Hetty Pov

I'd only spent a week at Calendar Hall but it felt like a year. In some ways the life was very different from the Foundling Hospital; the building was incredibly lavish and I was able to see how Victorian society worked in a middle-class household. However, the majority of the time it was as if I were peering through a window at the life I couldn't have, and the rules for the servants of the household were much stricter.

Sheila and I woke up at 5 every day and I hardly got to see her as we would all be off our feet; scrubbing dusty floors and setting up the fireplace. Sheila stayed in the kitchen working as a scullery maid whilst Gideon mainly worked in the gardens. I was just a regular housemaid, serving food and cleaning rooms.

It wasn't the glorious life I'd wanted, but it was better than life at the hospital. I slept with content, knowing that Matron was locked away in a prison somewhere. She couldn't hurt me anymore. Still, I kept the incriminating book that Mr Brumsden had given her, just in case.

The Calendar family were incredibly kind and generous. Mr Calendar was the head of the house, and he often sat away in his study writing articles to his heart's content, yet he still had traditional views on his own daughter's curiosity. Miss Emily, was also rather abrupt, but she spent most of her time reading biological books in hopes of becoming a doctor and visiting her younger brother Edwin. The son and heir to the family was rarely seen, as he was physically disadvantaged, having to spend most of his time in a wheelchair, sitting indoors. And, of course, Mrs Calendar who'd known and lived through the life of a lower class individual and so confided more informally with us. I couldn't help but feel as though she considered the whole house her family, even us servants!

The housekeeper Mrs Penhaligon seemed to find her manners rather strange and despite her very rare moments of kindness, she ordered about the house from day till night, ensuring that everything ran like clockwork. There was also Agnes, a fellow housemaid, who was a little more forgiving yet she still understood that it was every women for themselves. The gardener and houseboy, Jack, also appeared to be welcoming but he was Gideon's boss and if I'd learnt anything about the servants' life, is that everything had to run on time and be absolutely perfect.

Which was everything that I wasn't.

Still, I'd tried my best everyday. Swept as hard as I could, carried trays to rooms punctually, and curtsied. Lots of times.

However, there was one thing that I was most definitely not expecting...

I'd been running around the house and had just returned to the kitchen when I saw Gideon for the first time since we got here. That was also when I met his boss Jack - and immediately thought him to be quite rude...

"Gid!" I exclaimed as I strode down the hallway, "How are you? Are you settling in alright?"

"Well, I'm trying.." he chuckled, carrying a basket full of vegetables.

"Yeah, trying my patience!" exclaimed a boy from behind him, "I thought I told you to fetch both crates of veg, or do you always skive off?"

"Do you mind?" I told him annoyed, "That's my brother you're talking to!"

"And you are..?"

"Hetty, his sister"

He moved closer towards me, "Well I'm Jack, his boss. And he takes orders from me now, not you.."

He dumped the last crate on top of Gideon's pile before walking off. Boss? He was practically our age!

"Well there's no need to be rude.." I muttered once he was out of earshot.

"I saw him sneaking about with someone; I think it was the daughter of the house.." Gideon whispered to me. I raised my eyebrows; maybe that's why he was so grumpy! Still Miss Emily didn't seem like the type to want any kind of relationship. She was ambitious and wanted to go against the ideals of women in society.

Something was going on.

It was when I was serving Mr Calendar his lunch, that I spotted a small article in the newspaper. I placed the jug of water back down in shock. It read that Matron had escaped and had not been caught yet. I thought back to the missing uniform in my sleeping quarters and how untidy it had been. I was probably just imagining but perhaps it really had been too good to be true.

Matron would still haunt me even to this day.

I found myself wandering off to Sheila, troubled by the article I'd seen. Matron wanted me gone, and I knew she'd do everything in her power to make sure of that. Sheila raised an eyebrow at my story.

"You don't half tell 'em, Feather," before taking something out of her apron, "I've got the stupid book.."

I looked at the leather-bound book with relief, at least there was that..

Still, my stomach twisted with fear and the thought that something was wrong.

"Have you seen anyone or anything suspicious?" I continued to ask.

"The only people I've seen are the two boys from the bakery. One gave me a bun while the other one..." Sheila paused looking confused.

"The other one what...?" I asked her cluelessly.

"Oh..." she stated suddenly, face guilty with realisation as she hurried away from the kitchen.

As we paced up the stairs to our room she explained all, "I think they tricked me, they sort of asked the way to our quarters.."

We spotted the sticky buns abandoned on a tray nearby. We'd been fooled.

"Matron sent them, she must have!" I exclaimed.

"But why would they want your uniform?" Sheila asked. She was right, it didn't make sense.

