THE MAPLE LEAF CLUB

Chloe, the Mysterious Maid

Olive slowly started to put things together. What was George up to?

While at the club that night, George had been a bit edgy and ran out for a while. She had danced with him and noticed a packet in his jacket which wasn’t there before. Her right ankle was killing her. She must have twisted it on the dance floor. She noticed he kept checking his pockets as he walked her up to her front door at Torwood. Had he lost something? He also smoked a pipe so could it be the pipe or the tobacco case. Then why was he so disturbed about his pockets?

And, when he was visiting the Maple Leaf Club a few weeks ago, he didn’t seem that pleased to see her. In fact, he was almost rude which was so unlike him.

There were other goings on at the Maple Leaf Club. Dorothea didn’t like Lady Pamela. Who knows why? Maybe Dorothea was jealous because Lady Pamela was a member of the aristocracy. Lady Pamela was a debutante and decided to volunteer with the Maple Leaf Club as one of her “do good” initiatives. Dorothea, the opposite of Lady Pamela, was relatively poor but liked to strut her stuff and order them all around.

Later the next morning, alone in her bedroom, Olive pondered her thoughts.

“I say, Olive,” called Tommy. “There is a phone call for you. A bloke, it sounds like.”

“Coming.” Olive wondered who it was. She lifted the telephone receiver in anticipation.

“Captain Payton here. Good afternoon Miss Janes. I was the one who interviewed you for the security position with the Cabinet at the War Office.”

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“I’ll get straight to the point. We would like to offer you the position. We can’t guarantee full-time but we would like you to do secretarial work for three mornings to start a week Monday. After we see how you get along, more work will be forthcoming.”

Flabbergasted, Olive replied, “Thank you. That’s wonderful. When can I start?”

“I will mail you an acceptance letter immediately. Can you start next Monday at 0900 hours? Directions will be in the letter. I must caution you that your position will be top-secret and you are not to discuss what you do with anyone – friends, family members or boyfriends. Do I make myself clear?”

With that, he hung up and Olive was left so excited.

“Tommy, Tommy, you’ll never guess. Never in a million years!”

She ran into Tommy’s room. He was sitting at his desk with pen and paper in hand staring at his Maths homework.

“Yes, what is it?”

“I’ve got a position. It’s top-secret. With the Ministry of Defense. I start a week Monday. Can you believe it?” Olive hugged her brother.

“Oh, bother, now Olive. That’s fabulous news. Wait until Uncle and Auntie hear. If it’s top-secret, what’s so top-secret about it? Will you be organizing warships? Chasing dragons in dungeons? Dealing with the French Resistance? Can I call you a spy?”

They both laughed at the thought. Imagine Olive as a spy.

Just at that second, a booming voice called to her, “Olive, Olive, come down here please.”

“Oh no, it’s Uncle. I’d better see what he wants.”

What a darling story… I can’t wait to see it with the illustrations.
I hope you are very proud of this wonderful little book!
It has been a pleasure working with you and this charming tale.
Sylvia Taylor, Editor, Sylvia Taylor Communications

“This book is awesome!” Emma, Age 9

“I love the fairies and finding out what happens next.” Andrew, Age 10

“I would like to fly like a fairy too and get my wings!” Christopher, Age 8