-- We won't go upstairs at the moment , said Helen . I 've done a fair bit of cleaning up for myself because I have to live there . And we'll leave the far wing as well. It's locked up and it can stay that way till I have a lot more time.

She sounded a little impatient at the thought of the amount of effort that was going to be required.

-- Anyway , come through here.

She led him out of the back kitchen area and round to the front of the big central staircase . The entry hall , gloomy despite the fantail window above the door and the shafts of light that cut across the tile floor from the two big windows to either side of it , had internal doors leading out from either side .

Taking him through the nearest one , Helen explained:

-- This was the main dining hall , almost a banquet hall , don't you think ! The first owners must have thrown some big parties !

She cocked her head and looked up.

-- That chandelier must have cost a mint. And think of the candles it needs! Nobody seemed to want it electrified .

-- Oh surely it would be too good left as it is , said Peter . And I don't know all that much about furniture, but this stuff looks a lot better than what I've seen in some other actual heritage places I've visited . You know , back in Australia there's quite a good market for this style of furniture.

-- But , and he paused thoughtfully . It would be a real shame to spoil the whole set up by selling bits and pieces .

-- There's a lot of the same sort of thing in the far wing , said Helen . I might have to sacrifice a few to be able to keep the rest . Anyway , you can see that the drapes will have to be taken down and cleaned , and there are a few patches where the paint will need restoring .

-- Now come through here .

She led him into a less spacious , but still elegantly furnished room.

-- Withdrawing room , for the ladies to wait while the gentleman smoked and had their port .

There was a faint element of mockery in her voice .

-- And here is the other den for the gentlemen ... the billiard room .

Peter took in the massive , but somewhat worn , table , with the racks of cues and as well the locked gun cabinet , with its small selection of rifles and shotguns .

-- Another sort of retreat , said Helen , leading him into a room full of shelved books .

-- Do you feel like a little light reading ? she laughed.

-- In fact , if you're up to it , for one job I'd like these books taken down , dusted , and listed in some way . Big job , though. There's a lot of books.

-- Interesting , aid Peter , but I still would like to spend some time out in the gardens .

-- That will be the main job for you I think , said Helen . but there are a lot of jobs in here that'll need two people . Like moving furniture and so on . But what do you think . Interested ? I'll be honest , I can only pay you minimum wages.

She named a sum that was indeed rather low , but without hesitation Peter answered her.

-- I can live on that , if you'll throw in a main meal at lunchtime for free . I like the idea of working here for a while . Should be a good experience .

They shook hands on the deal , and Peter told her that he would start as soon as he got some working gear together .

She saw him to the door and he set off down the driveway .

As he got to the gates , he passed a fairly elderly man in a business suit and carrying a briefcase , who saluted him but did not stop to speak as he moved on up towards the house.

At the bottom of the lane , before the deep ruts began , was parked a modest Bentley , which Peter , fond of good cars , admired for a moment .

Then he proceeded down the street whistling to himself . Having the job meant he could settle down for a while , something he felt he would enjoy .

He stopped by Number One and poked his head round the door .

-- Got a job at the Manor , he called as Jane appeared.

-- Starting tomorrow . But I'll have to get some working gear . I'll drop in again when I get into the swing of things .

-- Well done , said Jane . Do that . I'd love to know more about the Lady and the Manor .

-- No problems , said Peter . But first I think I might celebrate with a beer at the pub.

-- Whoa there ! said Jane . You'd best come in for a minute first .

She sat him down by one of the tables , as he looked at her inquiringly .

-- Look , she said , I maybe shouldn't tell you this , but you're a nice young man and I wouldn't want to see you put upon. There's two or three scruffies who hang around the pub , and Fred is no better really. They all think it's terribly funny to put people they don't think will be staying here through what they call a comic routine . Two of them play it up as Mad Tom and Crazy Tom , and Fred goes along with it .

Peter pondered this revelation .

-- Thanks for the warning , he said . I'll still drop in there , but I'll know what to expect . It doesn't sound like the things our mob get up to in pubs at home , but I reckon I can handle it now that I've been warned .

-- I'm sure you'll be able to , said Jane . You can let me know how that turns out as well.

-- I will , promised Peter , and he set of to make his purchases and tryout the local pub .