Little Candleford (Chapter Three)
A Dolls House story of a Small Town, featuring its Buildings and Residents
Emma's First Day at Work
It was 7.30am on a crisp cold Monday morning; Emma locks the door of her small cottage and begins the short walk along Candleford Lane to start her first day at work. She was enjoying her morning stroll along the lane as she had done many times before but today would be different, today she was an employee of The Floozies House of Fashion and Accessories.
As she approached the busy Bakery with Mr Green setting up his Grocery stall in the small market area, Emma was distracted by the sound of a horse drawn carriage as it stopped to a halt outside the Little Candleford Hotel. She stared for amoment at the beautiful young woman stepping out of the carriage and watched as the woman crossed the street and stop to look in the Floozies shop window.
Emma started to panic, she would have to walk pass the young lady to gain access to the shop. As she walked past, the lady called out “Good Morning Miss, are you the owner of the store?”
Emma blushed, her heart was beating heavily and she could feel her whole body slightly shaking. Was she just nervous? Or was it the sight of this beautiful woman that had stirred those familiar feelings and inner emotions that attracted her to young ladies rather than young men.
“No….err, I’m Emma, the new shop girl” replied Emma.
“Well Emma, I look forward to being served by you later”
Emma blushed again and hurried along to the workshop door. The door opened and there stood Katherine and Louisa, both looked at Emma and were amazed at the transformation from the little ordinary looking girl who they had interviewed to the fine looking young woman who stood before them now.” My, you scrub up well” says Louisa, “ Welcome to Floozies! ”
As she approached the busy Bakery with Mr Green setting up his Grocery stall in the small market area, Emma was distracted by the sound of a horse drawn carriage as it stopped to a halt outside the Little Candleford Hotel. She stared for amoment at the beautiful young woman stepping out of the carriage and watched as the woman crossed the street and stop to look in the Floozies shop window.
Emma started to panic, she would have to walk pass the young lady to gain access to the shop. As she walked past, the lady called out “Good Morning Miss, are you the owner of the store?”
Emma blushed, her heart was beating heavily and she could feel her whole body slightly shaking. Was she just nervous? Or was it the sight of this beautiful woman that had stirred those familiar feelings and inner emotions that attracted her to young ladies rather than young men.
“No….err, I’m Emma, the new shop girl” replied Emma.
“Well Emma, I look forward to being served by you later”
Emma blushed again and hurried along to the workshop door. The door opened and there stood Katherine and Louisa, both looked at Emma and were amazed at the transformation from the little ordinary looking girl who they had interviewed to the fine looking young woman who stood before them now.” My, you scrub up well” says Louisa, “ Welcome to Floozies! ”
During her first day Emma soon became acquainted with the running of the store. She quickly learned where items such as Shoes, Hats, Jewellery and most of the accessories were stored. She assisted Louisa and Katherine to pack purchases into stylish boxes and carrier bags and was shown how to measure ladies for the fitting of corsets, skirts and dresses. Emma was quick to learn and seemed to have done a little of everything except serve behind the shop counter.
At 4.00pm the shop door opened and in walked the attractive young lady who Emma had briefly met on her way to work. Katherine was quick to greet the new customer and as they introduced themselves Emma heard the young woman say “and I am Lady Emilia Fairbanks, I know it’s only September but I would like a Ball Gown made for the Christmas season”.
“No problem Lady Emilia, my partner Louisa will look after your every need” said Katherine
“No, I would like Emma to look after me please” replied Emilia
Katherine was astounded “You know Emma, Lady Emilia?”
“No, but I would very much like to” said Emilia with a cheeky smile.
The two young women were introduced and under the watchful eye of Louisa, Emma asked Lady Emilia how she could be of help. Emma and Emilia were soon in deep conversation as Emma suggested various colours and fabrics she thought would be appropriate for a Christmas Gown.
“Perhaps I could measure you while you think about the fabrics and colours that we have discussed” suggested Emma
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure “Emilia replied in a flirtatious manner.
The two young women disappeared into the dressing room and Emma closed the curtain.
