New Year

New Year

The letterbox clattered always welcome sound, Charlotte skipped out to collect the post. The cream envelope caught her eye. Picking it up, she felt the quality vellum envelope, mmm nice she thought, turning it over. Oh it’s addressed to me, even better. She opened it carefully, pulling out the crisp cream card edged in gold gilt.

Miss Charlotte Phipps

You are invited to our

2016 News Years Eve

Masquerade Ball

Thursday, December 31st at

Eight O’Clock

Cavendish Hall, Suffolk

“Don’t forget to wear your mask!”

Regrets only to Ms Harper, PA to William Sangster, Esq

A ball, how exciting thought Charlotte, having never been to ball Charlotte had no idea what to expect. She didn’t really know what to be excited about, or what was more exciting the ball or the new gown she would require.

“Mum, Mum” She called upstairs, charging up taking two steps at a time.

“What’s wrong?” Said her mother Shirley on her way out of the bathroom, pulling her robe around her. She took one look at Charlotte’s flushed cheeks “What is it, has something terrible happened?” Charlotte's face lifted to meet her mother's, a smile crept across her face

“Oh no it's wonderful” She thrust the invitation into her mother's hand “I’ve been invited to a ball” Her mother took the invitation and read it carefully. She raised an eyebrow as she got to the end.

“William Sangster, Esquire indeed” She paused studying her daughter's face, she had hoped she would never see that name again, at least not so close to home, not yet.

“Isn't it wonderful mum, I’ll need a new gown” Charlotte twirled around, pretending to smooth down her imaginary ball gown. “Can we go today, please mum can we look at gowns, please” Her mother smiled, and nodded. Charlotte skipped off downstairs “I’ll make you a cup of tea, mum while you get dressed” She called out from halfway down the stairs, barely able to contain the excitement in voice.

Shirley sat at her dressing table, she studied her face in the mirror, before picking up a photo of Charlotte. There was no doubt about it Charlotte looked like her mother, the dark hair, the widows peak. It was her eyes that were different, Charlotte's hazel eyes shone like polished stone, she surely had her father's eyes, that same twinkle she had always loved. Oh why now, she knew it would come but now. Shirley picked up the other photo, that of her late husband Roy. She raised it to her lips and kissed him, oh how she missed him. He would have known what to do, what to say.

“What do I do Roy?” She whispered. Staring at the photograph, she ran her thumb over his face, desperate for a connection.

She was so deep in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear Charlotte behind her.

“I’ve got your tea and you post” said Charlotte, placing the cup and a couple of letters on the dressing table. “I’m going to get dressed.” Charlotte left her mother to her thoughts and her tea.

#

How many more gowns can a girl possibly try on thought Shirley, flicking through the rather grubby, well read copy of cosmopolitan. She wasn’t really reading it, just passing the time, not till she saw him, looking at her from its center pages, his eyes piercing her very thoughts. She gazed at him, her fingers hovering over his face, she could almost feel his face. His chiseled jaw, the tidy well groomed hair, his lips. She closed her eyes.

“Mum, what do you think?” squealed Charlotte, spinning round in front of her mother. Shirley looked up “This is the one mother” Charlotte stood still, as Shirley took in the sight in front of her. Wow, her daughter looked truly amazing, so grown up. The gown Charlotte had chosen was pale blue bodice of silk satin, heavily beaded at the top of the bust, before drapes of chiffon encompassed the torso. The skirt, many ruffles of chiffon, like waves, varying in colour from the pale baby blue at the top, to navy at the bottom. It reminded Shirley of the sea. An assistant handed Charlotte satin opera gloves in light blue to match the bodice of her dress, she pulled them on. Charlotte beamed from ear to ear, “Do you like it mum? I love it” Shirley smiled, it was amazing her daughter was amazing.

“Just a couple of things missing” Said Shirley, turning to look at the shoes so her daughter would not see the tears in her eyes. She dabbed her eyes, “Shoes and of course a mask are needed.” She smiled at her daughter, despite the ache in her chest.

“Can I suggest these” said an assistant, passing Shirley a shoebox and a mask. The mask matched the dresses bodice perfectly, the colour and the beading. Shirley opened the shoe box the shoes matched the lower ruffles of the dress, yet were beaded to match the bodice. A lump rose in Shirley's throat, her daughter was no longer her baby, she was all grown up.

“Beautiful, you look beautiful Charlotte” smiled Shirley.

#

“Thank you Mum” Said Charlotte as she blew on her hot chocolate, Shirley smiled at her daughter. So grown up in so many ways, yet still a child.

“You’ll be the belle of the ball in your new gown” The pair chatted idly over their drinks.

#

Christmas came and went Charlotte thought of little else except the ball, her mother also, but for very different reasons.

#

On the night of the ball, Charlotte, got ready, her hair, her makeup. She changed into her gown, and awaited her car. Shirley sat alone in the kitchen her hand grasping her cold cup of tea, desperately trying to feel some warmth.

She should stop her going, she knew that she should, but how could she, what would she say. It wasn’t so much the invitation that had worried her, but the letter she had received in the same post, the letter from William’s office, in William’s hand. She knew that handwriting anywhere, she should do, after all these years. He had been polite as always, that's what she had liked about him, his manners the etiquette, always so precise with the etiquette. He had informed Shirley that Charlotte had been invited to the ball, that he had arranged everything, the account in the shop to pay for whatever she wanted, the transport for the night. Sheiley had been grateful of course, but apprehensive all the same. She had tried calling , but been told by Ms Harper that he was out of the country, she was welcome to leave a message. How could she leave a message, what could she say. She had left no message.

