As If I've Never Loved - Chapter 59

The Hungerford Meat Factory was divided into several buildings and sections.

Naturally, each section had a different manager, and Mr. Osborne was in charge of the poultry section.

What was impressive was that the systematic operation stood out, as befitting a place that handled and processed various types of livestock.

It was different from the simple and uniform bead factory in many ways.

Among them, the fact that collaboration was essential was the biggest difference and the part that Eloise liked the most.

Thanks to Mr. Osborne’s consideration, there was no witnessing of the slaughtering scene, but anyway, while being guided through every corner of the meat factory, Eloise suddenly had this thought.

‘Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to call it a large farm rather than a factory?’

In other words, it was like combining about five or six animal farms in Maybery.

Of course, while small farms are usually run by families, there was a difference here in that workers gathered from all over shared roles due to the scale of the place.

Anyway, it was something that she couldn’t help but feel unfamiliar with.

It seemed that the current Brightnham was firmly captivated by the innovative feeling that the word factory gave.

“I think you can relax your expression now.”

That was what Mr. Osborne said as soon as he returned to the office after finishing the tour.

While handing over a rough cup filled with hot tea.

“…… Ah, I’m sorry.”

Eloise, who received the cup, bowed her head as she rubbed her eyebrows that were still slightly furrowed.

Knowing that today’s attitude would remain as a permanent first impression to the people here, she tried to maintain a determined appearance throughout, but it seemed that her efforts were insufficient.

However, it was really inevitable that her peaceful forehead twitched wildly due to the screams of animals that were heard from time to time throughout the factory.

That was a sound that was closer to a scream than a cry, no matter how you looked at it.

Moreover, every time she discovered workers walking around covered in animal fur, excrement, and blood, her stomach inevitably felt nauseous.

‘There was even a man who sat on the low part of the factory wall in such a state and mindlessly munched on a sandwich……’

Would she also become like that before long? Thinking that way, her heart naturally became heavy.

She came here with the determination to willingly accept any ordeal if only she could forget Ansel, but it seemed that this was not an ordinary ordeal.

‘At least one effect is certain.’

Having such thoughts, an unintended smile flowed out.

Mr. Osborne, who had been silently watching Eloise, startled and hurriedly brought the hot cup to her mouth, opened his mouth.

“I don’t know how you were pushed here, but there must be a reason for it.”

Eloise, who had just swallowed the hot tea, coughed slightly and nodded her head.

Not only was the boiling temperature a problem, but the taste was really terrible.

“You know, this place is also a desperate workplace for someone. I thought you would run away with your tail between your legs after I showed you the factory, but at least you didn’t do that, so you’ve successfully buttoned the first button.”

“…… I will work hard.”

“Yes.”

Of course, she didn’t look very trustworthy in the manager’s eyes as she answered like that.

After all, she was a slender woman who seemed better suited to selling flowers on the street.

‘She must have come here because she can’t make money doing things like running away or whatever.’

Of course, there was no reason to criticize her for chasing money.

It’s just that it bothered him that she, who came from afar, was going from factory to factory in this cold city without family.

‘Is she supporting a family alone? Seeing how she suddenly disappeared from the bead factory, maybe the salary wasn’t to her liking. Or maybe she’s the type to get bored easily, given her age……’

He wondered if she wouldn’t be able to endure the work here for long and would run out to look for another job, eventually getting involved in something not very good.

As a father with a daughter, he hoped that this woman would not reach such a situation.

‘I’m thinking too much unnecessarily. I should only judge as a manager.’

Anyway, it was true that her eyes, sparkling as if jewels were embedded in them, held a distinct desperation.

Yes, it was quite daring of her to come all the way here.

So it wouldn’t hurt to believe her once, even if it meant being deceived.

“Well, work is from this time to this time.”

As Mr. Osborne’s thick back of his hand lightly tapped the work schedule on the wall, Eloise’s gaze quickly scanned the surface.

‘From morning to evening……’

Even though it was a long time, it wasn’t much different from when she worked at Old Bridge.

But Eloise chewed her lip as if she had some worries.

Then a puzzled voice echoed through the office.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Mr. Osborne, I’m really sorry to say this, but would it be okay if I go back a little earlier than the set time? Instead, I’ll come out early and clean up the factory.”

