He rose at dawn, tidied the lounge and polished the silver. He ironed the newspaper, prepared breakfast, opened the curtains, greeted his Master, laid out his clothes, and ran his bath.
Butterworth was a loyal worker, but under-appreciated. Soon he would leave, unannounced.
He rose at dawn, tidied the lounge and polished the silver. He ironed the newspaper, prepared breakfast – then slipped something into his Master’s teapot.
He opened the curtains and greeted his Master. No need for clothes or a bath today.
Butterworth plundered the safe, packed the silver, climbed into the Rolls-Royce and away he went, never to be seen again.
Written for Friday Fictioneers which is hosted by Rochelle. The picture is provided by Dale Rogerson.
I won’t be around for the next two Friday Fictioneers. No, I’m not doing a Butterworth! I’m taking off with my little tent for a couple of weeks R&R and spending a few days in Scotland with my daughter, her bump and my son in law!
The price of ingratitude
An occasional thank you was all that was needed! Chers Neil
Teehee! I bet driving a stolen Rolls-Royce is a blast! I enjoyed your story, Keith!
Yes, must try it one day!
Dear Keith,
Butterworth is certainly organized, isn’t he? Loved the matter-of-fact tone of this story. It made me smile. Enjoy your holiday with your family.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Organised to the end! Thanks, Rochelle.
This is hilarious! I love the cartoon, too. Reminds me a bit of the old Esquire.
I thought he looked like a bit of a character! Thanks So much.
I feel the time is right for Butterworth to move on. Enjoy your visit up here – the summer weather is still hanging around at the moment!
Cheers Iain – hold on to it for me, please!
Have a great holiday.
Your tale is well told, but what if Butterworth gets ‘rolled’ en route to enjoying all that plunder? He’ll dare not report his stolen stolen Rolls. 😉
I imagine he’s thought it through pretty thoroughly – I just hope none of my readers reports him!
What a laugh riot was this one. Enjoyed thoroughly. Have a great holiday, Keith.
Thank you so much Neel.
Good story, Keith, reminded me of tha old Foundations song.
Have fun in god’s own country, I’ll be arriving just as you leave.
I shall I’m sure, just leave a wee dram for me!
Lovely …… reading about those English butlers after a long time.
They were characters – still are I guess! Cheers YS
A good reason to clean my own house and cook my own food. Have fun on your trip.
I agree! Thanks so much, Denise.
It’s the perfect crime.
All bases covered! Cheers Alice
Love it .. happy camping enjoying your time with the family … cheers Hilary
1200 miles round trip, 3 campsites and time with my guys! Can’t wait to get started. Thanks Hilary
Haha. Certainly tricked his master easily.
Do have a great trip 🙂
I’m sure he had it perfectly planned! Thanks so much Bernadette
I am jealous, love Scotland. And loved this piece of fiction?
Thanks so much Michael. I’ll raise as glass to you!
Aha! The Butler did it!
…with a pill in the bedroom! Cheers Stuhn
He had a place all ready, i’m sure, where he will never be caught or suspected. Enjoy your vacations!
I quite agree Mimi! Cheers
Let’s hope he doesn’t make a habit out of it 🙂 All the best for your vacation Keith, have fun!
A one-off I should think! Thanks for your good wishes.
better treat folks who work for you right. otherwise, they’ll always find ways to get even. nice story.
Wise words Plaridel!
Ah, Butterworth! With his professional never-changing butler demeanour he bumps off his master and off he goes 🙂
Just another days work! Cheers.
I think we all have a ‘Butterworth’ in us, but reality keeps us rooted to the spot.
Enjoy your holiday – don’t forget the waterproofs, it’s Scotland.
You are probably right! Thanks for reminding me about my waterproofs!
I loved how he kept doing his job perfectly till he left. The master will realise what asset he has lost.
Unfortunately too late! Thank you.
Gratitude keeps many good things in life. Enjoy the R&R!
Indeed. Thanks so much.
The world has so many dangerous persons, Keith.
They murder for money… Where is trust, loyalty & humanity?
Animals are better. They won’t harm someone from whom they have received favor(s).
– Anita
I have to agree with you, Anita. Well said.
Mrs Marple will soon have him bang to rights. Or Hercule. There is no stately home in which he can hide.
Aha! The butler DID do it!
I was half-expecting him to repeat but not go through with leaving!
Enjoy your vacation!
And away he went. Excellent.
The bump?…congrats to your daughter and SIL and to you, gramps?
Superb piece!
Butterworth is an interesting character. Knew how to do his job well. Carried out a murder so efficiently. I loved your story. Happy holidays!
Clearly his Master didn’t treat him right!
A most entertaining tale. I like the repetition of Butterworth’s actions. He’s so methodical, he left in a methodical way !
Very well constructed and delightfully told. Butterworth rather reminds me of the butler (played by the late Arthur Lowe) in “The Ruling Class”. A fairly tolerant “communist” until he gets a chunk of inheritance cash, then the real personality emerges to great comic effect.
Loved this, Keith. Well, Butterworth turned out to be a rather slippery character. Great piece of subversion.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Fun story…hope your holiday is as well!
Very fun! Enjoyed it.
Now that’s dark humor! Loved it. Enjoy your camping time with family. Scotland is on my bucket list!