ushernet Chapter 143: Back to Work Part 1
Chapter 143: Back to Work Part 1
Three days after settling into the Hillcrest Estate, the time came for Matthew Hesh to return to the demands of his business. The estate was quiet that morning, the sunlight streaming through the windows of the breakfast room where Matthew and Amber sat together for their final meal before his departure.
Amber had prepared a light breakfast, insisting that Matthew start his day with something warm and comforting. The table was set with freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, and a pot of steaming coffee.
"You’ll call, won’t you?" Amber asked, her tone light but with a hint of concern as she buttered a slice of toast.
"Every evening, if I can," Matthew replied, smiling at her. He reached across the table to take her hand. "It won’t be long. I should only be gone for a few weeks."
Amber nodded, though the thought of being alone in the large house left her feeling uneasy. "I’ll keep myself busy. There’s still plenty to organize here."
Matthew squeezed her hand gently. "You’ll do wonderfully, Amber. This house already feels like a home because of you."
After breakfast, Matthew made his final preparations. His suitcase, packed the night before, waited by the door. His personal driver, a stoic man named Bernard, had the automobile ready outside.
As Matthew slipped on his tailored coat, Amber stood by the door, her hands clasped in front of her. When he turned to her, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace. Find more to read at novelhall.Côm
"You’ll take care of yourself?" she murmured, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
"I will," Matthew promised, holding her tightly. "And you’ll look after yourself too. Don’t hesitate to send word if you need anything."
Amber pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. "I’ll be fine, but I’ll miss you."
"And I’ll miss you," Matthew said sincerely. He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her lips.
When they parted, Amber smiled softly. "Safe travels, Matthew."
He picked up his suitcase and stepped outside, where Bernard stood by the automobile. Amber followed, watching as Matthew settled into the passenger seat. Before the car pulled away, she leaned in through the open window, cupping his face in her hands to kiss him once more.
"Goodbye, Matthew," she said, her voice steady despite the lump in her throat.
"Goodbye, Amber," he replied, his gaze lingering on her as the car began to move.
The drive to the train station was a short but reflective one for Matthew. He gazed out of the window, the picturesque countryside of Newport giving way to the bustling activity of the station. Bernard expertly maneuvered the automobile through the morning crowd, coming to a stop near the platform entrance.
"Thank you, Bernard," Matthew said as he stepped out of the car.
The team leaned forward, intrigued but skeptical. Margaret furrowed her brow. "How does it work scientifically, sir?"
Matthew nodded, ready to explain. "The electric stove uses a heating element, typically made of a material like nichrome, which generates heat when electricity flows through it. Think of it like the filament inside an electric light bulb—it glows hot and transfers heat to the cookware placed on top. The heat is regulated using a resistance-based switch that controls the current."
He paused, scanning the room to gauge their understanding. Seeing some nods, he continued.
"Next, we have the refrigerator," he said, gesturing to a sketch of a tall, rectangular box. "This will revolutionize how families store food. Inside, there’s a cooling system that lowers the temperature, preventing food from spoiling."
A young engineer raised his hand. "How would it stay cold, Mr. Hesh?"
"The science behind it involves a process called vapor-compression refrigeration," Matthew explained. "There’s a liquid refrigerant inside, which evaporates into a gas when it absorbs heat. This gas is then compressed back into a liquid by a motorized pump, releasing the heat outside the unit. The cycle repeats, keeping the interior consistently cool. Think of it as a system that removes heat from inside the box and dumps it outside."
"So, families wouldn’t have to rely on iceboxes anymore?"
"Exactly," Matthew said with a smile. "It would save money and drastically reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses."
He moved on to the next sketch. "This is an electric fan. A simple device but invaluable for comfort, especially during the warmer months. Using a motor powered by electricity, blades spin to create airflow, cooling the room."
A senior engineer chimed in. "That’s similar to the industrial fans we use in the factories."
"Precisely," Matthew agreed. "But these will be compact, affordable, and designed for homes."
The last sketch was a boxy machine with a cylindrical drum inside. "Finally, the washing machine. A device that will take the physical labor out of cleaning clothes. Clothes go inside the drum, and with a combination of water, detergent, and mechanical agitation, the dirt is cleaned away."
"How does the drum move?" another engineer asked.
"The drum is rotated by an electric motor," Matthew explained. "The motion simulates handwashing but at a much faster and more efficient pace. Rinse cycles can be automated as well, ensuring clothes are thoroughly cleaned and dried."
Margaret raised her hand again. "Sir, these are groundbreaking ideas, but how do we convince people to adopt them? Some might see them as extravagant or unnecessary."
"That’s where education and marketing come in," Matthew said. "We need to show people how these appliances can save them time, labor, and even money in the long run. Imagine a mother no longer spending hours over a washboard or a family not worrying about food spoiling. These aren’t luxuries—they’re investments in a better quality of life."
He turned to the engineers. "We’ll need prototypes for each of these. Start with the stove and fan—those are simpler. Once we have working models, we can begin testing."
"Yes sir!"