Eavesdropping

Eavesdropping had become a habit for Annabelle that summer. Something was going on and Annabelle was being deliberately excluded. Being outside a secret is hard and so, she was spying whenever she was able.

Being eight had advantages: easy hiding spots, especially behind the heavy drapes in the drawing room.

Part of her knew sneaking was wrong but she was indignant about it all. She'd wager that Imogen knew what was going on but Imogen was different. She looked dreadful: sad; dark circles under her eyes like her skin had been pricked of its pinkness. She'd also grown dreadfully fat, something Annabelle would have teased her about relentlessly only months ago but now, she sensed it would not be received with playful verbal sparring but resentment, sharpness, maybe bared teeth.

Her house spying never paid off.

There were other places though.

Their grounds. Usually tended by people like old Tom but some were seasonal, boys and men from outside.

She liked the woods best, the trees. Skipping along, she heard loud laughter, splashing, from the brook where she'd imagine fairy folk or woodland creatures coming to chat or take her on adventures.

She crept, using her learned stealth.

Naked men! In the stream! Father would be appalled! An innate sense told her that being discovered could be dangerous but she was curious. They looked so different! What was that thing?

She was easily spotted.

"Hey, you!"

Annabelle froze, still as a statue.

"Are you spying on us, little girl?"

She wanted to look away, but the one shouting was wiggling in such a way that she couldn't. The other boy laughed.

"These Langham girls just can't keep away! Do you want a poke as well?" Thrusting at her lewdly, he then, with a sudden turn of speed, ran out of the brook towards her and her trance broke and she ran as fast as she could until she was breathless, panting, back at the house.

When her heart stopped pounding, she thought about what he'd said: there were only two Langham girls, her and Imogen. And she had a feeling that a "poke" was something to do with that "thing" sticking out.

What had Imogen done?

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366 words

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