The manager blinked at the answer that came back as if he had been waiting for it.

“Well, I don’t mind, but why? It will be much harder to come out early and clean up. Whatever the reason, why don’t you just start together?”

“That…… The elderly couple I live with are very particular about cleanliness.”

Eloise, who smiled awkwardly, continued.

“So I want to go back early and wash up before dinner time.”

After all, it was a promise to have dinner together while staying at that house.

“Oh, that’s what it was. Okay. I’ll let them know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Osborne.”

Eloise, who showed a bright smile, quickly greeted him.

It wasn’t a very pleasant feeling that lies were growing thanks to someone.

At the Hungerford Meat Factory, Eloise started work an hour earlier than others.

Naturally, leaving the house an hour early was not an easy thing to do, but there was no one to blame because it was none other than herself who had asked for it.

On her first day of work, the first task given to Eloise, who arrived at the factory the earliest, was the so-called ‘factory environment beautification’.

For example, sweeping the entrance with a broom, cleaning around the chicken coop and the manager’s office.

And things like drawing water in a bucket and sprinkling it on the slaughterhouse floor were, in a word, a collection of chores.

In fact, sweeping and organizing the office was not difficult.

However, when she first opened the door to the slaughterhouse, Eloise was so startled by the unidentified bright red lumps gathered in the corner that she fell backwards, landing on her bottom.

It happened so quickly that she couldn’t even scream.

“Ouch……”

Pathetically, she had to fetch water again, but judging by the size of the slaughterhouse, it was an area that couldn’t be covered with a single fetch of water anyway.

So there was no need to be too upset about it. Eloise tried to think that way.

‘It’s okay. It’s just meat. It’s just meat.’

Unfortunately or fortunately, after repeating the task of pouring water inside the slaughterhouse a few times, Eloise gradually gained knack for pouring water only on the spots where blood had hardened without staring at the unidentified lumps.

After all, it was a sight she would encounter every day from now on.

When she had that thought, people started arriving one after another, and finally Eloise was also able to head to the workshop she belonged to.

“I’m Eloise Bailey. I have many shortcomings, but please take care of me.”

“Oh, we greeted each other yesterday, right? Let’s get along well from now on.”

There were a total of three women plucking chicken feathers under Mr. Osborne, and their names were Alicia, Melanie, and Pumpkin.

Their ages varied, but they got along so well that it wouldn’t be strange to call them sisters.

“What did you do before coming here? Maid work? Nanny work?”

“Ah, no. I was at a bead factory.”

“Bead factory? That work would be much more comfortable, so why did you come here?”

“Hmm……. Because I like animals……?”

Wait. Was this answer a bit strange? Around the time she had that thought, a cold sweat ran down Eloise’s back.

‘I should have said I like meat.’

Fortunately, the awkwardness was brief.

Listening to the stories of the women that began in a murmur, Alicia and Melanie were wives raising the youngest and first child, respectively.

Both of them said they leave their children with their mothers and come to work.

Pumpkin, a newlywed who had been married for less than 2 years, lived on the outskirts of Brightnham and started working at this factory following her husband.

Unlike the bead factory, the impression after finishing the morning work while listening to the non-stop chattering of the women was that the colleagues were kind.

Of course it’s true, but this is an answer to give to the manager, and if I were to tell a more honest impression……

‘I feel like I’m going to suffocate from the smell of chicken?’

So much so that Eloise left half of the lunch that the maid had painstakingly prepared.

Thanks to the friendly colleagues inviting her to have lunch together, there was an opportunity to become close from the first day, but unfortunately, her stomach was so nauseous that it was difficult to concentrate on the conversation.

Anyway, with just the not-so-long morning work, Eloise fully realized how difficult the job of ‘plucking chicken feathers’ was.

Even though in the morning, she had only touched a few feathers and had only been given an explanation.

When working at the bead factory, she often had thoughts like ‘I want to do a little more physical work than now’, but it didn’t take even an hour to realize how satisfied she had been then.

‘What should I do? I took a breather during lunch break, but my stomach still feels bad……’

But it was still bearable. Eloise sincerely thought so.

Until the veteran worker Alicia made a shocking remark.

“Well, shall we try it ourselves now?”