I asked Gideon this same question while he worked in the garden. I was abandoning duties completely, but I didn't care. If Matron or Mr Brumsden were after me, then I needed to sort this out.

"Hetty, you need to watch out. Mrs Penhaligon's looking all over for Miss Emily.." Gideon sighed.

"But I thought Miss Emily had snuck off to meet Jack.." I said remembering what Gideon had seen earlier.

"No, he's been working with me all morning!" Gideon stated. I frowned.

"Gid, you don't think she's been caught up in something do you?" I asked fearfully.

Jack wandered in with a smirk, "Skiving again?"

I gulped, maybe he knew something.

"Where's Miss Emily? She's gone missing.."

"How should I know?" he shrugged, inspecting Gideon's work.

I glanced at Gideon. If Miss Emily was in danger, we had a duty to find out what was going on.

"Gid saw her give you a letter. Who was it to and what was it about?" I asked him eventually.

"I don't know anything, I just leave them under a loose brick in the east gate.." he mumbled.

"Show me where!"

"Forget it. I should have never agreed to help with the first one never mind the others..."

"Please.." I begged him. This was important. He still refused.

I decided to go to the east gate myself. I shifted a few of the bricks but to no avail. No clue.

"Why, Hetty Feather.."

I turned around to find a boy striding towards me. I recognised him at once, he was one of Mr Grace's boys.

"The book, in exchange for the girl.." he stated knowingly. I couldn't believe it. They'd kidnapped Miss Emily! And Matron, it seemed, was behind the whole operation.

I shivered involuntarily before replying.

"I haven't got it.."

The boy turned away, "Well I'm sure Miss Calendar will enjoy spending time with us.."

I wished there was some way to get out of this.

"Wait.." I called after him as he turned back, "Come back later and I'll give it to you then.. I'm a servant, they're probably looking for me now.. Five o'clock? They'll be having a high tea so I can probably slip away"

"Five it is.. not a minute later.." he warned, before sliding back into the shadows. I lingered there a moment, thinking what to do.

I couldn't tell anyone. Not the constabulary, no one. Perhaps I'd have to return the book after all...

A carriage came into view. I paused as a man stepped out and made his way towards me.

"Who are you?" I asked scared.

"Who are you?" he asked equally suspiciously.

"I asked you first"

He looked at me carefully before replying, "Henry Goodall, friend of the family..". He went on to explain how the letters were from him, and how he'd been tutoring Emily in secret as her father did not want her to become a doctor.

She'd missed her lesson.

"She's in trouble.." I informed him as he laughed.

"She always is!"

"No, she's in serious trouble. Emily's being held somewhere.."

A plan formed in my head. It was risky, but if it worked we might be able to get Miss Emily back without having to return the book. I managed to convince Jack to cover for us and I told Sheila to keep the book just in case. Mr Goodall, Gideon and I then took the carriage to Miss Smith's Home for Destitute Girls.

I found Jess almost immediately. When I'd been on the streets, despite my hardships I had made a lot of friends. She'd help me. We soon headed out to Mr Grace's den and Mr Goodall followed.

"I'll come with you"

"No, I need you to wait here. If we don't come back in ten minutes get help.." I told him as he warned us to be careful. I knew I was walking straight into danger here, but my loyalty was with Calendar Hall.

Miss Emily didn't deserve any of this.

We crept as quietly as possible into the den. I held onto Gid, shaking with fear. We managed to sneak past some of the boys and Gideon soon spotted Miss Emily. We didn't stop once as we grabbed her and took her out.

But the boys heard.

I pushed Gideon and Miss Emily away as the boys got hold of me.

"Gid you go I'll be fine! Tell Sheila, she'll know what to do!" I shouted as the boys pulled me back. I'd almost gotten away, but at least Miss Emily was safe now.

"Leave her!" came a firm yet awfully familiar voice. I closed my eyes before turning around. Matron stared at me looking harsher than she did before in the dim light. I could see her for all she was now, a monster who refused to accept the happiness of others.

"Hetty Feather.." she hissed maliciously, as I felt my heart speed up in worry.

She led me to a different cell, one that had a firmer lock.

"You can lock me up, but if you want the book it'll be at Calendar Hall at five o'clock. And I can promise you that the only way you'll get it, is if you take me back in person.." I explained as reasonably as I could.

"And am I supposed to believe that?" Matron asked suspiciously.

"It's all arranged with Sheila!"

"And if I don't?"

"They'll send for the police.. but it's all up to you, Matron" I concluded, feeling a sense of victory start to arise. At least, I was setting the options this time round. She couldn't blackmail me at all.

