I inherited Hilltop from my family and I’ve operated it out of the public eye for many years, having little contact with people of Middle Valley.
Don’t get me wrong – nothing against anyone in particular, of course, except maybe Bitsy. I find her grating.
But I digress.
I enjoy the mystery that surrounds my work here … the grounds, the history, the nature.
Knowing a bit about the ways of our Chickotee folk, I’m sure there is gossip … that my methods have led many citizens to conclude that whatever I am doing must be illegal.
We make it easy for people to work here. They live quietly on site, more comfortably than they would in other places, but largely apart from normal everyday Middle Valley goings-on. Not that they are prevented from going into town and patronizing businesses – they are not, I can assure you – but they typically do so infrequently and usually only if it’s urgent.
In recent months, however, I have been dipping my toe in, the election being the impetus. We might be moving past a toe, however. I sense I’m up to my knee.
I’ve been educating myself as to current Middle Valley leaders and issues. I have been especially captivated by the new administration’s strong promotion of tourism in Middle Valley.
Some of the scuttlebutt about tourism had involved making use of the Hilltop estate and mansion as part of the local tourist attractions. I expect a strong push from the administration to open up Hilltop to the public for this purpose, but it makes me nervous. As of now, I’m unclear on the purpose. It’s been mine forever, and I need to keep it that way.
Bentley, I like a lot, which is why I offered him a job. He reminds me of a young me, but without the Nutwell money, of course.
But now, it seems, I may have competition.
Mayor Moreno has tapped Bentley to head up the Parks and Recreation department for Middle Valley.
So do I have a “man on the inside”? Might I be able to count on him to protect the interests of Hilltop?
Not that I’d want to influence anything either way, of course.
Of course.
Jenny Page