Lady Ann's Holiday: The Final Chapter - Part Three

When Burt arrived at the hall he was a little out of breath and a good five minutes late for starting work. Harry was in the stable doorway, looking like Mephistopheles.

“Well where the devil ave you been you ugly little tyke, eh?”

“Sorry sir,” replied Burt.

“Get in that stable and get to work! Thanks to that posh lady of yours we’re a man down an all I’ve got to help me is you of all people!”

“Sorry sir.”

“Go on!” Harry followed him into the stable. “Get your shovel! Start clearin up the shit! I’m sick o you draggin your feet around ere!”

“Sorry sir. Sorry,” whimpered Burt, getting to work as quickly as he could.

“Then get that ‘orse of hers ready! She’s bound to want to take it out today.”

“Yes sir. Right away sir.” Burt set the shovel down.

“Not now you idiot! When you’ve finished clearing the place!”

“Sorry sir. Yes sir.” Burt went back to clearing the horse dung up feeling bewildered and thoroughly cowed.

Harry stormed outside leaving Burt to get on with it and he immediately knuckled down, working as hard as he could.

Now he was alone, the after-effect of his nightmare came back to him; the conversation with Mavis. He’d gone on thinking about it on the way up from the village and he was becoming sure now. He couldn’t trust any imperative he had to want to be a servant. He was kidding himself, surely. He had to at least ask her ladyship about the swap. If he never asked and then missed his chance forever he might regret it for the rest of his life.

Yes. He had to ask her and see what she said. He knew that two weeks earlier he had been desperate to go back to his old life. He had to trust in that.