Chapter 1

Summary

• The protagonist of the story is Molly, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, whose full name, Molly Maid, has become a joke ever since she started working there.
• Molly reflects on her name, given by her estranged mother and has grown to like the simplicity and neatness exemplified by her personal style, a sharp bob haircut.
• She appreciates her job deeply, feeling thankful and coming alive when she enters the hotel, which she compares to Dorothy entering Oz because of the grandeur and elegance it brings to her life.
• Despite society's expectations to aspire to high-profile careers, Molly loves being a maid, enjoying the orderliness and the ability to keep things neat and clean.
• Molly takes pride in her maid uniform and the anonymity it provides her at work, feeling more protected and able to fit in with the hotel's environment.
• With a talent for cleanliness and efficiency, Molly describes her joy in maintaining her maid's trolley, symbolic of her love for her profession.
• Molly has difficulties with social situations, often misunderstanding subtle communications and feeing awkward, a struggle heightened by the recent death of her grandmother, Gran.
• Her grandmother's death has left a void in Molly's life, leading her to feel lost without the guidance and conversations they used to have.
• Molly has very few friends and does not relate well to others her age, feeling that she fits in better at work where she feels less visible and hence, less vulnerable.
• Her work ethic and dedication are highlighted by her returning to work the day after her Gran's death, surprising her boss, Mr. Snow, the hotel manager.
• Molly discovers a dead body, Mr. Black, in one of the hotel rooms, which shocks her and stands out as a significant event in her typically routine workday.
• Details about Mr. Black and his wife Giselle are provided, with Mr. Black being a famous tycoon known for his extensive property ownership, including being a regular guest at the hotel.
• Molly meticulously describes the process of cleaning the room, highlighting her dedication to perfection and the professional approach she takes to her job.
• The discovery of Mr. Black's body is recounted in detail, with the situation evolving from a simple check to the alarming realization that he was deceased.
• Molly describes her feelings of shock and disorientation upon finding Mr. Black dead and her subsequent fainting.
• After regaining composure, Molly contacts Mr. Snow to inform him of Mr. Black's death and the arrival of medical personnel and police.
• Molly ends up sitting in Mr. Snow's office, recounting the day's events and grappling with her emotions while missing her grandmother, despite the normalcy of drinking tea and eating a biscuit.