Mistress Josephine call out to her from the parlour to ‘hurry up or else’. When she and Winnie heading out the door, she turn and give me the biggest smile. Now I know who that doll was meant for. Baby Jesus not going miss it one bit.

Once Winnie return, put on her apron and start to cook. Pretty soon the place full up with the banging of pots and pans and smells to make you mouth water. And just like Melon, Winnie put me to work chopping up the wood she going need for all that cooking.

Later, some of Mistress Josephine friends come over to help set up the house for the celebration. One time, when me heading to the parlour with some more chairs I have to fetch from next door, I overhear the women talking.

‘How come Josephine always manage to find herself a nice little mango?’

‘Well, why not? She paying for this one.’

‘Nice and juicy.’

‘Ripe.’

‘Ready for the picking.’

When I enter, they stop talking and is a whole lot of giggling behind hands going on.

I have just enough time to have a wash, get changed into the serving clothes Mistress Josephine want me to wear when the guest them start to arrive. She tell me to stand at the front door to greet them. If them arrive on foot, I must take the gentlemen hat and gloves, the ladies cloak, put them aside. If them arrive by carriage, I supposed to help them alight. It don’t take long before me running in and out the house helping gentlemen and ladies to enter. And when I see how them all dress, me have to stop meself from staring. Is like Christmas time, when everyone, even plantation slaves, get dressed up in them finest.

Winnie tell me later. ‘Dem gowns. Dem is nothing fancy. You should see what they wear to the ball at the governor’s mansion.’

By the time all the guest them arrive and I make it inside, the celebration is at its height. The room full up with a sea of black, brown and white faces, everybody mingling together. In one corner, a small group of musicians playing a lively tune. Nobody seem to be listening, though, because they all talking at once. Winnie don’t give me time to stand and gape. She hand me a tray and tell me to go round, pick up empty glasses and plates.

While I make me way round the room, I notice that Mistress Josephine is the centre of it all. Moving here and there, talking and laughing with all her guests. I also notice how she sometimes look pon me, when she think me not looking, then fan herself before she turn back to the person she speaking to. I see Mister Potts trying hard to get her attention, but from where me standing, poor Mister Potts don’t have no hope in that direction.