The mysterious Miss Collins

Chapter 1

I remember the first time I met Mrs Melling. It had been a dark and stormy night just as the one today. The rain had been pouring down in a sheet so thick it was near impossible to see; gusts of winds so strong, they threatened to blow you off your path. Anything that was outside was drenched in a matter of seconds. As were we. Anyone rational would have pulled off the road and taken shelter but not us. If we had stopped, my aunt would have caught up with us so we pressed on. Miss Hayes was determined that we were to make it to her sisters before the sun broke over the horizon.

We had set off from the small town of Fulsome just as the sun was just setting. The first five miles we had covered on foot keeping to the back roads of the county till we arrived at a non-descript inn from where Miss Hayes had rented a weathered carriage. The horses were old and bony but it was faster than travelling on foot so we had ridden on for the next few hours stopping only once or twice to let the horses' rest. At some point I lost track of time. It felt like we had been driving forever.

"Try to sleep child", Miss Hayes had said, "It will make the way seem faster"

Concern and determination had been etched her face. She had risked everything by helping me flee my aunt's household. To put her at ease I smiled back and pretended to rest. Hunger gnawed at my bones; in our rush we had forgotten to pack any provisions and it was too dangerous to stop by an inn. I must have dozed off eventually for when I woke it was to the thunderous sound of the rain.

I opened the small window at the front of the carriage.

"Miss Hayes? Should we not seek shelter? You must be drenched"

"We have but two more miles, child" Miss Hayes had replied, barely audible over the din of the rain, "The horses are still good and we should be there soon"

So, we pressed on. By the time we reached her sisters both of us were drenched to the bone. The carriage roof had leaks that let in a steady stream of water and before long everything inside was sodden including the threadbare rug I was using to try and keep warm. I was huddled in a corner when the carriage finally stopped and Miss Hayes opened the door.

"Hurry up now Amelia" she said, hustling me out of the vehicle, "before anyone notices a strange carriage"

We hurried to the door of what seemed like the servants' entrance of a large establishment. The house loomed large but, in the rain and the darkness, I could discern nothing more. All that caught my attention was a light in the corner. Thoughts of food and warmth dominated my mind as Miss Hayes rapped sharply on the door.

The door swung open almost instantly, revealing a woman so strikingly similar to Miss Hayes that they could only be sisters.

"Frances!" Mrs Melling exclaimed in shock.

"Hello Meg. May we come in?"

As I entered warmth immediately embraced me. The kitchen was expansive but there was a roaring fire at one end whose heat cut through the chill of the cold outdoors. The remnants of a modest supper lay on the table-the last of a loaf of bread, some mutton and cheese. My stomach reminded me that I had had nothing to eat all day. There was also a full decanter of sherry and I was reminded of happier times when my mother had allowed me a taste. Shivering from the cold, I stepped away from the tempting food and drink and stood anxiously in a corner as the two sisters conversed.

"You are my only hope Meg' Miss Hayes implored her sister "If you turn us down, I might as well ask the poor girl to throw herself in the sea for that would be kinder that returning her to her aunt's"

"Steady now, Frances. Start from the beginning if you please. Would you like some sherry? I have a feeling your tale could do with a sip." Mrs Melling calm and controlled voice was reassuring to my nerves. It was easy to envision her as the headmistress of her academy; authority became her.