"You should do as she says, because I won't help you anymore, not till that book's in my hands.." Mr Grace piped up from behind her.

"How can I?" she whispered.

"If you don't, you can kiss goodbye to your ticket.." he stated grimly before leaving us.

Matron sighed in frustration, "How do I know this is not a set-up?"

"If I call the police, they'll tell the Calendars and I'd be sacked. No money, no reference. I'd never see Ida.."

Matron shook her head, "Why do you put such value on family?"

I frowned, wondering at the change in conversation, "It's where we all come from. It's all I've ever wanted.."

"Thinking like that will only ever hold you back.." she told me. Like I'd take Matron's advice!

"I'm happy as I am! What about you?" I asked her. I realised then how sad Matron was. How we'd both started the same way as lost children and yet she didn't seem to care as much about family as I did.

Only money.

As she looked away, I realised I'd found her weakness. She wanted money, and she'd do anything to get it.

Five o'clock.

The clock tower chimed as Matron dragged me back to Calendar Hall. I stumbled along, heart in my throat. Hopefully Sheila had sorted something out...

We entered and saw Mrs Calendar standing with the book in her hand.

"I believe this is what you came for.." she stating raising the book before her. I held back my surprise, wondering what Mrs Calendar was getting herself involved with.

Matron advanced towards her and reluctantly let me go as Mrs Calendar moved me behind her. She gave her the book and I watched in terrified suspense as Mr Calendar and the Constable emerged from the bushes.

"Until we meet again.." Matron warned before turning around.

"NO!" she screamed in agony, and I shuddered as Mrs Calendar held my hand tightly.

Matron spun around accusingly, "To think I trusted you!"

"No Gertie.." Mrs Calendar replied calmly, "Hetty is a child, it is my duty to protect her.."

"Perhaps you should think about protecting yourself Rosie, I could tell your husband all about your past.." Matron warned as I frowned. They appeared to know each other and my gaze turned to Mrs Calendar who was keeping her face very still. I could see anger there, imprinted onto her face.

Mr Calendar stepped forward, "I don't need you to tell me anything about my wife!"

The constable moved closer towards Matron threateningly. In an instant, Matron was running back to Mrs Calendar.

"Rosie! Rosie! Tell them how I cared for you when there was no one else!" she begged, "I helped you become this woman that you are"

She grabbed Mrs Calendar by her shoulders but Mr Calendar pulled her away.

"You only ever helped yourself.." Mrs Calendar replied.

"You were my family then. Please Hetty you understand how important families are.."

I paused a moment, taking Matron's desperate image into consideration. Was this the reason why she couldn't bear to see happy families? Mrs Calendar was now a respected woman, and yet she still treated others as her equals. A certain kind of love that would tear apart the rules of strict society. A certain kind of love which Matron lacked.

"You hurt my family. You've hurt children!" Mrs Calendar exclaimed, eyes blazing with anger.

The constable had finally grabbed Matron by now. As Matron was dragged away, she continued to threaten me.

"No one ever escapes their past.." she warned.

"No, this time it's over.." I informed her through gritted teeth.

And it was. I was never going to see Matron again. I had to move on.

I was so sure I was going to get the sack. However, Mrs Calendar decided to deal with the situation personally.

"Hetty.." she began, once I'd entered the study, "I understand that you abandoned your duties to deal with the situation. You should have informed us straight away if there was any trouble.."

"Yes Mrs Calendar, I'm very sorry.." I replied.

"However," she continued, "I understand that this was a unique situation. You were trying to help Emily and you saved her. And for that I must thank you. Family is important in all walks of life. So I am going to give you the evening off to visit your mother, Ida, I understand. However, you must return back for duties tomorrow morning. I hope this will benefit you.."

I could barely contain my excitement. They were letting me visit Ida!

I felt like I was walking on a cloud. I hugged Ida eagerly, and inhaled deeply, her scent of fresh bread and warmth. After having told the whole story, Ida clucked her tongue in disbelief.

"So you want to be a maid and follow in my footsteps?"

"If it means I get to see you, it's worth it.." I smiled.

Ida sighed, "Well time off is rare. Don't you want to be a writer anymore?"

"I do.. but seeing you is more important," I realised, "And besides I can write once I've saved up enough of my wages.."

As we sat there talking and sipping tea, I found myself feeling more content than I'd ever been. I knew where my life was headed now, and now I had a motive to keep going forward. My mother.

The Calendar family had proven to me that they would look after me, as long as I kept to my duties. And living with Sheila and the other staff hadn't been too bad neither, I'd started to see them all as a new family.

My dream of being a writer had been put on hold, for the time being. But I would continue writing down all my stories, until my moment finally came. Being a servant was just the beginning...