England, 2024.
"This is the BBC news at ten. Just in is the latest in the ongoing story of the potential fraud case against Lady Penelope Ward-Williamson. Surrey Police are still investigating a three million pound payment made to Her Ladyship in 2023. The transfer of funds at Coutts Bank is being treated as suspicious by the National Crime Agency probing the allegations of fraud and bribery surrounding the wealthy owner of Williamson Manor and the landed estate. Lady Penelope has denied any wrongdoing and explained it was payment for her role in the making of a private motion picture."
"How I choose to support myself and my estate is my business and is strictly a family matter. I see myself as an entrepreneur. There are many entrepreneurs involved in the making of private films from struggling film companies, and if benefits are made from that involvement it is all perfectly legal."
"Lady Penelope was also asked whether she had lied to the press about her actual participation in the so-called 'Blue Movie' but she insisted it was not true. Since that quote however it has been established that that widowed aristocrat had indeed acted and part-funded the film entitled 'Downtown Abbey Manor' and that she had not declared the profit to the HM Revenue and Customs."
"I made an error in what I said to the press. I regret not saying straight away that yes, I was involved, and the HMRC was informed I was involved. My legal team has advised me not to comment and to say nothing of my involvement in the motion picture."
The BBC contacted a spokesperson for her legal advisors who said they were authorised to speak on behalf of Her Ladyship regarding any numerous questions about the company Red Hot and Blue which has since dissolved. In response, a spokesperson said: "Any questions that you have are fully addressed in the statement to the authorities."
"A spokesman for Surrey Police has undertaken an investigation and will produce their findings concerning both the civil and criminal cases. The NCA, which investigates serious crime, said in a statement that it had 'opened an investigation' in May 2023 into suspected criminal offences committed in the procurement of unauthorised contracts by Red Hot And Blue and that they were now satisfied the police will act accordingly."
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The Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company (KSS CRC), delivers a range of rehabilitation services to people who have been sentenced by a court to either custody or community supervision. Community Payback (CP), Is punishment often given as an alternative to prison and requires offenders to complete between 40-300 hours of unpaid work depending on the severity of the crime committed and the individual's criminal record. CP has many benefits including its flexibility, allowing service users to complete their CP time alongside current work commitments.
In addition, women-only groups and individual placements are available to allow service users to complete their hours in a positive environment alongside like-minded people who can mentor, motivate, and exchange credible expertise encouraging them to learn new skills to support their rehabilitation.
And so it was that Lady Penelope had been found liable and had been committed to 100 hours of CP and to pay the princely sum of one million pounds to HMRC. The humbled Lady had accepted the judgement and received word of her first chore soon after. This was for her to participate in preparing a free lunch for the local homeless and the needy.
She had to attend this charity function set up at The Old Vicarage in Dorking, Surrey. This former Vicarage is believed to be of Georgian origins and is denoted of particular architectural merit by its grade II listing. The property is accessed from a long discreet driveway and is on the edge of Dorking town centre so highly conveniently located for the facilities of the town and the stations.
The house occupies an elevated position with charming views up West Street towards St. Martin's Spire and towards the North Downs. There is an enclosed easily maintained garden with lawn and patio seating area and a detached garage and driveway parking.
Her Ladyship duly arrived in her Rolls Royce motor car driven by her chauffeur. An obvious demonstration to all that she was from the upper strata of society. A world of fine food and wine where the champagne was consumed seven days a week. Even though she had been successfully prosecuted, instructing her driver to return in three hours, she entered the vicarage and passed through the ground floor principle dining room to the fully fitted kitchen.
She tugged disdainfully on her cheap attire which consisted of a pale blue cleaners dress and a white cotton apron. The imperious noblewoman had taken it upon herself to make some adjustments of her own and had shortened the hem to three inches above the knee.
She pouted and huffed as she looked around the kitchen where she was expected to spend the morning baking bread and making soup for three dozen. About ten minutes later, the designated helper arrived in the shape of one Jennifer Richmond. Like Lady Penelope, she had been given the CP as a result of offences due to alcohol abuse. She was twenty-nine with a slim build and light brown hair.
"Lady Penelope, I presume?"
"Correct. And you are Jennifer. This is a fine state of affairs and no mistake."
"I know. Still, it beats spending time in prison."
"I agree. How does this work?"
"The fundraisers of the charity have generously offered some fresh food from surplus and we are going to cook lunch for around thirty homeless people in the vicarage. Are you up for it?"
Penny nodded and spread her hands.
"Great. We shall have some help from local women who are borderline offenders. A lot of nineteen-year-old girls are under pressure these days to err on the wrong side of the fence. These girls need something to occupy their minds."
"So, we are going to bake fresh bread and make some nice sandwiches."
"Right, and we have to make a big batch of soup."
"Sounds good. And I will try to make my favourite dessert. Italian meringues. It's egg whites, sugar, and vanilla extract. Real gooey."
Jennifer pinned her hair up and looked around the kitchen. She was dressed in the same plain dress as Penny, and both were without makeup. The food had been delivered and Jennifer turned on the two ovens. Just then the two heard the front door slam which signaled the arrival of the girls.
"That will be Katrina and Georgia."
The kitchen door was smashed open and the pair of volunteers matched in with the hoods up on their big coats. They were slouched and morose and when they showed their faces they both looked thoroughly bored.
"Good afternoon," said Her Ladyship in her plummy voice. "I am Lady Penelope and this is Jennifer."
The tallest of the two black girls looked the older woman up and down and regarded the pair of them with utter contempt. This one had cropped dark hair and had a stud-pierced nose. The other was heavier built with a huge behind.
"Katrina, innit."
"Georgia."
Both younger girls had permanent sneers and the conversation died a sudden death before it had even started. Taking the helm, Lady Penelope began to take charge.
"Katrina, we need to crack on. Could you start to lay the tables?"
"Whatever!" she mumbled and showed the palm of her hand. "Ain't no boss of me, stuck-up bitch."
This last aside was just about audible for Her Ladyship's ears and she was starting to get angry. NOBODY defied her. Ever. At the other end of the kitchen, Jennifer and Georgia seemed to be getting along as they cracked eggs into a big metal bowl.
"Hey! Watch it!"
