The gravel crunched as the vehicle turned at speed into the vicarage drive.
Anne heard it and looked out of the kitchen window. A moment later the front door bell rang. She wiped her hands on the towel and taking a quick look in the hall mirror straightened her hair as she went to answer it. When she opened it she took a step back and her heart skipped a beat.
The women dropped the cigarette, on which she had just taken a drag, stood on the burning nub, and walked past Anne who stood open mouthed into the kitchen. All Anne could do for a brief moment was to watch the back of her guest as she disappeared. Gathering herself she made her way to the kitchen.
"Lady Spencer," She said hesitantly, "what a lovely surprise."
"Good Morning." She replied, as she removed her gloves and placed them on the table, along with her wide brimmed red hat, by which she was standing.
Anne noticed how immaculately dressed she was, even on a damp Autumn Monday morning, her long black hair flowing around her face was a contrast to the red lipstick, the same shade as that of her hat. Realising she was staring too long she remembered her manners and offered her a seat. Her Ladyship smiled and sat.
"A cup of tea your Ladyship?" "Or coffee if you would prefer."
"Tea would be fine my dear."
Anne proceeds to boil the kettle and prepare the cups all the time noticing the eyes following her around the room. Cursing herself for not finding anything to say. It was her Ladyship who broke the ice by mentioning the weather, the good old weather, always a topic of conversation to save the awkward silences.
The tea finally made, she put the pot on the table and went to sit opposite, but Lady Spencer pulled out the chair next to her and Anne who stopped for a moment duly sat where the hand patted. Nervously she slid down and picked up the pot pouring it into the cups.
"Milk and sugar your Ladyship?" She asked trying not to look sideways. There was another silence. Then her guest spoke softly.
"Tut, now surely you can remember how I take my drinks Annie."
Anne felt herself flush, and cursed herself again. Yes it was true she knew exactly how she took her tea, her coffee, in fact any drink. After pouring the milk she passed the cup, her eyes looking down did not see the big smile, on her ladyships face.
"Thank you my dear." As the cup was taken and put on the oak kitchen table.
Picking up her cup she could feel her hand shake causing a little rattle which she stopped quickly by taking a sip from it.
Lady Spencer looked around the room a moment before turning to her host and saying,
"I trust you are settling into your new life as the vicar's wife?"
Anne nodded without realising what she was doing. She managed to squeeze a little smile.
"Oh yes your Ladyship," she replied nervously. "it's a very lovely parish here, we were so lucky to be sent here."
"I have some very good friends around this part of the country; perhaps you know some of them?"
"Well we have only been here a few weeks so we are still finding our way around." Anne replied feeling a little less tense.
"I love coming down here and now you're close as well it will make it even better."
Anne felt her face go warm again and her stomach became knotted as she finished her tea. She poured them both another cup before getting up to take the empty pot to the sink. Turning back she noticed that Lady Spencer had removed the coat she had previously undone and slipped it over the back of the chair.
"Is there anything else I can get you?" Anne offered on her way back.
Her eyes noticed the smirk come across the face of her guest. She panicked and when she tried to sit back in her seat she saw the boot on it. Looking first at it, then at her Ladyship who was looking at her with her chin resting on her hand, she stood not knowing what to do next. She had been in this situation before, too many times before.
"Well Anne here we are again, it has been a while, but you're still standing there like a rabbit in the headlights." Said the woman as she gestured with her finger.
"Come closer my dear, tell me what is always the first thing I expect from you?"
Anne shuffled a little closer, then a little further as the finger continued to beckon. Her hands nervously fiddling with her long green skirt, her eyes looking down as if in trance. Her throat had become dry.
"Well I'm sure you have not forgotten, but I will remind you just this once." Anne froze two feet away from her.
Lady Spencer sat back as she took her black calf length boot from the chair next to her.
"It is inspection time little Annie, raise your skirt."
Little Annie knew this was coming, but despite it, she held her skirt tight as if trying to prevent it happening. Surely this humiliation could not happen to her, she was now married, and to a vicar. Her voice just would not work, not only was it dry but it knew if it was used it would get her in even more trouble, if that was possible.
"Now little Annie or else." The command came in a gentle but firm way.
