Photo: © Al Forbes 2016
I’m Abby Downturn – a New Englander with trust issues. Recently caused by my Boston accountant moving to the Bahamas, with the majority of my inherited wealth. Who knew?
So, I’m moving back to the Old Countryside, near the village of Little Chuffing. Sounds so quaint – like those Sherlock Holmes stories by Dickens.
And I’ve sunk my last $1 million dollars into real estate. And its a real English stately house estate. Formerly the country seat of Lord Knows, like on that British TV show.
My great grandma would be so proud! She was one of those serving wenches to the aristocrats, back in the days when England still had Kings and Queens. She was that old – you do the math.
Anyways, the brochure said it was a great opportunity to gain a foothold into the high-life. I bought it sight-unseen in a silent auction. Like all good deals, I think they wanted to keep it quiet. And I really did like the picture of the barn and trees.
But would you believe it. I’ve been conned again! Turns out I’ve not bought the big house, the land or even the barn. I’ve just got an old caravan behind the barn – and they’re charging me rent to stay there. They said if you look closely its in the photo.
So I had to get a job – me! Would you believe, I’m working behind the bar at the local Red Lion franchise. Now I’m a serving wench just like great grandma!
She’d be so proud. Maybe…
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, January 10th, 2016. For more details click the logo.
To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.
Walk the Self-Talk 
The things they can go wrong with a blind auction! I can just imagine this happening 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Angie. Poor Abby (and she is poor now!) does seem a little naive though!
HaHa. Unfortunately there is a lot of this going on isn’t it!
This is delightful. I love your nod-of-the-head to our British institutions both actual and televisual! Though I’m not sure that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be best pleased with Sherlock being credited to Dickens! I’m off to the Red Lion for a pint. Cheers!
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Thanks Keith. I thought it would be funnier if her knowledge of British culture was slightly off. It might be interesting to revisit her character after she’s been living the English village life for a while.
I had to click on this just because of the title alone! Funny story.
Thanks. I try and make the titles stand out!
Haha Great story. I love her name Abbey Downturn and all the little misnomers you put throughout the story. She isn’t the brightest crayon in the box I guess you’d say, especially with her inheritance and I think she must have a lack of education but atleast she had a job in a bar and that’s something. Well done.
Thanks, Mandi. I’d like to return to her character sometime, and maybe make her a bit more worldly wise.
Let’s hope.:)
I’ll say this…she certainly is a very trusting soul! But, look what it got her. She has a lot to learn, but I’m not so sure it will be learned behind a bar. I believe you gave her the proper name…:) Great story!
Thanks! I’d like to bring Abby back in the future. Hopefully when she’s settled in better…
Ha ha, I (she)did not see this coming. Made me smile. Her doing the same as her grandmother! Love it
I think she may come good in the end. 😀
This made me smile. Loved the line ‘…like those Sherlock Holmes stories by Dickens.’
Thanks, Mike. She may be in for a culture shock!
I was really amused by all the hints about her not being so bright and believing all kinds of silly things. It’s so much more convincing for a character to show you how dumb he or she is by what they think or say, rather than you just describing them that way. Great story!
Thanks, Joy. I would like to see her come good in a future story. I’ve grown quite fond of Abby!
It would be nice to see something work out well for her, I agree!
So sad that she has been duped twice and now is penniless. At least her great grandma would be proud of her!
Thanks. Time will tell, but I think her luck will turn!
Yes, I suppose it will. 🙂
Nice! Bet she would be proud. Or not!
DJ
Thanks DJ. Poor Abby! I feel sorry for her now.
Poor Abby is not one of the brightest pennies is she .. but this is a lovely story.
That made me laugh. All the things that she got wrong, you could see it was not going to turn out well for her. Well done Steve 🙂
Would love to read about Abby in the future. This was a smiler all the way through. The title and ending are priceless.
Thanks for your comment. This story has received such a warm response, it’s encouraged me to write a follow up, in the future.
And it has arrived 🙂
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