Louisa could not believe what she had just witnessed and quickly whispered to Katherine how professionally and successfully Emma was dealing with her first customer.
At 4.00pm the shop door opened and in walked the attractive young lady who Emma had briefly met on her way to work. Katherine was quick to greet the new customer and as they introduced themselves Emma heard the young woman say “and I am Lady Emilia Fairbanks, I know it’s only September but I would like a Ball Gown made for the Christmas season”.
“No problem Lady Emilia, my partner Louisa will look after your every need” said Katherine
“No, I would like Emma to look after me please” replied Emilia
Katherine was astounded “You know Emma, Lady Emilia?”
“No, but I would very much like to” said Emilia with a cheeky smile.
The two young women were introduced and under the watchful eye of Louisa, Emma asked Lady Emilia how she could be of help. Emma and Emilia were soon in deep conversation as Emma suggested various colours and fabrics she thought would be appropriate for a Christmas Gown.
“Perhaps I could measure you while you think about the fabrics and colours that we have discussed” suggested Emma
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure “Emilia replied in a flirtatious manner.
The two young women disappeared into the dressing room and Emma closed the curtain.
Louisa could not believe what she had just witnessed and quickly whispered to Katherine how professionally and successfully Emma was dealing with her first customer.
Inside the dressing room, Emma, blushing and feeling flushed started to take measurements; her gentle hands placed the tape measure around Emilia’s waist, then from her shoulders to her waist and from her waist to her ankles. Emma then placed the tape around Emilia’s bosom, her already excited body felt like it would explode as she felt sensual feelings and emotions she had not experienced before. Finally she placed the tape measure around Emilia’s hips and sensed Emilia was sharing the same emotions.
“Emma, would you like to accompany me for dinner at the hotel one evening” asks Emilia
An excited Emma answered without hesitation,
“That would be lovely My Lady, are you residing at the hotel for long?”
“Only this evening, I shall be staying at The Manor with Lady Adelaide from tomorrow until I find a suitable residence in town” replied
Emilia.
Emma’s heart sank, one word from Adelaide and her relationship with Emilia would be over before it had begun. The two young women returned to the counter where Katherine and Louisa were waiting, “Ladies, I would like Emma to make my Christmas Gown, I will leave it entirely to her to decide the colour, fabric and style. Emma, I will be in touch regarding our dinner date” and Lady Emilia left the shop.
“Dinner date?” Louisa joked “Emma I think you’ve pulled”
As the week went on, Emma proved to be a valuable asset to the Floozies establishment. She was conscientious, always willing to help, excellent with customers and every spare minute she had, she spent looking through various catalogues at fabrics, ribbons, buttons and accessories for the gown she was to make for Lady Emilia.
It was Saturday evening, the end of Emma’s first working week, and she had stayed behind after the shop had closed to work on the commissioned dress design. Katherine and Louisa both saw there was a hint of sadness about Emma only noticeable when she thought no one was looking and they both knew it was because Lady Emilia had not been seen since that first day she appeared in the shop.
On her way home, Emma passed The Little Candleford Hotel. Glancing through the window of the hotel lobby door she saw a young lady standing at the reception desk surrounded by luggage….. it was Lady Emilia.
'Oh God' Emma wondered, is she booking back into the hotel or is she leaving for good?
Her thoughts were soon answered as Emilia spotted her and called “Emma! - I’m back! Come in and join me for dinner” and so Emma’s week had ended just as it had begun ‘full of excitement and with a promising outlook’ . . . . . .
“Emma, would you like to accompany me for dinner at the hotel one evening” asks Emilia
An excited Emma answered without hesitation,
“That would be lovely My Lady, are you residing at the hotel for long?”
“Only this evening, I shall be staying at The Manor with Lady Adelaide from tomorrow until I find a suitable residence in town” replied
Emilia.
Emma’s heart sank, one word from Adelaide and her relationship with Emilia would be over before it had begun. The two young women returned to the counter where Katherine and Louisa were waiting, “Ladies, I would like Emma to make my Christmas Gown, I will leave it entirely to her to decide the colour, fabric and style. Emma, I will be in touch regarding our dinner date” and Lady Emilia left the shop.
