Nothing is currently known about little 13-year-old Shirley Madison's past, only that she was orphaned "from birth" as she says, and that in Edwardian London, she must have had a very bad time until Miss Cranry took her in as her Maid-of-all-work. Adding to her mystery, Shirley is not only a talented maid, but also an excellent cook and seamstress. Where she picked up such skills is anyone's guess. Like all slice-of-life heroines, Shirley manages to take joy in the little, simple things in life. She has become quite attached to Miss Cranry, but not as a mother-figure.