I rewrote this story from a wonderful encounter online with 'Mabel' whose permission I have to retell our story. It was a magical hour writing this together and I thank her from the bottom of my heart. It is rewritten from Mabel's point of view.
*****
I answer the door to him that morning, early in 1918. I had last seen him as the handsome young master, off to join his Regiment as a 19-year old officer. Of course he had taken no notice of me then, a little 15 year old maid. Barely more than a child in his view (although my monthlies had started the year before.)
Now here he was again, older and more handsome but looking tired and drawn. He looks at me quizzically for a moment then cries "Mabel! I would never have recognized you! What a young woman you have grown into!" I blush; it's true that at 19 I was a different person now than when he had left. The skinny girl had become a young woman – medium height, proud of my slim but curvy figure, ashamed of my red hair and freckles which I thought ugly. I am surprised and pleased he remembers me.
"I'm maid to your sister now sir, although I still do some housework, laying fires and so on. Welcome home sir!"
The following morning I make my usual way into each of the family's rooms, lighting the fire for them. They usually ignore me but Mr Ernest stirs and asks sleepily – "Mabel, is that really you?"
I freeze, stunned for a moment at waking him. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to wake you up!" I get up hastily to leave.
"No don't go, it's fine" he reassures me. "Let me look at you - I barely recognised you when you opened the door last night. Goodness you've grown into a fine young woman." He looks me up and down and I feel his gaze run over me like cold fire. All of a sudden I'm very conscious of my figure; my breasts and waist and behind.
"I suppose you could say that, sir" I look at him when speaking, but keep my eyes on the floor when not addressing him.
"I'd forgotten how beautifully red your hair is. We forget so much over there in the trenches. May I see a little more of it?" he asks.
Me? Beautiful? I don't know what to say. But... "I-I don't know sir..." I reach up to remove my maid's cap, "it's not very customary"
"It's been so long since I saw a lovely girl in peace and tranquillity." He reaches up and pulls a strand of hair from my bun. "How very lovely you are..." he breathes. "Would you sit with me and talk for a while?" he moves over and pats the bed next to him.
"I really do have to start your sister's fire, sir. She'll be upset if she wakes to the cold..."
"I'll make it up to her" he promises. Suddenly I realise the urgency of his need as he reaches for my wrist and gently tries to pull me down to sit. "I'll tell her I sent you back downstairs on an errand" he insists.
I gently fight his grip, "I can't lose this job, sir."
He pays me no heed. "Goodness I had forgotten how green your eyes are. I would never let you lose your job - your place is here. I want you still to be here when I'm next on leave. Come, sit...I beg you."
He speaks a little more firmly, pulling me more insistently. He gazes into my eyes, he seems to be trying to communicate that he is the son of the house and to be obeyed. "Don't be frightened, I just want to know you better - it will be our secret. My parents wouldn't like it much either, remember!"
"I know, sir" I reply, and I reluctantly sit on the edge of the bed.
He tenses and blurts out: "Oh your skin is so beautiful. I love creamy skin and freckles - my favourite combination." He strokes my cheek gently. "Are you freckled everywhere" he asks – looking immediately embarrassed that he has asked me this out loud.
"Yes, sir." I look away as my own cheeks flush. "When I was younger mother made sure I had plenty of time in the sun." Then I fully realise the import of his question and my blush deepens.
"I'm sorry Mabel, that was forward of me. I don't mean to embarrass you." He strokes my neck lightly, apparently hoping for a reaction, a sign that I like it. "You have a wonderful figure now too!"
"It's what I've been told..." I take a deep breath at his touch, unsure of how to react. He sits up, his hand still on my neck. He gently but quickly leans forward and plants a kiss on the corner of my jaw, pulling me in with his hand.
"I hope you don't mind" he says - "I just had to do that."
"What if we're found..." I exclaim.
He gets up quickly and quietly locks the door. "I can lock my own door, can't I?" He comes to stand in front of me in his nightshirt then bends to kiss the top of my head. When I make no move he reaches round and undoes my bun. "Let me see that gorgeous hair" he asks.
"Sir, this really isn't appropriate" I complain, but make no move to stop him. Does he really think my awful red hair is beautiful?
He sits next to me on the bed, leans in and buries his face in the hair at my neck, lightly stroking it with one hand. "You don't know how much I have missed beauty like this" he breathes. He seems to be smelling me like a strange new perfume.
"C-can I ask a question, sir? Speak freely?" I ask cautiously. He nods encouragingly, still stroking my 'gorgeous' red hair. "Is it really not as exciting as they make it out to be? Going away to France?" I continue, "I know it's for the war and not for travel, but if you miss something so simple so much... It doesn't seem right."
He seems strangely affected now – as if struggling to keep his voice calm. "It's terrible over there - the violence, the noise, the fear. Your lovely face, the smell and touch of you - it's like deep, healing peace to me." He moves awkwardly in bed, as if tense or easing an ache in his belly.