In the Spotlight - Miss Charlotte

In the Spotlight - Miss Charlotte

It was a beautiful morning in April when Miss Charlotte awoke with the sense that something was different. As she wiggled her toes beneath the sheets and pulled the coverlet up to her chin in thought, a single ray of sunlight pierced the room. She watched as a maid pulled the curtains open before turning to face Sir Walter, her brave and constant companion. "I do feel somewhat... peculiar today," she began. "I wonder what it could be?" To this the lapin gave his usual impassive response.

Climbing out of bed, the young mistress made her way across the rug to her wardrobe, the door of which was embedded with a looking glass. A young girl in a white nightgown with a head of messy curls gazed out at her with a suspicious expression. She stood on her tippy toes and placed a hand upon her head to discern whether she'd grown an inch or two overnight. Disappointed, she poked a face at the glass, turning this way and that until she was satisfied that her nose wasn't any longer, despite telling Nurse she'd washed her face last night. Finally she let out a long sigh and concluded that this difference must be of the sort one cannot see in a looking glass.

After the morning rituals of washing, dressing and brushing, Miss Charlotte descended the stairs with Sir Walter in tow. The long dining table was set at one end with silver and fine china, a hard boiled egg, two muffins, a pot of strawberry preserve and Charlotte's favourite spoon. Humming to herself, she stopped abruptly upon reaching the table and stared. The customary bowl of porridge, which Nurse insisted was a required part of any young lady's diet, was nowhere to be seen. The day was becoming even more peculiar.

The delightfully porridge-free meal consumed, the young lady made her way to the kitchens to investigate. Strangely enough, the heavy oak door was shut. Standing upon the tips of her toes she reached up to knock... and fell into Cook, as the door was opened before her. "Now, young Miss. There's nothing in 'ere for you!" she reprimanded and took Charlotte by the shoulders, turning her about. "Off yer go!" The door shut promptly behind her with a bang and a cloud of flour.

Looking to Sir Walter, who was studying the floorboards, she muttered, "What ever is the matter with Cook?" A little frown creased her brow and she stomped off to get her boots. Once adequately shod, Miss Charlotte snuck out of the house by the scullery door (which was never locked) and looked about. For the first time that morning a smile lit up her face, the gardens of the Verdelet Manor were beautiful. The mid-morning sun made the dewy green glass glisten and the first flowers of spring peeked out between the hedges to warm themselves in its light. It was the perfect sort of morning, Miss Charlotte decided, for an expedition.

The sun rose, and they day grew warmer as Charlotte's snowy white stockings turned a lovely shade of green-brown. She was just climbing the crest of Mount Kilimanjaro when she spotted an unusual creature flying over the pond. With Sir Walter trailing behind her she chased after it. The soft spring breeze carried it over the pond and across a garden bed, and in hot pursuit Miss Charlotte waded through the knee-deep water and trod over the petunias.

She made some ground on it across the lawn. The beast was rounded and of a bright shade of red. Lifting her skirts over her ankles she made a mad dash for it, one grubby hand extended she just brushed its smooth skin. "Oh, fiddlesticks, it's just too fast!" she complained to Sir Walter, "but it must stop soon." Her wish was granted as the round red creature's stringy tail caught on small bush. "Aha!" exclaimed the excited child and she dropped down onto the grass. Crawling slowly so as not to startle it she came closer and closer... and then with an impressive leap, pounced on the creature!

Only to hear a very loud "POP!" and fall flat on her stomach. Shaking her head and frowning she looked around, there was nothing but string and little shreds of red rubber. Tired and somewhat put out, Miss Charlotte took Sir Walter by the ear and made her way back to the manor.

Soon, she knew, it would be time for lessons, and she could ask Nurse about the red creature. Once inside however, her guardian was nowhere to be found. Wandering through the sitting room, the dining room, the library, the conservatory, the nautical room and even in the entry hall she found no one. Not one member of the house's small army of staff was present. Trying not to let concern show on her face she uttered quietly, "Maybe they've all gone on a picnic, and forgotten to take me." Wandering through the house, her wet mary janes leaving little puddles on the floorboards, Miss Charlotte began to get very worried indeed. What if they had left without her? Worse yet, what if they never came back?

A little tear ran down her cheek as she turned the corner into the sitting room… which was full of those strange round creatures from outside, in all different colours! Looking up she saw Nurse holding a brown paper parcel, and all the servants gathered around a table on which was placed the prettiest cake Miss Charlotte had ever seen! They all said, "Happy Birthday, Miss Charlotte!" and sang, "Oh She's a Jolly old Fellow!" Tears turned to laughter and Charlotte proclaimed that she'd really known all along what was happening and dug into a huge slice of cake.

Later that night when Nurse had finished brushing her hair, and she'd drunk her milk and said her prayers, Miss Charlotte stood again before her looking glass, She was a whole year older and perhaps... just maybe... a little bit taller.

Profiles

Charlotte Alice Verdelet
Type: Volks MSD FCS f-06 snow skin
Age: 8 years
Eyes: Mauve
Hair: Ivory Blonde
Likes: Exploring, Pirates, Books, Sir Walter, Frogs, Mechanical toys, Strawberry humbugs
Dislikes: Aunt Margaret, Mushy peas, violin lessons, baths

Brief History:
Charlotte is the sole daughter and heiress to the Verdelet family. She spends most of her time at their Manor and estate in Buckinghamshire, surrounded by servants and her one exasperated nurse. Charlotte's father is a noted scholar, egyptologist and archaeologist. He is currently in Egypt with Sir William Flinders Petrie, uncovering mummies and desert tombs. Charlotte has a great admiration for her 'explorer' father, and awaits his return with much anticipation. A romantic, mysterious child with a head full of faeries and dirty feet beneath her expensive skirts, she lives a life tucked away from harsh reality, innocence preserved by her own daydreams and fantasies.

Sir Walter
Type: Handmade white rabbit.
Age: Unknown
Likes: Books, sleeping, ceylon tea
Dislikes: Carrots

Brief History:
Given to Miss Charlotte at age three by her grandfather, with whom he shares a name, Sir Walter has been her constant companion. He is a thoughtful, gentle soul, much given to introspection and the contemplation of literary subjects. Despite loosing various body parts at stages in his life, and being dragged into adventures daily, he bares it all stoicly and with the grace befitting a true gentleman.

We would like to thank Lyssa for inviting us to take part in this issue of Dollicieux and wish the zine a happy first birthday!