This is my first story on this site, so any constructive feedback is gratefully received.
Many thanks to
TheNyxianLily
for editing and critiquing this story, and providing encouragement.
Anna peered out through her windscreen, trying to see past the snow that fell from a white sky. It was difficult to see the drive in the low visibility, but hearing gravel under her tyres comforted her. A dark shape loomed before her, and she slammed on her brakes, juddering to a stop. The shape was revealed to be a Range Rover, and a shiny new one at that. A brooding stone building loomed behind the car. It had to be Casey Manor.
After turning off the engine, she grabbed her coat and sports bag before leaving her Cortina. It was a shabby old vehicle next to the Range Rover, and not for the first time, Anna realised she didn't belong there. But she had to find out what this mystery was about. So, with the snow swirling about her, she ran up the steps to the manor and warily swung the great brass knocker. She only put a little force into the knock, but the noise boomed out. Shivering, she waited. And waited. Her patience giving out, she swung the knocker once more, just as the door creaked back on its hinges.
Behind it stood an imposing woman, who Anna judged to be in her forties. With a severe but elegant black skirt suit and her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, she gave off a stern schoolmarm vibe. Anna felt outmatched in her trainers, jeans, and tousled brunette hair. It was an effort to look up into the woman's icy blue eyes. And it
was
looking up, with the woman standing on the step above her and wearing a pair of stiletto heels, along with what Anna judged to be a six-inch height difference. Even the woman's breasts were larger and more voluptuous than Anna's modest but perky pair.
"You must be Anna," said the woman, as she looked Anna up and down. There didn't seem to be much enthusiasm for what she saw.
"Yes, that's right," said Anna, in a voice that came out far too squeaky for her liking.
For a moment, the woman was silent, and the icy wind continued to whip past.
At last, the woman spoke again. "The lawyers told me to expect you. You'd better come in."
As she drew back, Anna followed, relieved by the warmth of the house. They were in a large wood-lined hall. A number of doors and corridors opened onto it, a staircase swept majestically up, and many portraits gazed down at her from the walls. Even the carpet beneath her feet was thicker than any she'd ever felt before.
So this is how the other half live.
"Shoes off," came the woman's voice.
Behind her, the woman was wearing high heels. But there was an expectant look in her eyes, and the tone of what she'd said brooked no argument. Anna bent and took off her trainers, and placed them to the side.
"Socks too," said the woman.
Anna looked up at her. "But I -"
"Socks too. I don't want those filthy things on my floors."
Anna glanced down at her feet. The white socks were quite new, and looked clean to her. But to avoid an argument, she removed them too and placed them in her trainers.
The woman smiled. "That's better. My name is Miss Casey. This house was my mother's. It's been in our family for generations. Do you have any idea why she left half of it to you in her will?"
Anna shook her head. "I'd never heard of this place or your mother before the lawyers contacted me last week." Since she didn't know Miss Casey's first name, she thought it would be a good idea to give her own surname. "My name is -"
"Anna. Yes, I know. Your family: is it possible they were related to my mother?"
"I don't think so. The only family I ever knew was my aunt, and she was dirt poor. There's no way she'd know someone who lived in a big country house like this."
Miss Casey was silent for a moment. "When you speak to me, you will address me as Miss Casey."
"What?"
"That's 'What, Miss Casey?', or rather, 'Pardon, Miss Casey?'. Some manners wouldn't go amiss on you, young lady."
Anna's jaw dropped. "You want me to call you 'Miss Casey' every time I say anything to you?"
Miss Casey's eyebrow lifted, and her eyes bore into Anna's until the girl dropped her gaze.
"Yes, Miss Casey."
A clap of her hands showed this pleased the older woman. "Good girl. Now, as to this will nonsense, we'll soon have it sorted out. I have some top lawyers on it, and your baseless claim will soon be dismissed."
Anna wasn't expecting that. "But then why -"
"Since you're named in the will, you have as much right to be here as I do, until the courts sort this mess out. You must be hungry. Would you like some sandwiches?"
Anna couldn't quite understand. "But, aren't you angry at me for being in the will?" At the eyebrow arching again, she quickly added, "Miss Casey."
With a laugh, the older woman reached out to put a stray hair behind Anna's ear. "What my mother wrote in her will isn't your fault, is it girl? Why would I be angry with you? Why don't you unpack your things? Your room is up the staircase, first room on the right. You can see the yellow door from here. While you get settled, I'll start on those sandwiches. I'm afraid the phone line has gone down in this storm, so you can't call your family or boyfriend. And I wouldn't expect it to get fixed soon; the radio said the storm is going to get worse and worse."
"I, uh, don't have a family any more, or a boyfriend, Miss Casey."
The woman reached out to place a hand on Anna's shoulder.
"You poor thing. Now, up you go and unpack. There's a good girl."
💕
The plush carpet was thick under Anna's feet, and the staircase was wide enough for a dozen people to ascend without crowding. At the top stretched a long balcony with many doors opening from it, and old tasteful-looking portraits between. Anna couldn't help but wonder if they were the prior inhabitants of the house, and possibly Miss Casey's ancestors.