(You can read how Abby’s story began here)
Hi! I’m Abby Downturn – a Lady from New England, living in a cottage in Old England. I used to have trust issues, but I’m feeling way better now!
I love the Olde English country palaces. Many’s the time I’ve had my nose pressed to the windows at Old Chuffing Hall. Until the injunction. Which was just a misunderstanding really.
Anyway, I managed to grab a few words with Lord Knows, the proprietor. And he only went and offered me a job in the Hall’s coffee shop! Said he appreciated my after hours service at the Red Lion Public House. I told him I’m not that kind of girl, and he laughed. I guessed it was the first time he’d done that in a while. He even lifted the injunction!
Anyway, during my lunch breaks, Knowsey, as I called him, started showing me around the Hall. I expected to be blown away, and I was. But it all looked tired, rundown and a little lonely. Since his wife passed, Knowsey has been hurting a lot, and this house has the scars to prove it.
So that’s why I became Housekeeper. To help get the place looking brighter. Eventually, he got the broken statue repaired. And Knowsey had a spring in his step, once more.
Then a lot of things happened, in a short space of time.
Knowsey’s money ran out – a huge tax bill threatened to bankrupt him.
The Hall was put up for sale. Old Chuffing Hall!
He asked me to marry him.
I said ‘I do’ and I did. Just a small, private function, with a reception at the Red Lion – 10% discount for former staff.
We rented a little cottage on the estate, while the house was being sold.
Then my trust fund was recovered!
So I bought the place. The ‘Whole Monty’, as they say. Once the Hall is renovated, we’ll be moving in. All a far cry from when I first moved over here and lived in an old caravan.
But sometimes a Lady Knows.
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, 6th November 2016. For more details click the logo.
To view other stories written for this challenge, please click here.
Walk the Self-Talk 
That was brilliant. I love the puns. It was an excellent follow up to Abby Downturn.
Thanks. I always wanted to bring Abby back – this was the perfect prompt to do so!
It fit in well.
I really enjoyed the way this was written. The voice comes through so perfectly. I found myself reading it faster and faster as I went because it seemed almost breathless in tone. I really enjoy when a story has a unique tone that pulls you along and not just a bland telling of a tale. Great work.
If you get a chance and you’d like to check out my blog flash-365.com. Trying to write a story every day for a year. I really appreciate any feedback.
Thanks for the comment. Good luck with your challenge. I’ll stop by and check out your blog. 🙂
I absolutely love this, Steve, a terrific piece of comedy writing.
Chapeau!
Thank you. Much appreciated!
Ha, very entertaining, particularly liked the 2nd paragraph – Old Chuffing Hall, indeed! Made me laugh, very well done 🙂
Thanks, Iain.
I ditto the other comments, Steve. Such a clear voice coming through in this piece- well done!
Thanks.
Nicely written Steve. Could almost be a modern reworking of a rags to riches tale, like Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair – starts as a barmaid, ends up the lady of the manor. Though of course, things don’t always work out for Becky of course. Great story and a nice reaction to the prompt 🙂
A Lady knows… I like that. A fun read even if I am not up on the whole Abby bit. 😉
Thanks. I put the link to the original Abby story in, as most readers wouldn’t know it.
Always helpful those linky things 😉
Great story Steve. You main character is happy and seems like she know what she’s doing and looking for in life. I like her voice, it’s unique and things turned out well for her. She seems to just float along and deal with things as they come, not worrying, just living.
Thanks Mandi. I’d imagine Abby would be good company!
I love the posts, Steve. Downturn Abbey is great. I also love a happy ending and this had the best. Good writing. Great humor. 😀 — Suzanne
Thanks, Patricia. Glad you liked it.
Great story. I like how it comes full circle.