“Dinner date?” Louisa joked “Emma I think you’ve pulled”
As the week went on, Emma proved to be a valuable asset to the Floozies establishment. She was conscientious, always willing to help, excellent with customers and every spare minute she had, she spent looking through various catalogues at fabrics, ribbons, buttons and accessories for the gown she was to make for Lady Emilia.
It was Saturday evening, the end of Emma’s first working week, and she had stayed behind after the shop had closed to work on the commissioned dress design. Katherine and Louisa both saw there was a hint of sadness about Emma only noticeable when she thought no one was looking and they both knew it was because Lady Emilia had not been seen since that first day she appeared in the shop.
On her way home, Emma passed The Little Candleford Hotel. Glancing through the window of the hotel lobby door she saw a young lady standing at the reception desk surrounded by luggage….. it was Lady Emilia.
'Oh God' Emma wondered, is she booking back into the hotel or is she leaving for good?
Her thoughts were soon answered as Emilia spotted her and called “Emma! - I’m back! Come in and join me for dinner” and so Emma’s week had ended just as it had begun ‘full of excitement and with a promising outlook’ . . . . . .
Lady Emilia Fairbanks
The youngest of three sisters and daughter of Lord Richard and Lady Fairbanks, Emilia had become an embarrassment to her parents because of her sexuality. At the age of Twenty One she inherited a large sum of money left by her late Uncle. Being wealthy enough to support herself she asked her parents if she could leave the family home and find a new life where
she would not be an embarrassment to them.
Reluctantly her broken hearted parents agreed as they knew they and their community could never accept Emilia’s lifestyle just as Emilia could not change the way she was, so Emilia tearfully left the Stately home and the family she loved and made her way to Little Candleford to hopefully start a new life.
Shortly after her arrival, she visited a friend of her parents Lady Adelaide Middleton but unfortunately her stay at The Manor was cut short as she and Adelaide shared different opinions of her newly found friends in Little Candleford. Lady Adelaide cruelly voiced her disapproval of Katherine and Louisa’s relationship and also had a low opinion of Emma
describing her as just another Floozy.
As an argument developed Emilia defended all three of the shop girls explaining that she also shared their ways and
lifestyle. Disgusted and in a fit of temper Adelaide ordered Emilia to leave the house.
Returning to the Little Candleford Hotel, Emilia quite by chance met Emma again and as they enjoyed an evening meal together both girls sensed this could be the start of a special relationship.
she would not be an embarrassment to them.
Reluctantly her broken hearted parents agreed as they knew they and their community could never accept Emilia’s lifestyle just as Emilia could not change the way she was, so Emilia tearfully left the Stately home and the family she loved and made her way to Little Candleford to hopefully start a new life.
Shortly after her arrival, she visited a friend of her parents Lady Adelaide Middleton but unfortunately her stay at The Manor was cut short as she and Adelaide shared different opinions of her newly found friends in Little Candleford. Lady Adelaide cruelly voiced her disapproval of Katherine and Louisa’s relationship and also had a low opinion of Emma
describing her as just another Floozy.
As an argument developed Emilia defended all three of the shop girls explaining that she also shared their ways and
lifestyle. Disgusted and in a fit of temper Adelaide ordered Emilia to leave the house.
Returning to the Little Candleford Hotel, Emilia quite by chance met Emma again and as they enjoyed an evening meal together both girls sensed this could be the start of a special relationship.
A Special Announcement
The following week much to Emma’s delight, Emilia visited the Floozies shop every day. Each day she would purchase a small item, a Hatpin one day, a small bottle of perfume another. Katherine and Louisa would giggle in amusement as they knew Emilia only made her purchases as an excuse to come and see Emma.
As the weekend approached Emma was getting excited at the prospects of seeing Emilia again. Saturday came and again Emilia visited the shop but this time she was not alone. She was ‘arm in arm’ with Sir Timothy. Emma’s heart sank as Sir Timothy told Katherine that he and Lady Emilia would be staying the weekend with his friends Charles and Mary Bennett, the family solicitor. Emilia turned to Emma said “hello “and asked to see an item of jewellery. Emma could hardly look at Emilia as she placed the beautiful bracelet around Emilia’s wrist. For the first time in her life Emma felt jealous, she had
never felt such emotional pain.