“The Car’s here Mum, quick” Carlotte rushed to the mirror for one last inspection. Her mother hugged her “I’ll see you tomorrow. Mum” Charlotte pulled her wrap around her shoulders, as her mother opened the door, kissing her daughter as she passed.

“Have a wonderful evening darling” Shirley’s heart was breaking as she waved her baby good bye, she knew the young woman that returned would no longer be her little girl. That she would be changed for ever, her innocent child gone forever.

#

The gravel crunched under the wheels of the car as it wound it's way along the impressive driveway, a road in its own right it was so long. As the car pulled up outside the large house, Charlotte gazed up it was the most elegant house she has ever seen. Circus performers went about the craft, guests wooing and clapping as the fire breather blew flames into the cold night air. The car edged forward pulling to a halt at the foot of the stairs. A footman stepped forward dressed in traditional uniform with the addition of a plain black mask. He opened the door, Charlotte felt his eyes run over her body.

“Good evening madam” he said pausing and licking his lips “Welcome to Cavendish House” he stuck out his hand, Charlotte held onto his hand to steady herself as she slipped out of the car. Their eyes met briefly, Charlotte smiled, blushing slightly.

“Thank you” Said Charlotte, her voice barely a whisper. James smiled, well the quality of guests was improving better than all the stuck up old hags that had already arrived, this one was young and fresh he was surprised she was alone however. A lot of the older ones had arrived half cut, some making sexual comments about him or worse still pinching his bottom.

Charlotte lifted her skits to walk up the steps, stopping to gasp at the acrobats that performed on the steps. As Charlotte watched the performers James watched her.

#

Charlotte joined the other guests in the ballroom, she stood watching for a while unsure what to do. She was wowed by the ladies in fine gowns, men in dinner suits She wasn’t the only one watching from behind a mask. Up on the mezzanine a man stood, dressed in a Phantom of the Opera inspired outfit and mask. Of course this outfit was not a shop bought, not off the peg. Oh no William Sangster’s was tailored exclusively for him by the finest tailors on savile row. His silk waistcoat as blue as sapphires.

“Ms Harper, is that Miss Phipps?” he nodded in Charlotte's direction “The delightful young woman in blue” The perfect colour for her, and it matched his own waistcoat and cloak lining perfectly of course this was no coincidence, he was fully aware of the gown Charlotte had chosen in the small exclusive boutique. Miss Harper , looked out from behind the pillar. A pang of jealousy hit her as she looked at the pretty fresh young girl, just 18 years old, the look on her bosses face.

“Yes, Sir. That’s Miss Phipps.” She replied, her gaze drifting to a group of businessmen who had just entered the room. William turned on his heels, his cloak flying out behind him, it made for a spectacular sight.

#

William tried to make his way through the crowd to Charlotte, but was constantly waylaid by guests, he strained to see her, where had she gone. He needed to find her, but as soon as he spotted her she disappeared again.

Charlotte was having the time of life, she laughed and giggled, wow that punch was good. Her head was light, but she didn’t care. She allowed herself to be whirled around the dance floor, by one man after another. It was true what they said she thought, time really did fly when you were having fun, Charlotte had long since lost track of time.

“May I have the honour of the next dance” Said a man from behind her, Charlotte span around a little too fast, The room span a little, as did her head.

“Oh” she said out loud, before giggling as a pair of strong hands grasped her hips steadying her.

“Careful, Miss Phipps” Charlotte gasped as she looked into his eyes, those deep hazel eyes looked so familiar. How did he know her name, who was he. Her head was full of questions. He smiled at her, immediately putting her at ease. She didn’t know him, and yet he seemed so familiar. He was older than her, about 40, no maybe 50 she guessed. Clearly looked after himself.

“Sorry allow me to introduce myself, William” He took her gloved hand and kissed it, bowing flamboyantly towards her as he did. Charlotte blushed. “I knew your mother, many years ago,” smiled William, before he added quickly “and your father of course” He smiled to himself, knew her very well indeed.

“Really” Said Charlotte surprised “Mother didn’t say”. William put out his hand and lead her onto the dance floor, gently taking her in his arms, he swung her around the floor. Dance after dance he swept her round the floor. Charlotte felt she could stay in his arms forever.

#

“Ladies and gentleman, 5 minutes until midnight” Waiters appeared from nowhere with trays of champagne handing them out to all the guests, ready to toast the new year.

William led Charlotte towards the stage, guests moving out of their way nodding towards him smiling.  Everyone seemed to know him. William took the microphone from the band leader

“Ladies and Gentleman, I would like to thank you all for coming along tonight, for this little celebration, this gathering” Charlotte looked around the room, little party, there must 500 people in the room. “I would like to take this opportunity” He paused, deep in thought, the band master whispered in William's ear. William smiled “Let’s say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016” He glanced at Charlotte, she smiled back sweetly, so like her mother, he thought. He raised his glass “Ladies and Gentleman, please join me in the countdown. Ten, Nine, Eight” at each number the drummer tapped the drum “ Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One. Happy New Year” He raised his glass, before clinking it against Charlotte's. “Cheers Charlotte”

The clock chimed midnight and the band struck up Auld Lang Syne. Everyone cheered, clinked their glasses and kissed their loved ones, new and old. Fireworks lit the sky, while balloons and confetti rained down inside. William turned to Charlotte, he took her hand, her head swam, a mix of excitement and champagne.

“Come work for me, Charlotte” William said impulsively. Charlotte was surprised but agreed. “Happy New Year Charlotte” William kissed her on the forehead, Sylvia and Roy had done a good job. One day all this would be hers, one day she would know the truth, the whole truth.  He just had to work out how to tell her, when to tell her. That could wait, for now it was time to celebrate, to be happy.