was told she starts in the morning, but could it hurt to work before then.  How else is she to find anything?

       It is not like she has been here before today and knows where everything is for that matter.

      "Oh, King James and your royal highness, Miss Aurora, I must say I am not sure how to locate all the things I need to complete a task around here,"  Helen states.

      "Helen do not worry, I will be glad to help you find it."  Princess Aurora tells her.

      The maid smiles with the knowledge that these folks are kind ones indeed. Somehow she thinks that her first day will go smoother than she could ever imagine.

    Find out more in Chapter 5

  bye, bye little owlets!

-Summer out!