Etta couldn’t see Bessie’s expression, but could almost feel curiosity radiating from behind her.
‘Yes … Yes, miss.’
There was more silence. Bessie coughed, clearly trying to work out what to say next.
‘Have you forgotteneverything, then, miss?’
Etta nodded. ‘Yes. Everything. I don’t suppose you could, well, fill me in?’
Bessie’s brow wrinkled in confusion. ‘Fill you in what, miss?’
‘You know, tell me what’s going on. Who’s who, where I am?’
Bessie paused, then whispered. ‘So it worked, then, miss?’
‘What?’
Etta quickly turned to look at Bessie but just at that moment, infuriatingly, Nanny bustled back in. She was carrying a large pile of clothes.
‘Now then, Miss Hetty. I see Bessie has nearly finished your hair. A lovely job, too, especially with all that braiding! Oh, you do look so grown up with your hair off your neck like that. All that fancy London training coming in useful at last, Bessie!’
Etta watched Bessie’s eyes narrow. She said nothing, but tweaked at an errant strand as Nanny laid out the pile of clothes on Hetty’s bed and kept talking.
‘Miss Hetty, I’ve brought you some old clothes from your mother. They won’t quite fit, of course, but you’re only a little taller than your mother after all – and just as trim.’
Yes, Etta thought.Unnervingly short and slim.She let her strangely small, light body be pushed and pulled into the clothes. She was going to have to get creative about knickers, because going commando was not her style, but besides that it was all a lot better than expected. The chemise was thin and delicate and the stays, while far from ideal, weren’t as tight as the corset Etta had worn for her Halloween costume last year. Plus, they made Hetty’s otherwise small-ish tits lookfabulous. Like oranges peeking out of an overloaded shopping bag. Well, maybe tangerines.
Hetty’s body really was far smaller and slighter than Etta’s. Almost wraith-like. Etta had been meaning to lose weight for a long time, but on reflection her new light, weak body was not quite what she had imagined.
By the time they were done, the nursery clock read half past ten. ‘You’d best get going, then,’ said Nanny, looking tearful. ‘Bessie, take Miss Hetty to the breakfast room.’
At the very last moment, Nanny touched Etta’s arm. ‘Miss Hetty, are you sure this is right? Are you sure it is what you want to do?’
Etta felt a wave of sympathy. The older woman looked extremely anxious. She tipped her head to one side and smiled. ‘What’s the worst they can do, Nanny? Shut me up in my room?’
Chapter 5
2023
Hetty stood with her aunts in the door of Etta’s cramped studio flat and surveyed her belongings.
‘And this is all she has?’
‘Things are different, my dear. Very different. This flat is rented and was almost beyond Etta’s means.’
‘She was lucky to have something so central, she really was. And so close to the park!’ Jemima added.
Hetty hesitated. ‘Is that a privvy? Right next to the kitchen?’
Aggie pursed her lips.
Clearly not the right question, Hetty decided to try another. ‘Where does the maid sleep?’
Hetty started in surprise as a snort of laughter made its way out of Jemima. She looked between her aunts. ‘No … no maid, then? Very well. I think I have much to adjust to. Perhaps you could be so kind as to point me towards a contemporary etiquette book or pamphlet?’
Aggie stepped forwards. ‘Hetty, no. You shall live with us.’
‘But, Aunt! My intention was to live independently and freely. To make a small, peaceful life for myself, without becoming a burden on others.’ Hetty saw her aunts were both ready to interject, but she continued. For once, it was time to stand up for herself. ‘I need very little, truly. Food, shelter, that is all.’
