Manipulation

Reality

Getting back down to the kitchen she reloaded the washing machine on long cycle for sheets. Turning back to the kitchen she picked up cold soggy toast, took one bite and did not fancy anymore so she left it to go and hang out the washing. It was fresh outside but not cold and not too windy but the breeze was lovely up her dress. The garden was long and the house down the end of a  decent stretch of land, just one next door house only one side. Halfway through hanging the washing a voice came from nowhere 'is that you Charles?', shit it is Mrs Bailey, the widow next door, too late to run. Charlotte turned 'hello Mrs Bailey', the fence is 6 ft and she must be standing on a step ladder to see over it. 'An interesting outfit dear' she smiled, Charlotte was dying inside and hoping the old bat would just vanish. Mrs B stared with an unasked question 'um, I lost a bet with Erin and promised to be her maid', 'of course dear' said Mrs B without a shred of conviction. 'Please tell Erin I shall be round for a cup of tea later', 'of course Mrs Bailey'. Charlotte turned to continue hanging washing and hoping that Mrs B had gone away. Back in the kitchen she popped two more slices of toast in and poured a fresh coffee. The toast popped and the doorbell rang, damn she had not considered visitors yet. She rushed to the front door and opened it, she curtseyed 'good morning Miss Emma', thinking if Emma did not already know she does now. 'Good morning Charlotte, pretty curtsey dear', she knows. Charlotte closed the door behind Emma and went round her to open the lounge door. 'Is your Mistress awake Charlotte?', 'yes Miss Emma', 'go and tell her I am here then make me a cup of tea dear'. Charlotte delivered the message then went to the kitchen to make a pot of tea. The toast was cold again but at least it had not been buttered yet and her coffee was tepid again. The dishwasher had finished and was beeping, she turned it off, empty it soon. When she delivered Miss Emma's tea she found Erin was already down 'coffee please Charlotte', Charlotte rushed off to get the coffee and cursed her own lack of organisation. Bringing the coffee in Charlotte was told to wait, she sat. Miss Emma looked up 'maids do not sit in the presence of their Mistress, Charlotte', blushing Charlotte stood. She stood as Mother and Daughter talked about her, 'how was her first morning Erin? her Mother asked. 'Needs some work, slightly late with breakfast, neglected to curtsey despite the fact she was told to curtsey on waking me and curtsey when I come down', she looked at Charlotte 'just two curtsies a day is not asking too much', Mother agreed 'and she forgot the newspaper'. Charlotte stuttered an apology, 'an apology is not required Charlotte, an assurance that you will not forget is, you may return to your duties', Charlotte curtsied 'Mrs B said she would pop round later Miss Erin', Erin looked up and smiled 'and how did she see you Charlotte?', 'she saw me hanging out washing, Miss Erin'. With that Charlotte withdrew to carry on her duties.

Looks like she will have to get used to cold toast, her coffee went through the microwave. She nibbled toast and drank mouthfuls of coffee as she emptied the dishwasher. 'Charlotte' Erin's voice came from the top of the stairs 'why is my breakfast tray still in my bedroom? Charlotte rushed to retrieve the tray.