Lady Ann's Folly: Chapter Four - Part Five

As Hattie descended the stairs she heard a commotion coming from the front door and stopped in alarm when she saw Powell, the butler, talking to who appeared to be none other than Mavis herself.

“Please,” she was saying. “She ‘as somethin’ of mine. I’ve got to get it back off her.”

Hattie knew that it was really Mavis in her sister’s body but to see this girl and know that it was really Ann inside was equally baffling.

“Be off with you girl,” snapped Powell. “You have no right to be here. Go back to your inn and do what you do best.”

“No! Listen, you! I ‘afta speak to ‘er right now! Go and fetch er if you won’t let me in!”

“You clearly don’t appreciate your position my girl,” said Powell sternly. “This is Griply Hall. You are not fit to clean the boots of the lord and ladies who live here. If you do not vacate the premises immediately I will have the dogs set on you.”

Hattie laughed then covered her mouth. Knowing the truth and seeing the look of horror on this peasant girl’s face was the funniest thing she had ever seen. Before she could stop herself she descended the last few steps and walked to join them. She simply had to see her idiotic sister up close.

“What’s going on here Powell?” she asked, diverting the old man’s attention back to her.

“Apologies m’lady,” he said. “This riff raff is causing a nuisance.”

“Let me have a look at the girl,” said Hattie. Powell gave her access, stepping to the side.

Ann... or Mavis... looked panic-stricken; desperate for someone to listen to her. And well she should. If Hattie’s theory was correct, the longer she stayed in the barmaid’s body, the more like her she’d become.

“What do you want?” asked Hattie, trying not to smile.

“I... I need to speak to... to her ladyship, Lady Ann.”

Her ladyship! It was all too comical, it really was.

“Oh do you now?” she replied. “On what matter?”

“On... a private matter... m’lady.”

The term of deference was even more hilarious but Hattie didn’t show it. “Who are you?” she demanded. She wanted to hear Ann say it.

“I’m... I’m Mavis Gibbs... miss. I... I work as a barmaid down t’Dog & Pony.” And as she spoke there was more than a smidgeon of the Yorkshire clodhopper turn of phrase. Hattie smirked, loving the punishment Ann was getting. This would teach her to laugh at Hattie’s misfortune. And it would teach her for always being so superior. Hattie had lived her whole life under her sister’s shadow. This turnaround was most gratifying.

“Powell,” she said, “see to it that this baggage is sent away. She is not to be allowed to speak to Lady Ann. Ensure all the doors and windows are locked.”

“No,” begged the girl. “Please miss. I just need to see er for a minute.”

“If she does not leave immediately then call for my father, the Earl. I am sure he will be more than willing to see to it that this peasant is flogged for her impudence.”

Hattie turned and walked away, grinning to herself as behind her Ann begged to be let in and Powell saw her off. She was laughing as soon as she passed out of sight and unable to see straight or even go on walking she was giggling so much a moment later.