Louisa, noticing Emma was upset intervened “Emma it’s your break time I’ll serve Lady Emilia” and a tearful Emma made a hasty retreat into the back room of the shop. Alone, distraught and sobbing in the shop workroom, Emma could not believe that Emilia and her Uncle Timothy could be so unfaithful and cruel.
Back in the shop Emilia asks “Is Emma alright?”
Louisa replies “Well what do you think hearing you and Sir Timothy are going away together”
“But…” as Emilia starts to explain, Sir Timothy interrupts “Come my dear we will take afternoon tea in The Bakery Tearooms” and the couple leave the shop ‘arm in arm’.
The next week Sir Timothy and Emilia were seen spending a lot of time together taking afternoon tea in The Bakery Tea Rooms. Emma could not conceal her sadness despite Katherine and Louisa trying their best to console her. Emilia had not been in the shop all week then on the Friday morning she suddenly appeared with Sir Timothy.
“Good News My Dears” said Sir Timothy “I have a Special Announcement to make”. . . . . . .
As the weekend approached Emma was getting excited at the prospects of seeing Emilia again. Saturday came and again Emilia visited the shop but this time she was not alone. She was ‘arm in arm’ with Sir Timothy. Emma’s heart sank as Sir Timothy told Katherine that he and Lady Emilia would be staying the weekend with his friends Charles and Mary Bennett, the family solicitor. Emilia turned to Emma said “hello “and asked to see an item of jewellery. Emma could hardly look at Emilia as she placed the beautiful bracelet around Emilia’s wrist. For the first time in her life Emma felt jealous, she had
never felt such emotional pain.
Louisa, noticing Emma was upset intervened “Emma it’s your break time I’ll serve Lady Emilia” and a tearful Emma made a hasty retreat into the back room of the shop. Alone, distraught and sobbing in the shop workroom, Emma could not believe that Emilia and her Uncle Timothy could be so unfaithful and cruel.
Back in the shop Emilia asks “Is Emma alright?”
Louisa replies “Well what do you think hearing you and Sir Timothy are going away together”
“But…” as Emilia starts to explain, Sir Timothy interrupts “Come my dear we will take afternoon tea in The Bakery Tearooms” and the couple leave the shop ‘arm in arm’.
The next week Sir Timothy and Emilia were seen spending a lot of time together taking afternoon tea in The Bakery Tea Rooms. Emma could not conceal her sadness despite Katherine and Louisa trying their best to console her. Emilia had not been in the shop all week then on the Friday morning she suddenly appeared with Sir Timothy.
“Good News My Dears” said Sir Timothy “I have a Special Announcement to make”. . . . . . .
"Big Baps and Tasty Tarts"
“As you know Lady Emilia and myself have been spending a lot of time together recently” Sir Timothy pauses as he glances at Emma “ and I’m sure one young lady must have been thinking the worst of us but Emma you need not have worried for what I’m about to say is Good News especially for you. I’m proud to announce that as from today Lady Emilia Fairbanks is the new owner of The Bakery Shop and Tearooms.”
As Emma breathed a sigh of relief, Emilia rushed over and embraced her.
“Shall we have Dinner tonight, Mrs Cook and Daisy said they will cook for us and I will tell you all about my future plans for The Bakery.”
Katherine and Louisa were also relieved and giggled as Louisa joked “Now Emilia owns The Bakery, I can’t wait to see her Big Baps and Tasty Tarts” . . . . . . . . (Click on photos below to Enlarge)
As Emma breathed a sigh of relief, Emilia rushed over and embraced her.
“Shall we have Dinner tonight, Mrs Cook and Daisy said they will cook for us and I will tell you all about my future plans for The Bakery.”
Katherine and Louisa were also relieved and giggled as Louisa joked “Now Emilia owns The Bakery, I can’t wait to see her Big Baps and Tasty Tarts” . . . . . . . . (Click on photos below to Enlarge)