In the novel One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, Nellie is the daily maid employed by Sylvia Chapman at 45 King Leopold Mansions.
Mrs Chapman changed maids often. At the time of events in the book, Nellie had only been working for her about one or two months and so did not know her well. Nellie told Detective Sergeant Beddoes that Mrs Chapman was "a nice lady, fond of the radio and pleasant spoken". As Mr Chapman was away from home for long periods of time, Nellie suspected that he was "a gay deceiver" but that Mrs Chapman never suspected it. Nellie also said that Mrs Chapman received letters from abroad from countries such as Germany, America, Italy and Russia. As Nellie's boyfriend collected stamps, Mrs Chapman let her have the stamps off her letters.
Portrayals[]
Nellie does not appear in person in ITV's 1992 adaptation of the novel, but her name is mentioned. After Mrs Chapman "disappeared" from the flat, the same notice is found on the door as in the original novel: "No Milk. Tell Nellie I am called away."